Commission Weighs ADU Parking, Owner Rules
St. Joseph planning commissioners continued discussing accessory dwelling unit regulations for the city zoning ordinance.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Remote Work
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St. Joseph planning commissioners continued discussion on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations after an ADU subcommittee recommended parking, owner-occupancy, and size rules. The planning commission has considered adding ADU rules to the zoning ordinance for a year.
Why it matters
The recommendations would set on-site parking, residency, and size limits for ADUs in St. Joseph. The owner-occupancy requirement aims to increase the city's full-time population rather than visitors.
The subcommittee recommended a 350 to 1,000 square foot ADU size range and one to two parking spaces depending on bedroom count, with height limits still unset. Grand Rapids, a city of about 200,000 people, issues roughly eight ADU permits per year after loosening its restrictions.
The players
Dalton Castle
Dalton Castle is the zoning administrator for St. Joseph, responsible for drafting the proposed ADU ordinance with the subcommittee.
The details
The subcommittee researched over a dozen communities and used a prepared survey to develop its recommendations, which would cap an ADU at main-residence size when the main home is under 1,000 square feet. Hose-length limits of roughly 100 to 150 feet were considered for fire access, and unusual circumstances could trigger a special use permit.
Timeline
Between now and the next meeting, Zoning Administrator Dalton Castle will draft the ordinance with the subcommittee.
Dec. 3: The draft ordinance could be presented to the full planning commission.
Market Landscape
The ADU proposal follows the city's current master plan and housing need studies, which guided the subcommittee's recommendations. Its owner-occupancy rule is designed to keep residents in St. Joseph full-time rather than having units used by visitors.
If adopted, homeowners considering an ADU would need to meet parking, size, and owner or renter residency requirements. Those planning to rent a unit as a visitor-based short-term rental would be affected by the owner-occupancy rule.
The takeaway
Homeowners interested in building an accessory dwelling unit in St. Joseph should watch the December planning commission agenda and the public hearing notice. Early attention to parking, size, and residency rules can help with planning any future project.
What happens next
The draft ordinance could come before the full planning commission at its Dec. 3 meeting, followed by a public hearing before any commission vote.
Further reading
For related housing context, see more remote work coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Herald Palladium.
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