County approves ADU's

EUGENE: A unanimous vote last Thursday will allow “more people to put front doors on their property,” according to Pat Farr, chair of the Lane County Board of Commissioners. To move to amend the county’s building code will allow the conversion of a historic dwelling for accessory dwelling units (or ADUs) in rural residential zones.

The amendment came on the heels of a 2021 state law designed to allow people to add additional housing to their properties.

“A lot of people have long awaited this particular item to be added as a possibility for their properties,” according to East Lane Commissioner Heather Buch. “Especially those who have been rebuilding from the Holiday Farm Fire and other fires in our area where this could be desperately needed housing.”

Buch also noted the change could benefit rural areas where “people are aging on farmland and they need assistance to carry on and work their land.”

Under state law, an ADU cannot be used for vacation-style occupancy. A covenant in the county’s code amendment will require that language to that effect be included in property descriptions so that future owners be fully informed

The motion to approve was made by vice chair Laurie Trieger of South Eugene and seconded by David Loveall of Springfield.