ZDO 833: Guest Houses

833.01 Standards

Guest houses shall comply with the following standards:

1. Use: A guest house shall not be a source of rental income, except that a guest house may be used as a short-term rental. If not used as a short-term rental, a guest house shall be used only by members of the family residing in the primary dwelling, their nonpaying guests, or their nonpaying employees who work on the premises.
2. Number: Only one guest house shall be allowed per lot of record.
3. Maximum Floor Area: The maximum floor area shall be 600 square feet. When calculating floor area, all contiguous space in a building shall be included except:
   1. Space that is separated from the guest house with a wall that does not contain a door; and
   2. Space that is separated from the guest house with a wall that contains a door, if the door provides access only to unconditioned space (i.e., with no heating or cooling) that is provided with no plumbing.
4. Maximum Separation Distance: The guest house shall be located within 100 feet of the primary dwelling to which it is accessory. This distance shall be measured from the closest portion of each structure.
5. Facilities: The guest house may contain one bathroom plus one additional sink but shall not include laundry facilities, a stove, oven, or other cooking appliances.
6. Utilities: All public water, electric, natural gas, and sanitary sewer service for the guest house shall be extended from the primary dwelling services. No separate meters for the guest house shall be allowed.
7. On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems: A guest house shall use the same on-site wastewater treatment system as the primary dwelling except when a separate system is required by the County due to site constraints, failure of the existing system, or where the size or condition of the existing system precludes its use.

[Amended by Ord. ZDO-268, 10/2/2018; Amended by Ord. ZDO-273, 1/17/2021; Amended by Land Use Board of Appeals Remand of Ord. ZDO-273, 1/24/2022; Amended by Ord. ZDO-273, on remand, 5/30/2023; Amended by Ord. ZDO-285, 9/3/2024]