Milford Accessory Dwelling Unit Changes Pass

MILFORD, CT ? The Milford Planning and Zoning Board voted 8-1 to update the city?s accessory dwelling unit regulations so that they can be rented out to non-relatives for profit.

The vote capped off months of discussion and research, which was prompted after city boards voted to opt-out of a state law that would?ve essentially turned control of ADU regulations over to the state. Momentum built to update Milford?s relatively strict and largely unenforceable regulations, which previously limited ADU residents to relationship by blood or marriage and didn?t allow owners to profit off rent.

?This is not necessarily trying to bring in a new cohort of people into the community, but I think primarily it keeps us all here,? Chairman Jim Quish said.

Those who spoke at public hearings or submitted testimony were overwhelmingly in favor of updating the city?s ADU regulations.

ADUs will be limited to 800 square feet and must be attached to the main dwelling, so detached garages won?t be eligible for conversion. Quish was in favor of allow detached ADUs, but noted that there wasn?t strong support from the board or overwhelming support from the community.

The 800 square foot size limit was a middle ground between what other communities have for ADUs, Vice Chairman Robert Sattie said. Some communities allowed ADUs up to 1,500 square feet while others limit them to 300 or 400 square feet.

Related: Accessory Dwelling Unit Changes Could Make Milford More Affordable

The board debated attaching parking spot mandates to ADUs, but ultimately decided not to adopt it.

There was some discussion about whether new ADUs, especially those near the beach, would be used as short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs.

?This sounds to me like a tremendous money making opportunity for people by the beach to have yearly Airbnbs which is not the intent, I believe,? Commissioner Etan Hirsch said, adding that he was ultimately still in favor of the ADU regulation change.

There is nothing in Milford?s regulations that mandate certain timeframes for rental agreements, City Planner David Sulkis said.