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Accessory Dwelling Units

What are Accessory Dwelling Units?

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are smaller, secondary independent housekeeping establishments located on the same lot as a principal dwelling. ADUs are independently habitable and provide the basic requirements of shelter, heating, cooking, and sanitation. 

On October 28, 2021, the Urban County Council approved an update to the regulations within Lexington's Zoning Ordinance that allow these small dwelling units of up to 800 square feet on all urban, single-family residential lots in Lexington. The details of the proposal, as well as links to past presentations and meeting materials, can be found using the resources below.

HOW TO ADU (quick sheet providing all the details of how to apply for an ADU in Lexington)

WHAT'S THE SCOOP ON ADUS? (quick info sheet providing details on the approved regulations)

 

Louisville and Lexington ADU Conference

The Louisville and Lexington ADU Conference, which originally aired on February 1 & 2, 2022, offers local and national expertise on areas that are critical to the success of Accessory Dwelling Units as an emerging housing type. 

In the recorded sessions, guest speakers offer valuable information for a range of knowledge levels when it comes to ADUs. One key objective is to provide industry professionals with a primer on how to approach the procedural elements of ADU establishment on a project-level. The other objective is to offer information on how ADUs serve as a vehicle for diverse, attractive, and accessible housing both in form and in the inclusive regulatory changes that they inspire.

Louisville and Lexington ADU Conference

Session recordings, resource links, and contact information can be found on the event page.

Resources

 
During our September Mornings with Planning webinar on the topic of history, one of our panelists, who works in the field of Historic Preservation, offered his perspective on ADUs as a tool for incremental density and the preservation of existing established neighborhoods.

 

Notable Dates

July 19, 2018 - Planning Commission Work Session
March 21, 2019 - Planning Commission Work Session
April 10, 2019 - Public Input Meeting @ Lexington Senior Center
April 23, 2019 - Public Input Meeting @ Lexington Senior Center
May 7, 2019 - Public Input Meeting @ Lexington Senior Center
May 30, 2019 - Planning Commission Work Session
June 20, 2019 - Planning Commission Work Session
July 18, 2019 - Planning Commission Work Session
August 20, 2019 - Public Input Meeting @ Lexington Senior Center
August 29, 2019 - Planning Commission Work Session
September 26, 2019 - Planning Commission Public Hearing (video)
October 21, 2019 - Continuation of Planning Commission Public Hearing w/ Recommended Approval (video)
November 19, 2019 - Urban County Council Work Session (video)
  • Referred to the Planning and Public Safety Committee
August 11, 2021 - Planning Staff Presentation to Planning and Public Safety Committee (video)
September. 14, 2021 -Special Meeting of the Planning and Public Safety Committee to provide public hearing on Accessory Dwelling Units (video)
October 14, 2021 - First Reading by the Urban County Council (video)
October 28, 2021 - Second Reading and Approval by the Urban County Council (video)
February 1 & 2, 2022 - Louisville and Lexington ADU Conference (event resources)

ADU Manual

Full list of Imagine Lexington related ZOTAs and SRAs
List of all active text amendments within the Division of Planning