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 December 7, 2023, the Urban County Council approved an update to the ADU Ordinance that:
Allows new construction for detached ADUs
Removes the owner occupancy restriction
Removes the required deed restriction
If you have previously contacted our office about an ADU in the past, please reach back out to see if these changes to the regulation will help you move forward with your project.
The full details of the ordinance can be found using the resources below.
Louisville and Lexington ADU Conference
February 1-2, 2022
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.
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)