The Martin County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–2 on Dec. 9 to transmit Comprehensive Plan Amendment CPA 25-04 to state and regional review. The amendment would update the comp plan to define and permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family properties and create a new term — employee dwelling units (EDUs) — for living quarters tied to nonresidential uses.

Amy Offenbach, a planner with Growth Management, summarized the proposal: ADUs would be allowed on lots that permit single-family dwellings (excluding mobile-home future land-use areas), limited to one ADU per single-family dwelling and capped at half the square footage of the primary residence. An ADU would be treated as accessory to the primary dwelling — not a separate unit for density calculations — and could be rented. The changes would replace the term "guest house" in the comp plan; detailed implementation standards (setbacks, lot coverage, permitting and utilities) will be addressed later in amendments to the county’s land development regulations (LDRs).

Commissioners and the public raised questions about how ADUs would interact with septic systems, driveways, parking, homeowner association rules and the county’s definition of family. Staff said health-department permits would govern well-and-septic issues and that the LDR amendments will address detailed development standards, including occupancy limits (staff reiterated the county’s land-development definition of family applies and that up to six occupants or five unrelated persons is in current regulations).

Commissioner comments split along concerns about neighborhood character and the potential for loopholes versus affordable-housing benefits. Commissioner Campey, who supported transmittal, framed ADUs as incremental steps to increase affordable housing opportunities without large-scale density increases. Commissioner Capps and others thanked staff and noted the policy is intended to be implemented with detailed LDR standards. Resident Mary Gavin, who owns rental properties and guest houses, said ADUs could help address rental shortages and described careful screening and limited occupancy she practices as a landlord.

The motion to transmit CPA 25-04 passed 3–2; Commissioners Vargas and Hurd recorded no votes. Staff will prepare and return proposed LDR amendments and hold additional public hearings before final adoption.