The Chattanooga City Council paved the way Tuesday night for more housing units in the city with the passage of an ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units.
In a unanimous vote, the council began a process to change a local zoning ordinance that had barred such buildings. Local leaders had discussed passing such a plan for years. The council passed a first hearing on the change Tuesday evening, with a second vote scheduled for Tuesday.
The units, sometimes known as in-law suites, could be detached from an existing house or built above or below the house, including above garages.
The new rules state such units cannot exceed 700 square feet or be more than two stories, or 24 feet, in height. If the unit is attached to the main building, it cannot exceed the height of that home. One accessory dwelling unit is allowed for each single-family home and must be located on the same lot as the main home, either beside or behind the home.
The administration of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly celebrated the move in a Wednesday morning news release, stating construction of such units could address the local housing shortage the administration estimates at more than 5,000 units.