The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7061 seeks to amend zoning regulations related to mandatory minimum parking requirements and accessory apartments. The bill proposes the repeal of subsections (c) and (d) of section 8-2 of the general statutes, replacing them with provisions that empower municipalities to create zoning regulations that encourage energy-efficient development and renewable energy use, while also requiring vehicle miles traveled estimates for traffic impact assessments. Importantly, the bill removes the previous allowance for municipalities to reduce required parking, instituting a mandatory minimum number of off-street motor vehicle parking spaces for developments.

In addition, the bill modifies subsection (a) of section 8-2o, ensuring that at least one accessory apartment is permitted as of right on each lot with a single-family dwelling. It clarifies that these apartments can be either attached or detached from the main dwelling and sets a maximum net floor area for them. The legislation also establishes that accessory apartments must comply with the same setbacks, lot size, and building frontage as the principal dwelling, while prohibiting municipalities from imposing certain restrictions, such as requiring a passageway between the two dwellings or a familial relationship between occupants. The bill repeals sections 8-2c and 8-2p, aiming to provide municipalities with increased flexibility in managing accessory apartments and eliminating mandatory minimum parking requirements, with the changes set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-2o