City may limit sizes of sheds, workshops

Planning and Zoning Commission OKs proposed amendment

Yuma is looking to limit the size of accessory structures, such as storage sheds, workshops and outdoor barbecues and fireplaces.

With a 4-1 vote, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a proposed change to the city’s code limiting the size of detached accessory structures to no more than 50 percent of the size of the main house. This means that if a residential home is 1,200 square feet, an accessory structure could only go up to 600 square feet.

Garages are not subject to these regulations, nor does it apply to shade structures, such as carports, that are attached to a residence.

Alyssa Linville, principal planner, said this proposed amendment is to ensure that no accessory structure becomes a nuisance to the neighbors. Staff noted that the city has had a couple of requests from residents wanting to build structures the same size as the main residence.

Currently, the code does not limit the size of accessory structures. Adopted in 2014, the current code provides placement rules for such structures in a number of residential districts, “but it failed to address size,” Linville said.

Commissioner Tyrone Jones expressed concerns with the ability to regulate these structures. Chairman Chris Hamel pointed out that the city does not have enough staff to check the legality of every structure, therefore the city depends on the public’s help to regulate these structures.

Addressing Jones’ concern, Linville said that a homeowner couldn’t just turn an accessory dwelling into livable space; the structure would need to meet the other criteria for this use.

Jones, the sole commissioner who voted against the proposal, told the Yuma Sun after the meeting that he’s not against setting a maximum size — which he believes is needed — but rather that the proposed rule doesn’t go far enough.

“My concern is that anything being called a structure that has four walls and a door can’t really be regulated. People could live there. It doesn’t say enough,” Jones said.

During the meeting, Community Development Director Laurie Lineberry clarified that the proposal does not apply to dwelling units or buildings in which people can live, such as guest homes. These are regulated by the recently adopted code addressing accessory dwelling units.

In other action, the commission also unanimously approved:

• A request by Anthony Arguelles for a conditional use permit to allow physical training classes and retail vitamin supplement sales in the Light Industrial District. The property is located at 653 E. 20th St., Unit B.

• A General Plan amendment request by the city that would change the land use designation from Medium Density Residential to Mixed Use for 1.2 acres located at 1401 and 1411 S. Avenue B.