ADUs are allowed in ChesterTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Chester, CT
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
899
Owner-occupied
90%
Zoning districts
14
Avg Home Value
$408,059
Median Lot Size
1.03 acres
Avg Income
$116,273
Residential Types:
899 housing units
Other
100%
Zoning Districts:
3,155 parcels · 14 districts
R2
51%(1,600)
R1
30%(939)
R-1/2
7%(232)
VD
4%(124)
Other
8%(260)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Chester, CT?
Chester, CT follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is the lesser of 1,000 sq ft or 30% of the combined floor area of the home and ADU (equivalent to 3/7 of the home’s floor area).
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum ADU size of 1,000 sq ft
- –Maximum ADU size limited to 30% of the combined floor area of the home and the ADU (equivalent to 3/7 of the home’s gross floor area)
Max Units
- –1 ADU per single-family lot; 0 ADUs for two-family and multifamily dwellings
Parking
- –2 spaces per ADU; ADU parking must share the same access/driveway as the principal dwelling; no additional curb cut; not located in the front yard; special exception may reduce total spaces for joint facilities, but not below the minimum required for the use with the greatest number of spaces.
Rental Restrictions
- –Residential Districts STRs: allowed only as Special Principal Use; up to 3 rentals per 3 months; max 2 occupants per bedroom (6 total); no special events permitted.
- –Commercial/Village Districts STRs: permitted; occupancy cap 2 per bedroom; events may require a separate Special Event permit.
ADU State Law
What can you build in Connecticut?
- –Connecticut Public Act 21-29 (now CGS § 8-2o) established statewide ADU rules.
- –115 municipalities opted out of the state ADU provisions. In those towns, ADUs may still be allowed, but they are regulated solely under local zoning bylaws.
- –54 municipalities did not opt out and are subject to the state's default ADU standards. Local bylaws in these towns must allow at least the minimums required by state law.
- –At least one accessory apartment must be allowed as of right on any lot with a single-family home.
- –Towns must allow an ADU to be at least the lesser of 1,000 sq ft or 30% of the principal dwelling's Net Floor Area.
- –Setbacks, lot size, building frontage, lot coverage, height, and design requirements cannot be more restrictive than those applied to the principal dwelling.
- –Only one parking space can be required per ADU.
- –A passageway between units
- –A separate exterior entrance (unless required by code)
- –A relationship (e.g. familial or employment) between occupants
- –Age minimums for ADU tenants
- –Separate utility billing
- –Periodic permit renewals
- –Owner-occupancy is not required under state law, but towns may impose it.
- –Towns may regulate short-term rentals.
- –Requirements for wells or private sewerage systems still apply, but approval cannot be unreasonably withheld.
- –Towns may not condition ADU approval on fixing unrelated nonconformities on the lot.
- –No new utility connection fees may be charged unless the ADU is built with a new principal dwelling.
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Connecticut municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Lower Connecticut River Valley County