ADUs are allowed in WaterfordTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Waterford, CT
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
8,449
Owner-occupied
74%
Zoning districts
32
Avg Home Value
$337,680
Median Lot Size
0.42 acres
Avg Income
$111,237
Residential Types:
8,449 housing units
Single Family
86%
2-3 Family
1%
Apts (4+ units)
1%
Other
13%
Zoning Districts:
9,357 parcels · 32 districts
R-20
47%(4,382)
R-40
19%(1,796)
VR-7.5
7%(610)
RU-120
6%(517)
Other
22%(2,052)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Waterford, CT?
Waterford, 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 of 1,500 sq ft for an internal or attached ADU
- –Maximum size of 50% of the principal dwelling’s living area for an internal or attached ADU
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size for a detached ADU: up to 50% of the principal dwelling’s living area with a 1,500 sq ft cap on lots up to 5 acres; on lots over 5 and under 10 acres, up to the greater of 50% or 1,800 sq ft; on lots 10 acres or more, up to the greater of 50% or 2,000 sq ft.
Max Units
- –Single-family lot: 1 attached + 1 detached ADU per parcel (max 2 ADUs total)
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy requirement.
Parking
- –1 space/ADU; no max stated; must be on the same lot; surface options: asphalt, concrete, pavers, turfstone, gravel, shells; no transit-based reductions or conversion waivers stated
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.
Southeastern Connecticut County