The city of Corvallis has passed new rules on accessory dwelling units, the backyard so-called “in-law” dwellings property owners use for supplementing their income or accommodating family members.

The city, like others statewide, was required to update its codes because of state legislation that took effect Jan. 1. Key requirements were to eliminate the mandated owner-occupancy provisions as well as the off-street parking stipulation. City planner Jared Voice said the city has approved 48 permits for ADUs since 2010.

The 95-minute public hearing on accessory dwelling units that opened Monday’s City Council meeting also looked at two other pieces of the puzzle — new rules on setbacks and the relationship between the floor area of the principal dwelling unit and the accessory unit that were approved Jan. 22 by the city’s planning commission.

Those two topics led to the lone amendments that councilors considered. First, Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis moved that instead of allowing the floor area of the accessory unit to be 85% of the main building it should be reduced to 40%.

Ellis said such a policy would allow accessory dwelling units that are larger than the original unit. Ward 2’s Charles Maughan, however, countered with a question on how a structure 85% of the size of another could, in fact, wind up larger.

The amendment failed on a 7-1 vote.

Councilors then considered an amendment on rear setbacks, the distance between accessory dwelling units and neighboring property lines. Ward 1 Councilor Jan Napack suggested a compromise of 10-foot setbacks in all zoning instead of 5 feet. The amendment passed by a 5-4 vote, with Mayor Biff Traber voting to break the 4-4 tie.