Planning & Zoning Director Laurence Bradley has reminded residents that on Nov. 1, 2007, the Planning & Zoning Commission approved Amendment #572, Appl. #07-032 which created a new permitted accessory use in residential zoning districts to allow for one affordable accessory apartment in single-family dwellings. 

“The purpose of the new section is to provide an opportunity to increase Westport’s inventory of affordable housing units while also preserving the exterior appearance of single-family houses,” said Bradley. “Presently, the one allowed apartment is age-restricted.”    

Affordable accessory apartments must be rented to those whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the state median income for family size, and the maximum rent to be charged cannot exceed 30 percent of the tenant’s income. These restrictions must be contained in a restrictive covenant which is placed on the land records for a period of at least 10 years. 

In an effort to increase the town’s affordable housing inventory, town officials are asking property owners to voluntarily come forward with unapproved apartments and to comply with the new affordable accessory apartment zoning regulation. 

A six-month amnesty period will begin on June 1. The Planning and Zoning Department staff will work with property owners to determine in which ways the apartment can be brought into compliance with the zoning regulations. In addition, the fees for the Planning and Zoning Department approval will be waived during the amnesty period.   

After the six-month amnesty period and beginning Dec. 1, enforcement action will be taken by Planning and Zoning Department on all unapproved apartments.

 Affordable Accessory Apartment
Maximum Allowable Income and Rent to be Charged:

    Apartment Size     Max.  Income   Max.  Rent

  One bedroom            $49,260              $1,082

  Two bedroom            $59,112              $1,303

  Three bedroom          $68,307              $1,508