Mayfield council adopts animal-control changes, DADU rules and fees; enacts six-month moratorium on accessory buildings

The Mayfield Town Council unanimously approved a set of code changes and resolutions on April 8 that alter animal-control enforcement, formalize detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) rules and fees, and temporarily bar new accessory-building approvals.

Councilors voted to adopt Ordinance 2026‑3, which clarifies that the town’s animal-enforcement officer has authority to issue citations at his discretion, replaces the phrase “vicious dog” with a “dangerous dog” standard, and updates how many dogs may be kept under the municipal code. Speaker 5 (council member) read the ordinance title as part of the motion to adopt, and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

At the same meeting the council also approved Resolution 2026C, adopting an updated fine schedule for animal citations. Council members said the older fee schedule did not cover boarding and transport costs when the town has to take animals to an outside clinic, so fines were increased to better offset those expenses and to add escalating penalties for repeat impoundments. Speaker 2 (moderator) noted there is no change to dog licensing fees, only to citation and impound-related charges.

On housing policy, the council approved Ordinance 2026‑5 adopting regulations for detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs). The ordinance sets size and setback parameters and clarifies that a DADU should be a standalone detached structure or, if an existing accessory building is converted, must meet all development standards and permitting requirements. Speaker 5, who moved the DADU ordinance with amended language, characterized the vote as the culmination of multiple drafts the council and planning commission had reviewed.

To allow staff and the planning commission time to refine accessory‑building language and correct unusual lot cases, the council also voted to issue a six‑month moratorium on accessory-building approvals (motion and unanimous voice vote). The moratorium will pause new accessory-building approvals while code language and setback issues are finalized.

Councilors said these changes are intended to clarify enforcement duties, reduce ambiguity in ADU conversions, and protect neighborhoods while the town updates technical language.

What’s next: staff will publish the adopted ordinances per statutory notice requirements, the planning commission will continue work on accessory-building language during the moratorium, and the town will implement the new fine schedule for animal citations.