Walkersville holds public hearing on state-mandated accessory dwelling unit ordinance

Walkersville town staff introduced Ordinance 2026-04 at the Aug. 26 meeting to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and associated design standards to the town code in order to comply with Senate Bill 891, which the staff said was enacted Oct. 1, 2025. Alex, a town planning staff member, told the board, "This ordinance is required to comply with Senate Bill 891 which was enacted 10/01/2025," and emphasized the amendment adds ADU use only and does not alter other parts of the code.

Commissioners asked how the town would be affected if it did not pass the ordinance, whether homeowners associations could block ADUs, and whether the change would produce local demand. Alex said the town would face questions about why the change was not adopted and noted that HOAs retain the authority to bar ADUs through their bylaws. One commissioner asked whether jurisdictions that had adopted similar language had seen many applications; Alex said several had zero applications in six months and suggested low interest so far.

During the public hearing, resident Don Deibler of 302 Kenwood Court spoke in opposition, saying the policy "has the potential and very likely to destroy neighborhoods" and warning it could lower property values and increase vehicle congestion. The board closed the public hearing after noting no written comments had been received via email. A motion to adopt the ordinance was moved during the meeting but did not proceed to a recorded second or vote that evening; the board discussed scheduling the town attorney for a future meeting and has up to 90 days from introduction to act.