Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Highland public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in zoning with high priority
Ridgeview privacy fence setbacks
Ridgeview's tiny corner lots (some 0.117 acres) were losing a third to half their side yards to the citywide 14-foot fence setback. The council carved out an exception for the smaller pods so families can fence their yards, while keeping the rule on estate lots.
Detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) rules
The council is finalizing how big a backyard ADU can be: keep the lot-coverage cap, keep the 'no bigger than your house footprint' rule, and cap living area at 1,250 sq ft (some wanted smaller, one wanted 1,500 on big lots). Residents told the council proposed 30-foot setbacks would make ADUs impossible on typical lots.
Detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs)
State law forces Highland to allow detached ADUs — granny flats, garage apartments — on lots of a quarter acre or larger by October. The commission is shaping the local rules: about 1,250 square feet max, tied to lot coverage, accessory-structure setbacks, and no new impact fees.