Last researched: September 19, 2026. Garrett Park is in the final stage of its 2026 ADU compliance work. On September 14, 2026, the Town Council introduced Ordinance No. 2026-7, which would amend the Town Code’s accessory-building and parking provisions in response to Maryland HB 1466. The Town scheduled a special Council meeting for September 28, 2026 to consider adoption before the October 1 state deadline.
Homeowner takeaway: Garrett Park’s ADU issue is unusually focused on setbacks and parking. The Town already operates within Montgomery County’s ADU zoning framework, but Garrett Park has its own building and parking rules. Ordinance 2026-7 is intended to make those Town rules consistent with Maryland law. Until the ordinance is adopted and effective, ask the Town which version of the accessory-building and parking standards applies to your project.
Garrett Park ADU planning snapshot
| Question | What we verified |
|---|---|
| 2026 ADU legislation | Ordinance No. 2026-7 was introduced September 14, 2026. |
| Adoption meeting | A special Town Council meeting is scheduled for September 28, 2026 to consider adoption. |
| State-law purpose | The ordinance is designed to align Garrett Park’s accessory-building and parking rules with HB 1466. |
| Current accessory-building setback | The Town’s current building rules use a 5-ft side/rear setback for accessory buildings. |
| Parking decision | The Council voted 2-3 against authorizing an approximately $23,000 traffic study needed to support a special ADU parking requirement. |
| Proposed ADU parking result | Town staff’s September materials say the existing two-spaces-per-dwelling-unit requirement would apply to main buildings, not ADUs. |
| Privacy / lighting | Ordinance 2026-7 also adds visual-privacy and accessory-building lighting regulations. |
| Montgomery County ADU rules | County zoning still governs the underlying ADU use; Garrett Park’s ordinance addresses additional Town building and parking requirements. |
| State size framework | Maryland allows an ADU up to 75% of the primary single-family detached dwelling and covered jurisdictions may not impose a lower local maximum. |
Ordinance 2026-7 was introduced September 14
Garrett Park’s September 14 Town Council agenda lists the introduction of Ordinance No. 2026-7. The stated purpose is to amend Town Code building requirements applicable to accessory dwelling units and parking requirements for dwellings in response to Maryland’s new state law.
The ordinance also addresses two neighborhood-design issues that are especially relevant to detached accessory buildings:
- visual privacy; and
- accessory-building lighting.
The September staff memo says the ordinance needs to be adopted by the October 1, 2026 state deadline, which is why the Town scheduled a special September 28 meeting.
Garrett Park already sits inside Montgomery County’s ADU zoning framework
Garrett Park is unusual because Montgomery County zoning controls the underlying land-use rules, while the incorporated Town also has its own building regulations and parking provisions.
Montgomery County’s ADU framework already recognizes an ADU as a second dwelling unit within a detached home or in a separate accessory structure on the same lot, subject to County zoning requirements.
Garrett Park’s 2026 ordinance work is therefore not simply about inventing an ADU use from scratch. The Town is adjusting its own local building and parking rules so they do not conflict with Maryland’s new limits on ADU setbacks and parking.
The current accessory-building setback is 5 ft
Garrett Park’s current building requirements use a 5-foot minimum side and rear setback for accessory buildings.
Maryland HB 1466 says a local government may not impose side or rear setbacks on an ADU that are more restrictive than the setbacks applied to other accessory buildings such as garages and sheds.
That made Garrett Park’s setback rule a central issue in the Town’s 2026 discussions.
The Town considered a more nuanced setback formula
During the July 21 special meeting, the Council discussed whether the Town should keep the existing 5-foot setback or adopt a height- and length-based setback approach similar to the Village of Martin’s Additions.
The September 14 staff materials say Ordinance 2026-7 incorporates revised setback provisions together with privacy and lighting standards.
Because the final adopted ordinance is not yet available as of this review, this guide does not invent the exact new height/length setback formula. Ask the Town for the signed September 28 version before laying out a detached ADU.
Garrett Park chose not to fund a special ADU traffic study
Parking became the other major local issue. Garrett Park’s existing Town parking rule generally requires two off-street parking spaces for each new dwelling unit.
Maryland’s new ADU law says a jurisdiction cannot impose additional off-street parking requirements specifically on ADUs unless the jurisdiction completes the required parking study.
At the July 21 special Council meeting, the Town considered a proposal from Gorove Slade for an ADU-related traffic study. The proposal was approximately $23,000 plus expenses. The motion to authorize the study failed 2-3.
The practical result: no special ADU parking requirement in the draft
The September 14 staff materials say that, because the Town did not authorize the traffic study, Ordinance 2026-7 would amend the parking language so the Town’s two-space requirement applies to main buildings rather than ADUs.
That is a significant homeowner detail. It means a Garrett Park homeowner should not assume that creating an ADU automatically requires two additional Town-mandated parking spaces.
Montgomery County parking rules and site-specific conditions can still matter, so verify the final Town ordinance and County requirements when applying.
Accessory-building coverage limits still matter
Garrett Park’s overlay zoning rules also limit how much of the lot behind the rear building line can be occupied by accessory buildings or structures:
- up to 25% of that rear-lot area on lots smaller than 8,600 sq ft; and
- up to 20% on lots of 8,600 sq ft or more.
The GP Overlay also uses a maximum building coverage of 20% and an FAR of 0.375 for all buildings combined.
A detached ADU may therefore satisfy the setback rule but still fail lot-coverage or FAR limits.
Montgomery County’s older ADU size rules should not be confused with Maryland’s 75% rule
Older Montgomery County ADU guidance has used different attached and detached size formulas, including a 1,200-sq-ft maximum for many attached ADUs and a detached formula based on the lesser of the principal-house footprint, lot area and 1,200 square feet.
Maryland’s current statewide law now defines an ADU as no greater than 75% of the size of the primary single-family detached dwelling, and Maryland Planning says covered jurisdictions may not impose a lower local maximum.
For a 2026 Garrett Park project, ask Montgomery County and the Town which updated size rule now controls rather than relying on older ADU brochures.
Use our Maryland ADU size guide to understand the 75% calculation, but get a parcel-specific answer before design.
Owner occupancy and County use standards may still apply
Montgomery County’s pre-HB 1466 ADU framework included owner-occupancy and other use standards. Garrett Park’s Town ordinance work is focused on Town setbacks, parking, privacy and lighting rather than replacing every County ADU rule.
Ask Montgomery County DPS / Planning and Garrett Park Town staff which County use standards remain effective after HB 1466 and which were superseded or amended.
Historic review can matter in Garrett Park
Garrett Park contains historic resources and projects can require Historic Area Work Permit review through Montgomery County’s Historic Preservation process.
The Town’s recent experience with its own storage project illustrates that even a small accessory structure can trigger County permit and historic-review requirements.
If your ADU involves exterior changes or a detached building, ask whether Historic Area Work Permit review is required before finalizing the design.
What to ask Garrett Park before paying for ADU plans
- Was Ordinance 2026-7 adopted on September 28?
- What is the final effective date?
- Can I get the signed final ordinance?
- What side and rear setback formula applies to my detached ADU?
- Does height or building length increase the required setback?
- What visual-privacy rules apply?
- What exterior-lighting rules apply?
- Does the Town impose any additional ADU parking requirement?
- What Montgomery County ADU parking rules still apply?
- What size rule now applies under HB 1466?
- What lot-coverage and FAR limits apply under the GP Overlay?
- Does the property require Historic Area Work Permit review?
- Which Town and Montgomery County building permits are required?
Garrett Park homeowner checklist
- Confirm the property is inside Garrett Park.
- Check the Montgomery County zoning and GP Overlay rules.
- Ask the Town whether Ordinance 2026-7 has been adopted.
- Obtain the final setback, privacy and lighting standards.
- Confirm the updated Maryland/Montgomery County ADU size rule.
- Check rear-yard coverage and FAR before choosing a footprint.
- Confirm whether any extra parking is required.
- Check historic-review status.
- Prepare a survey or accurate site plan.
- Confirm Montgomery County building, electrical and plumbing permits.
- Confirm any separate Garrett Park permit or review.
- Do not make a non-refundable prefab or construction commitment until the final ordinance is confirmed.
Garrett Park MD ADU FAQs
Has Garrett Park adopted Ordinance 2026-7?
Not as of this September 19 review. The ordinance was introduced September 14, and the Town scheduled a special September 28 meeting to consider adoption before Maryland’s October 1 deadline.
What are Garrett Park’s current accessory-building setbacks?
The Town’s current building requirements use a 5-foot side and rear setback for accessory buildings. Ordinance 2026-7 may modify that approach using additional height/length-based standards, so confirm the final adopted text.
Will a Garrett Park ADU require two extra parking spaces?
The Town Council declined to fund the traffic study needed to support a special ADU parking requirement. Staff’s September materials say Ordinance 2026-7 therefore applies the Town’s two-space requirement to main buildings, not ADUs. Confirm the final ordinance and Montgomery County parking rules before applying.
Why did Garrett Park reject the ADU traffic study?
The Council considered a study proposal of roughly $23,000 plus expenses and voted 2-3 against authorizing it at the July 21 special meeting.
Who handles ADU zoning in Garrett Park?
Montgomery County controls the underlying zoning/ADU use standards, while Garrett Park has additional Town building, parking and accessory-structure rules. A project can therefore require both County and Town review.
Who should I contact about a Garrett Park ADU?
Start with the Town of Garrett Park at 4600 Waverly Avenue, Garrett Park, Maryland 20896. The Town lists 301-933-7488. Also confirm Montgomery County Planning and Department of Permitting Services requirements.
Primary sources checked
- Town of Garrett Park — Ordinance No. 2026-7 introduction and staff memo
- Town of Garrett Park — July 21 ADU legislation / traffic-study memo
- Montgomery County — Garrett Park Overlay Zone
- Town of Garrett Park — official website and Council notices
- Maryland Department of Planning — HB 1466 ADU FAQ
- Maryland Land Use § 4-504
Maryland ADU Guide is an independent research publication, not the Town of Garrett Park, Montgomery County, M-NCPPC, a law firm, architect or contractor. This page distinguishes Garrett Park’s Town building/parking rules from Montgomery County zoning and reports the status of Ordinance 2026-7 as of September 19, 2026. Confirm the final adopted ordinance and parcel-specific requirements before spending money on design or construction.
What to do next
Confirm both Garrett Park’s final Town ordinance and Montgomery County’s current ADU zoning before choosing a footprint or parking plan.
- Confirm who reviews the property.
- Ask Garrett Park whether Ordinance 2026-7 has been adopted and request the final text.
- Confirm Montgomery County ADU zoning, size and permitting requirements.
- Continue to the Maryland ADU planning tools.
Planning guidance is not permit approval.