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In Redondo Beach, a single-family dwelling in any residential zone must provide two parking spaces within an enclosed garage. Multiple-ElInily dwellings need two parking spaces per unit, of which at least one must be within an enclosed garage. Condominiums are the exception and have to provide rwo enclosed parking spaces per dwelling unit. Uses Commonly accepted uses for garages include off-street parking, private workshops, and personal storage. But communities vary in their allowance of other types of uses, including those for accessory dwelling units, home occupations, and garage sales. Accessory Dwelling Units. Accessory dwelling units-also called mother-in-law apartments-are gaining momentum as a way to increase affordable housing and provide additional income for homeowners. They also can spark opposition because of the potential increase in density and parking congestion, particularly in single-ElInily districts. :i: This garage/carport offtn a place to tuck the canoe above the SUV In addition to bulk and setback requirements for accessory dwelling units, codes that allow them tend to mandate compatibility in appearance with the principal structure through, ror example, a matching roof pitch and similar exterior materials. They also require an off-street parking space, ownership of one ofthe units on the property, and a minimum amount oflot area (see "Zoning for Accessory Dwelling Units" January 1997 Zoning News). California and Washington have adopted legislation requiring that municipalities allow accessory dwelling units. Home OCCllpatiortS. Personal hobby or office space is generally considered an acceptable practice for a portion of the garage, but operating a full-blown business in an accessory structure is usually prohibited. Excessive commercial use of one's garage is sure to irritate neighbors who would bear the brunt of the impacts from noise or fumes. Garage Sales. To preserve community character and maintain residential solitude, many communities place limitations on the number of garage sales or number of days residents may have them: For example, two sales per year or sales covering no more than 10 days per calendar year. The Future Will design flexibility and relatively low construction costs lead to more versatile use of garages, including those for offices and living space? Perhaps an aging population, rising 5 land costs, and the smart growth movement will make accessory dwelling units a necessity. What will garages look like in 20 years? Will zoning code restrictions prevent them from dominating the streetscape? Anecdotal evidence suggests a correlation between garage size and economic health. Perhaps a move toward a simpler lifestyle could reverse this trend, or maybe commercial self-service storage facilities could help to mitigate garage size. Until then, planners and zoning officials will grapple with ordinance provisions and the requests to vary from them. NEWS BRIEFS Seeking Countywide Rezoning Notices By Dan Pennick, A1CP In both Oregon and South Carolina, there have been efforts by landowner rights' organizations to broaden the notice policies that currently exist in enabling legislation in many states, or in the notice provisions included in most local zoning ordinances. These policies could place an increased burden on local zoning officials by specifying that individual notice must be given to every property owner within their jurisdiction for any proposed text or map amendment to a zoning ordinance. In South Carolina, for instance, the South Carolina Landowners' Association has tried to amend state law and local zoning ordinances to provide individual notice, via first-class mail, to all property owners within a jurisdiction every time a rezoning, or any change in a zoning ordinance, is proposed that may affect uses allowed on a property andlor change the value of property. Similar proposals have appeared in Oregon, Texas, and other states. Notification requirements in most zoning ordinances traditionally have included: posted property notice, owner notification letters, legal notice in a newspaper of general circulation, and adjacent property owner or neighbor notice provisions. Property rights organizations, which have been advocating individual or personal notice, have been active in areas throughout the country to have these provisions included within state planning enabling legislation and in local zoning ordinances. Broadening notification requirements also may result in legal implications for municipal planners, and their legal staffs, when someone does not receive individual notice as specified under these proposed rules. Although the intent of these proposals is to ensure that everyone is served personal notice, any expanded notification requirements will place an additional burden on municipalities through increased administrative and postage costs. Dan Pennick is the flSsistant director jar the Charleston County, South Carolina, Planning Department. Zoning for the Arts in Maryland Maryland recently became the first state to enact legislation creating arts and entertainment district designations on a statewide basis. As part the state's Smart Growth initiative, the Arts and Entertainment District program uses cultural activities to economically and physically revitalize Maryland communities. The program, which became effective in July, provides financial benefits to areas receiving the state's