City guide · Milford, Connecticut

Milford ADU regulations.

ADU zoning guide for Milford, CT. Find out about permitted ADU types, size restrictions, parking rules, and approval process.

Last reviewed 2026-04-27

  • ADUs allowedYes — under the January 17, 2023 P&Z Board adoption
  • ApprovalPlanning & Zoning Board approval
  • Owner occupancyRequired

Milford, CT permits Accessory Dwelling Units under rules adopted by the Planning & Zoning Board on January 17, 2023. The local rules are tight: 800 sq ft maximum, attached-only (detached ADUs and detached-garage conversions are not eligible), and no additional parking spaces are required. The CT Affordable Homes Act 2024 (effective February 2025) may have preempted owner-occupancy requirements — confirm with P&Z.

Status

Currently allowed
Yes — under the January 17, 2023 P&Z Board adoption (8–1 vote)
Form of approval
Planning & Zoning Board approval (no separate City Council step)
Governing ordinance section
City of Milford Zoning Regulations (ADU as conditional use in R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-8 zones)
Last amended
January 17, 2023 (P&Z Board adoption)

Eligibility

Where ADUs are allowed

Zoning districts permitted
R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-8 residential zoning districts
Lot type / use restrictions
Properties containing single-family detached dwellings only
Limit per property
1 ADU per property

Types allowed

Attached ADU
Yes — only attached forms permitted (interior conversion or shared-wall addition)
Detached ADU
No — detached ADUs and detached-garage conversions are NOT eligible per the January 2023 rule
Interior conversion
Yes

Size and placement

Size limits

Maximum size
800 sq ft (flat cap, set by the January 2023 P&Z Board vote)

Setbacks

Setback requirements
Site plan must show property lines, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, utilities, and parking
Design standards (for new detached Accessory Cottage)
Exterior materials, roof form, and window spacing must approximate those of the existing single-family dwelling
Existing garage/outbuilding conversion
Not required to approximate exterior features of the main dwelling, but any exterior modifications must comply with applicable codes

Rules for use

Parking

Required spaces
No additional parking required — the P&Z Board explicitly debated and rejected an ADU parking mandate

Owner occupancy

Required
Yes — "One dwelling unit on the property shall be owner-occupied. A notice and declaration of land use restriction shall be signed and recorded with the County recorder of deeds office prior to the issuance of a building permit."
Deed restriction required
Yes — recorded declaration of land use restriction required before building permit issuance
Caveat
The CT Affordable Homes Act (2024, effective February 2025) removes municipal authority to require owner-occupancy. Whether Milford has amended its regulations is Not confirmed — flagged — see §14.

Rental use

Long-term rental allowed
Yes — units no longer restricted to family members (Milford's January 2023 update removed the family-member-only restriction)

How to apply in Milford

Approving body
Planning Commission (public hearing); then City Council (final approval)
Application type
Conditional Use Application + site plan
Application fee
$700 non-refundable conditional use application fee
Public hearing required
Yes — both Planning Commission and City Council require public hearings
Required documents
Conditional use application; site plan showing property lines, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, utilities, parking
Typical timeline
Months — Planning Commission → City Council review process
Deed restriction
Signed and recorded with County before building permit
P&Z contact
City of Milford Planning & Zoning | 70 West River Street, Milford, CT 06460 | 203-783-3320

Recent and pending changes

  1. January 2023
    Planning & Zoning Board adopted new ADU rules — removed family-member-only restriction, added Accessory Cottage type, introduced conditional use process
  2. February 6, 2024
    ADU Guidelines revised (current version)
  3. February 2025 (CT state law)
    CT Affordable Homes Act removes multiple barriers. Milford's approval process likely needs updating. Confirm with P&Z.

Important details

  • No additional parking required: the P&Z Board explicitly considered and rejected an ADU parking mandate at the January 2023 adoption hearing.
  • Detached ADUs and detached-garage conversions are NOT eligible — only attached forms.
  • Adopted by the Milford P&Z Board on January 17, 2023 by an 8–1 vote (no separate City Council adoption step).
  • Conditional use process is unusually burdensome: Requiring public hearings at both Planning Commission and City Council is among the most restrictive approval processes in the state. The CT 2024 Affordable Homes Act may render this process legally invalid for ADUs. Homeowners should inquire whether the city has updated its process.
  • $700 application fee is the only confirmed fee: This is the conditional use application fee. Building permit fees are additional.
  • Deed restriction recorded before building permit: The owner-occupancy deed restriction must be recorded with the County Recorder before a building permit is issued — not just at Certificate of Occupancy. Plan for this step in the timeline.
  • No family-member restriction: Milford's 2023 rule change explicitly allows ADUs to be rented to any tenant, not just family members. This was the key change that opened ADUs to the broader rental market.

Frequently asked questions

What size limit and attachment requirement apply to ADUs in Milford?

Milford limits ADUs to 800 square feet and requires the unit to be attached to the main structure, prohibiting detached standalone structures.

Can I rent my ADU short-term in Milford?

The Planning and Zoning Board did not prohibit short-term rentals of ADUs, so rentals can be as short as a few days. However, it is recommended to verify current regulations before proceeding with short-term rental plans.

Can I rent my ADU to someone who is not a relative?

Yes, Milford allows owners to gain income from the ADU by renting it to someone who is not a relative, approved by the Planning and Zoning Board in January 2023.

Sources (3)

More city guides

Last reviewed 2026-04-27. Local rules can change — verify the latest details with the Milford planning department, or book a free consultation with our team before starting your project. This page is informational and is not legal advice.