Thinking about renting out an accessory dwelling unit on your Monroe property? The most important rule you need to know is owner occupancy. If you plan ahead and follow the town’s process, an ADU can add flexible living space and steady rental income. In this guide, you’ll learn how Monroe’s owner-occupied rule works, what it means for renting and resale, and the steps to stay compliant. Let’s dive in.

Owner-occupancy rule in Monroe

Monroe requires that the property owner lives on site at all times in either the main home or the ADU. This provision is spelled out in the town’s adopted ADU regulation, Article 6, Section 6.9. The town records an approval on the Land Records, and that approval runs with the property. You can review the exact language in Monroe’s ADU regulation for full context and definitions.

• The owner must occupy either the principal dwelling or the ADU at all times.
• Written leases are required for tenants.
• The approval is recorded on the Land Records and follows future owners.

For the full text of the requirements, see the Town of Monroe’s adopted ADU regulation in Article 6, Section 6.9 of the zoning code. Read the regulation.

What this means for renting

Renting the ADU

You can live in the main home and rent the ADU. You will need a written lease and approvals from the Fire Marshal and the Sanitarian. Keep documentation that shows you occupy the property.

Renting the main home

You can live in the ADU and rent the main home. The same owner-occupancy rule applies. The town expects that the owner genuinely resides on the property.

Renting both units

You cannot lawfully rent both the main home and the ADU at the same time. Doing so violates the owner-occupancy rule and can jeopardize your approval.

Permits and certificate steps

Monroe uses a specific certificate and inspection process for ADUs. Plan for these steps before you list your ADU for rent.

1. Prepare plans and confirm zoning. Make sure your layout meets size, bedroom, and parking standards. Determine if your district allows detached ADUs.
2. Apply for the Certificate of Use of Accessory Dwelling Unit. Include scaled plans and required documents.
3. Secure reviews and permits. The Zoning Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector, Sanitarian, and Fire Marshal must review your proposal. Obtain building permits, then a certificate of occupancy after construction.
4. Record the approval. After final inspection, record the Certificate on the Town Land Records so it runs with title.
5. Use a written lease. Keep a signed lease for the tenant as required.

For forms, contacts, and current procedures, visit the town’s Planning and Zoning Department page.

Size, parking, and layout basics

Monroe set clear standards for ADU design and function. These highlights help you plan your space.

• Size: Minimum 400 sq ft. Maximum 1,000 sq ft, and not more than 30 percent of the total structure’s gross livable floor area.
• Bedrooms: One maximum.
• Attachment: In most districts, the ADU must be attached to the single-family home or within it. In the RF-3 district, a detached ADU may be considered with Commission review.
• Basements: Not allowed unless it is a walk-out and not below the established flood elevation.
• Parking: Provide at least one off-street space for the ADU, built to driveway standards.
• Utilities: Include a separate kitchen and full bath, plus a separate electric panel with a disconnect. A separate utility meter may be used. A separate septic system is not required, and ADUs are not treated as community wastewater systems.

Resale and title impacts

Because the Certificate is recorded on the Land Records, the ADU approval and owner-occupancy requirement transfer with the property. If you sell, you must disclose this to buyers. A buyer who wants to keep using the ADU must also live on site in either the main home or the ADU. If a future owner does not wish to maintain the ADU use, the regulation outlines a process to file an abandonment of the ADU on the Land Records.

State law backdrop

Connecticut’s ADU statute, Section 8-2o, sets statewide minimums and limits certain local restrictions, such as more than one parking space or requiring a family relationship between occupants. It does not prohibit owner-occupancy rules outright. Monroe adopted its local framework in 2022 to fit within this statewide context. You can review the statewide framework in Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-2o. For broader context on how towns across Connecticut implemented ADU policies, see this overview of municipal approaches and opt-outs.

Tips to stay compliant

• Plan for owner occupancy. Decide which unit you will live in and keep documentation that shows residency.
• Design to the standards. Confirm size, bedroom count, parking, and basement rules early.
• Coordinate with town staff. Engage the ZEO, Building, Fire Marshal, and Sanitarian during planning to avoid delays.
• Use a thorough lease. Include terms for parking, utilities, and maintenance to keep expectations clear.
• Keep your records. Maintain copies of permits, inspections, the recorded certificate, and leases.

Ready to explore an ADU strategy for your Monroe home or investment plans across Fairfield County? Reach out to Fowler & Sakey for neighborhood guidance, market insight, and a clear plan to move forward.

FAQs

Can you rent both the main home and an ADU in Monroe?

• No. Monroe requires the owner to live on site in either the principal dwelling or the ADU at all times, as outlined in the town’s ADU regulation. See the rule in Section 6.9.

Can a Monroe basement ADU be rented?

• Only if it is a walk-out and not below the established flood elevation, and it must meet building, fire, and health codes. Review the basement provision.

Do Monroe ADUs need separate septic or utility meters?

• A separate septic is not required, and ADUs are not treated as community wastewater systems. A separate utility meter may be used, and a separate electric panel with a disconnect is required.

What happens if I sell a Monroe home with an ADU?

• The recorded Certificate runs with the property, so the owner-occupancy requirement transfers to the buyer. A buyer can either live on site to keep the ADU use or follow the regulation’s process to abandon the ADU on the Land Records.

Does Connecticut law override Monroe’s owner-occupancy rule?

• No. The state’s ADU statute sets minimum standards and limits certain local rules, but it does not ban owner-occupancy requirements. Monroe’s 2022 regulation fits within that statewide framework. Read Conn. Gen. Stat. §8-2o.