The ordinance that would allow backyard cottages throughout the city was voted unanimously out of the City Council's Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee Oct. 8. The ordinance is tentatively scheduled to be voted on by the full council Nov. 2.

The committee, comprised of Sally Clark, Tim Burgess and Tom Rasmussen, made a number of amendments to the ordinance before voting on it.

The citywide cap of 50 new backyard cottages per year was removed.

The height limit for cottages was lowered from 23 feet to 22 feet except on lots that are 50 feet wide or have a rear alley.

There was discussion of lowering the maximum height to 21 feet, but 22 feet yields more livable second floor, Clark said.

There is an additional height limit of 15 feet above the height of the main house.

Additional parking will not be required for cottages located within urban centers or urban villages.

Additional amendments deal with the reporting requirements for the Department of Planning and Development and language clarification.

Backyard cottages are additional housing structures that are not connected to the main housing structure on a lot. They are often used as rental units or as housing for family members.