Cotati City Council
August 25, 2026

City Council
Public Hearing on
ADU Code Update Ordinance
Community Development
Department
August 25, 2026
Background
 New State laws on ADUs took effect in
January 2026
 Recent HCD staff review of City’s ADU
standards (Code section 17.42.170)
 Code updates are needed
 Draft code update ordinance
New State law on ADUs
 AB 1154
 JADUs: Owner occupancy of property
no longer required unless JADU shares
a bathroom
 SB 9: Penalty for jurisdiction failure to
submit ADU ordinance(s) to HCD within
60 days: Ordinance null and void
New State law on ADUs
 SB 543
 “Interior living space” instead of “gross floor
area” for unit sizes
 Exempts JADUs from development impact fees
 Exempts ADUs and JADUs < 500 sqft from
school fees
 Permit review and processing timelines:
15-day completeness review
HCD Staff Review of City Code
 No denial of ADU permit due to
nonconformining zoning conditions,
building code violations, or unpermitted
structures on property
 Remove references to City zoning standards
 ADU may receive certificate of occupancy
before primary in disaster-declared area
HCD Staff Review of City Code
 No restriction allowed on placement of ADU
in front of primary or with regard to front
setbacks; may limit size to 800 sqft
 No size limitations on attached ADUs on
multifamily lots
 Clarify that all ADUs receive additional 2
feet height to match primary’s roof pitch
Staff Recommendation
The Community Development Department
recommends that the Planning Commission
conduct a public hearing and consider adopting a
resolution recommending that the City Council
adopt an ordinance amending Section 17.42.170
Accessory Dwelling Units/Junior Accessory
Dwelling units of the Cotati Municipal Code to
conform with State law.