GROVERBEACH.ORG
Megan Martin
Community Development Director
August 24, 2026
City of Grover Beach
ADU Ordinance
Update
Background
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• August 25, 2025 - City Council adopted amendments to the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance
• December 11, 2025 - California Coastal Commission certified the ADU Ordinance
• January 2, 2026 - California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) review:
• Required by State ADU Law within 60 days after adoption (Gov. Code Section 66326, subd. (a))
• July 7, 2026 – Planning Commission review and recommendation ADU Ordinance Amendments
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• Red underline and strikethrough indicates amendments to Code Sections in accordance with HCD comments.
• HCD remaining comments included:
• Technical Clarifications to align language with State ADU Law • Eliminate ambiguity by expressly codifying HCD’s interpretation(s) • Improve transparency in process for applicants, staff, and public • Formalize current City practice consistent with State ADU Law Clarifying the Different Types of ADUs
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• Locally Regulated ADUs (§ 66314)
• Subject to local objective standards
with certain limitations.
• State Exempt ADUs (§ 66323)
• Exempt from local objective
standards
Clarification to Number of ADUs
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• How many ADUs are allowed on a qualifying lot?
• Clarifies interaction between §§ 66314 and 66323 ADUs/JADUs • Identifies independent pathway for ADUs and JADUs
• Adds § 66323 definition for Interior (Converted Space) ADU • Updates JADU provisions to reflect State law:
• Senate Bill 543 (SB 543) and Assembly Bill (AB 1154)
Development Standards
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• Clarifies which standards apply to ADUs under §§ 66314 and 66323 • Confirms no front setback is required for qualifying § 66323 ADUs • Updates ADU/JADU size measurements to comply with SB 543 • Size of unit is based on interior livable space, excluding exterior wall thickness • Revises ‘Alternative Compliance’ provisions to align with HCD guidance • City staff maintains limitation that waivers are only granted to the extent necessary to allow construction
Objective Design Standards
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• Clarifies ODS do not apply to ADUs authorized by § 66323 • Replaces subjective design language with measurable,
objective standards
• Defines “primary” and “accent” materials for consistency • Removes “Massing” standards in response to HCD comment Administrative Updates
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• Updates to Government Code and City’s Municipal Code
references
• Incorporates State law changes including SB 543 and AB 1154 • Clarifies owner-occupancy requirements for JADUs
• Eliminates ambiguity
Coastal Commission Recommendations
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• New ADU / LCP guiding document issued July 1, 2026
• Additional comments received after Planning Commission:
• Add to Purpose statement: In all cases, ADUs shall be consistent with the LCP…
• Add to Development Standards: ADUs that require a CDP shall be consistent with the section and sited and designed to avoid adverse impacts to coastal resources…
• Add to Alternative Compliance: “[…] so long as it would not result in significant adverse impacts to coastal resources.”
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
A. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to allow and regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), both as defined in Section 9.10: Definitions) consistent with Government Code Sections 66310 - 66342. Implementation of this Section is meant to expand housing opportunities by increasing the number of smaller units available within the city.
For purposes of this Section, all terms shall have the same meaning as provided in Government Code Section 66313 unless otherwise defined by State law. Where any provision of this section conflicts with State ADU law, State law shall control. In all cases, ADUs in the coastal zone shall be consistent with the LCP, including the standards specified in Section 4.10.015.F.9.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
F.9 ADUs in the Coastal Zone. Where permissible in the coastal zone, accessory dwelling units that require approval of a coastal development permit shall be consistent with this section and shall be sited and designed to avoid adverse impacts to coastal resources, including by conforming with all other applicable LCP policies and standards, including those that govern wetlands, streams, environmentally sensitive habitat areas, public views, and coastal bluffs.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
I. H. Alternative Compliance. If application of any development standard in this Chapter would physically preclude the construction of one attached or detached ADU meeting the requirements of Government Code Section 66321(b)(3), the City shall waive or modify the development standard only to the extent necessary to allow construction of the ADU of at least 800 square feet of livable area, so long as it would not result in significant adverse impacts to coastal resources.
1. General. The standards under this Section shall not physically preclude the construction of one ADU (attached or detached) of up to 800 square feet, in accordance with Government Code Section 66321(b)(3).
2. Exemption from Standards. To allow for an ADU of up to 800 square feet, development standards shall be modified in the following order and only as necessary to enable the construction of an ADU of up to 800 square feet:
a. Primary Entryway
b. Rear and side setbacks
c. Front setback
3. Application. In an application where standards are requested to be waived, the applicant shall demonstrate that there are no feasible alternatives to redesign the project to comply with the required standards due to existing physical constraints, and that the requested reduction to the relevant standard is the minimum deviation necessary to allow the construction of an ADU of a minimum size of 800 square feet. For the purpose of these requirements, existing structures are not considered a physical constraint.
Environmental Review
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Ordinance and LCP Amendments are not defined as a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The revisions to the Development Code are considered
administrative and will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment and are therefore exempt from CEQA.
Next Steps
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• City Council Introduction (1st Reading - August 24, 2026) • City Council Adoption (2nd Reading - September 14, 2026) • HCD Certification
• California Coastal Commission LCP Certification
• Ordinance effected
Recommendation
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The City Council adopt amendments to the Grover Beach
Municipal Code Article IX, Development Code, including the recommendations of the Coastal Commission staff; and approve a Local Coastal Program Amendment.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
C. Prohibited Locations. ADUs and JADUs shall be prohibited under the following circumstances.
1. Urban Lot Split. ADUs and JADUs shall be prohibited on properties associated with an Urban Lot Split (see Section 8.160) only when the number of dwelling units on that lot already equals or exceeds the two-unit limit established by Government Code Section 65852.21 which also include Urban Dwelling Units (see Section
4.25.060)., ADUs and JADUs are allowed on Urban Lot Split parcels that have not yet reached this two-unit cap as described by Government Code Section 65852.21(f).
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
D. Specific Standards for ADUs and JADUs on a Lot with a Single-Unit Dwelling. ADU and JADU standards for lots with a proposed or existing single-unit dwelling shall comply with the following:
1. Maximum Number. The following number of ADUs and JADUs may be established on a qualifying legal lot:
a. One JADU;
b. One interior, attached, or detached ADU authorized by Government Code Section 66314; and
c. One interior ADU authorized by Government Code Section 66323; d. One detached ADU authorized by Government Code Section 66323; and No more than one JADU, one Interior or Attached ADU, and one Detached ADU shall be allowed per legal lot.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
D.2 JADUs. JADUs shall comply with the requirements of Government Code Section 66333-66339.5.
D.3 Interior ADU on a Lot with a Single-Unit Dwelling.
a. Definition. An interior ADU (converted space) is either:
i. Within the space of an existing single-unit dwelling,; or ii. Within the existing space of an accessory structure,; or iii. A conversion ADU as defined by Government Code Section 66323.
An Interior ADU may provide for up to 150 additional square foot addition if the expansion is limited to accommodating ingress and egress.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
D.4 Attached ADU on a Lot with a Single-Unit Dwelling.
c. Minimum Setbacks.
i. Front setback: 15 feet except where a lesser setback is permitted pursuant to Section 4.10.015.I (Alternative Compliance). ii. Interior and street side setback: 4 feet
iii. Rear setback: 4 feet
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
D.5 Detached ADU on a Lot with a Single-Unit Dwelling.
c. Minimum Setbacks.
i. Front setback: 15 feet except where a lesser setback is permitted pursuant to Section 4.10.015.I (Alternative Compliance), or where front setbacks do not apply pursuant to Government Code Section 66323.
ii. Interior and street side setback: 4 feet
iii. Rear setback: 4 feet
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
E. Specific Standards for ADUs on a Lot with Multi-Unit Dwellings. ADU standards for lots in a residential or mixed-use zone with existing or proposed multi-unit dwellings shall comply with the following:
3. Detached ADU on a Lot with Multi-Unit Dwellings.
c. Minimum Setbacks.
i. Front setback: 10 feet except where a lesser setback is permitted pursuant to Section 4.10.015.I (Alternative Compliance), or where front setbacks do not apply pursuant to Government Code Section 66323. ii. Interior and street side setback: 4 feet
iii. Rear setback: 4 feet
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
F. Development Standards. The standards in this Subsection shall apply to all ADUs and JADUs. ADUs and JADUs subject to Government Code Section 66323 are only subject to the standards specifically authorized by that section., unless otherwise exempt under Government Code Section 66323
2. Size. Size limits of ADUs and JADUs are defined based on interior livable space, excluding exterior wall thickness.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
F.7 Trash Receptacles. JADUs and ADUs shall have direct access to trash receptacles for the property. Plans submitted for building permits shall identify locations of trash, green waste, and recycling receptacles, in compliance with Municipal Code Title V Chapter 52 Section
52.02Article V Chapter 4 Section 5401. Projects that include new ADUs that result in more than four dwellings on the property shall comply with Chapter 3, Section 3.10.075 (Trash Enclosures).
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
G. 9. Objective Design Standards. The standards in this Subsection shall apply to all ADUs and JADUs subject to Government Code Section 66314. ADUs and JADUs subject to Government Code Section 66323 are only subject to the standards specifically authorized by that section.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
G. 2. Massing. The square footage of any story of an ADU or JADU constructed above the first story (excluding conversion of existing space) shall have a maximum floor area that is no more than 80 percent of the floor area of the first story.
a. First floor calculation shall include all interior living areas, including interior and exterior staircases, attached garages, and covered porches connected to the first floor.
b. The floor area of upper stories is inclusive of all interior living area with walls; all staircases; porches, decks, and balconies that are covered by a roof structure; as well as any mezzanines, lofts, or other partial floor areas. The upper story of the structure shall not cantilever a distance of more than three feet beyond the façade of the first story of the structure.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
G.5. Materials
a. Primary material means the exterior siding or cladding material that covers the largest contiguous surface area of the structure’s exterior walls. b. Accent material means any exterior siding or cladding material used on the structure that is not the primary material.
c. New ADUs and JADUs (excluding conversion of existing space) that include two or more exterior materials shall ensure that exterior material transitions along an inside corner of the structure, avoiding exposed edges when viewed from the side. d. The following exterior siding materials shall be prohibited; vinyl and aluminum siding, T-111 plywood, and exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS). e. The following roofing materials shall be prohibited: corrugated metal, galvanized metal, or similar sheets and panels for the use of roofing materials are also prohibited.
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
G.6. Roofs. New ADUs and JADUs (excluding conversion of existing space) shall comply with at least one of the following:
a. An ADU shall have the same roof style (e.g., gable, hip, etc.) as the predominant roof style of the primary dwelling(s), with the predominant roof style defined as the style covering the largest contiguous area of the primary dwelling’s roof;
b. An ADU shall have the same use a roof slope as identical to the predominant roof slope of the primary dwelling(s), with the predominant roof slope being the slope shared by the largest portion of the roof; Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
H. G. General ADU and JADU requirements.
3. Owner Occupancy.
a. JADUs. Owner-occupancy is required for properties on which a JADU includes shared sanitation facilities with the existing primary structure is proposed, unless otherwise exempt under Government Code Section 66333. The owner may reside in the JADU or primary dwelling on the property.
4. Utility Connections. ADUs and JADUs shall be connected to City water and sewer services. Separate utility connections and meters are not required for interior ADUs, JADUs, and any other ADU that if the ADU/JADU complies with Government Code Section 66311.5 (d). 66324 (d) and (e) Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
H. G. General ADU and JADU requirements.
5. Fire Sprinklers and Access.
a. Fire sprinklers are required in an ADU (interior, attached, or detached) and JADU if sprinklers are required in the primary residence. b. The construction of an ADU (interior, attached, or detached) or JADU does not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in the existing primary residence.
c. ADUs or JADUs shall comply with all access requirements in compliance with Municipal Code Title XV, Chapter 150 Municipal Code Article 8 (Building Regulations).
Legislative Amendments
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• 4.10.015 – Accessory Dwelling Units
H. G. General ADU and JADU requirements.
6. Development Impact Fees.
a. ADUs and JADUs with floor area of 750 square feet of interior livable space or less shall not pay development impact fees.
b. ADUs with floor area greater than 750 square feet of interior livable space shall be charged development impact fees that are proportional in relation to the square footage of the primary structure, as shown on the Master Fee Schedule.