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Agenda Item No: 2.b
PLACENTIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: February 17, 2026
Submitted by: Joe Lambert
From: Development Services
Subject:
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 0-2026-02, AN ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLACENTIA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 22.80.021 OF CHAPTER 22.80 OF THE PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO URBAN LOT SPLITS AND SECTION 23.13.010 OF CHAPTER 23.13 OF
THE PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TWO -UNIT HOUSING
DEVELOPMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW (ZONING CODE AMENDMENT NO. ZCA 2026-02)
Financial Impact:
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Summary:
Title 22 (Subdivisions) of the Placentia Municipal Code (PMC) regulates the ministerial urban lot split process and Title 23 (Zoning) of the Placentia Municipal Code regulates the process for the construction of two residential units per lot pursuant to the implementation of State Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) (Government Code Sections 65852.21 and 66411.7). The aforementioned regulations were first adopted by the City of Placentia in 2022. The City's regulations related to urban lot splits and two residential units per lot were last updated in July 2025 in response to the 2024 State legislative actions. Since that time, the State has amended the law as it pertains to this subject, and the draft Ordinance would update our local regulations in compliance with State law.
Recommendation:
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Open the Public Hearing concerning Zoning Code Amendment No. 2026-02 and Ordinance No. 0-2026-02; and
2. Receive the Staff Report, consider all Public Testimony, ask any questions of Staff; and
3. Close the Public Hearing; and
4. Find that adoption of Zoning Code Amendment No. 2026-02 is not a "project" pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and therefore, the proposed Ordinance is not subject to CEQA review; and
5. Waive full reading, by title only, and introduce for first reading, Ordinance No. 0-2026- 02, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Placentia, California, amending 1 Section 22.80.021 of Chapter 22.80 of the Placentia Municipal Code relating to Urban Lot Splits and Section 23.13.010 of Chapter 23.13 of the Placentia Municipal Code relating to Two -Unit Housing Developments in accordance with State law.
Strategic Plan Statement:
This item is consistent with and furthers the City Council Vision Statement as follows:
Goal 4: Economic Development and Goal 5: Organizational Excellence This item will implement adopted Housing Element Strategies and will specifically create opportunities for the development of more housing in the City, including a mix of housing at various price points. In that regard, it will promote economic development by providing more construction opportunities. Also, by having City regulations consistent with State law, this fosters organizational excellence.
Discussion:
Contemplated Updates to the Placentia Municipal Code (PMC) in compliance with State law Since the time of the adoption of Ordinance No. 0-2025-06, by the City Council, the State has made additional amendments to the Government Code relating to urban lot splits and two -unit housing developments. In order to comply with State law, Section 22.80.021 and Chapter
23.13 of the Placentia Municipal Code need to be amended. The proposed amendments are listed below.
PMC Chapter 22.80.021 Urban lot split requirements, major amendments are as follows:
• PMC 22.80.021(b)(5)(A) clarifying language regarding historic resources PMC Chapter 23.13 Two -unit housing development, major amendments are as follows:
• PMC 23.13.010(b)(3)(A) clarifying language regarding historic resources On January 20, 2026, the City of Placentia Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended that the City Council adopt a Categorical Exemption for this item and recommended approval of ZCA 2026-02 including the aforementioned contemplated PMC amendments.
CEQA:
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment was reviewed by Staff in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). The draft Ordinance was also evaluated by the Planning Commission. Based on that review, Staff and the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council find that adoption of ZCA 2026-02 and Ordinance No. 0-2026-02, is not a "project" under CEQA pursuant to Government Code Sections 65852.21(k) and 66411.7(n). Therefore, the adoption of an ordinance to comply with the provisions of those code sections is not a "project" under the California Environmental Quality Act and therefore, the proposed Ordinance is not subject to CEQA review.
CONCLUSION:
This zoning code amendment provides further refinements and development standards to the City regulations initially adopted in 2022 regarding two -unit housing developments and urban lot splits. Certain development standards and regulatory requirements in Title 22 ("Subdivisions") and Title 23 ("Zoning") of the Placentia Municipal Code would be amended to refine the City's development standards in accordance with State law. 2 Fiscal Impact Summary:
No immediate impact.
Attachments
Ordinance No. 0-2026-02 - Two Units.docx
Distributed after posting - Redline Version _ Two -Unit Ordinance 0-2026-02 revised.pdf 3 ORDINANCE NO. 0-2026-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PLACENTIA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION
22.80.021 OF CHAPTER 22.80 OF THE PLACENTIA
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO URBAN LOT SPLITS
AND SECTION 23.13.010 OF CHAPTER 23.13 OF THE
PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TWO -UNIT
HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
STATE LAW
City Attorney's Summary
This Ordinance amends Chapter 22.80 of Title 22 ( Subdivisions) and Chapter 23.13 of Title 23 (Zoning) of the Placentia Municipal Code regarding Urban Lot Splits and Two - Unit Housing Developments to be in compliance with changes to state law.
A. Recitals
WHEREAS, on July 19, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 0-2022- 07, creating regulations for urban lot splits and two -unit housing developments in accordance with state law; and
WHEREAS, since the time of the adoption of Ordinance No. 0-2022-07, the state has made additional amendments to the Government Code relating to urban lot splits and two -unit housing developments and the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 0-2025-06 on July 15, 2025, updating Chapter 22.80, Urban Lot Splits, and Chapter 23.13, Two - Unit Housing Developments, of the Placentia Municipal Code to be in compliance with state law; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance is again amending Chapters 22.80 and 23.13, to be in compliance with recent changes made to state law regarding urban lot splits and two -unit housing developments; and
WHEREAS, on January 20, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Placentia held a duly noticed public hearing at which time it considered all evidence presented, whether written or oral; and
Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
4 WHEREAS, after the close of the public hearing the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, on February 17, 2026, the City Council of the City of Placentia held a duly noticed public hearing at which time it considered all evidence presented, whether written or oral; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend its regulations to comply with state law.
B. Ordinance
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLACENTIA DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 22.80.021(b)(5)(A) of Chapter 22.80 of the Placentia Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
§ 22.80.021. Urban lot split requirements.
(b) The city shall ministerially approve a parcel map for a lot split that meets the following requirements:
(5) The parcel is not located in any of the following areas and does not fall within any of the following categories:
(A) (i) The parcel is not located within a historic district or historical landmark property included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or within a site that is designated or listed as a city landmark or historic property or district pursuant to a city ordinance.
Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
5 (ii) The proposed urban lot split does not require demolition or alteration of either of the following:
(aa) A contributing structure located within either a historic district that is included on the California Register of Historical Resources or within a historic district listed or designated pursuant to a city ordinance.
(bb) An existing exterior structural wall of a structure located within either a historic district that is included on the California Register of Historical Resources or within a historic district listed or designated pursuant to a city ordinance.
SECTION 2. Section 23.13.010(b)(3)(A) of Chapter 23.73 of the Placentia Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
§ 23.13.010. Two -unit housing development.
(b) The city shall ministerially approve a housing development containing no more than two (2) residential units if it meets the following requirements:
(3) The parcel is not located in any of the following areas and does not fall within any of the following categories:
(A) (i) A contributing structure within a historic district included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or historic property or district pursuant to a city ordinance. (ii) A parcel individually listed as a historical resource included in the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
6 within a property individually designated or listed as a city landmark under a city ordinance.
The city may adopt objective standards for the purposes of maintaining the historical value of a historic district listed in the California Register of Historical Resources.
SECTION 3. CEQA. This Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Government Code Sections 65852.21(k) and 66411.7(n) in that the adoption of an ordinance relating to two -unit housing developments and urban lot splits are not considered a project under CEQA.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect on the 31st day after adoption.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase be declared unconstitutional.
SECTION 6. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be entered in the book of original ordinances of said City; shall make a minute passage and adoption thereof in the records of the meeting at which time the same is passed and adopted; and shall, within fifteen (15) days after the passage and adoption thereof, cause the same to be published as required by law, in a publication of general circulation.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Placentia held on the 17th day of February 2026.
Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
7 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of March 2026.
Chad P. Wanke, Mayor
ATTEST:
Robert S. McKinnell, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
I, Robert S. McKinnell, City Clerk of the City of Placentia, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Placentia, held on the 17th day of February 2026, and was finally adopted at a regular meeting held on the 3rd day of March 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Robert S. McKinnell, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Christian L. Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
8 ORDINANCE NO. 0-2026-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PLACENTIA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION
22.80.021 OF CHAPTER 22.80 OF THE PLACENTIA
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO URBAN LOT SPLITS
AND SECTION 23.13.010 OF CHAPTER 23.13 OF THE
PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TWO -UNIT
HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
STATE LAW
City Attorney's Summary
This Ordinance amends Chapter 22.80 of Title 22 ( Subdivisions) and Chapter 23.13 of Title 23 (Zoning) of the Placentia Municipal Code regarding Urban Lot Splits and Two - Unit Housing Developments to be in compliance with changes to state law.
WHEREAS, on July 19, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 0-2022- 07, creating regulations for urban lot splits and two -unit housing developments in accordance with state law; and
WHEREAS, since the time of the adoption of Ordinance No. 0-2022-07, the state has made additional amendments to the Government Code relating to urban lot splits and two -unit housing developments and the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 0-2025-06 on July 15, 2025, updating Chapter 22.80, Urban Lot Splits, and Chapter 23.13, Two - Unit Housing Developments, of the Placentia Municipal Code to be in compliance with state law; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance is again amending Chapters 22.80 and 23.13, to be in compliance with recent changes made to state law regarding urban lot splits and two -unit housing developments; and
WHEREAS, on January 20, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Placentia held a duly noticed public hearing at which time it considered all evidence presented, whether written or oral; and
Ordinance 0-2026-02
9 WHEREAS, after the close of the public hearing the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, on February 17, 2026, the City Council of the City of Placentia held a duly noticed public hearing at which time it considered all evidence presented, whether written or oral; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend its regulations to comply with state law.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF PLACENTIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 22.80.021(b)(5)(A) of Chapter 22.80 of the Placentia Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
§ 22.80.021. Urban lot split requirements.
(b) The city shall ministerially approve a parcel map for a lot split that meets the following requirements:
(5) The parcel is not located in any of the following areas and does not fall within any of the following categories:
(A) A historic district or property included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of tho Public Resources Code, or within a cite of purcivant to a
city ordinance. (i) The parcel is not located within A historic district or historical landmark property included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or within a site that is designated or listed as a city landmark or historic property or district pursuant to a city ordinance.
Ordinance 0-2026-02
10 (ii) The proposed urban lot split does not require demolition or alteration of either of the following:
(aa) A contributing structure located within either a historic district that is included on the California Register of Historical Resources or within a historic district listed or designated pursuant to a city ordinance.
(bb) An existing exterior structural wall of a structure located within either a historic district that is included on the California Register of Historical Resources or within a historic district listed or designated pursuant to a city ordinance.
SECTION 2. Section 23.13.010(b)(3)(A) of Chapter 23.73 of the Placentia Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
§ 23.13.010. Two -unit housing development.
(b) The city shall ministerially approve a housing development containing no more than two (2) residential units if it meets the following requirements:
(3) The parcel is not located in any of the following areas and does not fall within any of the following categories:
(A) A historic district or property included on the Statc Historic Rcsourccs Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of tho Public Resources Code, or within a oit9 that is designated or listed as a city landmark or historic property or distriot purc%iant te--a city ordinance. (i) A contributing structure within a historic district included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or historic property or district pursuant to a city ordinance.
Ordinance 0-2026-02
Page3of5
11 (ii) A parcel individually listed as a historical resource included in the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or within a property individually designated or listed as a city landmark under a city ordinance.
The city may adopt obiective standards for the purposes of maintaining the historical value of a historic district listed in the California Register of Historical Resources.
SECTION 3. CEQA. This Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Government Code Sections 65852.21(k) and 66411.7(n) in that the adoption of an ordinance relating to two -unit housing developments and urban lot splits are not considered a project under CEQA.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect on the 31St day after adoption.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase be declared unconstitutional.
SECTION 6. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be entered in the book of original ordinances of said City; shall make a minute passage and adoption thereof in the records of the meeting at which time the same is passed and adopted; and shall, within fifteen (15) days after the passage and adoption thereof, cause the same to be published as required by law, in a publication of general circulation.
Ordinance 0-2026-02
12 INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Placentia held on the 17th day of February 2026.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of March 2026.
Chad P. Wanke, Mayor
ATTEST:
Robert S. McKinnell, City Clerk
I, Robert S. McKinnell, City Clerk of the City of Placentia, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Placentia, held on the 17th day of February 2026 and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Placentia, held on the 3rd day of March 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers:
Councilmembers:
Councilmembers:
Councilmembers:
Robert S. McKinnell, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Christian L. Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Ordinance 0-2026-02
13