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Agenda Item No: 1.e
PLACENTIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: March 17, 2026
Submitted by: Joe Lambert
From: Development Services
Subject:
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION 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. Ordinance No. 0-2026-02, was introduced for First Reading at the City Council meeting of February 17, 2026.
Recommendation:
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that adoption of Ordinance No. 0-2026-02, 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; and
2. Waive full reading, by title only, and adopt 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 1 Housing Developments in accordance with State law.
Strategic Plan Statement:
This item aligns with and advances City Council Vision Statement Goals No. 4: Economic Development and Goal No. 5: Organizational Excellence. It supports adopted Housing Element strategies by creating opportunities for additional housing at a variety of price points, which in turn promotes economic development through increased construction activity.
Ensuring local regulations remain consistent with State law also furthers organizational excellence.
Discussion:
The City's regulations related to two -unit housing and urban lot splits were last updated by the adoption of Ordinance No. 0-2025-06, by the City Council in July 2025. Since that time, 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.
On January 20, 2026, the City of Placentia Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended that the City Council adopt a finding that this Ordinance is not subject to CEQA review and recommended approval of ZCA 2026-02. On February 17, 2026, City Council held a public hearing and subsequently introduced Ordinance No. 0-2026-02, for first reading.
Fiscal Impact Summary:
No immediate impact.
Attachments
1.Two-Unit Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
2 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
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.
Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
3 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 Statc Historic Rcsourccs • e e - _ - _ _ - ! !. _ •o Public Resources Code, or within a oita that is designated or listed as a city landmark or historic property or distriot pure ant te-a city ordinance. (i) 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.
(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:
Ordinance No. 0-2026-02
4 (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 oite that is designated or listed as a city landmark or historic property or distriot purcmant 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. (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.
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
5 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th 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 17th 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
6