RESOLUTION NO. 06-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PLEASANT HILL
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL FORMALLY CODIFY PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 18 OF THE PLEASANT HILL MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING ORDINANCE), SECTION 18.15.050 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS &
JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS THAT WERE PART OF AN URGENCY
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the City of Pleasant Hill, California (the “City”) is a municipal corporation, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, state law authorizes cities to act by ordinance to provide for the creation and regulation of accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”) and junior accessory dwelling units (“JADUs”); and
WHEREAS, in recent years, the California Legislature has approved, and the Governor has signed into law, a number of bills that, among other things, amend various sections of the Government Code to impose new limits on local authority to regulate ADUs and JADUs; and WHEREAS, in 2025, the California Legislature approved, and the Governor signed into law, further amendments to state ADU law; and
WHEREAS, on December 15, 2025, to protect the public safety, health, and welfare, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 980 as an urgency measure in accordance with Government Code section 36937, subdivision (b).
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 980 allows the City to apply local regulations governing height, setback, landscape, and architectural review, among other things, to certain applications for ADUs and JADUs, that would otherwise threaten the character of existing neighborhoods, and negatively impact property values, personal privacy, and fire safety.
WHEREAS, the City desires to codify provisions that were implemented as part of the urgency ordinance, Ordinance No. 980; and
WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly and lawfully given, a public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment was held by the Planning Commission on February 24, 2026 where all interested persons might appear and be heard.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the exemption from CEQA and adopt the attached ordinance amendment (Attachment C of the February 24, 2026 Planning Commission Staff Report) based on the following findings:
Zoning Ordinance Amendment Findings
1. The new ordinance section shall be consistent with the policies of the General Plan; a. Land Use Policy LU-3: “To provide a variety of housing types that offer choices for Pleasant Hill residents and create complete, livable neighborhoods.
The ADU ordinance will allow the City to continue providing a variety of housing types by increasing ADU and JADU construction within livable neighborhoods. b. Land Use Program LU-3.5: “Support the development of a broad range of housing types, to increase housing choice, neighborhood diversity, and innovative design.
The ADU ordinance will support the construction of ADUs and JADUs, which will increase housing choice and further neighborhood diversity. c. Housing Policy H-2: “Promote a diversity in tenure, type, size, location, and price to permit a choice of housing for persons of all economic levels throughout the City.”
The ordinance amendment will continue to allow for ADU’s that are both different types of housing from traditional single- and multi-family residential units. d. Housing Program H-2.5: “Promote the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in all residential zones.”
The ordinance amendment will codify provisions that were implemented by the City as part of an urgency ordinance in 2025. The ordinance will be consistent with State legislation that, in part, would address California’s shortage of housing supply.
2. The new ordinance section shall be consistent with the purpose of the Zoning Ordinance which is to protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare and implement the policies of the General Plan, more specifically:
a. Provide a precise guide for the physical development of the City to preserve the character and quality of the residential neighborhoods, foster convenient, harmonious and workable relationships among land uses and achieve the arrangement of land uses described in the General Plan.
The amendment will clarify provisions for accessory dwelling units within residential areas consistent with recent changes to State Law. In addition, the ordinance will provide greater consistency with the City’s General Plan, as noted Section V of the Planning Commission Staff Report, dated February 24, 2026. b. Promote the economic stability of existing land uses.
The ordinance amendment will codify provisions that were implemented by the City as part of an urgency ordinance in 2025 that is consistent with recent changes to State Law. The regulations conform with current State law thereby promoting the stability of residential land uses and will continue to allow accessory dwelling units that could provide additional housing opportunities for workers in need of more affordable housing.
c. Prevent excessive population densities and overcrowding of land and buildings.
The proposed ordinance amendment will codify provisions that were implemented by the City as part of an urgency ordinance in 2025 that is consistent with recent changes to State Law. Existing State provisions allow combinations of certain types of ADUs and JADUs on properties with Single Family and Multiple Family dwellings. The ordinance amendment will not allow increases in size or number of units than what is currently allowed, thus avoiding overcrowding. d. Ensure the provision of adequate open space for light, air and fire safety.
The ordinance amendment will codify provisions that were implemented by the City as part of an urgency ordinance in 2025 that is consistent with recent changes to State Law. Removing the landscape screening option for Class 2 ADU’s will lead to increased fire safety by ensuring access in setback areas. The City of Pleasant Hill will still enforce lot coverage and setback provisions that would provide adequate open space for light, air and fire safety.
e. Ensure that service demands of new development will not exceed the capacities of existing streets, utilities or public services.
The ordinance amendment will be in accordance with State requirements and will not increase the number of residential units beyond what is currently allowed by State law. The City already passed an urgency ordinance consistent with State provisions; thus, the amendment will have minimal effects on streets, utilities and public services.
ADOPTED by the Planning Commission, City of Pleasant Hill, on the 24th day of February, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Chiang, Khalfin, Mascaro, Vavrek, Field
NOES: None
ABSENT: Webber, Wyler
ABSTAIN: None
TROY FUJIMOTO, Secretary
Planning Commission