PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 26-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND ADOPT
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE XV OF THE RICHMOND
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article Xl, section 7 of the California Constitution and sections 36931 et seq. of the California Government Code, the City may make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan is the City's constitution for future development and any decision by a City affecting land use and development must be consistent with the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, Housing Element Program H-1.4.3 aims to continue the facilitation of secondary dwelling unit production in part to provide a balanced supply of housing types, densities, and prices to meet the needs of all income groups residing or wishing to reside in the City and to comply with state law; and
WHEREAS, in order to encourage the construction of additional dwelling units to provide more housing for California residents, the State of California has enacted California Government Code sections 66310 through 66342 to encourage the construction of accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units that went into effect on October 10, 2025 and January 1,2026;and
WHEREAS, Government Code sections 66310 through 66342 require the City to adopt zoning regulations in compliance with state law provisions regarding accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission finds that the amendments are consistent with the purposes of the General Plan, the purposes of the Municipal Code, and other applicable City ordinances; and
WHEREAS, on April 2, 2026, the Planning Commission held a duly and properly noticed public hearings and considered a recommendation to the City Council proposed zoning text ordinance amendments to Sections 15.04.104.020, 15.04.201.030,
15.04.201.050, and 15.04.610.020 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Richmond Municipal Code; and to adopt the amendments to Richmond Municipal Code Sections 15.04.104.020, 15.04.201.030, 15.04.201.050, and
15.04.610.020 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units), which comply with State ADU Law (Government Code sections 66310 through 66342); and July 2, 2026 Page 1 of 3 Resolution
WHEREAS, due to a clerical error within the proposed draft ordinance submitted for review by Planning Commission on April 2, 2026, staff has revised the draft ordinance and requested the Planning Commission for a public hearing to reconsider a recommendation to the City Council on the proposed zoning text amendments to the Richmond Municipal Code related to accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has considered the proposed agenda report, all public comments, and the amendments of and adoptions to Sections
15.04.104.020, 15.04.201.030, 15.04.201.050, and 15.04.610.020 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Richmond Municipal Code, all dated July 2, 2026, and as set forth in this Resolution and the applicable provisions of the Richmond Municipal Code ("the Record").
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Richmond hereby RECOMMENDS APPROVAL of the Ordinance attached hereto as Exhibit A, amending Article 15 of the Richmond Municipal Code; based on the following findings:
1) The proposed amendments to the Municipal Code are statutorily exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21080.17 of the Public Resources Code, which provides that CEQA does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance to implement the provisions of Sections 66310 through 66342 of the Government Code. The proposed amendments are also exempt from environmental review pursuant to General Rule, Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines since it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. Regardless of whether the City adopts this Ordinance, accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units must be allowed in the City in accordance with the standards set forth in state law. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the project will not cause any significant impacts; and
2) The facts set forth in the recitals in this Resolution are true and correct and incorporated by reference. The recitals constitute findings in this matter and, together with the agenda report, other written reports, public testimony and other information contained in the record, are an adequate and appropriate evidentiary basis for the actions taken in this Resolution; and
3) The amendments of and adoption to Sections 15.04.104.020,
15.04.201.030, 15.04.201.050, and 15.04.610.020 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Richmond Municipal Code are consistent with the General Plan, Richmond Municipal Code, and applicable federal and state law; and July 2, 2026 Page 2 of 3 Resolution
4) The amendments of and adoption to Sections 15.04.104.020,
15.04.201.030, 15.04.201.050, and 15.04.610.020 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Richmond Municipal Code will advance the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council adopt the amendments to Richmond Municipal Code by amending Sections 15.04.104.020, 15.04.201.030, 15.04.201.050, and
15.04.610.020 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Richmond Municipal Code, attached to the Agenda Report dated July 2,2026.
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on July 2, 2026, by the following vote:
Chair Jonathan Harrison, Secretary Gay Timmons,
AYES: Shahzaib Shahid, Diana Benitez
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Vice-Chair Bruce Brubaker, Alexander Golovets
Approved:
HMdthan Haf-Hscn
Jonathan Harrison (Jul 7. 2026 14'21:21 PDT)
Chair of the Planning Commission
Approved as to form:
/^'ts^c^'
Sei^tor Assistant City Attorney
July 2, 2026 Page 3 of 3 Resolution