SALINAS PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-12
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 37 OF THE SALINAS MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING CODE) TO RESCIND SECTION 37-50.250 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS), REMOVE
AND MODIFY ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) DEFINITIONS OF SECTION 37-10.250 ("A" DEFINITIONS), AND MODIFY THE ADU DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF SECTIONS 37-30.020, 37-30-060, 37-30-110, 37-30.160, 37-30.390, AND 37-30.430, AND APPLY APPLICABLE STATE ADU LAW FOR THE
PROCESSING OF ADU APPLICATIONS
(ZCA 2025-001)
WHEREAS, on November 7, 2006, the Salinas City Council, adopted Ordinance Number 2463 replacing the existing Zoning Code; and
WHEREAS, the Salinas City Council has amended various provisions of Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code ("Zoning Code") to allow for general changes, language clarification, and minor corrections; and
WHEREAS, On January 1, 2020, after the latest City revision to Zoning Code Section 37-
50.250, California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22 became effective; and WHEREAS, Section 65852.2 allowed for the development of ADUs and Section 65852.22 allowed for the development of Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). On March 25, 2024, these Government Code Sections were renamed Government Code Sections 66314 - 66332 (ADUs), Government Code Sections 66333 - 66339 (JADUs), and Government Code Sections 66340 - 66342 (ADU Home Sales); and
WHEREAS, the City's ADU Ordinance has not been updated to be compliant with State ADU Law; and
WHEREAS, to avoid confusion, the State Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends that the City rescind the current ADU Ordinance and follow the State ADU Law and guidelines until a compliant ADU ordinance is adopted; and WHEREAS, an updated ADU ordinance is being prepared as part of Phase One of the Zoning Code Update currently underway and scheduled for completion in spring 2026; and WHEREAS, on November 19, 2025, at a duly noticed public hearing, the Salinas Planning Commission recommended that the City Council introduce and adopt Zoning Code Amendment 2025-001, to amend Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning Code) to rescind Section 37-50.250 (Accessory Dwelling Units), remove and modify Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) definitions of Section 37-10.250 ("A" definitions), modify development regulations of Sections 37-30.020, 37-30-060, 37-30-110, 37-30.160, 37-30.390, and 37-30.430, and apply applicable State standards for the processing of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) applications; and WHEREAS, on November 19, 2025, the Salinas Planning Commission weighed the evidence presented at hearing, including the Staff Report which is on file at the Community Development Department together with the record of environmental review and hereby finds that the following amendment will not have the effect of reversing policies of the Salinas General Plan Planning Commission Resolution 2025-12
Zoning Code Amendment 2025-001
or other plans and policies previously adopted by the City Council and finds the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, BETT RESOLVED by the Salinas Planning Commission that the Commission recommends that the City Council find the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and introduce and then adopt Zoning Code Amendment 2025-001; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Salinas Planning Commission adopts the following findings as the basis for its determination, and that the foregoing recitations are true and correct, and are included herein by reference as findings:
Categorical Exemption:
1. The project has been found to be a Class 5 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Guidelines Section 15305 of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment amends Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning Code) to rescind Section 37-50.250 (Accessory Dwelling Units), remove and modify Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) definitions of Section 37-10.250 ("A" definitions), modify development regulations of Sections 37-30.020, 37-30-060, 37-30- 110, 37-30.160, 37-30.390, and 37-30.430, and apply applicable State ADU Law and guidelines for the processing of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) applications.
WHEREAS, the Salinas Planning Commission adopts the following findings, as set forth in Zoning Code Section 37-60.1120, as the basis for its introduction and adoption of the proposed Zoning Code Amendment:
Zoning Code Amendment 2025-001:
1. The Amendment is consistent with the Salinas General Plan and other plans and policies adopted by the Salinas City Council.
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment amends Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning Code) to rescind Section 37-50.250 (Accessory Dwelling Units), remove and modify Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) definitions of Section 37-10.250 ("A" definitions), modify development regulations of Sections 37-30.020, 37-30-060, 37-30- 110, 37-30.160, 37-30.390, and 37-30.430, and apply applicable State ADU Law and guidelines for the processing of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) applications.
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment would remove the existing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance along with removal and modification of ADU definitions and the modification of Zoning Code development regulations for ADU so that the Zoning Code is in consistent with applicable State ADU law. As a result, ZCA 2025-001 would be consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Code.
Planning Commission Resolution 2025-12
Zoning Code Amendment 2025-001
2. The Amendment will not have the effect of reversing the policies of the Salinas General Plan, any applicable Specific Plan, and other plans and policies adopted by the Salinas City Council.
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment addresses non-compliance with State ADU law.
The Amendment amends Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning Code) to rescind Section 37-50.250 (Accessory Dwelling Units), removes and modifies Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) definitions of Section 37-10.250 ("A" definitions), modifies development regulations of Sections 37-30.020, 37-30-060, 37-30-110, 37-30.160, 37-
30.390, and 37-30.430, and applies applicable State ADU law and guidelines for the processing of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) applications.
The Zoning Code Amendment would be consistent with Goal H-1 of the General Plan Housing Element by providing a range of housing types and a variety of affordability levels to address existing and projected housing construction needs in Salinas. It would also be consistent with Goal H-3 of the General Plan Housing Element by assisting in ensuring that all segments of the community have access to safe and decent housing that meets their diverse needs. The Zoning Code Amendment would allow for the continued processing of ADU applications pursuant to applicable State ADU Law. In addition, the City is currently drafting a new ADU Ordinance which would be consistent with State ADU Law as part of Phase One of the Zoning Code Update.
3. The Amendment would not create an isolated district unrelated to adjacent zoning districts.
The Zoning Code Amendment amends Zoning Code text and would not rezone or create new zoning districts. Therefore, the Zoning Code Amendment would not create any isolated districts unrelated to adjacent zoning districts.
4. The City has the capability to provide public utilities, roads, and services to serve the uses allowed by the proposed amendment.
Salinas is an urbanized area and public infrastructure is presently in place to serve most uses. The proposed Amendment would not create the need for additional infrastructure.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 19th day of November 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: Chairperson McKelvey Day, Commissioners Meeks, Purnell, Rocamora, Wruck NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Almanza-Larios, Gutierrez
Planning Commission Resolution 2025-12
Zoning Code Amendment 2025-001
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Salinas, that said Resolution was passed and approved by the affirmative and majority vote of said Planning Commission at a meeting held on November 19, 2025, and that said Resolution has not been modified, amended, or rescinded, and is now in full force and effect.
SALINAS PLANNING COMMISSION
Date: 11/20/25
Courtney Grossman
Secretary
I:ComDev|Planning Share Space/Zoning Code Amendments\ZCA 2025-001 - Rescind ADU Ordinance (Sec. 37-50.250)IPC Resolution 2025- I2.docx
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