1 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU)
ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS
City Council
October 19, 2026
• The City last updated its ADU regulations in 2022
• State ADU law has been amended multiple times
since 2022 to encourage production
• Proposed Ordinance would bring the Zoning
Code into conformance with state ADU law
• Staff already applies these requirements. The
proposed Ordinance codifies existing practice
WHY ARE WE UPDATING OUR ADU
REGULATIONS?
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• ADU ordinances must be submitted to State HCD for review within 60 days of adoption
• HCD is requiring ALL provisions of state ADU law be
addressed in local ordinances
• Failure to submit to HCD, or to respond to HCD findings within 30 days, makes the ordinance null and void
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WHY ARE WE UPDATING OUR ADU
REGULATIONS?
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHANGES?
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• Single-Family Lots. Clarifies that up to 3 ADUs and 1 JADU may be created on a single-family lot under specific conditions.
• Multi-Family Lots. Expands the maximum number of detached ADUs allowed on a lot with a multifamily development from two to eight (up to, not to exceed the number of existing units). • Review Timeline. Maximum of 15 business days to determine whether an application is complete. • Resubmittal Scope Limitation. The City may not require the application to include any item that was not identified on the original incompleteness list. • Appeal Process. Ability to appeal ADU denial or incompleteness determination.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHANGES?
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• Amnesty. The City may not deny legalization of
unpermitted ADUs constructed before 1/1/20 except
when necessary for health/safety.
• JADU Owner Occupancy. Owner occupancy for JADUs
only required when sharing sanitation facilities with
main unit
• Size Calculations. Revises size limitations to be based on interior livable space.
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WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
June 2026
Planning Commission Review
Planning Commission voted
7-0 to recommend adoption
Tonight
First Reading of Ordinance
November 2026
(tentative)
Second Reading and Adoption
December 2026
(tentative)
Submit to HCD for
Review and Approval
• Introduce an Ordinance amending the City’s ADU/JADU
regulations to comply with recent changes in state ADU law
RECOMMENDATION
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