CITY OF SANTA MARIA
TITLE 12 ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT PACKAGE
Density Bonus, Accessory Dwelling Units, Child Care Centers, Transitional and Supportive Housing, and Non-taxable Merchandise Limitations
August 4, 2026
DENSITY BONUS (CHAPTER 12-48)
• Proposed Amendments:
• Revisions to comply with Government Code Section
65915 – Density Bonus
• Procedures for density bonus applications revised to
comply with State law
• Determination of qualification
• Development incentives
• Review procedures
• Requires compliance with the City’s adopted
Objective Design Standards
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (CHAPTER 12-56)
• Proposed Amendments per State law updates
(AB 462, AB 1154, SB 9, and SB 543)
• Definition of “Livable Space” added – A space in a dwelling intended for human habitation, including living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation • No replacement parking required when garage is converted to a JADU • No owner occupancy requirement for JADUs with sanitation facilities (not shared)
• Permit Processing -
• Within 15 business days – notification of application completeness/incompleteness
• Within 60 days from complete application – Approved or denied unless applicant requests a delay or there is an application to create a new primary dwelling unit
• Determinations re: incompleteness or denial may be appealed to the Planning Commission within 14 calendar days following the written determination. Planning Commission to provide final written determination within 60 days after receipt of the appeal.
TRANSITIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, EMPLOYEE
HOUSING, AND CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS
• Housing Element Program Compliance Items
• Transitional and Supportive Housing - permitted use in Residential Zones (Program 4.D)
• Employee Housing for 6 or fewer employees added to Residential Zones (Program 4.E)
• In accordance with Government Code Section 65582 and Health and Safety Code Section 50675.14
• Day Care Centers from Conditional Use to Permitted Use (Programs
4.F and 4.G)
• All Residential Zones
• Commercial Zones (CC, CPO, C-1, C-2)
• Industrial Zones (M-1, CM, M-2)
• When the Day Care Center is associated with, and integrated into, a facility that is a permitted or conditionally permitted use (Accessory use)
NON-TAXABLE MERCHANDISE LIMITATIONS
• Central Business District and General Commercial Zones • Section 12.12.19 (C-1 Zone), and
Section 12-13.17 (C-2 Zone)
• For commercial uses exceeding 90,000 square feet of
gross floor area, the non-taxable merchandise floor
area shall not exceed 8% of the total gross floor area
of the building occupied by the commercial use.
(Ord. 97-12, Enacted, 12/4/97)
• Delete this requirement to allow for greater
flexibility in the types of uses permitted within
larger retail shopping centers.
ENVIRONMENTAL
• The proposed Zoning Text Amendments are exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Public Resources Code Section 21080.17, and CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
RECOMMENDATION
1. Waive first reading and introduce an Ordinance amending various sections of Title 12-Zoning of the Santa Maria Municipal Code relating to Child Day Care Centers, Non-taxable Merchandise Limitations, Transitional and Supportive Housing, and Density Bonus; and
2. Waive first reading and introduce an Ordinance amending Title 12, Chapter 12-56, Accessory Dwelling Units; and
3. Set for adoption said Ordinances at the next regular City Council meeting.