Agenda, regular meeting, first session — Taft City Council, December 16, 2025

TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY

JOINT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
209 E. KERN ST., TAFT, CA 93268
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City of Taft Council Meetings are being held in-person with full capacity seating and are livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofTaft. Public comment can be made in person and also can be received per the following:
• Written comments may be dropped off in the drop box in front of City Hall. • Comments may be emailed to the City Clerk at [email protected]. • Made by phone to the City Clerk’s office at (661) 763-1222. • Public comments will be accepted up until 5:00 PM the day of the meeting. • Any comments received will be read into the record.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Roll Call: Mayor Noerr
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant
Councilmember Krier
Councilmember Waldrop
Councilmember Chavira

1. PUBLIC HEARING - ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5 THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE BY REFERENCE, AND INCORPORATION OF

CALFIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, EDITS AND CORRECTIONS Recommendation –

1. Conduct Public Hearing.

2. Motion to approve an Ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AMENDING SECTIONS OF TITLE 5 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL,

ENERGY, GREEN BUILDING, AND FIRE CODES, AND INCORPORATING CAL FIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, EDITS, AND CORRECTIONS, waive full reading and find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines in that the proposed Amendment will have no significant effect on the environment.

2. PRESENTATION - ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2025-16 AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-17 TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023 – 2031) AND CEQA EXEMPTION (SECTION 15051(B)(3)) Recommendation –
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-17 (AMENDING THE DOWNTOWN TAFT SPECIFIC PLAN) TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031) AND FIND THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 15061(B)(3) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES; and introduce by title only AN ORDINANCE OF City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
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THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2025- 16 AMENDING TITLE 6 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031), waive full reading, and set the date for the required public hearing for January 20, 2026.

3. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

COMMENTS ARE TO BE RECEIVED AS STATED IN ABOVE POLICY

THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON MATTERS WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION. STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE COUNCIL FROM ADDRESSING ANY ISSUE NOT PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA. COUNCIL MAY RECEIVE COMMENT AND SET THE MATTER FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES.

4. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)

5. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT

6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

7. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS

8. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS

9. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
***************************************************************************************************** CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 9-15
All items listed on the Consent Calendar shall be considered routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the City Council requests specific items to be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. Any item removed from the Consent Calendar will be considered after the regular business items. Are there any items on the consent calendar that any member of the public would like to comment on?

10. MINUTES
December 02, 2025 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.

11. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 120525 Check No. 201202-201269 $ 472,789.81
Warrant # 121225 Check No. 201270-201273 $ 1,585.76
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.

12. THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
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Recommendation –
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines

13. THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF STREET AND ROADS DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
Recommendation –
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT

APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF A STREET & ROADS DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

14. RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS 26-27) FOR JULY 2026 THROUGHT JUNE 2027
Recommendation –
1) Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO

THE TAFT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING

AND ADOPTING A RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 341177(j)(AB 1X 26)
2) Direct Staff to present the ROPS 26-27 to the Countywide Oversight Board meeting on January 22nd, 2026, for approval.
3) Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

15. INCREASE TO STATE MINIMUM WAGE AND CITY-WIDE EXTRA HELP HOURLY PAY RATE

ADJUSTMENT
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY

OF TAFT APPROVING AUTOMATIC INCREASES TO THE HOURLY WAGE OF CITY POSITIONS IMPACTED BY THE INCREASE IN THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE and find that Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

16. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT #3 WITH SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC ADDING ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SERVICES AND A 60-MONTH CONTRACT EXTENSION Recommendation -
Motion to authorize the City Manager to sign amendment # 3 with Securus Technologies, LLC and appropriate $64,547.94 as a refund for voided transactions and find that the activity is not City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
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a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
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CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3 of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (d) – one (1) potential case
B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 – APN No. 031-160-03-9

ADJOURNMENT
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, a disability-related modification or accommodation, agenda materials in an alternative format, or auxiliary aids to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (661) 763-1222 or [email protected] as soon as possible. Providing at least 72 hours’ notice will help ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made.

AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Faith Melton, declare as follows:

That I am the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Taft; that an agenda was posted on a public information bulletin board located near the door of the Civic Center Council Chamber on December 11th, 2025, at ________ a.m./p.m., pursuant to 1987 Brown Act Requirements.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed December 11th, 2025, at Taft, California.

Signature ___________ _________
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER: PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5 THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE BY

REFERENCE, AND INCORPORATION OF CALFIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN

EXCEPTIONS, EDITS AND CORRECTIONS
SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Every three years, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), a state agency, adopts updated codes for the design and construction of buildings and structures within the state, known as the California Building Standards Code, also referred to as the Building Code or simply Title 24. State law mandates that local governments enforce these regulations or enforce local ordinances containing qualified, reasonably necessary, and generally more restrictive building standards than those provided in the California Building Standards Code (CBSC). The California Building Standards Commission has published the 2025 editions of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24), including the Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Energy, Green Building, Fire, and related codes, on July 1, 2025. These codes become effective statewide on January 1, 2026, and local jurisdictions are required to adopt them to remain in compliance with state law. If no action is taken by this date, the State’s Code in its entirety will automatically apply within the agency’s jurisdiction when processing permit applications.

Adoption of the 2025 CBSC by reference allows future amendments to the CBSC to be included automatically, rather than requiring the City’s Municipal Code to be amended each time the CBSC is updated. Local amendments may also be included if justified by specific climatic, geological, or topographical conditions.

The 2025 California Building Standards Code reflects a comprehensive update that reorganizes certain chapters and introduces modernized technical provisions. Notably, it establishes a new California Wildland–Urban Interface Code (CWUIC, Part 7), consolidating prior wildfireresistant construction requirements from Chapter 7A of the California Building Code. The CWUIC directly references CAL FIRE’s updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps, which designate parts of Taft within a “High” hazard zone. Incorporating these maps by reference ensures consistency with state wildfire resilience and building safety standards.

Key updates in the 2025 Code cycle include:
• Structural and seismic alignment with ASCE 7–22 standards. • Energy efficiency enhancements linked to the Long-Term System Cost (LSC) metric. • Expanded CALGreen provisions, including electric vehicle infrastructure and sustainable design.

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• Refinements to the Existing Building Code and Plumbing Code for clarity and consistency.
• Repeal of duplicative or outdated amendments by the State Fire Marshal and Division of the State Architect.

These updates improve regulatory consistency without imposing new burdens on local jurisdictions or requiring additional local modifications.

After reviewing the State’s 2025 updates and comparing them with Taft’s current municipal code, staff determined that no additional local amendments are required. Existing findings related to climatic, geological, and topographical conditions remain valid and adequately justify adoption by reference. Therefore, staff recommends adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code and related CAL FIRE Fire Hazard maps without modification, ensuring the City remains current with State law and consistent with statewide fire safety and structural standards.

City Council introduced the ordinance at it’s regular meeting on December 2, 2025 and set the date for the public hearing for December 16, 2025. Notice of the public hearing was published in the Midway Driller on December 4th. The Notice was also posted at City Hall.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Conduct Public Hearing.

ELECTRICAL, ENERGY, GREEN BUILDING, AND FIRE CODES, AND INCORPORATING CAL

FIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, EDITS, AND CORRECTIONS, waive full reading and find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines in that the proposed Amendment will have no significant effect on the environment.

IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): N/A
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): Ordinance
PREPARED BY: Luke Risner, Planning & Development Services REVIEWED BY:

CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
ORDINANCE NO. 855-25

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AMENDING SECTIONS OF TITLE 5 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025

CALIFORNIA BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL,

ELECTRICAL, ENERGY, GREEN BUILDING, AND FIRE CODES, AND

INCORPORATING CAL FIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS,

EDITS, AND CORRECTIONS
WHEREAS, the State of California every three years, adopts certain model codes with State Amendments known as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Parts 1 through 12, also known as the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the California Building Standards Law commencing with Section 18901 of the Health and Safety Code; and WHEREAS, the provisions of the California Building Standards Code apply to all buildings throughout the State, and the City of Taft is bound by code to enforce those regulations when they become effective as determined by the State Building Standards Commission; and WHEREAS, the current Title 5 of the Taft Municipal Code references expired State code editions that would conflict with the current referenced California Building Standards Code; and WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed and commented on a draft ordinance amendment of Title 5 of the Taft Municipal Code at its regular meeting on December 16, 2025; and WHEREAS, the City Council studied and considered the written findings for approval of the Ordinance Amendment, City Staff’s written and oral reports, and all public testimony before making a decision on this request; and
WHEREAS, the laws and regulations relating to the preparation and adoption of environmental documents, as set forth in the State Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act have been adhered to; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has fully considered this request and the potential environmental effects.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City Council hereby finds and determines all the amendments, deletions, and additions to the California Building Standards Code and other codes are necessary due to the following:

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Climatic – The City of Taft experiences periods of high temperatures accompanied by low humidity and high winds each year. The City also experiences periods of intense rainfall, which creates the need for special drainage precautions.

Local Geological Conditions – The City of Taft is located in the Central California region which is a populated area having buildings constructed near a vast array of fault systems capable of producing major earthquakes. A severe seismic event could cause wide-spread damage, disrupt communications, damage gas mains, cause extensive electrical hazards, and place extreme demands on the limited and widely dispersed resources of rescue and firefighting resources resulting in failure to meet the fire and life safety needs of the community.

Local Topographical Conditions – The City of Taft being located adjacent to open vegetated and crude oil production areas subject to consistently high winds and fires, necessitates the amendments hereby adopted to address and clarify special needs to reduce fire hazard at the time of any disaster, natural or manmade, and to reduce hazards resulting from landslides, excessive erosion, and/or flooding.

SECTION 2. Title 5, Chapter 1, Section 5-1-10(B) of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-1-10: THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS:
(B) Non-Covered Projects: All other projects, construction, additions, alterations, repair and remodel, and tenant improvement projects that are below the thresholds for Covered Projects listed above.

1. Some permitted projects are identified as Exemptions from WMP Requirements in section 5-1-13.

2. All other projects shall employ best management practices and encourage the diversion of fifty percent (50%) of all project related construction and demolition waste from local landfills.

SECTION 3. Title 5, Chapter 2, section 5-2-3 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-2-3: Building Code- Adoption of Code.

These regulations known as the “California Building Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, Volumes 1 and 2, which incorporate by adoption the 2021 2024 International Building Code, with necessary California amendments, including all appendices, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein, except such provisions as are hereinafter added, deleted or amended as follows;
Section 105.2(3) of the California Building Code is amended to read as:

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105.2(3). Accepted oilfield activities, except where construction is part of a cogeneration facility, as follows:
a. Tanks which meet API or AWWA standards and are supported directly upon grade (grade being the final ground surface elevation of the site prior to installation of the tank) with associated foundations if the ratio of height to diameter or width in the shortest direction does not exceed two to one. This also includes the associated equipment such as piping, walkways, stairs, guardrails, handrails and ladders which are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
b. Processing equipment and pressure vessels which meet API, ASME or ANSI standards and are supported directly upon grade (grade being the final ground surface elevation of the site prior to installation of the equipment or vessel) with associated foundations if the ratio of height to diameter or width in the shortest direction does not exceed one-half to one. This also includes the associated equipment such as piping, walkways, stairs, guardrails, handrails and ladders which are covered by OSHA.
c. Miscellaneous equipment which meets API, ASME or AMSI standards and is mounted on skids or supported on flanges. Placement of this equipment on an at- grade concrete slab or similar foundation, without attaching it for structural support to the same is considered part of the exempted activity.
d. Flatwork or non-supporting concrete slabs.
e. One-story detached accessory buildings which do not contain a work station and are used as storage sheds, typically unattended control or electrical enclosures or gauging sheds, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
f. Oil derricks, artificial lift equipment and associated foundations. g. Pipe racks and associated foundations, if the structure height does not exceed 8 feet (2438mm). h. Process piping.
i. Oilfield containment walls not over four feet (1219mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.

Section 109.4 of the California Building Code is amended to read as:
109.4 Work commencing before permit issuance. Where work for which a permit is required by this code is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining said permit, the fees specified by the Building Official shall be doubled, but the payment of such double fee shall not relieve any persons from fully complying with the requirements of this code in the execution of the work nor from any other penalties prescribed herein.

Section 1804A.5 of the California Building Code is amended to read as:
1804A.5 Grading. In flood hazard areas established in chapter 12, Title 5 of the Taft Municipal Code, grading and/or fill shall not be approved:

SECTION 4. Title 5, Chapter 3, section 5-3-3 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-3-3: Mechanical Code- Adoption of Code.

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These regulations known as the “California Mechanical Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 4, which incorporate by adoption the 2021 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code, with necessary California amendments, including all appendices, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 5. Title 5, Chapter 6, section 5-6-3 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-6-3 Plumbing Code- Provisions Adopted.

These regulations known as the “California Plumbing Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 5, which incorporate by adoption the 2021 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, with necessary California amendments, including all appendices, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 4755 E. Philadelphia St. Ontario, CA 91761, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

Section 813 of Title 24, Part 5, is amended with the following sections added as follows:
813.2 Swimming pool wastewater shall be disposed of as hereinafter set forth in this section and the type of disposal proposed shall be approved by the administrative authority prior to the commencement of any work. A means of disposal of the total contents of the pool (periodic emptying) without surface runoff shall be established to the satisfaction of the administrative authority.
813.3 Except as provided in section 813.4, when a public sewer or storm drain of adequate capacity is available for use, swimming pool wastewater shall be discharged there into and permission shall be obtained in writing from the proper authority to do so. A copy of such permission stating the maximum size of the waste line between the receptor and the sewer, and other specific requirements, shall accompany any applications for a permit made to the administrative authority. 813.4 Where space and conditions are such that no hazard, nuisance or unsanitary conditions evidenced, swimming pool wastewater may be used for irrigation by surface or subsurface spreading.
813.5 When no other means of wastewater disposal is available, a drywell may be installed. Each such drywell shall be constructed in the manner described for cesspools in Appendix H of this code, and drywells receiving only filter backwash shall have a capacity of at least twice the amount of effluent discharged during one normal backwash operation, but shall in no case have less than a five (5) foot (1.5m) vertical sidewall. When a pool emptying or other drains are proposed the size and leaching capacity of such drywell shall be proportionately increased to the satisfaction of the administrative authority. No wastewater other than that from a swimming pool shall discharge into any such drywell, and no wastewater from any swimming pool shall discharge into a private sewage disposal system.

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813.6 No direct connection shall be made between any storm drain, sewer, drainage system, drywell, or subsoil irrigation line and any line connected to a swimming pool. 813.7 Wastewater from any filter, scum gutter overflow, pool emptying line, or similar apparatus or appurtenance shall discharge into an approved type receptor. The flood level rim of each such receptor shall be at least six (6) inches (152.4mm) above the flood level of the adjacent ground.

Each such receptor, when permitted to be connected to any part of a drainage system, shall be provided with a three (3) inch (76.2m) trap.
813.8 Except as provided in section 813.9, the discharge outlet terminal from any pool or filter shall be protected from backflow by an air gap at least six (6) inches (152.4mm) above the flood rim of the receptor.
813.9 No scum gutter drain, overflow drain, backwash discharge drain, or pool emptying line shall enter any receptor below the rim unless the pool piping at its deepest point, the bottom of the filters and the bottom of the scum gutter drain trough or overflow inlets are at least six (6) inches (152.4 mm) above the overflow rim of the receptor.
813.10 A positive point of potable water supply to each swimming pool shall be established and shall be installed as required by Chapter 6 of this code. 813.11 Plans for other that private swimming pools shall be approved by the health officer before any water supply or waste discharge permit is issued.
813.12 All swimming pools shall be equipped with a filtration system which shall be installed in conformance with standards established by the administrative authority, which filtration system will permit the reuse of the water in swimming pools for a period of not less than one (1) year.

A swimming pool is defined as a portable or permanent artificial basin, chamber, or tank which when filled with water to overflow contains more than one thousand (1,000) gallons or is over two (2) feet in depth at any point.
813.13 A private wading pool is exempt from the foregoing requirements, but must be maintained in a sanitary condition. A private wading pool is defined as a portable or permanent artificial basin, chamber, or tank maintained by an individual for wading by small children which when filled with water to overflow contains less than one thousand (1,000) gallons and does not exceed two (2) feet at any point.
813.14 Recirculating water for swimming pools shall be constructed and installed under the same standards and requirements as potable water piping in Chapter 6 of this code.

SECTION 6. Title 5, Chapter 7, section 5-7-3 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:

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5-7-3: Electrical Code- Provisions Adopted.

These regulations known as the “California Electrical Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 3, which incorporate by adoption the 2021 2024 Edition of the National Electrical Code, with necessary California amendments, including all the Annexes A through J, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 7. Title 5, Chapter 9 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-9-2 California Fire Code- Adopted of Code
These regulations known as the “California Fire Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, which incorporate by adoption the 2021 2024 International Fire Code, with necessary California amendments, including appendix chapters and local amendments adopted by Chapter 17.32 Fire Code of the Code of Building Regulations of Kern County, and as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

This adoption also incorporates the latest CalFire State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones and associated maps, as applicable within the City of Taft, to ensure compliance with fire hazard mitigation and building safety requirements.

SECTION 8. Title 5, Chapter 13 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-13-3: Residential Code- Adoption of Code:

These regulations known as the “California Residential Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2.5, which incorporate by adoption the 2021 2024 International Residential Code, with necessary California amendments, including all appendices, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 9. Title 5, Chapter 14 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-14-2: Application of Code: The Taft Energy Code shall apply to all new construction, additions and alterations within the City.
5-14-3 Energy Code- Adoption of Code:

These regulations known as the “California Energy Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

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SECTION 10. Title 5, Chapter 15 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-15-3: Historic Code: Adoption of Code
These regulations known as the “California Historical Building Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 8, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 11. Title 5, Chapter 16 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-16-3: Existing Building Code: Adoption of Code:

These regulations known as the “California Existing Building Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 10, which incorporate by adoption the 2021 2024 International Existing Building Code, with necessary California amendments, including all appendices and resources, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 12. Title 5, Chapter 17 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-17-3: Green Building Standards Code: Adoption of Code.

These regulations known as the “California Green Building Standards Code,” 2022 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11, as published by the International Code Council, not including Appendix Chapters A4, A5 and A6.1, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 13. Title 5, Chapter 18 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-18-3: Referenced Standards Code: Adoption of Code
That code known as the 2022 2025 California Referenced Standards Code of the California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 12, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 14. Title 5, Chapter 19 of the Taft Municipal Code is amended to read:
5-19-3: Administrative Code Adopted:

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That code known as the 2022 2025 California Administrative Code of the California Code of Regulations, Part 1, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and made part of this Chapter by reference with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 15. The proposed amendment is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines as the proposed amendment will have no significant effect on the environment.

SECTION 16. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that if would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the face that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clause or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION 17. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption, and within fifteen (15) days after its adoption shall be published at least once in the Daily Midway Driller, a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City of Taft together with the names of members of the City Council voting for and against the same.

PASSED AND ADOPTED on this 16th day of December, 2025
_________________________
Dave Noerr, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
Approved as to form:
____________________________
Jason Epperson, City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF KERN } SS
CITY OF TAFT }
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I, Yvette Mayfield, City Clerk of the City of Taft, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced on the 2nd day of December 2025, and was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City of Taft City Council held on the 16th day of December 2025, and was passed by the following vote:

AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:

NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:

ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:

ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
____________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
REVIEWED BY:

CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:

ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2025-16 AND SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-17 TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023 – 2031) AND CEQA EXEMPTION (SECTION 15051(B)(3))

SUMMARY STATEMENT
This action before the City Council consists of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 (amending Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code) and Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 (amending the Downtown Taft Specific Plan) to implement 23 Housing Element Programs within Program 5.

Removal of Constraints, Program 6. Accessory Dwelling Units, and Program 9. Housing Production, Streamlining, and Incentives of the adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element 2023-2031, and find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. At this meeting the Council is asked to 1) approve the resolution regarding Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 and CEQA exemption and 2) introduce Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16, waive full reading, and set the date for the required public hearing for January 20, 2026.

PROJECT ANALYSIS
The Housing Element Update was adopted by the City Council on August 19, 2025 (Resolution No. 4313-25). Following adoption, the City’s Planning and Development Services Department forwarded the adopted Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). On August 22, 2025, HCD found the adopted Housing Element in substantial compliance with the State Housing Element Law. With the adopted and certified Housing Element, the City must implement, monitor, and report on the progress toward implementing the Housing Element, as required by Government Code Section 65400.

The adopted and certified Housing Element analyzes future housing needs, provides adequate sites for accommodating the City’s forecasted growth and allotted Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 508 residential units, analyzes government and other constraints, assesses Council Agenda Report
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affirmatively furthering fair housing, and identifies 52 Housing Programs to achieve Housing goals and objectives. The 52 identified Housing Programs are organized across 10 program areas:
• Program 1. Adequate Sites
• Program 2. Housing Rehabilitation
• Program 3. Homeownership Opportunities
• Program 4. Rental Assistance and Tenant Protections
• Program 5. Removal of Constraints
• Program 6. Accessory Dwelling Units
• Program 7. Fair Housing Services
• Program 8. Homelessness Prevention
• Program 9. Housing Production, Streamlining, and Incentives • Program 10. Central and West Taft Neighborhood Revitalization This action before the City Council consists of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 (amending Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code) and Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 (amending the Downtown Taft Specific Plan) to implement 23 Housing Element Programs within Program 5.

Removal of Constraints, Program 6. Accessory Dwelling Units, and Program 9. Housing Production, Streamlining, and Incentives of the adopted Housing Element. The amendments are required for compliance with State Law, for removal of constraints identified in the adopted Housing Element, and to incentivize and encourage housing development. Programs and amendments are described below and summarized in Table 1. Full text amendments are provided with the attached Resolution and Ordinance.
1) Multi-Family Rental Housing (Program 5.a). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to multi-family housing types for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance and Downtown Taft Specific Plan to:
• Define “two-unit dwellings.”
• Modify the definition of “multi-family dwellings” to three (3) or more dwelling units, either attached or detached, to not cause confusion with two-unit dwellings, such as a duplex. • Allow two- to four-unit dwellings in the MU zone district as a use by right. • Allow small multi-family dwellings (triplexes and fourplexes) as a use by right in the R-2 and R-3 zone districts as allowed within the permitted densities, and large multi-family dwellings (five or more units) subject to a site plan review.
• Remove the conditional use permit requirement for multi-family dwellings in the MU zone district and allow small multi-family dwellings (triplexes and fourplexes) as a use by right, and large multi-family dwellings (five or more units) subject to a site plan review. • Allow two-unit dwellings within the Downtown Taft Specific Plan Area, specifically in the MDR, DC-MU, DT-MU, and LW-MU zone districts, as a use by right.

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2) Housing for Agricultural Employees (Program 5.b). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to agricultural employee housing for consistency with state law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Define Employee Housing pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 17008 (Employee Housing), 17021.5 (“Small” Employee Housing), 17021.6 (“Large” Employee Housing). • Allow Employee Housing (Small) as a single-family structure with a residential land use designation in the same zones and of the same permit requirements of a family dwelling of the same type in the same zone (i.e., RS, R-1, R-2, R-3 zone districts) in compliance with state law.
• Allow Employee Housing (Large) as agricultural land use in the same zones and of the same permit requirements of any other agricultural activity in the same zone (i.e., A zone district) in compliance with state law.
• Add new section to Specific Use Development Standards, “Agricultural Employee Housing,” that describes the requirements and process for streamlined ministerial approval pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17021.8.
3) Emergency Shelters (Program 5.c). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to emergency shelters for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Modify the definition of Emergency Shelters to include other interim interventions, including but not limited to, a navigation center, bridge housing, and respite or recuperative care (Government Code Section 65583).
• Modify the parking requirements for emergency shelters to only require sufficient parking to accommodate all staff working in the shelter, provided that the standards do not require more parking than other residential or commercial uses within the same zone (Government Code Section 65583).
4) Low Barrier Navigation Centers (Program 5.d). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to low barrier navigation centers for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Define Low Barrier Navigation Center (Government Code Section 65660). • Allow Low Barrier Navigation Center as a use by right in areas zoned for mixed use and nonresidential zones permitting multi-family uses, if it meets the requirements of State Law (Government Code Section 65662).
• Add new section to Specific Use Development Standards, “Low Barrier Navigation Centers,” that describes the requirements and process for streamlined ministerial approval pursuant to Government Code Section 65662.

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5) Transitional Housing (Program 5.e). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to transitional housing for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Modify the definition of Transitional Housing to replace reference to Government Code Section 50675.2(h) with Government Code Section 65582.
• Identify parking requirements for Transitional Housing. 6) Supportive Housing (Program 5.f). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to supportive housing for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Modify the definition of Supportive Housing to replace reference to Government Code Section 50674.14(b) with Government Code Section 65582.
• Allow Supportive Housing as a use by right in zones where multi-family and mixed uses are permitted, including non-residential zones permitting multi-family uses, if it meets the requirements of State Law (Government Code Section 65651), subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone (Government Code Section 65582).
• Add new section to Specific Use Development Standards, “Supportive Housing,” that describes the requirements and process for streamlined ministerial approval pursuant to Government Code Section 65651.
• Identify parking requirements for Supportive Housing, with no minimum parking requirements imposed for units occupied by supportive housing residents when located within one-half mile of public transit (Government Code Section 65654).
7) Single Room Occupancy (Program 5.g). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to single room occupancy units for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance and Downtown Taft Specific Plan to:
• Define Single Room Occupancy Units (e.g., Single Room Occupancy means a facility providing six (6) or more dwelling units where each unit has a minimum floor area of one hundred fifty (150) square feet and a maximum floor area of four hundred (400) square feet.

These dwelling units may have kitchen or bathroom facilities and shall be offered on a monthly basis or longer.)
• Allow SROs in at least one zone district (Government Code Section 65583). • Add new section to Specific Use Development Standards, “Single Room Occupancy Units,” that describes objective development standards specific to SRO units. 8) Manufactured Housing (Program 5.h). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to manufactured housing for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance and Downtown Taft Specific Plan to:

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• Modify the definition of Manufactured Home (and thereby, Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision) to match and/or reference Health and Safety Code Section 18007. • Allow Manufactured Homes on lots zoned for conventional single-family residential dwellings to be permitted in the same manner as conventional single-family dwellings would be permitted on the same lot.
9) Mobile Homes (Program 5.i). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to mobile homes for consistency with state housing law. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Modify the definition of Mobile Home (and thereby, Mobile Home Park) to match and/or reference Health and Safety Code Section 18008.
10) Unit Size Requirements (Program 5.j): The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to remove unit size requirements. 11) Setbacks (Program 5.k). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing.

This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Reduce front yard setback requirements in single-family districts to increase buildable area on smaller lots.
• Replace subjective language in the additional setback standards related to greater setbacks, patios, and parking and vehicular access.
12) Definition of Family (Program 5.m). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Revise “Family” to not distinguish between related and unrelated persons or impose numerical limitations on the number of persons that may constitute a family. The revised definition will comply with Fair Housing Law.
13) Residential Care Facilities (Program 5.n). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Define Residential Facility and Group Home (Health and Safety Code Section 1502). • Define Board and Care Facility, Residential Care Facilities (Per State Law), Residential Facilities, and Senior Congregate Care, and modify Zoning Ordinance to remove inconsistencies in definitions and use tables and to ensure compliance with State Law. • Allow Residential Facilities and Group Homes serving six (6) or fewer persons as a residential use and subject to the same permit required of a family dwelling or the same type and in the same zone (Health and Safety Code Section 1566.3).
• Include a provision for Residential Facilities and Group Homes serving seven (7) or more persons, specifically for persons with disabilities, in all zones where residential uses are Council Agenda Report
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permitted, subject only to requirements similar to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
14) Reasonable Accommodation (Program 5.o). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Ensure the Reasonable Accommodation review procedures and findings are objective and remove subjective language (i.e., the potential impact on surrounding uses). 15) Water and Sewer Priority (Program 5.p). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Establish specific written procedures to grant priority sewer service to developments with units affordable to lower-income households pursuant to Government Code Section 65589.7. 16) Objective Findings (Program 5.q). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Remove subjective language from the approval findings for Site Plan Review/Design Review to be more objective and thereby promote approval certainty for housing projects. 17) ADU (Program 6.a). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to ADUs. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to bring the City’s ADU ordinance into compliance with State Law.
18)Infill Housing (Program 9.b). The purpose of this program is to encourage the development of substandard infill sites. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Allow homes to be built on substandard lots that allow zero lot line developments and developments on lots less than 50 feet wide without requiring a variance. 19) Developmental Disabilities (Program 9.g). The purpose of this program is to encourage the construction and rehabilitation of housing for persons with developmental disabilities. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Include a requirement that ground floor units of affordable housing projects to be built with 100% accessibility interior design standards (all doors, hallways, kitchens, and restrooms), whether the units end up being rented or sold to disabled individuals. 20) SB 9 (Program 9.j). The purpose of this program is to remove constraints to housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Add provisions pursuant to SB 9.

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21) Multi-Family on Commercially-Zoned Property (AB 2011) (Program 9.k). The purpose of this program is to expedite the permit process for eligible multi-family housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Establish and implement an expedited permit process for qualified housing development projects pursuant to AB 2011 to encourage housing production in underutilized commercial zone districts.
22) Density Bonus Provisions and Development Incentives (Program 9.l). The purpose of this program is to incentivize housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Make modifications to comply with State Density Bonus Law (including parking requirements).
23) Lower-income Opportunity Sites (Program 9.m). The purpose of this program is to encourage development of affordable housing. This program amends the Zoning Ordinance to:
• Allow residential developments by-right, without discretionary action, where at least 20% of the units are affordable to lower-income households, on sites identified in prior planning periods pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivision (c). These sites are concentrated in the Downtown Taft Specific Plan Area.

Table1: Summary of Text Amendments
Program Text Amendment
Program 5. Removal of Constraints
Program 5.a. Multi-Family Rental Housing 6-1-19: Definitions 6-4-3: Use Regulations
6-5-3: Use Regulations

3.0 Land Use (DTSP)
Program 5.b. Housing for Agricultural
Employees
6-1-19: Definitions
6-4-3: Use Regulations
6-7-3: Use Regulations
6-12-34: Agricultural Employee Housing
(NEW)
Program 5.c. Emergency Shelters 6-1-19: Definitions
6-12-16: Emergency Shelters
Program 5.d. Low Barrier Navigation
Centers
6-1-19: Definitions
6-5-3: Use Regulations
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6-12-35: Low Barrier Navigation Centers
(NEW)
Program 5.e. Transitional Housing 6-1-19: Definitions
6-14-2: General Regulations
Program 5.f. Supportive Housing 6-1-19: Definitions
6-4-3: Use Regulations
6-5-3: Use Regulations
6-12-36: Supportive Housing (NEW)
6-14-2: General Regulations
Program 5.g. Single-Room Occupancy Units 6-1-19: Definitions 6-4-3: Use Regulations
6-5-3: Use Regulations
6-12-37: Single Room Occupancy Units
(NEW)

3.0 Land Use (DTSP)
Program 5.h. Manufactured Housing 6-1-19: Definitions
6-4-3: Use Regulations

3.0 Land Use (DTSP)
Program 5.i. Mobile Homes 6-1-19: Definitions
Program 5.j. Unit Size Requirements 6-4-3: Use Regulations Program 5.k. Setbacks 6-4-3: Use Regulations
Program 5.m. Definition of Family 6-1-19: Definitions
Program 5.n. Residential Care Facilities 6-1-19: Definitions 6-4-3: Use Regulations
6-5-3: Use Regulations
Program 5.o. Reasonable Accommodation 6-11-24: Reasonable Accommodation Program 5.p. Water and Sewer Priority 6-11-42: Water and Wastewater Priority (NEW)
Program 5.q. Objective Findings 6-2-9: Site Plan Review/Design Review Council Agenda Report
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Program 6. Accessory Dwelling Units
Program 6.a. ADU Ordinance 6-12-23: Accessory Dwelling Units (REPEAL

AND REPLACE)
Program 9. Housing Production, Streamlining, and Incentives Program 9.b. In-Fill Housing 6-4-3: Use Regulations
Program 9.g. Developmental Disabilities 6-4-4: Site Development Standards Program 9.j. Lot Splits and Small Lot
Residential Development (SB 9)
6-11-43: Urban Lot Splits (NEW)
Program 9.k. Multi-Family on
Commercially-Zoned Property (AB 2011)
6-5-3: Use Regulations
Program 9.l. Density Bonus Provisions and
Development Incentives
6-11-8: Development Density; Density
Bonuses (REPEAL AND REPLACE)
Program 9.m. Lower-income Opportunity
Sites
Chapter 18 Housing Element Sites (NEW)

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
At their December 3, 2025, meeting, the Taft Planning Commission passed a resolution recommending that the Taft City Council consider and approve Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 and General Plan Amendment 2025-17 (amending the Downtown Taft Specific Plan) and the accompanied CEQA notice of exemption.

CEQA
Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 and Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 implement 23 programs of the adopted and certified 6th Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) and qualify for a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as there is no possibility that the amendments will have a significant adverse physical effect on the environment.

The project consists of policy updates, programmatic changes, and actions to meet the City’s RHNA allocation and state housing requirements and does not directly authorize new development or physical changes. The adopted Housing Element provides a plan to achieve RHNA and further fair housing goals by identifying suitable development sites and establishing programs that remove policy constraints and promote housing. These zoning and specific plan amendments serve to implement the identified programs and actions, and any future development will remain subject to site-specific environmental review and compliance with existing General Plan and zoning designations. Therefore, the amendments are exempt from CEQA under Section 15061(b)(3).

PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification regarding this Project was achieved by posting the agenda, with the agenda items being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the hearing. The City also published notice of this public hearing in the Taft Midway Driller at least 10 days prior to the public hearing.

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FINDINGS
Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Before a Zoning Ordinance Amendment may be approved, the following findings shall be made pursuant to Section 6-2-4 (Zoning Ordinance Amendment) of the Municipal Code.

1. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and programs of the general plan and is necessary and desirable to implement the provision of the general plan.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 directly implements goals, policies, and programs from the adopted Housing Element and other sections of the General Plan, such as facilitating a range of housing types, removing regulatory barriers, promoting infill and affordable development, and responding to State housing mandates. The specific changes are necessary to achieve the provision of housing and neighborhood revitalization goals documented in the General Plan

2. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment will not adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare, or result in an illogical land use pattern.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 supports public health and safety by streamlining permit processes, clarifying standards, and updating definitions and requirements to modern best practices and current State law. Removing outdated or overly restrictive barriers is expected to promote logical and orderly residential development, infill, and adaptive use, thereby preventing negative or haphazard land use patterns.

3. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment is consistent with the purpose and intent of the remainder of this title not under consideration.

All changes are targeted, limited to identified constraints and housing policy goals, and do not alter or conflict with the broader purpose and intent of the Title or unrelated chapters. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 preserves consistency throughout the zoning code.

4. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed amendment are insignificant, have been mitigated, or there are overriding considerations that outweigh the potential impacts.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 implements programs of the adopted and certified 6th Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) and qualifies for a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as there is no possibility that the amendment will have a significant adverse physical effect on the environment. The project consists of policy updates, programmatic changes, and actions to meet the City’s RHNA allocation and state housing requirements and does not directly authorize new development or physical changes. The adopted Housing Element provides a plan to achieve RHNA and further fair housing goals by identifying suitable development sites and establishing programs that remove policy constraints and promote Council Agenda Report
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housing. The amendment serves to implement the identified programs and actions, and any future development will remain subject to site-specific environmental review and compliance with existing General Plan and zoning designations. Therefore, the amendment is exempt from CEQA under Section 15061(b)(3) and potential environmental impacts are insignificant.

Specific Plan Amendment
Before a Specific Plan Amendment may be approved, the following findings shall be made pursuant to Section 6-2-3 (General Plan Amendment) of the Municipal Code.

1. The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and programs of the general plan, or with the general plan as revised by the proposed amendment, and will not result in any internal inconsistencies within the general plan.

Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 directly supports and implements the goals, objectives, and programs of the City's General Plan, its Housing Element and related infill, community development, and housing affordability objectives. Where the Specific Plan is changed, the amendment ensures there are no internal conflicts among General Plan elements or the Specific Plan, maintaining an integrated vision for land use and community wellbeing.

2. The proposed amendment will not adversely affect public health, safety or general welfare.

Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 modernizes or streamlines land use regulations, removes outdated or burdensome requirements, and provides greater certainty around housing siting and standards. These changes are based on best practices and State law, helping to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging orderly growth.

3. The proposed amendment is consistent with the purpose and intent of the remainder of this Zoning Ordinance not under consideration.

All changes are targeted, limited to identified constraints and housing policy goals, and do not alter or conflict with the broader purpose and intent of the Zoning Ordinance or unrelated chapters.

Specific Plan Amendment 2025-16 preserves consistency with the zoning code.

4. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed amendment are insignificant, have been mitigated, or there are overriding considerations that outweigh the potential impacts.

Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 implements programs of the adopted and certified 6th Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) and qualifies for a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as there is no possibility that the amendment will have a significant adverse physical effect on the environment. The project consists of policy updates, programmatic changes, and actions to meet the City’s RHNA allocation and state housing requirements and does not directly authorize new development or physical changes. The adopted Housing Element provides a plan to achieve RHNA and further fair housing goals by identifying suitable development sites and establishing programs that remove policy constraints and promote Council Agenda Report
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-17 (AMENDING

THE DOWNTOWN TAFT SPECIFIC PLAN) TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031) AND

FIND THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 15061(B)(3) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES; and introduce by title only AN

ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2025-16 AMENDING TITLE 6 OF THE TAFT

MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031), waive full reading, and set the date for the required public hearing for January 20, 2026.

IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): No
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): Yes, Resolution and Ordinance
PREPARED BY: City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 4325-25

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT
APPROVING SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-17 (AMENDING

THE DOWNTOWN TAFT SPECIFIC PLAN) TO IMPLEMENT
HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING
ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031) AND FIND THAT THE PROJECT IS

EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AS SET FORTH IN
SECTION 15061(B)(3) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES
WHEREAS, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update was adopted by the City Council on August 19, 2025, and was subsequently sent to the Department of Housing and Community Development for review and upon completion of review, it was determined that the document substantially complies with State Housing Element Law and was therefore certified on August 22, 2025; and,
WHEREAS, with an adopted and certified Housing Element, the City is required to implement, monitor, and report on the progress toward implementing the Housing Element as required by State Law (Government Code Section 65400); and WHEREAS, the development of the Housing Element revealed potential constraints to housing and identified commitments to reducing or mitigating such constraints through Housing Element Programs including Program 5. Removal of Constraints; and WHEREAS, the action before the City Council for consideration consists of Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 (amending the Downtown Specific Plan) that would reduce or mitigate such constraints through implementation of Housing Element Programs within Program 5. Removal of Constraints; and
WHEREAS, the laws and regulations relating to the preparation and adoption of environmental documents, as set forth in the State Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act have been adhered to; and
WHEREAS, public notice of this public hearing was given by published notice, in accordance with the applicable State and Municipal Codes and standard practices; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission completed its review of the Staff Report and documents submitted for the proposed project at a regularly scheduled meeting on December 3, 2025, was able to make all the findings required to be made as identified in the City’s Municipal Code Section 6-2-3 (General Plan Amendment), and adopted a resolution with a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Specific Plan Amendment; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the provision of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, the City Council held a public hearing on December 16, 2025, to consider Specific Plan Amendment 2025- Resolution No. 4325-25

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17, and introduce related Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16, during which the Council solicited public testimony, and considered the environmental assessment; and WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to approve Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 to amend Chapter 3.0 Land Use of the Downtown Taft Specific Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES AS FOLLOWS:

1. Recitals. The City Council hereby finds that all the facts set forth in the recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein.

2. CEQA. The proposed amendment, and related Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16, is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines because the amendments will have no significant effect on the environment.

3. Specific Plan Amendment. The City Council finds as follows per Zoning Ordinance Section 6-2-3: General Plan Amendment.
a. The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and programs of the general plan, or with the general plan as revised by the proposed amendment, and will not result in any internal inconsistencies within the general plan; and
b. The proposed amendment will not adversely affect public health, safety or general welfare; and
c. The proposed amendment is consistent with the purpose and intent of the remainder of this Zoning Ordinance not under consideration; and
d. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed amendment are insignificant, have been mitigated, or there are overriding considerations that outweigh the potential impacts.

4. Approval of Specific Plan Amendment. Given that all the findings can be made, the City Council approves Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 as set forth below.

5. Effective Date of Resolution. This Resolution shall become effective immediately. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of the Resolution and shall transmit copies of the same to the City Council of the City of Taft.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 3.0 of the Downtown Taft Specific Plan shall be amended as follows:

Resolution No. 4325-25

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Table 3-1: Allowed Uses
MDR C DCMUDT-MU LWMUO-M LI OS
Senior independent living C
Single-Room Occupancy
Units

P P P P
Single-family dwelling
(including manufactured
homes)
P
Single-family
residential
attached
P P P
Supportive housing P P P
Transitional housing P C C P
Two-Unit Dwelling P P P P
SECTION 2. Chapter 3.0 Land Use of the Downtown Taft Specific Plan is hereby amended as shown above.

SECTION 3. The City Council of the City of Taft hereby approves Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17 amending the Downtown Taft Specific Plan and finds that the project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA as set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(B)(3).

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 16th day of December, 2025.

ATTEST: ____________________________
Dave Noerr, Mayor
____________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF KERN } SS
CITY OF TAFT }
I, Yvette Mayfield, City Clerk of the City of Taft, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th day of December 2025, by the following vote:

AYES: Council Members:

Resolution No. 4325-25

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NOES: Council Members:

ABSENT: Council Members:

ABSTAIN: Council Members:
____________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 856-26

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT
APPROVING ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2025-16
(AMENDING TITLE 6 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE) TO
IMPLEMENT HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE 6TH CYCLE
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (2023-2031)
WHEREAS, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update was adopted by the City Council on August 19, 2025, and was subsequently sent to the Department of Housing and Community Development for review and upon completion of review, it was determined that the document substantially complies with State Housing Element Law and was therefore certified on August 22, 2025; and,
WHEREAS, with an adopted and certified Housing Element, the City is required to implement, monitor, and report on the progress toward implementing the Housing Element as required by State Law (Government Code Section 65400); and WHEREAS, the development of the Housing Element revealed potential constraints to housing including accessory dwelling units and identified commitments to reducing or mitigating such constraints through Housing Element Programs including Program 5. Removal of Constraints, Program 6. Accessory Dwelling Units, and Program 9. Housing Production, Streamlining and Incentives; and
WHEREAS, the action before the City Council for consideration consists of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 (amending Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code) that would reduce or mitigate such constraints through implementation of 23 Housing Element Programs within Program 5. Removal of Constraints, Program 6. Accessory Dwelling Units, and Program 9.

Housing Production, Streamlining and Incentives; and
WHEREAS, the laws and regulations relating to the preparation and adoption of environmental documents, as set forth in the State Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act have been adhered to; and
WHEREAS, public notice of this public hearing was given by published notice, in accordance with the applicable State and Municipal Codes and standard practices; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission completed its review of the Staff Report and documents submitted for the proposed project at a regularly scheduled meeting on December 3, 2025, was able to make all the findings required to be made as identified in the City’s Municipal Code Section 6-2-4 (Zoning Ordinance Amendment), and adopted a resolution with a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Zoning Ordinance Amendment; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the provision of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, the City Council held a public hearing on December 16, 2025, to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment Ordinance No. 856-26
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2025-16 during which the Council solicited public testimony, and considered the environmental assessment; and
WHEREAS, after the public hearing, the City Council introduced the Ordinance on December 16, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to approve Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 to amend Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES THE FOLLOWING:

1. Recitals. The City Council hereby finds that all the facts set forth in the recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein.

2. CEQA. At the public hearing held on December 16, 2025, the City Council determined that the proposed amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines and a Notice of Exemption (NOE) was adopted. The adopted notice of exemption analyzed Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16, in addition to Specific Plan Amendment 2025-17. No new information has emerged since that time indicating that the project could result in new or more severe environmental impacts than those previously considered. Therefore, the City Council concludes that Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 has been fully evaluated under CEQA, and no subsequent environmental review is required under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, and no further CEQA action is necessary.

3. Zoning Ordinance Amendment. The City Council finds as follows per Zoning Ordinance Section 6-2-4: Zoning Ordinance Amendment.
a. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and programs of the general plan and is necessary and desirable to implement the provision of the general plan; and
b. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment will not adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare, or result in an illogical land use pattern; and c. The proposed zoning ordinance amendment is consistent with the purpose and intent of the remainder of this title not under consideration; and d. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed amendment are insignificant, have been mitigated, or there are overriding considerations that outweigh the potential impacts.

4. Approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment Given that all the findings can be made, the City Council approves Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2025-16 as set forth below.

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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The following amendment of Section 6-1-19 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code is to amend or add the following definitions, shall be adopted as follows:
6-1-19: DEFINITIONS:

COMMUNITY CARE FACILITY: Any facility, place, or building that is maintained and operated to provide nonmedical residential care, day treatment, adult daycare, or foster family agency services for children, adults, or children and adults, including, but not limited to, the physically handicapped, mentally impaired, incompetent persons, and abused or neglected children, including residential facilities, foster family homes, small family homes, group homes, and similar facilities as outlined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code. Elderly housing licensed by the state health and welfare agency, department of social services, typically for residents who are frail and need supervision. Services normally include three (3) meals daily, housekeeping, security and emergency response, a full activities program, supervision in the dispensing of medicine, personal services, such as assistance in grooming and bathing, but no nursing care. Sometimes referred to as residential care personal care.

DWELLING (MULTI-FAMILY): A building containing two (2) or more dwelling units Any structure designed for human habitation that has been divided into three or more legally created independent living quarters, either attached or detached.

EMERGENCY SHELTER: Housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six (6) months or less by a homeless person, including other interim interventions, such as navigation centers, bridge housing, and respite or recuperative care. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay, as defined in Health and Safety Code section 50801(e).

EMPLOYEE HOUSING: Means any portion of any housing accommodation maintained in one or more buildings or on one or more sites that is provided by an employer, maintained in connection with any work or place with any work performed, as defined in Section 17008 of the state Health and Safety Code
EMPLOYEE HOUSING, LARGE: Any employee housing accommodation for six or more employees, but consisting of no more than 36 beds in a group quarters, or 12 units or spaces designed for use by a single family or household, as defined in Section 17021.6 of the state Health and Safety Code.

EMPLOYEE HOUSING, SMALL: Any employee housing accommodation for six or fewer employees and shall be deemed a single-family structure, as defined in Section 17021.5 of the state Health and Safety Code.

FAMILY: An individual, or two (2) or more persons related by birth, marriage or adoption (U.S. bureau of the census) or of not more than six (6) persons living together who constitute a bona fide Ordinance No. 856-26
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single-family housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, not including a fraternity, sorority, club or other group of persons occupying a hotel, lodging house or institution of any kind. Includes, but is not limited to, the following, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status:

1. A single person, who may be an elderly person, displaced person, disabled person, nearelderly person, or any other single person; or,

2. A group of persons residing together, and such group includes, but is not limited to:
a. A family with or without children (a child who is temporarily away from the home because of placement in foster care is considered a member of the family); b. Pregnant persons;
c. An elderly family;
d. A near-elderly family;
e. A disabled family;
f. A displaced family; and,
g. The remaining member of a tenant family.

GROUP HOME: Means a residential facility that provides 24-hour care and supervision to children, delivered at least in part by staff employed by the licensee in a structure environment.

The care and supervision provided by a group home shall be nonmedical, except as otherwise permitted by law.

LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTER: Means a Housing First, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing, per Government Code Section 65660. Low Barrier means best practices to reduce barriers to entry and may include, but not limited to 1) the presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, 2) pets, 3) storage of possessions, and 4) privacy , such as partitions between beds in a dormitory setting, larger rooms with more than two beds, or private rooms.

MANUFACTURED HOME: A structure that was constructed on or after June 15, 1976, is transportable in one or more sections, is eight feet (8’) or more in width, or forty feet (40’) or more in length, in the traveling mode, or when erected on site is 320 or more square feet, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for to be used as a single-family dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems consistent with Health and Safety Code Section 18007. For floodplain management purposes, the term "manufactured home" also includes park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles placed on site for more than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days.

MOBILEHOME: A structure that was constructed prior to June 15, 1976, is transportable structure in one or more sections, is eight feet (8’) or more in width, or forty feet (40’) or more in length, in the traveling mode, or when erected on site is 320 or more square feet, is built on a permanent chassis, and designed to be used as a single family dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities; excluding recreational or travel including the Ordinance No. 856-26
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plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems consistent with Health and Safety Code Section 18008.

RESIDENTIAL FACILITY: Any family home, group care facility, or similar facility determined by the State Department of Social Services, for 24-hour nonmedical care of persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual, consistent with Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code.

SINGLE-ROOM OCCUPANCY UNITS: Means a facility providing six (6) or more dwelling units or rooms where each unit has a minimum floor area of one hundred fifty (150) square feet and a maximum floor area of four hundred (400) square feet. The units may have kitchen or bathroom facilities and shall be offered on a monthly basis or longer, with transient occupancy prohibited.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to on or off site services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community, as defined in Government Code section 50675.14(b) 65582.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING: Buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that call for require the termination of assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no less than six (6) months from the beginning of the assistance, as defined in Government Code section 50675.2(h) 65582.

TWO-UNIT DWELLING: Any structure designed for human habitation that has been divided into two legally created independent living quarters, typically referred to as a duplex, either attached or detached. A single-family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and/or junior accessory dwelling unit is not considered a two-unit dwelling.

SECTION 2. The following amendments of Section 6-2-9 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-2-9: SITE PLAN REVIEW/DESIGN REVIEW:
(F) Findings: Following review and consideration of an application, the planning director, planning commission, the city council on appeal, may approve a site plan review/design review application in whole or in part, with or without conditions, provided the planning commission prepares a written decision which contains the findings of fact upon which the planning commission’s decision is based. In preparing this written decision, all the following findings of fact must be made in an affirmative manner:

1. The proposed use is permitted within the subject zone district pursuant to the provisions of this section, complies with all applicable provisions of this title (including site, height, Ordinance No. 856-26
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setbacks, density, and parking requirements), is consistent with the goals, policies and objectives of the general plan or any adopted specific plans, and is consistent with the applicable development policies and standards of the city; and

2. The proposed use and design, massing, materials, and site layout conform with the applicable development policies and standards of the city and do not exceed dimensional or use related standards and regulations and thus would not impair the integrity and character of the zone district in which it is to be established or located; and

3. The site’s physical characteristics such as topography, soil stability, and vegetation are is suitable are adequate to support for the type and intensity of use or development proposed without requiring exceptions beyond those specified in this code; and

4. There are adequate provisions for water, sanitation, public utilities, fire protection, and related public services capable of serving the project at the City’s adopted level of service, supported by confirmation from appropriate City departments or service providers, to ensure public health and safety; and

5. The proposed use complies with all applicable health and safety standards, including adopted noise, traffic, and environmental limits, thresholds, and regulations and thus, will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or materially injurious to properties and improvements in the vicinity; and

6. The proposed use would not result in a significant effect on the environment as determined by an environmental review in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, unless overriding considerations outweigh the potential impacts.

7. For projects that fall under Director’s Site Plan Approval per Section 6-2-9(C), the Director finds with certainty the project is consistent with the objective land use and design criteria outlined in Chapter 4 or within an approved specific plan.

SECTION 3. The following amendments of Section 6-4-3 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:

TABLE 4.A

USES PERMITTED WITHIN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
Legend:

P = Permitted subject to consistency assessment
C = Permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit application DP = Permitted subject to approval of a Director’s Permit application X = Prohibited
Use RS R-1 R-2 R-3
Residential uses:

Bed and breakfast inn C C DP DP
Board and care facility (12 or more residents) X X C C
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Boarding/rooming house (7 or more residents) X X C C
Convalescent care X C C C
Emergency shelter X X P X
Employee Housing, Small (within single-family structure) P P P C Employee Housing, Large (See Chapter 7 Agricultural Zone District)

X X X X
Low Barrier Navigation Center (see Section 6-12-35 of this title) X X P P Mobile home park X C C X
Mobile home subdivision C C C X
Multi-family residential dwellings, small (triplexes and fourplexes)

X X P P
Multi-family residential dwellings, large (5 or more units subject to Site Plan Review per section 6-2-9)

X X P P
Residential Facilities and Group Homes (6 persons or less) P P P P Residential Facilities and Group Homes (7 persons or more) X C C C Senior congregate care, assisted living X C C C
Senior independent living X C C C
Accessory dwelling unit (per section 6-12-23 of this title) P P P P Single-family dwelling (including manufactured homes per section 6-11-16 of this title)

P P P C
Single-Room Occupancy Units (see section 6-12-37 of this title) X X P P Two-Unit dwelling P P P P
Supportive Housing (per section 6-12-36 of this title) P P P P Transitional Housing P P P P
Temporary Uses:

Temporary uses (subject to the provisions of section 6-2-10 of this title and the issuance of a temporary use permit)

P P P P
TABLE 4.B

SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
RS
(Large Lot) RS R-1 R-2 R-3
Maximum density (dwelling units per acre) 1.0 2.5 7.0 15.0 29.0 Ordinance No. 856-26
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Minimum lot area (net area in square feet):
40,000
(1 acre
average)
20,000 6,000 5,000 3,000
Minimum lot width: 135' (150'
average) 80' 50' 50' 50'
Along arc of front property line for cul-desacs and knuckle lots 35’ 35’ 35’ 35’ -- Minimum lot depth:

Lot is greater than 20,000 square feet 200' 130' 100' 100' 100' Lot is less than 20,000 square feet 150' 125' 100' 100' 100' Minimum front yard setback (1):

Lot adjacent to a straight street To dwelling
unit 40' 30' 20’ 20' 15’ 20' 15’ 20' 10’
Cul-de-sac lot or knuckle lot To garage/
carport/accessory structures 40' 20' 20' 20' 20'
Minimum interior side yard setback (1):

All residential structures 20' 15' 10’ 5' 5' 5'
Minimum rear yard setback (1): 15' 10' 5' 5' 10'
Maximum lot coverage 25% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Maximum height for buildings and structures 35' 35' 35' 35' 45' Minimum distance between buildings 10' 10' 10' 10' 10'
Minimum single family dwelling unit size
(square feet) See standard C.4 below for
multiple family unit size.
1,000 1,000 1,000 800 450
(1) Infill development on substandard lots less than 50 feet wide may utilize Zero Lot Line Development provided such development complies with all applicable building, fire, and safety codes, including but not limited to the use of fire-rated walls where required. (C) Standards:

1. Minimum lot width in RS, R-1 and R-2 Zone District along the arc of the front property line shall be 35 feet for cul-de-sac lots and 40 feet for knuckle lots.

2. Minimum building setback from the centerline of substandard streets shall be 55 feet for R-1 lots and 65 feet for RS lots.

3. A 1 hour or greater firewall, approved by the building official, can reduce the minimum distance between buildings to 5 feet, depending on the structure type.

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4. Minimum multiple-family dwelling unit size is: a) studio, 450 square feet; b) 1 bedroom, 650 square feet; and c) 2 bedroom, 800 square feet, plus 120 square feet for each additional bedroom in excess of 2.

5. In an R-1 subdivision with 21 or more lots, lots can be reduced to 5,000 square feet, provided the average lot size for the entire subdivision is 6,000 square feet.

6. In the R-2 zone district, if single-family detached structures are proposed, the development shall include an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
(D) (C) Additional Standards for Condominium, Townhouse and Apartment Developments:

9. Greater Setbacks: The planning commission and/or city council may require a greater setback as part of a precise plan of design due to the size, width or length of a building and its relationship to a street or intersection of two (2) streets or adjacent buildings and land uses. Relationship factors may include pedestrian safety needs such as maintaining a visibility triangle free of obstructions (e.g., fences, landscaping, or structures within 45 feet of the corner to ensure clear sight lines), overshadowing impacts on neighboring residences, adequate spacing for light and air circulation between buildings, and sufficient separation for fire safety compliance (e.g., fire-rated wall requirements or defensible space). In addition, a greater setback may be required to ensure compatibility with contiguous land uses.
(a) In the case of a dwelling structure designated with a patio above the first floor level, such patio shall be permitted to extend only a maximum of six feet (6') into the required side or rear yard setback area, provided the remaining distance between the patio and the property line is at least ten feet (10'). (b) The required side or rear yard setback area may be used for patio purposes. (c) The front yard setback area, as well as the side yard setback area when adjacent to a street, shall not be used for parking. Vehicular access to designated parking areas for the property shall be limited to driveways, as defined in section 6-14-6 of this title.

SECTION 4. The following amendments of Section 6-4-4 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-4-4: SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS:
(L) Accessibility Standards for Ground-Floor Affordable Housing Units

1. This section applies to new affordable housing developments within the city that include ground-floor residential units. The purpose is to provide sufficient fully accessible groundfloor units to meet anticipated need, promote universal design, and comply with applicable state and federal accessibility requirements.

2. Accessibility Requirement:

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(a) For projects with between 10 and 14 units, a minimum of one ground-floor unit shall be constructed to meet full interior accessibility standards. (b) For projects containing 15 or more total units, a minimum of 10 percent of groundfloor units shall be constructed to meet full interior accessibility standards, rounded up to the nearest whole unit.
(c) Accessible units shall conform to the most current standards set forth in the California Building Code Chapter 11A and/or the Fair Housing Act Accessibility Guidelines, including but not limited to accessible doorways, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and maneuvering spaces throughout the unit.
(d) All remaining ground-floor units shall be constructed to meet adaptable design standards consistent with FHA requirements, permitting cost-efficient retrofitting or modification to accommodate persons with disabilities when necessary.

3. Reasonable Accommodation and Alternative Compliance:
(a) Applicants may request reasonable accommodation or propose alternative but equivalent accessibility measures pursuant to section 6-11-24 of this title when full compliance is infeasible due to specific site constraints or undue hardship.

4. Verification and Compliance:
(a) Plans submitted for building permits shall document conformity with this section.

Final inspections shall verify compliance prior to occupancy.

SECTION 5. The following amendments of Section 6-5-3 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-5-3: USE REGULATIONS:

TABLE 5.A

USES PERMITTED WITHIN COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICTS
Legend:

P = Permitted subject to consistency assessment
C = Permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit application DP = Permitted subject to approval of a director’s Permit application X = Not permitted in this district
Use MU GC
Residential uses:

Emergency shelters X X
Low Barrier Navigation Center (see Section 6-12-35 of this title) P X Multi-family residential dwellings, small (triplexes and fourplexes) P X Multi-family residential dwellings, (5 or more units subject to Site Plan Review per section 6-2-9)
C P X
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Residence in conjunction with a business C X
Residential Facilities and Group Homes (6 persons or less) X X Residential Facilities and Group Homes (7 persons or more) P X Single-family residential dwellings X X
Single-Room Occupancy Units (see section 6-12-37 of this title) P X Supportive housing (per section 6-12-36 of this title) C P X Transitional housing C P X
Two-Unit dwelling P X
(F) Residential Uses in Commercial Zone Districts:

1. Multi-family residential and mixed-use residential developments in the MU and DC Zone Districts are allowed a maximum residential density of twenty-nine dwelling units per acre (29 du/ac) consistent with the mixed use land use designation of the General Plan, except as modified by applicable state law including Assembly Bill 2011 (AB 2011) and Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), as codified in Government Code Sections 65912.100 et seq. and 65852.24 et seq.

2. A residence, on the first or ground floor of a commercial unit, in conjunction with business is conditionally allowed when the property owner, business operator, and resident are the same person(s). In such cases, the residential and commercial uses shall comply with all requirements of the California Building Code.

3. Multi-family residential and mixed-use residential developments in the MU Zone District shall comply with the development standards outlined for the High Density Residential (R-3) Zone District in Chapter 4, Section 6-4-3 of this Title.

4. Any Multi-family residential and mixed-use residential developments within the Mixed Use zone district, as allowed by this Chapter, may be considered for Directors/Admin approval if they comply with all applicable development standards and the Residential Objective Design Standards found at Chapter 4, Section 6-4-5 of this Title.

5. Residential developments in commercial zone districts that qualify under AB 2011 or SB 6 shall be permitted and processed in accordance with all applicable provisions of those laws, including streamlined, ministerial approval processes and any waivers or incentives mandated by state law. In the event of any conflict between local zoning provisions and state law under these statutes, the state law provisions shall control.

SECTION 6. The following amendments of Section 6-7-3 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:

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TABLE 7.A

USES PERMITTED WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
To view Table 7.A Uses Permitted Within The Agricultural District, click HERE Legend:

P = Permitted subject to consistency assessment
C = Permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit application X = Not permitted in this district
Agriculture Uses A
Residential Uses:

Accessory dwelling unit (per section 6-12-23 of this title) P Emergency shelters X
Employee Housing, Small (within single-family structure) Farm labor housing for contract labor
P C
Employee Housing, Large (up to 36 beds) Farm labor housing for on site employees P C Residential accessory structures P
Residential Facilities or Group Homes (6 persons or less) P C Residential Facilities or Group Homes (7 persons or more) C Single-family dwelling, occupied by the owner or full time on site employee (including manufactured homes per section 6-11-16 of this title)
P
Two-Unit dwelling P
Supportive housing (per section 6-12-36 of this title) P Transitional housing P
SECTION 7. The following repeal and replace of Section 6-11-8 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-11-8: DEVELOPMENT DENSITY; DENSITY BONUSES:
(A)In accordance with California Government Code Sections 65915, et seq., this Chapter specifies how compliance with State Density Bonus Law will be implemented. Specifically, the purpose of this Chapter is to provide density bonuses, incentives, concessions, and waivers of development standards for the production of housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households, senior households, provision of daycare facilities, student housing, and donations of land, and for other housing types as provided by state law. In enacting this Chapter, it is also the intent of the City to implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the Housing Element of the General Plan.
(B) Definitions:

1. “Affordable Rent,” including a reasonable utility allowance, shall not exceed the following:
(a) For very low-income households, one twelfth of the product of 30 percent times 50 percent of the area median income adjusted for assumed household size; or Ordinance No. 856-26
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(b) For lower-income households whose gross incomes exceed the maximum income for very low income households, one twelfth of the product of 30 percent times 60 percent of the area median income adjusted for assumed household size. (Section 65915(c)(1)(B)(i); Health & Safety Code Section 50053; 25 CCR Section 6918.) (c) For moderate-income households, one twelfth of the product of 30 percent times 110 percent of the area median income adjusted for assumed household size. (Health & Safety Code Section 50053.)
(d) For a project where 100 percent of the units, including bonus units and excluding a manager’s unit, are for lower-income households (except that 20 percent of the units may be for moderate-income households), rents for at least 20 percent of the units must be set at affordable rent as defined above, and the rents for the remainder of the units cannot exceed those for lower-income households as set by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. (Section 65915(c)(1)(B)(ii).)

2. “Affordable Housing Cost,” means the maximum purchase price where monthly payments, after a reasonable down payment, and including interest, principal, mortgage insurance, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, homeowner’s association fees, space rent (if any), a reasonable utility allowance, and a reasonable allowance for property maintenance and repairs, do not exceed the following:
(a) For very low-income households, one twelfth of the product of 30 percent times 50 percent of the area median income adjusted for assumed household size. (b) For lower-income households whose gross incomes exceed the maximum income for very low income households, one twelfth of the product of 30 percent times 70 percent of the area median income adjusted for assumed household size. (c) For moderate-income households, one twelfth of the product of 35 percent times 110 percent of area median income adjusted for assumed household size. (Section 65915(c)(2)(A)(i); Health & Safety Code Section 50052.5; 25 CCR Section 6920.)

3. “Area Median Income” means the median family income in Kern County, adjusted for household size, as published annually in the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Section 6932, or successor provision, by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

4. “Assumed Household Size” means one person for a studio; two persons for a one-bedroom unit; three persons for a two-bedroom unit; and one additional person for each additional bedroom.

5. “Childcare Facility” means a child daycare facility other than a family daycare home, including, but not limited to, infant centers, preschools, extended daycare facilities, and school age childcare centers, or as otherwise defined in Section 65915(h)(4).

6. “Concessions” (Incentives) means concession or incentive as defined in Section 65915(k).

7. “Density Bonus” means density bonus as defined in Sections 65915(f) and 65915.5(b).

8. “Development Bonus” means a mutually agreed upon incentive between a commercial developer and the City for the commercial developer’s provision of housing pursuant to Ordinance No. 856-26
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Section 65915.7. Development Standard. A site or construction condition, including, but not limited to, a height limitation, setback requirement, floor area ratio, an onsite openspace requirement, a minimum lot area per unit requirement, or a parking ratio that applies to a residential development pursuant to any ordinance, general plan element, specific plan, charter, or other local condition, law, policy, resolution, or regulation that is adopted by the local government or that is enacted by the local government’s electorate exercising its local initiative or referendum power, whether that power is derived from the California Constitution, statute, or the charter or ordinances of the local government., or otherwise as defined in Section 65915(o)(2).

9. “Disabled Veteran” means any veteran who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be ten percent or more disabled as a result of service in the armed forces, or as otherwise defined in Section 18541.

10. “Homeless Person” means a “homeless person” as defined in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and codified at 42 U.S.C. Section 11302(a).

11. “Housing Development” means a housing development as defined in Section 65915(i).

12. “Located Within One-Half Mile of a Major Transit Stop” is as defined in Section 65915(o)(3).

13. “Lower-Income Household” means a household whose income does not exceed the qualifying limits for lower income households applicable to Kern County, as published annually in the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Section 6932, or successor provision, by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Lowerincome households include very low-income households and extremely low income households. (Section 65915(b)(1)(A); Health & Safety Code Section 50079.5.)

14. “Lower-Income Student” is as defined in Section 65915(o)(4).

15. “Major Transit Stop” means a site containing any of the following or where one of the following is included in the Regional Transportation Plan:
(a) A rail or bus rapid transit station;
(b) A ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service; or (c) An intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods. (Section 65915(o)(5); Public Resources Code Sections 21155(b) and 21064.3.)

16. “Maximum Allowable Residential Density” is as defined in Section 65915(o)(6). (Please note: the definition of Maximum Allowable Residential Density was most recently changed by Assembly Bill 1287 (2023).) The Maximum Allowable Residential Density shall be referred to as “Base Density.”

17. “Moderate Income Household” means a household whose income exceeds the income limit for lower-income households but whose income does not exceed the qualifying limits for moderate income households applicable to Kern County, as published annually in the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Section 6932, or successor provision, by the Ordinance No. 856-26
January 20, 2026

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California Department of Housing and Community Development. (Section 65915(b)(1)(D); Health & Safety Code Section 50093.)

18. “Qualified Nonprofit Housing Corporation” is as defined in Section 65915(c)(1)(B).

19. “Senior Citizen Housing Development” is as defined in Civil Code Sections 51.3 and

51.12, requiring at least 35 dwelling units; or a mobile home park that limits residency based on age for older persons under Civil Code Sections 798.76 or 799.5. For the purposes of a senior citizen housing development, “development” includes a shared housing development and a residential care facility for the elderly as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 1569.2. (Section 65915(b)(1)(C).)

20. “Shared Housing Building” is as defined in Section 65915(o)(7)(A).

21. “Shared Housing Unit” is as defined in Section 65915(o)(7)(B).

22. “Student Housing Development” means development that contains bedrooms containing two or more bedspaces that have a shared or private bathroom, access to a shared or private living room and laundry facilities, and access to a shared or private kitchen.

23. “Total Units or Total Dwelling Units or Base Units” means “total units” and “total dwelling units” as defined in Section 65915(o)(8).

24. “Transitional Foster Youth” means a person in California whose dependency was established and continued by a court of competent jurisdiction, including a tribal court, on or after the youth’s 13th birthday and who is no older than 25 years of age at the commencement of the academic year, or as otherwise defined in Section 66025.9 of the Education Code. (Section 65915(b)(1)(E).)

25. “Very Low-Income Household” means a household whose income does not exceed the qualifying limits for very low-income families applicable to Kern County, as published annually in the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Section 6932, or successor provision, by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. (Section 65915(b)(1)(A); Health & Safety Code Section 50079.5.)

26. “Waiver” means a waiver or reduction of a development standard that would have the effect of physically precluding the construction of a development eligible for a density bonus at the density or with the incentives permitted by Section 65915. (Section 65915(e)(1).) (C) Application Requirements.

1. An applicant for a “housing development” as defined in State Density Bonus Law shall be eligible for a density bonus and other regulatory benefits that are provided by State Density Bonus Law when the applicant seeks and agrees to provide housing as specified in Government Code Section 65915(b), (c), (f), (g), (h) and (v), or in Government Code Section 65195.5, or successor provisions. The density bonus calculations shall be made in accordance with State Density Bonus Law.

2. The granting of a density bonus, incentive, or concession, pursuant to this chapter, shall not be interpreted, in and of itself, to require a general plan amendment, development code amendment, zone change, other discretionary approval, or the waiver of a City ordinance or provisions of a City ordinance unrelated to development standards.

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3. All requests for density bonuses, incentives, parking reductions, and waivers for a housing development shall be filed with and on a form provided by the city, concurrently with the filing of the planning application for the first discretionary or ministerial permit required for the housing development, whichever permit is earliest. The applicant shall be informed whether the application is complete consistent with Government Code Section 65943.

4. The application shall include the required fee and the following minimum information for a request density bonus:
(a) Summary table showing the maximum number of dwelling units permitted by the zoning and general plan excluding any density bonus units, proposed affordable units by income level, proposed bonus percentage, number of density bonus units proposed, total number of dwelling units proposed on the site, and resulting density in units per acre.
(b) Subparagraph of Government Code Section 65915(b)(1) under which the housing development qualifies for a density bonus and reasonable documentation demonstrating that the housing development is eligible for a bonus under that subparagraph.
(c) Where the housing development is seeking an additional bonus, the subparagraph of Government Code Section 65915(v)(1) under which the housing development qualifies for an additional density bonus and reasonable documentation demonstrating that the housing development is eligible for the additional bonus under that subparagraph. (d) A tentative map or preliminary site plan, drawn to scale, showing the number and location of all proposed units, designating the location of proposed affordable units and density bonus units.
(e) The zoning and general plan designations and assessor's parcel number(s) of the housing development site.
(f) A description of all dwelling units existing on the site in the five-year period preceding the date of submittal of the application and identification of any units rented in the fiveyear period; subject to any form of rent control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power; or subject to a recorded covenant ordinance, or law restricting rents to levels affordable to households of lower or very low income. (g) If dwelling units on the site are currently rented, income and household size of all residents of currently occupied units, if known. If any dwelling units on the site were rented in the five-year period but are not currently rented, the income and household size of residents occupying the dwelling units when the site contained the maximum number of dwelling units, if known.
(h) The phasing of the construction of the affordable housing units in relation to the nonrestricted units in the housing development.
(i) If a density bonus is requested for a land donation, the location of the land to be dedicated, proof of site control, and reasonable documentation that each of the requirements included in Government Code Section 65915 (g) can be met.

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5. Requested incentives. Incentives are those defined by State Density Bonus Law. The number of incentives that may be requested shall be based upon the number the applicant is entitled to pursuant to State Density Bonus Law. The application shall include the following minimum information for each incentive requested, shown on a site plan (if appropriate):
(a) The City’s usual regulation and the requested regulatory incentive or concession. (b) Except where mixed-use zoning is proposed as a concession or incentive, reasonable documentation to show that any requested incentive will result in identifiable and actual cost reductions to provide for affordable housing costs or rents. (c) If approval of mixed-use zoning is proposed, reasonable documentation that nonresidential land uses will reduce the costs of the housing development, that the nonresidential land uses are compatible with the housing development and the existing or planned development in the area where the proposed housing development will be located, and that mixed-use zoning will provide for affordable housing costs and rents. (d) Requested waivers. For each waiver requested, the applicant shall include, shown on a site plan, and shown for each existing or proposed parcel (if applicable), the City’s required development standard and the requested development standard. (e) Parking reductions. If a housing development is eligible for a density bonus pursuant to State Density Bonus Law, the applicant may request an on-site vehicular parking ratio specified in Government Code Section 65915(p). An applicant may request this parking reduction in addition to the incentives and waivers permitted by paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. The application shall include a table showing parking required by the zoning regulations, parking proposed under State Density Bonus Law, paragraph under Government Code Section 65915(p) (or other statute) under which the project qualifies for the parking reduction, and reasonable documentation that the project is eligible for the requested parking reduction. (f) Density bonus or incentive for a childcare facility in a housing development. The application shall include reasonable documentation that all of the requirements included in Government Code Section 65915(h) can be met. (g) Density bonus or incentive for a condominium conversion. The application shall include reasonable documentation that all of the requirements included in Government Code Section 65915.5 can be met.
(D)Application Review Process.

1. All requests under State Density Bonus Law shall be part of the planning application and shall be applied for, reviewed, and acted upon concurrently with the planning application by the approval body with authority to approve the development, within the timelines prescribed by California Government Code Section 65950 et seq. or other statute. Appeals of the planning application in accordance with the requirements of this title shall include all requests under State Density Bonus Law if appeals are authorized for the discretionary or ministerial permit applied for.

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2. To ensure that an application for a housing development conforms with the provisions of State Density Bonus Law, the staff report presented to the decision-making body shall state whether the application conforms to the following requirements of State Density Bonus Law, as applicable:
(a) The housing development provides the housing required by State Density Bonus Law to be eligible for a density bonus and any incentives, parking reduction, or waivers requested, including housing required to replace units rented or formerly rented to very low- and low-income households as required by California Government Code Section 65915(c)(3).
(b) If applicable, the housing development provides the housing required by State Density Bonus law to be eligible for an additional density bonus under Government Code Section 65915(v)(1).
(c) If an incentive is requested, reasonable documentation has been presented showing that any requested incentive will result in identifiable and actual cost reductions to provide for affordable housing or costs or rents; except that, if a mixed-use development is requested, the application must instead meet all of the requirements of Government Code Section 65915(k)(2).
(d) If a waiver is requested, the development standards for which a waiver is requested would have the effect of physically precluding the construction of the housing development at the densities or with the incentives permitted. (e) The housing development is eligible for any requested parking reductions under Government Code Section 65915(p) or other statute.
(f) If the density bonus is based all or in part on donation of land, the requirements of Government Code Section 65915(g) have been met.
(g) If the density bonus or incentive is based all or in part on the inclusion of a child care facility or condominium conversion, the requirements included in Government Code Section 65915(h) or 65915.5, as appropriate, have been met.

3. The decision-making body shall grant an incentive requested by the applicant unless it makes a written finding, based upon substantial evidence, of any of the following:
(a) The proposed incentive does not result in identifiable and actual cost reductions to provide for affordable housing costs, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50052.5; or for affordable rents, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50053; or
(b) The proposed incentive would be contrary to state or federal law; or (c) The proposed incentive would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety or on any real property that is listed in the California Register of Historic Resources, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact without rendering the housing development unaffordable to low- and moderate-income households. For the purpose of this subsection, “specific, adverse impact” means a significant, quantifiable, direct and unavoidable impact, based Ordinance No. 856-26
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on objective, identified, written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date that the application for the housing development was deemed complete as defined in Government Code Section 65589.5.

4. The decision-making body shall grant the waiver of development standards requested by the applicant unless it makes a written finding, based upon substantial evidence, of any of the following:
(a) The proposed waiver would be contrary to state or federal law; or (b) The proposed waiver would have an adverse impact on any real property listed in the California Register of Historic Resources; or
(c) The proposed waiver would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact without rendering the housing development unaffordable to low- and moderate-income households. For the purpose of this subsection, “specific, adverse impact” means a significant, quantifiable, direct and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date that the application for the housing development was deemed complete as defined in Government Code Section 65589.5.

5. If a childcare center complies with the requirements of Government Code Section 65915(h), the decision-making body may deny a density bonus or incentive that is based on the provision of childcare facilities only if it makes a written finding, based on substantial evidence, that the City already has adequate childcare facilities.

6. A request for minor modification of an approved density bonus housing plan may be granted by the city if the modification substantially complies with the original density bonus housing plan and conditions of approval. Other modifications to the density bonus housing plan shall be processed in the same manner as the original plan. (E) Density Bonus Housing Agreement.

1. If a density bonus, incentive, parking reduction, or waiver is approved pursuant to this chapter, the applicant shall enter into a binding affordable housing agreement or restrictive covenant, as described below, with the city, which sets forth the conditions and guidelines to be met in the implementation of State Density Bonus Law and that ensures compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter. The agreement will also establish specific compliance standards and remedies available to the city upon failure by the applicant to comply with State Density Bonus Law, this chapter, or the affordable housing agreement.

2. For rental projects, the applicant shall enter into an affordable housing agreement with the city, running with the land, in a form approved by the city, to be executed by the City Manager or their designee. The agreement shall require the continued affordability of all rental units that qualified the applicant for the receipt of the density bonus, incentive, waiver, or parking reduction for a minimum of fifty-five (55) years or a longer period of time if required by the construction or mortgage financing assistance program, mortgage insurance program, or rental subsidy program; shall identify the type, size and location of each affordable unit; shall specify the eligible occupants; shall specify phasing of the Ordinance No. 856-26
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affordable units in relation to the market-rate units; and shall contain other relevant provisions approved by the city. Rents for the lower income density bonus units shall be set at an affordable rent as defined in State Density Bonus Law.

3. For for-sale projects, the applicant shall enter into an affordable housing agreement with the city, running with the land, in a form approved by the city to be executed by the City Manager or their designee. The affordable housing agreement shall require that, the initial purchasers of those for-sale units that qualified the applicant for the receipt of the density bonus, incentive, waiver, or parking reduction are persons and families of lower or moderate income, as applicable, or if any for-sale unit is not purchased by an incomequalified household within one-hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, then the unit(s) must be sold pursuant to a contract that satisfies the requirements of Revenue and Taxation Code Section 402.1(a)(10) to a qualified nonprofit housing corporation as defined in State Density Bonus Law and that the units are offered at an affordable housing cost, as that cost is defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50052.5; and shall contain other relevant provisions approved by the city. The city shall enforce an equity sharing agreement consistent with State Density Bonus Law unless it is in conflict with the requirements of another public funding source or law.

4. Where a density bonus, waiver or parking reduction is provided for a market-rate senior housing development, the applicant shall enter into a restrictive covenant with the city, running with the land, in a form approved by the city to be executed by the City Manager or their designee, to require the housing development to be operated as "housing for older persons" consistent with state and federal fair housing laws.

5. The executed affordable housing agreement shall be recorded against the housing development prior to final or parcel map approval, or, where a map is not being processed, prior to issuance of building permits for the housing development, whichever is earliest.

The affordable housing agreement shall be binding on all future owners and successors in interest.
(F) Density Bonus Calculations.

1. In determining the total number of units to be granted, each component of any density calculation, including base density and bonus density, resulting in fractional units shall be separately rounded up to the next whole number.

2. When calculating the number of affordable units needed to qualify for a given density bonus, any fractions of affordable dwelling units shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

3. Except where a housing development is eligible for an additional bonus pursuant to Government Code Section 65915(v), each housing development is entitled to only one density bonus. If a housing development qualifies for a density bonus under more than one category, the applicant shall identify the category under which the density bonus is requested to be granted.

4. The applicant may elect to accept a lesser percentage of density bonus than the housing development is entitled to, or no density bonus, but no reduction will be permitted in the percentages of affordable units required by State Density Bonus law. Regardless of the Ordinance No. 856-26
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number of affordable units, no housing development shall be entitled to a density bonus greater than what is authorized under State Density Bonus Law.

5. Nothing in this chapter requires the provision of direct financial incentives from the city for the housing development, including, but not limited to, the provision of financial subsidies, publicly owned land, fee waivers, or waiver of dedication requirements. The city, at its sole discretion, may choose to provide such direct financial incentives. (G)Development Standards.

1. Building permits and final inspections or certificates of occupancy shall be issued concurrently for the market rate units and for any affordable units that qualified the project for a density bonus, incentive, waiver, or parking reduction, so that the affordable units comprise the required percentage of total units.

2. Affordable units shall be comparable in exterior appearance and overall quality of construction to market rate units in the same housing development. Interior finishes and amenities may differ from those provided in the market rate units, but neither the workmanship nor the products may be of substandard or inferior quality as determined by the city,

3. To comply with fair housing laws, the affordable units shall contain the same proportional mix of bedroom sizes as the market-rate units. In mixed-income buildings, the occupants of the affordable units shall have the same access to the common entrances and to the common areas, parking, and amenities of the project as the occupants of the market-rate housing units, and the affordable units shall be located throughout the building and not isolated on one floor or to an area on a specific floor. (H)Density Bonus for Commercial Development.

1. The following definitions shall apply to this section:
(a) “Commercial development” means a development project for nonresidential and nonindustrial uses.
(b) “Commercial development bonus” means modification of development standards mutually agreed upon by the city and a commercial developer and provided to a commercial development eligible for such a bonus under subparagraph (c). Examples of a commercial development bonus include an increase in floor area ratio, increased building height, or reduced parking.
(c) “Partnered housing agreement” means an agreement approved by the city between a commercial developer and a housing developer identifying how the commercial development will provide housing available at an affordable ownership cost or affordable rent consisted with subparagraph (h)(3). A partnered housing agreement may consist of the formation of a partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or other entity recognized by the state in which the commercial develop and the housing developer are each partners, members, shareholders, or other participants, or a contract between the commercial developer and the housing developer for the development of both the commercial developer and the housing development.

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2. When an applicant proposes to construct a commercial development and has entered into a partnered housing agreement approved by the city, the city shall grant a commercial development bonus mutually agreed upon by the developer and the city. The commercial development bonus shall not include a reduction or waiver in fees imposed on the commercial development to provide for affordable housing.

3. The partnered housing agreement shall include all of the following provisions:
(a) The housing development shall be located either: (i) on the site of the commercial development; or (ii) on a site within the city that is within one-half mile of a major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21155, and is in close proximity to public amenities, including schools and employment centers. (b) At least thirty percent (30%) of the total units in the housing development shall be made available at an affordable ownership cost or affordable rent to low-income households, or at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total units in the housing development shall be made available at an affordable ownership cost or affordable rent to very low-income households.
(c) The commercial development must agree either to directly build the affordable housing units, donate a site consistent with the requirements of Government Code Section 65915(g) for the development of the affordable housing units, or make a cash payment to the housing developer for the development of the affordable housing units.

4. An approved partnered housing agreement shall be described in the city’s Housing Element annual report as required by Government Code Section 65915.7(k).

5. A Commercial Development may request and receive a Development Bonus pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 65915.7.
(I) Interpretation.

1. If any portion of this chapter conflicts with State Density Bonus Law or other applicable state law, state law shall supersede this chapter. Any ambiguities in this chapter shall be interpreted to be consistent with State Density Bonus Law. Statutory references in this ordinance include successor provisions.

SECTION 8. The following amendments of Section 6-11-24 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-11-24: REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
(A)Purpose And Intent: It is the policy of the city of Taft, pursuant to the federal fair housing amendments act of 1988 and the California fair employment and housing act (hereinafter "acts"), to provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodation to rules, policies, practices and procedures to ensure equal access to housing and facilitate the development of housing for individuals with disabilities. This chapter establishes a procedure for making requests for reasonable accommodation in land use, zoning and building regulations, policies, practices and procedures to comply fully with the intent and purpose of fair housing laws.

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(B) Applicability: The city council finds and determines that this chapter is intended to apply to those persons who are defined as disabled under the acts:

1. An individual with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities; anyone who is regarded as having such impairment; or anyone with a record of such impairment.

2. The federal fair housing amendment act of 1988 and California's fair employment and housing act impose an affirmative duty on local governments to make reasonable accommodation in their land use and zoning regulations and practices when such accommodation may be necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to housing.

3. The Taft housing element identifies and sets forth a plan for removing governmental constraints to housing for individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodation.

4. A fair housing reasonable accommodation procedure for individuals with disabilities and developers of housing for individuals with disabilities to seek relief in the application of land use, zoning and building regulations, policies, practices and procedures furthers compliance with federal and state fair housing laws and provides greater opportunities for the development of critically needed housing for individuals with disabilities.

5. A request for reasonable accommodation may be made by any person with a disability, the person's representative, or any entity, when the application of a zoning law or other land use regulation, policy or practice is perceived to act as a barrier to fair housing opportunities.

6. "Reasonable accommodation" in the land use and zoning context means providing individuals with disabilities or developers of housing for people with disabilities flexibility in the application of land use and zoning and building regulations, policies, practices and procedures, or even waiving certain requirements, when it is necessary to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities.

7. Reasonable accommodation provisions apply equally to group homes, residential care facilities, and similar housing serving persons with disabilities. Zoning or land use restrictions shall not prohibit or unreasonably restrict these uses, consistent with state and federal law.
(C) Authority:

1. Authority of review and approval for reasonable accommodation shall be vested with the planning director.

2. If a request for reasonable accommodation is submitted for concurrent review with another discretionary land use application, it shall be determined by the authority making the final discretionary land use decision.

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(D)Application: Request for reasonable accommodation shall be submitted on an application form provided by the planning and community development department or in the form of a letter and shall contain the following information:

1. Application Materials:
(a) The applicant's name, address and primary contact telephone number. (b) The name and mailing address of the property owner(s). (c) Address of the property for which the request is being made. (d) The current use of the property.
(e) The basis for the claim that the individual is considered disabled under the acts. (f) The code provision, regulation or policy from which reasonable accommodation is being requested.
(g) What specific accommodation is requested and why the accommodation is necessary to make the specific property accessible to the individual. (h) Sufficient information and/or medical verification to establish the applicant’s disability and necessity of the accommodation. Sufficient documentation, which may include self-certification or verification from a knowledgeable third party, substantiating the applicant’s disability status and the necessity of the requested accommodation. The city may request additional information if initial documentation is insufficient, specifying the required details and allowing a reasonable time to provide these.

2. Additional Discretionary Actions: If the project for which the request for reasonable accommodation is being made also requires some other discretionary approval (including, but not limited to: conditional use permit, site plan review, general plan amendment, variance, etc.), then the applicant shall file the information required above for reasonable accommodation together for concurrent review with the application for discretionary approval.

3. Consideration shall be given to alternative accommodations that provide an equivalent benefit but with less impact, which may be approved in place of the original request.

4. No fees or surcharges shall be imposed solely for submitting a reasonable accommodation request. Fees for administrative processing shall reflect only actual costs and not create barriers to accessing housing accommodations.
(E) Review Procedures And Findings:

1. The planning director shall make a written determination on the request within thirty (30) days and either approve, approve with modifications or deny a request for reasonable accommodation.

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2. The planning director may request additional information from the applicant if it is determined the application and request is incomplete. The planning director shall specify in detail the items needed to make a determination consistent with fair housing laws. The thirty (30) day period to issue a decision is stayed until the applicant responds to the request.

3. The determination on whether to approve, approve with modifications or deny a request for reasonable accommodation made by the authority responsible for reviewing the discretionary land use application shall be made at the time of the discretionary land use decision.

4. The written decision to approve, approve with modifications or deny a request for reasonable accommodation shall be based on consideration of the following factors:
(a) Whether the housing, which is the subject of the request, will be used by a disabled individual.
(b) Whether the requested accommodation is necessary to make specific housing available to a disabled individual, supported by sufficient documentation or verification as required.
(c) Whether the requested accommodation would impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city. For this determination, the city shall consider the estimated costs associated with the accommodation, the city’s financial resources and budget impact, the availability of alternative accommodations with less burden, and whether the accommodation would require a fundamental alteration as defined below.
(d) Whether the requested accommodation would require a fundamental alteration in the nature of a city land use, zoning and building regulations, policies, practices and procedures. A fundamental alteration is a change that would: defeat the essential purpose of the applicable law or regulation; or significantly impair the essential operations or purpose of the City’s land use or zoning scheme. (e) Potential impact on surrounding uses, including, but not limited to, noise levels, traffic, privacy, and visual impacts, assessed through quantifiable measures or professional analysis where feasible.
(f) Physical attributes of the property and structures. (g) Alternative accommodations which may provide an equivalent level of benefit to the applicant while minimizing adverse impacts.
(h) Protections for group homes and residential care facilities consistent with federal and state law.
(i) Whether the applicant has adequately documented the disability and demonstrated why the requested accommodation is necessary to provide equal housing opportunity.

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5. In granting a request for reasonable accommodation the planning director or other reviewing authority may impose any conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure that the accommodation complies with the findings.

6. While a request for reasonable accommodation is pending, all laws and regulations otherwise applicable to the property that is the subject of the request shall remain in full force and effect.
(F) Written Decision On The Request For Reasonable Accommodation:

1. The written decision on the request for reasonable accommodation shall explain in detail the basis of the decision, including the planning director's or other reviewing authority's findings.

2. If the reviewing authority fails to render a written decision on the request for reasonable accommodation within the thirty (30) day time period the request shall be deemed approved.
(G)Appeals:

1. A determination by the reviewing authority to approve, approve with modifications or deny a request for reasonable accommodation may be appealed, pursuant to section 6-2-20 of this title.

2. If an individual needs assistance in filing an appeal on the decision, the city shall provide assistance to ensure that the appeals process is accessible, including language translation services, alternative formats, and disability-related accommodations, to ensure meaningful access to the process.

SECTION 9. The following new sections of Chapter 11 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-11-42: WATER AND WASTEWATER PRIORITY:
(A)This section establishes procedures for prioritizing water and wastewater service allocation to proposed developments with housing units affordable to lower-income households, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65589.7.
(B) When allocating water or wastewater equivalency units each year, the City Council shall prioritize developments as follows:

1. Projects with at least 50 percent of units guaranteed affordable to moderate, low, or very low-income households receive priority, provided:
a. Projects with 100 percent affordable units receive highest priority. b. Projects with at least 25 percent of affordable units for low and very low-income families receive additional priority.

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c. No more than 50 percent of annual building permits may be allocated by this priority system.

2. Applicants seeking priority must submit:
a. A written request specifying project details.
b. Deed restrictions, approved by the City Attorney, ensuring affordability for at least 30 years.

3. Upon verification, qualifying projects are placed on a separate affordable housing priority list for the following year’s allocation.

4. Projects failing to meet deed restriction requirements lose priority and revert to their original position on the waiting list.

5. The City may contract with a nonprofit agency for program administration, with associated fees paid by the applicant.

6. The City shall not deny, condition, or reduce priority for water or wastewater service to qualifying affordable housing developments unless it makes specific written findings that such denial, condition, or reduction is necessary due to one or more of the following:
a. The City does not have a sufficient water supply, or is operating under a water shortage emergency, or lacks adequate treatment or distribution capacity to serve the development, as demonstrated by a written engineering analysis. b. The City is subject to a compliance order from the State Department of Health Services prohibiting new water connections.
c. The City does not have sufficient wastewater treatment or collection capacity as demonstrated by a written engineering analysis.
d. The City is under an order from the Regional Water Quality Control Board prohibiting new wastewater connections.
e. The applicant has failed to agree to reasonable terms and conditions generally applicable to other development projects, including applicable fees, laws, and regulations.
6-11-43 URBAN LOT SPLITS AND TWO-UNIT DEVELOPMENT:
(A)The purpose of this section is to provide objective zoning standards for Two-Unit Developments and Urban Lot Splits within single-family residential zones, to implement the provisions of state law as reflected in Government Code Section 65852.21 et seq. and Section 66411.7 et seq., and to facilitate the development of new residential housing units consistent with the City’s General Plan and ensure sound standards of public health and safety. (B) Definitions:

1. A person “acting in concert with the owner,” as used in Section 4(B)(8) below, means a person that has common ownership or control of the subject parcel with the owner of the adjacent parcel, a person acting on behalf of, acting for the predominant benefit Ordinance No. 856-26
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of, acting on the instructions of, or actively cooperating with, the owner of the parcel being subdivided.

2. “Adjacent parcel” means any parcel of land that is (1) touching the parcel at any point; (2) separated from the parcel at any point only by a public right-of-way, private street or way, or public or private utility, service, or access easement; or (3) separated from another parcel only by other real property which is in common ownership or control of the applicant.

3. “Car share vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is operated as part of a regional fleet by a public or private care sharing company or organization and provides hourly or daily service.

4. “Lower income household” has the meaning set forth in Health & Safety Code Section 50079.5.

5. “Moderate income household” has the meaning set forth in Health & Safety Code Section 50093.

6. “Sufficient for separate conveyance,” as used in Sections 4(B)(11) and 5(B)(8) below, means that each attached or adjacent dwelling unit is constructed in a manner adequate to allow for the separate sale of each unit in a common interest development as defined in Civil Code Section 1351 (including a residential condominium, planned development, stock cooperative, or community apartment project), or into any other ownership type in which the dwelling units may be sold individually.

7. “Two-Unit Development” means a development that proposes no more than two new units or proposes to add one new unit to one existing unit.

8. “Urban Lot Split” means a subdivision of an existing parcel into no more than two separate parcels that meets all the criteria and standards set forth in this chapter.

9. “Very low income household” has the meaning set forth in Health & Safety Code Section 50105.
(C) Urban Lot Splits

1. Process: The city shall ministerially review an application for a parcel map that subdivides an existing parcel to create no more than two new parcels in an Urban Lot Split and shall approve the application if the criteria in Government Code Section 66411.7 and this section are satisfied.

2. Qualifying Criteria: Within the time required by the Subdivision Map Act, the city shall determine if the parcel map for the Urban Lot Split meets all the following requirements:
i. The parcel is located within a single-family residential zone. ii. The parcel being subdivided is not located on a site that is any of the following:
(a) Either prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance, as defined pursuant to United States Department of Agriculture land inventory Ordinance No. 856-26
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and monitoring criteria, as modified for California, and designated on the maps prepared by the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the Department of Conservation, or land zoned or designated for agricultural protection or preservation by a local ballot measure that was approved by the voters of that jurisdiction.
(b) Wetlands, as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993).
(c) Within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code, or within a high or very high fire hazard severity zone as indicated on maps adopted by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4202 of the Public Resources Code. This subparagraph does not apply to sites excluded from the specified hazard zones by the city, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51179 of the Government Code, or sites that have adopted fire hazard mitigation measures pursuant to existing building standards or state fire mitigation measures applicable to the development. (d) A hazardous waste site that is listed pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code or a hazardous waste site designated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Section 25356 of the Health and Safety Code, unless the State Department of Public Health, State Water Resources Control Board, or Department of Toxic Substances Control has cleared the site for residential use or residential mixed uses.
(e) Within a delineated earthquake fault zone as determined by the State Geologist in any official maps published by the State Geologist, unless the development complies with applicable seismic protection building code standards adopted by the California Building Standards Commission under the California Building Standards Law (Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code), and by the building department under Chapter 12.2 (commencing with Section 8875) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(f) Within a special flood hazard area subject to inundation by the 1 percent annual chance flood (100-year flood) as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If a development proponent is able to satisfy all applicable federal qualifying criteria in order to provide that the site satisfies this Ordinance No. 856-26
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subparagraph, the city shall not deny the application on the basis that the development proponent did not comply with any additional permit requirement, standard, or action adopted by the city that is applicable to that site. A development may be located on a site described in this subparagraph if either of the following are met (1) the site has been subject to a Letter of Map Revision prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and issued to the city; or (2) the site meets Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements
necessary to meet minimum flood plain management criteria of the National Flood Insurance Program pursuant to Part 59 (commencing with Section 59.1) and Part 60 (commencing with Section 60.1) of Subchapter B of Chapter I of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(g) Within a regulatory floodway as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, unless the development has received a no-rise certification in accordance with Section 60.3(d)(3) of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If a development proponent is able to satisfy all applicable federal qualifying criteria in order to provide that the site satisfies this subparagraph and is otherwise eligible for streamlined approval under this section, the city shall not deny the application on the basis that the development proponent did not comply with any additional permit requirement, standard, or action adopted by the city that is applicable to that site.
(h) Lands identified for conservation in an adopted natural community conservation plan pursuant to the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), habitat conservation plan pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.

Sec. 1531 et seq.), or other adopted natural resource protection plan. (i) Habitat for protected species identified as candidate, sensitive, or species of special status by state or federal agencies, fully protected species, or species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), or the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code).
(j) Lands under conservation easement.

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iii. Both resulting parcels are no smaller than 1,200 square feet. iv. Neither resulting parcel shall be smaller than 40 percent of the lot area of the parcel proposed for the subdivision.
v. The proposed lot split would not require demolition or alteration of any of the following types of housing:
(a) Housing that is subject to a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels affordable to persons and families of moderate, low- or very low-income.
(b) Housing that is subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power.
(c) A parcel or parcels on which an owner of residential real property has exercised the owner’s rights under Chapter 12.75 (commencing with Section 7060) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code to withdraw accommodations from rent or lease within 15 years before the date that the development proponent submits an application. (d) Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last three years. vi. The parcel is not located within a historic district or property included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 5020.1, or within a site that is designated or listed as a City landmark or historic property or historic district pursuant to a city ordinance. vii. The parcel being subdivided was not created by an Urban Lot Split as provided in this section.
viii. Neither the owner of the parcel being subdivided nor any person acting in concert with the owner has previously subdivided an adjacent parcel using an Urban Lot Split as provided in this section.
ix. The development proposed on the parcels complies with all objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards applicable to the parcel as provided in the zoning district in which the parcel is located; provided, however, that:
(a) The city shall waive or modify any standard if the standard would have the effect of physically precluding the construction of two units on either of the resulting parcels created pursuant to this chapter or would result in a unit size of less than 800 square feet. Any modifications of development standards shall be the minimum modification necessary to avoid physically precluding two units of 800 square feet each on each parcel.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (9)(i) above, required rear and side yard setbacks shall equal four feet, except that no setback shall be required for an existing legally created structure or a structure constructed in Ordinance No. 856-26
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the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing legally created structure.
x. Each resulting parcel shall have access to, provide access to, or adjoin the public right-of-way.
xi. Proposed adjacent or connected dwelling units shall be permitted if they meet building code safety standards and are designed sufficient to allow separate conveyance. The proposed dwelling units shall provide a separate gas, electric and water utility connection directly between each dwelling unit and the utility.
xii. Parking. One parking space shall be required per unit constructed on a parcel created pursuant to the procedures in this section, except that no parking may be required where:
(a) The parcel is located within one-half mile walking distance of either a stop located in a high-quality transit corridor, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21155(b), or a major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21064.3; or
(b) There is a designated parking area for one or more car-share vehicles within one block of the parcel.
xiii. Compliance with Subdivision Map Act. The Urban Lot Split shall conform to all applicable objective requirements of the Subdivision Map Act (commencing with Government Code Section 66410)), except as otherwise expressly provided in Government Code Section 66411.7. Notwithstanding Government Code Section 66411.1, no dedications of rights-of-way or the construction of offsite improvements may be required as a condition of approval for an Urban Lot Split, although easements may be required for the provision of public services and facilities.
xiv. The correction of nonconforming zoning conditions may not be required as a condition of approval.
xv. Parcels created by an Urban Lot Split may be used for residential uses only and may not be used for rentals of less than 30 days.
xvi. If any existing dwelling unit is proposed to be demolished, the applicant will comply with the replacement housing provisions of Government Code Section 66300(d).

3. Owner-Occupancy Affidavit. The applicant for an Urban Lot Split shall sign an affidavit, in the form approved by the city, stating that the applicant intends to occupy one of the housing units on the newly created lots as its principal residence for a minimum of three years from the date of the approval of the Urban Lot Split. This subsection shall not apply to an applicant that is a “community land trust,” as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section Ordinance No. 856-26
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402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or is a “qualified nonprofit corporation” as described in Section 214.15 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

4. Recorded Covenant. Prior to the approval and recordation of the parcel map, the applicant shall record a restrictive covenant and agreement in the form prescribed by the city, which shall run with the land and provide for the following:
i. A prohibition against further subdivision of the parcel using the Urban Lot Split procedures as provided for in this section;
ii. A limitation restricting the property to residential uses only; and iii. A requirement that any dwelling units on the property may be rented or leased only for a period longer than thirty (30) days.
iv. The City Manager or designee is authorized to enter into the covenant and agreement on behalf of the City and to deliver any approvals or consents required by the covenant.

5. Specific Adverse Impacts. In addition to the criteria listed in this section, a proposed Urban Lot Split may be denied if the building official makes a written finding, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the proposed housing development project would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health and safety or the physical environment, for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. A “specific adverse impact” is a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete. Inconsistency with the zoning ordinance or general plan land use designation and eligibility to claim a welfare exemption are not specific health or safety impacts.

6. Enforcement. The City Attorney shall be authorized to abate violations of this chapter and to enforce the provisions of this chapter and all implementing agreements and affidavits by civil action, injunctive relief, and any other proceeding or method permitted by law. Remedies provided for in this chapter shall not preclude the city from any other remedy or relief to which it otherwise would be entitled under law or equity.
(D)Two-Unit Development:

1. Process: The city shall ministerially review without a hearing an application for an application for a Two-Unit Development, and shall approve the application if all the criteria in Government Code Section 65852.21 and this section are satisfied.

2. Qualifying Criteria: The city shall determine if the Two-Unit Development meets all the following requirements:
i. The Two-Unit Development is located within a single-family residential zone. ii. The Two-Unit Development is not located on a site that is any of the following:

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(a) Either prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance, as defined pursuant to United States Department of Agriculture land inventory and monitoring criteria, as modified for California, and designated on the maps prepared by the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the Department of Conservation, or land zoned or designated for agricultural protection or preservation by a local ballot measure that was approved by the voters of that jurisdiction.
(b) Wetlands, as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993).
(c) Within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code, or within a high or very high fire hazard severity zone as indicated on maps adopted by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4202 of the Public Resources Code. This subparagraph does not apply to sites excluded from the specified hazard zones by the city, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 51179 of the Government Code, or sites that have adopted fire hazard mitigation measures pursuant to existing building standards or state fire mitigation measures applicable to the development. (d) A hazardous waste site that is listed pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code or a hazardous waste site designated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Section 25356 of the Health and Safety Code, unless the State Department of Public Health, State Water Resources Control Board, or Department of Toxic Substances Control has cleared the site for residential use or residential mixed uses.
(e) Within a delineated earthquake fault zone as determined by the State Geologist in any official maps published by the State Geologist, unless the development complies with applicable seismic protection building code standards adopted by the California Building Standards Commission under the California Building Standards Law (Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code), and by any local building department under Chapter

12.2 (commencing with Section 8875) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(f) Within a special flood hazard area subject to inundation by the 1 percent annual chance flood (100-year flood) as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If a Ordinance No. 856-26
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development proponent is able to satisfy all applicable federal qualifying criteria in order to provide that the site satisfies this subparagraph, the city shall not deny the application on the basis that the development proponent did not comply with any additional permit requirement, standard, or action adopted by the city that is applicable to that site. A development may be located on a site described in this subparagraph if either of the following are met (1) the site has been subject to a Letter of Map Revision prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and issued to the city; or (2) the site meets Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements
necessary to meet minimum flood plain management criteria of the National Flood Insurance Program pursuant to Part 59 (commencing with Section 59.1) and Part 60 (commencing with Section 60.1) of Subchapter B of Chapter I of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(g) Within a regulatory floodway as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, unless the development has received a no-rise certification in accordance with Section 60.3(d)(3) of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If a development proponent is able to satisfy all applicable federal qualifying criteria in order to provide that the site satisfies this subparagraph and is otherwise eligible for streamlined approval under this section, the city shall not deny the application on the basis that the development proponent did not comply with any additional permit requirement, standard, or action adopted by the city that is applicable to that site.
(h) Lands identified for conservation in an adopted natural community conservation plan pursuant to the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), habitat conservation plan pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.

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(commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code).
(j) Lands under conservation easement.
iii. Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any local law, the proposed Two-Unit Development would not require the demolition or alteration of any of the following types of housing:
(a) Housing that is subject to recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels affordable to persons and families of moderate-, low-, or very low-income.
(b) Housing that is subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power.
(c) Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last three years. iv. The parcel is not a parcel on which an owner of residential real property has exercised the owner’s right under Chapter 12.75 (commencing with Section 7060) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code to withdraw accommodations from rent or lease within the last 15 years before the date that the development proponent submits an application.
v. The proposed Two-Unit Development does not include the demolition of more than 25 percent of the existing exterior structural walls unless the site has not been occupied by a tenant in the last three years. vi. The proposed Two-Unit Development is not located within a historic district or property included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Section 5020.1 of the Public Resources Code, or within a site that is designated or listed as a city landmark or historic property or historic district pursuant to a city ordinance.
vii. The proposed Two-Unit Development complies with all objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design review standards applicable to the parcel as provided in the zoning district in which the parcel is located; provided, however, that:
(a) The city shall modify or waive any standard if the standard would have the effect of physically precluding the construction of two units on either of the resulting parcels created pursuant to this chapter or would result in a unit size of less than 800 square feet. Any modifications of development standards shall be the minimum modification necessary to avoid physically precluding two units of 800 square feet each on each parcel.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (7)(i) above, required rear and side yard setbacks shall equal four feet, except that no setback shall be required for an existing legally created structure or a structure constructed in Ordinance No. 856-26
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the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing legally created structure.
(c) For a Two-Unit Development connected to an onsite wastewater treatment system, the applicant must provide a percolation test completed within the last 5 years, or if the percolation test has been recertified, within the last 10 years.
viii. Proposed adjacent or connected dwelling units shall be permitted if they meet building code safety standards and are designed sufficient to allow separate conveyance. The proposed Two-Unit Development shall provide a separate gas, electric and water utility connection directly between each dwelling unit and the utility.
ix. Parking. One parking space shall be required per unit constructed via the procedures set forth in this section, except that the City shall not require any parking where:
(a) The parcel is located within one-half mile walking distance of either a stop located in a high-quality transit corridor, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21155(b), or a major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21064.3; or
(b) There is a designated parking area for one or more car-share vehicles within one block of the parcel.
x. Dwelling units created by a Two-Unit Development may be used for residential uses only and may not be used for rentals of less than 30 days. xi. If any existing dwelling unit is proposed to be demolished, the applicant will comply with the replacement housing provisions of Government Code Section 66300(d).

3. Declaration of Prior Tenancies. If any existing housing is proposed to be altered or demolished, the owner of the property proposed for an Two-Unit Development shall sign an affidavit, in the form approved by the city, stating that none of the conditions listed in Section (5)(B)(3) and (B)(4) above exist and shall provide a comprehensive history of the occupancy of the units to be altered or demolished for the past three years (five years if an existing unit is to be demolished) on a form approved by the city.

4. Recorded Covenant. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall record a restrictive covenant and agreement in the form prescribed by the city, which shall run with the land and provide for the following:
i. A limitation restricting the property to residential uses only; and ii. A requirement that any dwelling units on the property may be rented or leased only for a period of longer than thirty (30) days.

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iii. The City Manager or designee is authorized to enter into the covenant and agreement on behalf of the city and to deliver any approvals or consents required by the covenant.

5. Specific Adverse Impacts. In addition to the criteria listed in this section, a proposed Two-Unit Development may be denied if the building official makes a written finding, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the proposed housing development project would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health and safety or the physical environment, for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. A “specific adverse impact” is a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete. Inconsistency with the zoning ordinance or general plan land use designation and eligibility to claim a welfare exemption are not specific health or safety impacts.

SECTION 10. The following amendments to Section 6-12-16 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-12-16: EMERGENCY SHELTERS:
(F) Parking: Each facility shall meet the minimum parking requirement of the residential structures they occupy, per chapter 14 of this title. There shall be a minimum of one parking stall for every four (4) beds or one-half (1/2) parking space for each bedroom designated for family units with children, plus one parking stall for each employee/volunteer on duty, shall be maintained provide sufficient parking to accommodate the maximum number of staff expected to be working in the emergency shelter.

SECTION 11. The following repeal and replace of Section 6-12-23 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-12-23: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS:
(A)The purpose of this section is to establish the regulations and procedures for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in conformance with Government Code Section 66310-66342.

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(B) Definitions:

1. “66323 Units” means one of the four delineated types of ADUs (and Junior ADUs) that must be permitted pursuant to Government Code section 66323.

2. “Accessory Dwelling Unit” means an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling is, or will be, situated pursuant to Government Code Section 66313. An ADU also includes an efficiency dwelling unit and a manufactured home, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code.

3. “Accessory Structure” means a structure that is accessory and incidental to a dwelling located on the same lot pursuant to Government Code Section 66313.

4. “Efficiency Dwelling Unit” means a dwelling unit which contains a minimum of 150 square feet in living space, a separate closet, kitchen sink, cooking appliance, refrigerator, and a separate bathroom containing a water closet, lavatory, bathtub, or shower pursuant to Government Code Section 66313 and California Building Code Section 1208.4.

5. “Habitable Space” means a space in a building for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking.

Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces pursuant to California Building Code Section 202.

6. “High Quality Transit Corridor” means a corridor with fixed route bus service with service intervals no longer than 15 minutes during peak commute hours pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21155.

7. “Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit” means a unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence pursuant to Government Code Section 66313. A Junior ADU may include separate sanitation facilities or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure.

8. “Livable Space” means a space in a dwelling intended for human habitation, including living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation pursuant to Government Code Section 66313.

9. “Living Area” means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit, including basements and attics, but does not include a garage or any accessory structure pursuant to Government Code Section 66313.

10. “Multifamily Dwelling” means, for the purposes of State ADU Law, a structure with two or more attached dwellings on a single lot is considered a multifamily dwelling. Multiple detached single-family dwellings on the same lot are not considered multifamily dwellings for the purposes of State ADU Law.

11. “Nonconforming Zoning Conditions” means a physical improvement on a property that does not conform with current zoning standards pursuant to Government Code Section 66313.

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12. “Passageway” means a pathway that is unobstructed, clear to the sky, and extends from a street to one entrance of the ADU pursuant to Government Code Section 66313.

13. “Tandem Parking” means Two or more automobiles that are parked on a driveway or in any other location on a lot, lined up behind one another pursuant to Government Code Section 66313.
(C) Application Process:

1. Permit required. A Building Permit is required for ADUs.

2. Submittal requirements. The complete Building Permit application shall be submitted to the building division on an application prepared by the Building Official and shall include the submittal requirements. Fees for an ADU shall be established by the City Council and shall be, but not be limited to, building plan check fees, building permit fees, and state mandated fees related to the issuance of building permits.

3. Review and approval. A Building Permit for an ADU shall be considered and approved ministerially without discretionary review or hearing, notwithstanding Sections 65901 or 65906 of the Government Code or any local ordinance regulating the issuance of variance or special use permits.

4. Processing time. The City shall approve or deny an application to create an ADU within sixty days from the date the City receives a complete application if there is an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling on the lot.
(a) Exceptions.
(1) If the permit to create an ADU is concurrently submitted with a permit to create a single-family dwelling, the City shall not approve or deny the permit for the ADU until the City approves or denies the permit for the single-family dwelling. (2) If the applicant requests a delay, then the sixty-day timeframe shall be tolled for the period of the delay.

5. Remediation. Should the permit application to create an ADU be denied, the City shall, within sixty days, return in writing a full set of comments to the applicant with a list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the application can be remedied.
(D)Development Standards.

1. Accessory Dwelling Units. The following development standards are applicable to all ADUs, except for ADUs created under Government Code Section 66323 (“66323 Units”) (See Section 6-12-23(D)(3). For standards applicable to Junior ADUs, see 6-12-23(D)(2). (a) Location. ADUs are permitted on lots zoned to allow single-family or multi-family dwelling residential use and includes a proposed or existing dwelling. (b) Unit Type. The ADU must either be attached to, or located within, the proposed or existing primary dwelling, including attached garages, storage areas or similar uses, or an accessory structure or detached from the proposed or existing primary dwelling and Ordinance No. 856-26
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located on the same lot as the proposed or existing primary dwelling, including detached garages.
(c) Number of Units Allowed.
(1) On lots with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling:

A. One converted ADU; and
B. One Junior ADU; and
C. One new construction detached ADU.
(2) On lots with an existing or proposed multi-family dwelling:

A. At least one ADU within the portions of existing multi-family dwelling structures that are not used as livable space, including, but not limited to, storage rooms, boiler rooms, passageways, attics, basements, or garages, if each unit complies with the building code, not to exceed twenty-five percent of the existing multi-family dwelling units.

B. Up to eight detached ADUs are allowed on a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling, not to exceed the number of existing units on the lot.

C. Up to two detached ADUs are allowed on a lot with a proposed multi-family dwelling.
(d) Maximum Unit Size. If there is an existing primary dwelling, the total floor area of an attached ADU shall not exceed 50 percent of the existing primary dwelling. For a detached ADU, the total floor area shall not exceed 1,200 square feet. (e) Parking Requirements.
(1) Maximum Parking Requirements. Parking requirements for accessory dwelling units shall not exceed one parking space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less.
(2) Parking Location. Parking space(s) may be provided as tandem parking on a driveway or in setback areas, unless specific findings are made that tandem parking or parking on a driveway is not feasible based upon specific site or regional topographical or fire and life safety conditions. (3) Replacement Parking. When a garage, carport, covered parking structure, or uncovered parking space is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an ADU or converted to an ADU, those off-street parking spaces are not required to be replaced.
(4) Exceptions. A local agency shall not impose any parking standards for an ADU in any of the following instances:

A. Where the ADU is located within one-half of one mile walking distance of public transit.

B. Where the ADU is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.

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C. Where the ADU is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure.

D. When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the ADU.

E. When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the ADU.

F. When a permit application for an ADU is submitted with a permit application to create a new single-family dwelling or a new multifamily dwelling on the same lot, provided that the ADU or the parcel satisfies any other criteria listed in this subdivision.
(f) Height. ADUs are subject to the following height limitations, as applicable. (1) A height of 16 feet for a detached ADU on a lot with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit.
(2) A height of 18 feet for a detached ADU on a lot with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit that is within one-half of one mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor, as those terms are defined in Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code. The height may be increased by an additional two feet (twenty feet maximum) in height to accommodate a roof pitch on the ADU that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary dwelling unit.
(3) A height of 18 feet for a detached ADU on a lot with an existing or proposed multifamily, multistory dwelling.
(4) A height of 25 feet or the height limitation of the base zoning district that applies to the primary dwelling, whichever is lower, for an ADU that is attached to a primary dwelling.
(g) Setbacks. No setback shall be required for an existing living area or accessory structure or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure that is converted to an ADU or to a portion of an ADU, and a setback of no more than four feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be required for an ADU that is not converted from an existing structure or a new structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure. (h) Passageway. No passageway is required in conjunction with the construction of an ADU.
(i) Architectural Review. ADUs shall comply with the following design standards. (1) The exterior materials (walls, roof, windows, and doors) of the ADU shall match the materials of the primary dwelling.
(2) The exterior colors (walls, roof, windows, and doors) of the ADU shall match the colors of the primary dwelling.
(3) The roof slope of the ADU must be within a five (5) degree tolerance of the dominant roof slope of the primary dwelling, where dominant roof slope is Ordinance No. 856-26
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defined as the slope covering the largest surface area of the primary dwelling’s roof.
(4) Exterior lighting on the ADU is restricted to down-lights only. Any additional lighting must be a requirement of the building or fire code. (5) The ADU entrance shall be located on a side or rear façade and not facing a public right-of-way.
(6) Access stairs, entry doors, and decks shall face the primary residence, a side yard, or an alley (if applicable).
(j) Separate conveyance. The ADU may be rented separate from the primary residence but shall not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence, except as provided in Government Code Section 66340.
(k) Detached Garage Demolition. If a detached garage is to be replaced with an ADU, the demolition permit will be reviewed with the application for the ADU and issued at the same time. The applicant will not be required to provide written notice or post a placard for the demolition of a detached garage that is to be replaced with an ADU, unless the property is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district. (l) Building Code. ADUs must comply with local building code requirements that apply to detached dwellings, except that the construction of an ADU shall not constitute a Group R occupancy change under the local building code, as described in Section 310 of the California Building Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), unless the building official or enforcement agency makes a written finding based on substantial evidence in the record that the construction of the ADU could have a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety. The occupancy code of a space that was unhabitable space or was only permitted for non-residential use that was subsequently converted for residential use pursuant to this section may be changed.

2. Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. The following standards apply to Junior ADUs pursuant to Government Code Section 66333-66339.
(a) Location. Junior ADUs are permitted on lots zoned to allow single-family residential use and includes a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. (b) Number Allowed. One Junior ADU is allowed per residential lot zoned for singlefamily residences with a single-family residence built, or proposed to be built, on the lot.
(c) Maximum Unit Size. No more than 500 square feet, contained entirely within the walls of the proposed or existing single-family residence including enclosed uses within the residence, such as attached garages.
(d) Separate Entrance. The Junior ADU shall provide separate entrance from the main entrance to the proposed or existing single-family dwelling. If a permitted Junior ADU does not include a separate bathroom, the permitted Junior ADU shall include a separate entrance from the main entrance to the structure, with an interior entry to the main living area.

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(e) Owner Occupancy. If the Junior ADU has shared sanitation facilities with the existing structure, owner-occupancy in the single family residence in which the Junior ADU will be permitted is required. The owner may reside in either the remaining portion of the structure or the newly created Junior ADU. Owner-occupancy is not required if the Junior ADU has separate sanitation facilities, or if the owner is another governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.
(f) Deed Restriction. The recordation of a deed restriction, which shall run with the land, shall be filed with the permitted agency and shall include both of the following:
(1) A prohibition on the sale of the Junior ADU separate from the sale of the singlefamily residence, including a statement that the deed restriction may be enforced against future purchasers.
(2) A restriction on the size and attributes of the Junior ADU that conforms with this section.
(g) Efficiency Kitchen. The Junior ADU shall include an efficiency kitchen which shall include all the following:
(1) A cooking facility with appliances.
(2) A food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the size of the Junior ADU.
(h) Parking. Parking is not required for a Junior ADU.
(i) Building Code. The Junior ADU shall comply with applicable building standards, and may require inspection including imposition of a fee for the inspection, to determine if the Junior ADU complies with applicable building standards.

3. “66323 Units.” ADUs created under Government Code Section 66323, or “State Mandated” or “State Exempt” ADUs as identified below and are within a residential or mixed-use zone must be approved ministerially and shall comply with building code and health and safety requirements but are excluded from development standards described above, unless otherwise stated.
(a) Single-Family Lots. On lots with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling, any of the following units or any combination of the following units:
(1) One converted ADU per lot if all the following apply:

A. The ADU or Junior ADU is within the proposed space of a single-family dwelling or existing space of a single-family dwelling or accessory structure; expansion beyond the physical dimensions of the accessory structure shall not exceed one hundred fifty square feet and shall be limited to accommodating ingress and egress.

B. The space has exterior access from the proposed or existing single-family dwelling.

C. The side and rear yard setbacks are sufficient for fire and safety.

D. The Junior ADU complies with requirements of Section 6-12-23(D)(2).

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(2) One new construction detached ADU per lot if all the following apply:

A. The total floor area of the ADU does not exceed eight hundred square feet of livable space.

B. The ADU side and rear yard setbacks do not exceed four feet.

C. The ADU height meets the limitations of Section 6-12-23(D)(1)(f), as applicable.
(b) Multi-Family Lots. On lots with an existing or proposed multi-family dwelling:

B. Multiple detached ADUs, not to exceed the number specified below, and subject to height limitations of Section 6-12-23(D)(1)(f), as applicable, and rear and side setbacks of no more than four feet. If the existing multi-family dwelling has a rear or side setback of less than four, modifications of the existing dwelling are not required.
i. Up to eight detached ADUs are allowed on a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling, not to exceed the number of existing units on the lot. ii. Up to two detached ADUs are allowed on a lot with a proposed multifamily dwelling. (E) Other Requirements:
(a) Rental terms. Rental terms must be for longer than thirty consecutive days; short-term rentals are prohibited.
(b) Fire Sprinklers. ADUs shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence. The construction of an ADU shall not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in the existing primary dwelling. (c) Utility Connections, Fees, and Capacity Charges.

A. ADUs. The City, special district, or water corporation may require a new or separate utility connection directly between the ADU and the utility, but the ADU shall not be considered as a new residential use for the purpose of calculating connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer services, unless the ADU is constructed concurrently with a new singlefamily home.

B. Junior ADUs. For purposes of providing service for water, sewer, or power, including a connection fee, a Junior ADU shall not be considered a separate or new dwelling unit.

C. 66323 Units. The City, special district, or water corporation shall not require the applicant to install a new or separate utility connection directly between the Ordinance No. 856-26
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ADU and the utility or impose a related connection fee or capacity charge, unless the ADU was constructed with a new single-family dwelling, or upon separate conveyance of the ADU pursuant to Section 66342. (d) Impact fees. Impact fees shall not be imposed on an ADU that is less than 750 square feet.

For ADUs 750 square feet or larger, impact fees charged shall be proportionate in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling (e.g., the floor area of the primary dwelling, divided by the floor area of the ADU, times the typical amount charged for a new dwelling). (e) Non-conforming zoning conditions. The City will not deny an application for a permit to create an ADU due to the correction of nonconforming zoning conditions, building code violations, or unpermitted structures that do not present a threat to public health and safety and are not affected by the construction of the ADU.
(f) Previously Unpermitted ADU. Notwithstanding any other law, and except as otherwise provided in Government Code Section 66332(b), the City shall not deny a permit for an unpermitted ADU that was constructed before January 1, 2020, due to violation of building standards pursuant to Section 17960, et. seq. of the Health and Safety Code; or due to noncompliance with Section 66333, et. seq. of the Government Code. This section does not apply to a building that is deemed substandard pursuant to Section 17920.3 of the Health and Safety Code.

A. Inspections. Upon receiving an application permit for a previously unpermitted ADU constructed before January 1, 2020, an inspector from the City may inspect the unit for compliance with health and safety standards and provide recommendations to comply with health and safety standards necessary to obtain a permit. If the inspector finds noncompliance with health and safety standards, the City shall not penalize an applicant for having the unpermitted ADU and shall approve necessary permits to correct noncompliance with health and safety standards.

B. Fees and Charges. A homeowner applying for a permit for a previously unpermitted ADU constructed before January 1, 2020, shall not be required to pay impact fees or connection or capacity charges except when utility infrastructure is required to comply with Section 17920.3 of the Health and Safety Code and when the fee is authorized by Section 66324(e) of the Government Code.

SECTION 12. The following new sections of Chapter 12 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-12-34: AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYEE HOUSING
(A)The purpose of this section is to establish a streamlined, ministerial approval process for agricultural employee housing in a manner that is consistent with the requirements and allowances of state law, specifically Health and Safety Code Section 17021, et. seq. (Employee Housing Act).

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(B) Definitions:

1. “Agricultural employee” has the same meaning as specified in Section 1140.4(b) of the Labor Code.

2. “Employee housing,” means any portion of any housing accommodation, or property upon which a housing accommodation is located, if all of the following factors exist:
(a) The accommodations consist of any living quarters, dwelling, boardinghouse, tent, bunkhouse, maintenance-of-way car, mobile home, manufactured home, recreational vehicle, travel trailer, or other housing accommodations, maintained in one or more buildings or one or more sites, and the premises upon which they are situated or the area set aside and provided for parking of mobile homes or camping of five or more employees by the employer.
(b) The accommodations are maintained in connection with any work or place where work is being performed, whether or not rent is involved.

3. “Eligible agricultural employee housing development” means an agricultural employee housing development that satisfies all of the following:
(a) The agricultural employee housing does not contain dormitory-style housing. (b) The development consists of no more than thirty-six (36) units or spaces designed for use by a single family or household.
(C) Application Process:

1. A development proponent may submit an application for a development that is subject to a streamlined, ministerial approval process and is not subject to a conditional use permit if all the requirements below are met.

2. If the City determines that a development submitted pursuant to this section does not meet the requirements specified below for a streamlined, ministerial approval process, then the City shall provide the development proponent written documentation of which requirement or requirements the development does not satisfy and an explanation for the reason or reasons the development does not satisfy the requirement or requirements, as follows:
(a) Within thirty days of submission of the development to the City pursuant to this chapter if the development contains fifty or fewer housing units. (b) Within sixty days of submission of the development to the local government pursuant to this chapter if the development contains more than fifty housing units.

3. Planning Commission or City Council, as appropriate, may conduct a development review or public oversight of the development. The development review or public oversight shall be objective and strictly focused on assessing compliance with the criteria required for streamlined projects, as well as the development standards described in this section. The development review or public oversight shall be completed as follows and shall not in any way inhibit, chill, or preclude the ministerial approval provided by this section or its effect, as applicable:
(a) Within ninety days of submission of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains fifty or fewer housing units. (b) Within one hundred eighty days of submission of the development to the local government pursuant to this section if the development contains more than fifty housing units.
(D)Development Standards:

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1. To be eligible for streamlined approval under this section, an agricultural employee housing development must meet all the following requirements:
(a) The development is located on land designated as agricultural in the City of Taft General Plan.
(b) The development is not located on a site that is any of the following. (1) Within the coastal zone, as defined in Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) of the Public Resources Code.
(2) Wetlands, as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993).
(3) Within a very high fire hazard severity zone, as determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code, or within a high or very high fire hazard severity zone as indicated on maps adopted by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4202 of the Public Resources Code.
(4) A hazardous waste site that is listed pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code or a hazardous waste site designated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78760) of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of Division 45, unless the Department of Toxic Substances Control has cleared the site for residential use or residential mixed uses.
(5) Within a delineated earthquake fault zone as determined by the State Geologist in any official maps published by the State Geologist, unless the development complies with applicable seismic protection building code standards adopted by the California Building Standards Commission under the California Building Standards Law (Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901)), and by any local building department under Chapter 12.2 (commencing with Section 8875) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(6) Within a flood plain as determined by maps promulgated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, unless the development has been issued a flood plain development permit pursuant to Part 59 (commencing with Section

59.1) and Part 60 (commencing with Section 60.1) of Subchapter B of Chapter I of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(7) Within a floodway as determined by maps promulgated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(8) Lands identified for conservation in an adopted natural community conservation plan pursuant to the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), habitat conservation plan pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), or other adopted natural resource protection plan.
(9) Lands under conservation easement. For purposes of this section, “conservation easement” shall not include a contract executed pursuant to the Williamson Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 51200) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the Government Code).

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(10) Lands with groundwater levels within five feet of the soil surface and for which the development would be served by an onsite wastewater disposal system serving more than six family housing units.
(c) The development is an eligible agricultural employee housing development as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 17021.8.

2. Agricultural employing housing development that is approved pursuant to this section shall be subject to the following development standards.
(a) The development shall have adequate water and wastewater facilities and dry utilities to serve the project.
(b) The development shall be connected to an existing public water system that has not been identified as failing or being at risk of failing to provide an adequate supply of safe drinking water.
(c) If the development proposes to include ten or more units, the development shall connect to an existing municipal sewer system that has adequate capacity to serve the project.
(d) The property on which the development is located shall be either:
(1) Within one-half mile of a duly designated collector road with an Average Daily Trips (ADT) of six thousand or greater; or
(2) Adjacent to a duly designated collector road with an ADT of two thousand or greater.
(e) The development shall provide one parking space per unit, or as based upon demonstrated need; provided that these standards do not require more parking than other residential uses of similar size within the jurisdiction. 6-12-35: LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS
(A)The purpose of this section is to establish low-barrier navigation center development standards in a manner consistent with the requirements and allowances of state law, commencing with California Government Code Section 65660.
(B) Definitions:

1. “Coordinated entry system” means a centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to Section 576.400(d) or 578.7(a)(8), as applicable, of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those sections read on January 1, 2020, and any related requirements, designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and referrals.

2. “Housing First” means the evidence-based model that uses housing as a tool, rather than a reward, for recovery and that centers on providing or connecting homeless people to permanent housing as quickly as possible. Housing First providers offer services as needed and requested on a voluntary basis and that do not make housing contingent on participation in services. Housing First includes time-limited rental or services assistance, so long as the housing and service provider assists the recipient in Ordinance No. 856-26
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accessing permanent housing and in securing longer term rental assistance, income assistance, or employment.

3. “Low Barrier Navigation Center” means a Housing First, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. A Low Barrier Navigation Center may be non-congregate and relocatable.

4. “Low Barrier” means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following: the presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, such as for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, women, or youth; pets; the storage of possessions; privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms. (C) Application Process:

1. Within thirty days of receipt of an application for a Low Barrier Navigation Center development, the City shall notify a developer whether the developer’s application is complete pursuant to Government Code Section 65943. Within sixty days of receipt of a completed application for a Low Barrier Navigation Center development, the local jurisdiction shall act upon its review of the application. (D)Development Standards:

1. A Low Barrier Navigation Center development is a use by right in areas zoned for mixed use and non-residential zones permitting multi-family uses, if it meets the requirements of this chapter.
(a) The Low Barrier Navigation center shall offer services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing. (b) The Low Barrier Navigation center shall be linked to a coordinated entry system, so that staff in the interim facility or staff who co-locate in the facility may conduct assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing. (c) The Low Barrier Navigation center shall comply with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (d) The Low Barrier Navigation center shall have a system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination through the local homeless management information system, as defined by Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
6-12-36: SUPPORTIVE HOUSING:
(A)The purpose of this section is to establish supportive housing regulations in a manner consistent with the requirements and allowances of state law, commencing with California Government Code Section 65650.
(B) Definitions:

1. “Supportive Housing” means housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to onsite or offsite services that assist the supportive Ordinance No. 856-26
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housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community.

2. “Supportive Services” include, but are not limited to, a combination of subsidized, permanent housing, intensive case management, medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, employment services, and benefits advocacy.

3. "Target population" means persons with low incomes who have one or more disabilities, including mental illness, HIV or AIDS, substance abuse, or other chronic health condition, or individuals eligible for services provided pursuant to the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Division 4.5, commencing with Section 4500, of the California Welfare and Institutions Code) and may include, among other populations, adults, emancipated minors, families with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from institutional settings, veterans, and homeless people including individuals (adults and youth) and families.

4. “Lower income households” for the purposes of this Chapter has the same meaning as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

5. “Public Transit Stop” means a major transit stop containing any of the following:
a. A rail or bus rapid transit station;
b. A ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service; or c. An intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods. (Section 65915(o)(5); Public Resources Code Sections 21155(b) and 21064.3.) (C) Development Standards:

1. Supportive housing facilities shall be considered a residential use of property and shall be subject only to those restrictions and standards that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zoning district, except as otherwise set forth in this section.

2. Supportive housing shall be a use by right in zones where multi-family and mixed uses are permitted, including non-residential zones permitting multi-family uses, and in zones where emergency shelters are permitted, if the proposed housing development satisfies all of the following requirements, pursuant to Section 65651 of the Government Code. a. Units within the development are subject to a recorded affordability restriction for 55 years.
b. One hundred percent of the units, excluding managers’ units, within the development are restricted to lower income households and are or will be receiving public funding to ensure affordability of the housing to lower income Californians. c. For developments with twelve or more units, at least twenty-five percent of units shall be restricted to the target population. For developments with fewer than twelve units, one hundred percent of units, excluding managers’ units, shall be restricted to the target population
d. The developer of the supportive housing project subject to this section shall provide the City with a plan for providing supportive services, with documentation demonstrating that supportive services will be provided onsite to residents in the Ordinance No. 856-26
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project as required by Government Code Section 65651, and describing those services which shall include all the following:
i. The name of the proposed entity or entities that will provide supportive services.
ii. The proposed funding source or sources for the provided onsite supportive services.
iii. Proposed staffing levels.
iv. Nonresidential floor area shall be used for onsite supportive services in the following amounts:

1. For a development with twenty or fewer total units, at least ninety square feet shall be provided for onsite supportive services.

2. For a development with more than twenty units, at least three percent of the total nonresidential floor area shall be provided for onsite supportive services that are limited to tenant use, including, but not limited to, community rooms, case management offices, computer rooms, and community kitchens.
e. The developer replaces any dwelling units on the site of the supportive housing development in the manner provided in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 65915 of the Government Code.
f. Units within the development, excluding managers’ units, include at least one bathroom and a kitchen or other cooking facilities, including, at minimum, a stovetop, a sink, and a refrigerator.
g. No minimum parking requirements shall be required for the units occupied by supportive housing residents for projects located within one-half mile of a public transit stop.
6-12-37: SINGLE-ROOM OCCUPANCY UNITS:
(A) The purpose and intent of this section is to establish permitting and development standards for Single-Room Occupancy Units (SROs), where permitted. (B) Applicability: The zoning regulations in this title and development standards and permitting requirements below shall apply to all SRO developments. A Planning Application shall be submitted for Director’s Permit review of all new and modified SROs to ensure compliance with the standards in this section and Government Code Section 65651.
(C) Development Standards: The following standards and permitting requirements, shall apply to all SRO developments:

1. Transient occupancy of SROs is prohibited. Units shall be occupied as the primary residence of the tenant.

2. All SROs shall have a minimum of six (6) tenant rooms or units. SRO developments may have more units than the minimum consistent with the maximum residential density allowed for the site.

3. SRO shall be occupied by no more than two (2) persons.

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4. Minimum unit size shall be 150 square feet for single-person occupancy and 220 square feet for two (2) person occupancy.

5. Maximum unit size shall not exceed four hundred (400) square feet.

6. Private bathroom facilities shall be provided within each unit with, at minimum, a toilet and wash basin. Bathtubs and/or showers may be provided within individual rooms or a separate shared bathing room.

7. Kitchen facilities shall be provided in individual rooms or a shared common kitchen facility shall be provided for all SRO tenants and shall be fully accessible to the satisfaction of the building official. For SRO facilities with 10 or more rooms or units, no more than fifty-percent (50%) of the individual rooms may be provided with kitchens or kitchenettes, while still providing one (1) common kitchen/dining area for the SRO facility.

8. Common laundry facilities shall be provided with at minimum one (1) washer and one (1) dryer per facility, with a laundry sink and folding area. For SRO facilities with 10 or more rooms or units, an additional one (1) washer and one (1) dryer shall be provided for every five (5) rooms or fraction thereof.

9. An on-site management office or live-in unit shall be provided for each SRO facility.

A management plan with “house rules” shall be submitted as a part of the Director’s Permit review.

10. Parking shall be provided at a rate of one (1) space per unit or room and one (1) space for the manager’s office or live-in unit.

11. Private secured storage space shall be provided of not less than fifty (50) cubic feet per resident. Storage space may be provided as closets in individual SRO rooms, and/or as individually locked areas accessible from a common room, and/or within a separate on-site storage structure of sufficient construction to protect stored items from weather.

SECTION 13. The following amendments to Section 6-14-12 of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be adopted as follows:
6-14-12: GENERAL REGULATIONS:

TABLE 14.A

OFF STREET AUTOMOBILE PARKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Use Minimum Off Street
Parking Requirements
Notes
Residential uses:

Supportive or transitional
housing
See multi-family dwellings or
single-family dwellings; plus
sufficient parking to
accommodate the maximum
number of staff expected to
be working
No minimum parking
required when located within
one-half mile of public transit
(Government Code Section
65654)
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SECTION 14. The following new Chapter of Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code, shall be shall be adopted as follows:

CHAPTER 18 HOUSING ELEMENT SITES:
(A)The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures to implement State Housing Element Law related to sites that are identified in the Housing Element of the General Plan and its associated implementation programs. These procedures apply to the Sites Inventory identified in the most recently adopted Housing Element.
(B) Definitions:

1. “Housing Development Project” has the same meaning as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of California Government Code Section 65905.5.

2. “Housing Element Sites” means sites listed on the inventory of land suitable for residential development developed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of the California Government Code Section 65583 that exists in the adopted Housing Element.

3. “Lower Income Households” has the same meaning as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50079.5.

4. “Ministerial Approval” means a process for development approval to approve a “use by right” as this term is defined in California Government Code Section 65583.2(i).

5. “Prior Housing Element Sites” means Housing Element Sites identified as meeting the criteria for a prior housing element site in the most recently adopted Housing Element, including non-vacant sites that were identified in the prior Housing Element and vacant sites that were identified in the prior two Housing Elements. (C) Approval Requirements:

1. Prior Housing Element Sites. If a Housing Development Project is proposed on a Prior Housing Element Site and at least twenty percent of the project’s units will be made affordable and available to Lower Income Households, then the project shall be subject to ministerial approval pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2(i) and thus not subject to CEQA. Projects will be reviewed against requirements in the municipal code, general plan, specific plan, and any applicable objective design standards. No discretionary conditions will be administered, and the project will not be subject to appeal before a discretionary body. The interpretation of objective requirements may be appealed by the applicant to the appropriate decision-making body.

SECTION 15. Title 6 of the Taft Municipal Code is hereby amended as shown above.

SECTION 16. This ordinance shall be published in accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 36933.

SECTION 17. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its passage.

ATTEST: ____________________________
Dave Noerr, Mayor
____________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF KERN } SS
CITY OF TAFT }
I, Yvette Mayfield, City Clerk of the City of Taft, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 16th day of December, 2025, and passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 20th day of January, 2026, by the following vote:

AYES: Council Members:

NOES: Council Members:

ABSENT: Council Members:

ABSTAIN: Council Members:
____________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk

TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY

MINUTES
DECEMBER 02, 2025
The December 02, 2025 regular joint meeting of the Taft City Council/Taft Successor Agency, held in the Council Chamber at Taft City Hall, 209 East Kern Street, Taft, CA 93268, was opened by Mayor Dave Noerr at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Carlos Chavira and invocation was given by Pastor Sean Piefer.

PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Carlos Chavira, Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson Deputy City Clerk Faith Melton

1. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.

2. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier mentioned the upcoming December events for the community, including the Polar Express, Christmas Parade and Tree lighting.

Mayor Pro Tem Bryant stated the annual tree lighting will be Sunday and warned everyone there will be no fence around the tree, to be vigilant and if you see something say something.

Council Member Chavira reminded everyone of the importance of being content, focusing on family this holiday season and careful driving in the night as it gets darker earlier.

Council Member Waldrop wished everyone a Happy Holiday season.

Mayor Noerr urged the community to keep an eye of the downtown Christmas tree, spoke about SB 237 being passed to approve 2,000 new drilling wells and AB 377 that provides funding to continue the incomplete High-Speed Rail.

3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Taft Police Chief, Damon McMinn, gave the November Taft Police Department statistics, gave warnings about driving in the fog, mentioned shop with a cop coming soon and said he has two new locally grown officers Topete and Veach now serving the community.

4. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
There was none.

5. CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.

6. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.

City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 02, 2025

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********************************************************************************************* CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 7-13
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Chavira to approve consent calendar items 7-13 AYES: Krier, Bryant, Chavira, Waldrop, Noerr

7. MINUTES
November 18, 2025 Regular
Recommendation – Approve as submitted.

8. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 111425 Check No. 201118-201119 $ 1,072.02
Warrant # 112125 Check No.201120-201201 $ 394, 320.73
Recommendation – Approve payment of the bills.

9. MONTHLY REPORT FOR KERN COUNTY FIRE STATION NO. 21 – OCTOBER 2025 Recommendation – Receive and file the monthly report for October 2025 from Kern County Fire Station No. 21 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

10. APPLICATION TO THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT NEW

ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE PURCHASE GRANT PROGRAM
Recommendation – Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION TO

THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT PUBLIC BENEFIT

GRANTS PROGRAM UNDER THE NEW ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE PURCHASE

PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS (Resolution No. 4324-25) and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

11. CANCELLATION OF JANUARY 6, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Recommendation – Motion to approve the cancellation of the January 06, 2026 City Council Meeting.

City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
December 02, 2025

Page 3 of 3 ends

12. FUNDING TO THE TAFT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE QUARTER OF APRIL 2025 TO JUNE 2025
Recommendation – Motion to approve the 25% allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for the quarter of April 2025 through June 2025 and find that it is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

13. ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025

CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE BY REFERENCE, AND INCORPORATION OF

CALFIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, EDITS AND CORRECTIONS Recommendation - Motion to introduce an Ordinance amending Title 5 of the Taft Municipal Code entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT AMENDING SECTIONS OF TITLE 5 OF THE TAFT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, PLUMBING,

MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, ENERGY, GREEN BUILDING, AND FIRE CODES, AND

INCORPORATING CAL FIRE FIRE HAZARD MAPS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, EDITS, AND CORRECTIONS (Ordinance No. 855-25) and waive full reading, set the date for the required public hearing for December 16, 2025 and find that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines in that the proposed Amendment will have no significant effect on the environment. ********************************************************************************************* At 6:24 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session.

CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES, CITY MANAGER Government Code 54957.6 – All units
B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 – (1) undisclosed parcel  The City Council discussed in closed session the two items agendized for closed session discussion and directions were given to staff and negotiators. The City Council took no other reportable action.

ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. __________ ____________
Faith Melton Dave Noerr
Deputy City Clerk Mayor

REVIEWED BY:

CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:

THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25
SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Transportation Development Act of 1971 provides for the disbursement of funds from the Local Transportation Fund held in trust by the Kern County Auditor-Controller for use by eligible claimants for the purpose authorized by Article 8, Section 99440 Street and Roads.

Funds from the Local Transportation fund will be required to maintain the street and road system and provide public transportation (Transit Service).

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): No
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): Yes, Resolution for FY 2024-25
PREPARED BY: Teresa Binkley, Finance Director
RESOLUTION NO. ________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING

THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF A TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
WHEREAS, Transportation Development Act of 1971 provides for the disbursement of funds from the Local Transportation Fund held in trust by the Kern County Auditor-Controller for use by eligible claimants for the purpose authorized by Article 8, Section 99440 Street and Roads; and WHEREAS, an eligible claimant wishing to receive an allocation from the Local Transportation Fund must file its application with the Kern County Council of Governments pursuant to the rules and regulations that have been adopted by the Secretary of the Business and Transportation Agency of the State of California in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned legislation, and WHEREAS, funds from the Local Transportation fund will be required to maintain the street and road system and provide public transportation; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the city of Taft that the City Manager is authorized to execute and file an appropriate claim pursuant to the terms of the Transportation Development Act of 1971, as amended, and pursuant to applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, together with all necessary supporting documents, with the Kern County Council of Governments for fiscal year 2024-2025 Transportation Development Act monies; and be it further RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Kern County Council of Governments in conjunction with the filing of the claim; and the Kern County Council of Governments be requested to concur in these findings and grant the allocation of funds specified in the Article 8 Claim.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 16th day of December, 2025. ________________________________
Dave Noerr, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF KERN } SS
CITY OF TAFT }
I, Yvette Mayfield, City Clerk of the City of Taft, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Taft at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th day of December 2025, by the following vote:

AYES: Councilmembers:

NOES: Councilmembers:

ABSENT: Councilmembers:

ABSTAIN: Councilmembers:
______________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
REVIEWED BY:

CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:

THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF STREET AND ROADS DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Funds from the Local Transportation fund will be required to maintain the street and road system and provide public transportation (Transit Service).

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Motion to adopt resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT

IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): No
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): Yes, Resolution for FY 2024-2025
PREPARED BY: Teresa Binkley, Finance Director
RESOLUTION NO. ________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING

THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF A STREET AND ROADS DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 8 CLAIM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
WHEREAS, Transportation Development Act of 1971 provides for the disbursement of funds from the Local Transportation Fund held in trust by the Kern County Auditor-Controller for use by eligible claimants for the purpose authorized by Article 8, Section 99440 Street and Roads; and WHEREAS, an eligible claimant wishing to receive an allocation from the Local Transportation Fund must file its application with the Kern County Council of Governments pursuant to the rules and regulations that have been adopted by the Secretary of the Business and Transportation Agency of the State of California in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned legislation, and WHEREAS, funds from the Local Transportation fund will be required to maintain the street and road system and provide public transportation; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the city of Taft that the City Manager and the Finance Director is authorized to execute and file an appropriate claim pursuant to the terms of the Transportation Development Act of 1971, as amended, and pursuant to applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, together with all necessary supporting documents, with the Kern County Council of Governments for fiscal year 2024-2025 Transportation Development Act monies; and be it further RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Kern County Council of Governments in conjunction with the filing of the claim; and the Kern County Council of Governments be requested to concur in these findings and grant the allocation of funds specified in the Article 8 Claim.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 16th day of December 2025. ________________________________
Dave Noerr, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF KERN } SS
CITY OF TAFT }
I, Yvette Mayfield, City Clerk of the City of Taft, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Taft at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th day of December 2025, by the following vote:

AYES: Councilmembers:

NOES: Councilmembers:

ABSENT: Councilmembers:

ABSTAIN: Councilmembers:
______________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
REVIEWED BY:

CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:

RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS 26-27) FOR JULY 2026 THROUGHT JUNE 2027
SUMMARY STATEMENT:

The Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule 26-27 (ROPS 26-27) for the period of July 2026 through June 2027, along with a resolution approving and adopting the ROPS 26-27 schedule.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
1) Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR

AGENCY TO THE TAFT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF

TAFT APPROVING AND ADOPTING A RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027,

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 341177(j)(AB 1X 26)
2) Direct Staff to present the ROPS 26-27 to the Countywide Oversight Board meeting on January 22nd, 2026, for approval.
3) Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): No
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): City of Taft Resolution and ROPS 26-27 PREPARED BY: Teresa Binkley, Finance Director
RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE TAFT COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF TAFT APPROVING AND

ADOPTING A RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, PURSUANT TO THE

PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION
34177(j)(AB 1X 26)
WHEREAS, on December 29, 2011, the California Supreme Court upheld the validity of AB 1X 26 (“AB 1X 26”), requiring that each redevelopment agency be dissolved; and WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1484, Chaptered on June 27, 2012 requires that Successor Agency’s to former Redevelopment Agency’s review, approve and forward the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) to the County Oversight Board in order to have the County Oversight Board approval of the ROPS prior to submission date; and WHEREAS, pursuant to HSC section 34177 (o), commencing with the ROPS covering the period from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 and thereafter, agencies shall submit an Oversight Board approved annual ROPS to Department of Finance and the County AuditorController by February 1, 2016, and each February 1 thereafter; and WHEREAS, commencing on and after July 1, 2018, in each county where more than one oversight board was created by operation, there shall be only one oversight board, which shall be staffed by the county auditor-controller; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Taft by operation of law and by action duly and regularly taken became the successor agency to the dissolved redevelopment agency (“Successor Agency”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of AB 1X 26, the Successor Agency has prepared a Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the County Oversight Board to the Successor Agency has been appointed pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34179; and
WHEREAS, the Successor Agency will presented the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule described above to the County Oversight Board on January 22, 2026 for its approval pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34180(g).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Taft City Council of the Successor Agency to the Former Taft Community Redevelopment Agency will find as follows:

Section 1. The forgoing Recitals are incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

Section 2. The Successor Agency hereby approves and adopts the ROPS 26-27, covering period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, attached as “Exhibit A”, as required by Health and Safety Code Section 34177.

Section 3. The City Manager and Finance Director are hereby authorized and directed to take action necessary to carry out the purposes of this Resolution and comply with applicable law regarding the ROPS 26-27, including submitting the ROPS 26-27 to the Countywide Oversight Board for approval, and submission of the Approved ROPS to the Kern County Auditor-Controller, the California State Controller, and the State of California Department of Finance, and posting the Approved ROPS on the Successor Agency’s website.

Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.

On motion by _________________, seconded by _________________, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit:

AYES: Board Members -
NOES: Board Members -
ABSENT: Board Members -
ABSTAIN: Board Members -
the foregoing Resolution was PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Successor Agency, Taft, California this 16TH day of December, 2025. _______________________________

DAVE NOERR, MAYOR
Attest:
________________________________

YVETTE MAYFIELD, MMC

CITY CLERK

REVIEWED BY:

CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:

INCREASE TO STATE MINIMUM WAGE AND CITY-WIDE EXTRA HELP HOURLY PAY RATE

ADJUSTMENT
SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Minimum Wage for the State of California increases to $17 per hour effective January 1, 2026, and requires certain food services workers to be paid a minimum of $20 per hour. In order to recruit and retain employees to provide necessary services, staff recommends increasing the range of the hourly rate for Extra Help employees. These recommended adjustments will apply only to those employees who are serving the City in an Extra-help (Temporary) capacity who do not receive guaranteed hours or health benefits and will provide flexibility for management to adjust the hourly rate of specific employees based on skill level and responsibilities.

Staff is recommending the City Council approve and adopt the proposed adjustments to range from minimum wage up to $25 hourly, depending on experience as now shown on the City Salary Chart for Extra-Help positions.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Motion to adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

TAFT APPROVING AUTOMATIC INCREASES TO THE HOURLY WAGE OF CITY POSITIONS IMPACTED BY THE INCREASE IN THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE and find that Find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): Additional costs will be included in the City’s annual budget each year.

ATTACHMENT (Y/N): Resolution, City Salary Chart
PREPARED BY: Lonn Boyer
RESOLUTION NO. __________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT

APPROVING AUTOMATIC INCREASES TO THE HOURLY WAGE OF

CITY POSITIONS IMPACTED BY THE INCREASE IN

THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1-10-5, Taft Municipal Code, the City Council may adopt rules and regulations for the administration of the personnel system, including establishing position classifications and range changes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to amend the Position Classification Plan and establish corresponding compensation rules pursuant thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Taft that:

Section 1. The Position Classification Plan is hereby amended as follows: The attached salary chart shall become effective December 21, 2025.

All Extra-Help (Temporary) shall be compensated at an hourly rate equal to or greater than the minimum wage set by the State of California.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of December, 2025. _____________________________
Dave Noerr, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF KERN } SS
CITY OF TAFT }
I, Yvette Mayfield, City Clerk of the City of Taft, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Taft at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th day of December 2025 by the following vote:

AYES: Council Members:

NOES: Council Members:

ABSENT: Council Members:

ABSTAIN: Council Members:
________________________________
Yvette Mayfield, MMC
City Clerk
Resolution No.

Page 2 ends

REVIEWED BY:

CITY CLERK FINANCE DIRECTOR CITY MANAGER
City of Taft Agenda Report
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
AGENDA MATTER:

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT #3 WITH SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC ADDING ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SERVICES AND A 60-MONTH CONTRACT EXTENSION SUMMARY STATEMENT:

The Taft Community Correctional Facility staff negotiated amendment #3 to the original contract with Securus Technologies, LLC who provide our facility with secured inmate telephone, tablet and other technological services. The attached amendment would allow Taft CCF to provide the required city paid family video visits and offsite secured mail services at a discounted rate. Also included in this amendment is a 60-month contract extension along with an agreement to pay the previous debt owed by Taft CCF to Securus Technologies, LLC. The amount owed for the incorrectly voided debt transactions is $64,547.94 which was found during an account reconciliation process on the Inmate Trust Accounts. City staff have reviewed the documentation and agree with the amount owed.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
Motion to authorize the City Manager to sign amendment # 3 with Securus Technologies, LLC and appropriate $64,547.94 as a refund for voided transactions and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.

IMPACT ON BUDGET (Y/N): No
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): Amendment #3
PREPARED BY: Office of City Manager

Page 1 of 6 ends

THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE

MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

TAFT COUNTY, CA
A001916
This THIRD AMENDMENT (“Third Amendment”) is effective as of the last date signed by either party (“Third Amendment Effective Date”) and amends and supplements the Master Services Agreement by and between Securus Technologies, LLC (“we,” “us,” or “Provider”) and Taft County Community Correctional Facility, CA (“you” or “Customer”) dated September 15, 2023, as subsequently amended (collectively, the “Agreement”). All capitalized terms contained but not defined herein are defined in the Agreement.

WHEREAS Customer and Provider are parties to the Agreement and desire to amend the terms as stated herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date and in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. Term. This Third Amendment shall commence on the Third Amendment Effective Date and shall remain in effect through the Term of the Agreement. Further, the Initial Term of the Agreement shall be extended by an additional 60 months, with a modified end date of September 14, 2031. Unless one party delivers to the other written notice of nonrenewal at least 90 days before the end of the then current term, the Agreement will automatically renew for successive periods of 12 months each. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the terms and conditions of the Agreement shall continue to apply for so long as we continue to provide the Applications to you after the expiration or earlier termination of the Agreement.

2. Refund for Voided Debit Transactions. Customer acknowledges and agrees it owes Provider the amount of $64,547.94 for voided debit transactions that were nonetheless credited to the incarcerated end user through October 19, 2025. Any amounts that are irregularly credited as of October 20, 2025, will be owed by the Customer to Provider.

As of the Third Amendment Effective Date, this amount will be deducted from commissions otherwise owed by Provider to the Customer, until the amount is paid in full, at which point Provider will resume paying commissions to the Customer under the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

3. Video Calls. As of the Third Amendment Effective Date, Provider will convert Securus Video Connect customers to Video Connect, Provider’s new video call application that allows for pay per minute video calls. By executing this Amendment, Customer acknowledges and agrees to this application conversion. Upon conversion to Video Connect, Provider will charge the incarcerated end user a video call rate of $0.31 per minute, plus applicable taxes, tariffs, and fees, in compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. International rates, if applicable, will vary by country.

Video call rates may be adjusted by Provider based on ADP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Provider will offer 2 vouchers of 30-minute sessions to each incarcerated end user per week and charge the Customer a flat fee of $3,000.00 per month, plus applicable taxes, tariffs, and fees for the vouchers. Vouchers are non-cumulative between weeks and non-transferable between incarcerated end users.

4. Additional Applications. As of the Third Amendment Effective Date, the following Applications are added to the Agreement:

ACCOUNT ACTIVATOR
Account Activator, which replaces AdvanceConnect Single Call, allows the incarcerated end user to call a third-party number that does not have an AdvanceConnect account or who does not have sufficient balance in his or her account to complete a call at no cost for a brief conversation. Account Activator then allows the third-party to set up an AdvanceConnect account or to add funds to a low or no balance account to place future calls by connecting the thirdparty to Provider’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and either set up a billing method or add funds, respectively. After

Page 2 of 6 ends

the initial brief no cost call, the incarcerated end user is requested to call later while an account is set up for the thirdparty. Provider will set parameters to offer third party no cost calls.

SECURUS DIGITAL MAIL CENTER
Digital Mail Center service and software allows authorized Provider staff or authorized Customer staff to scan certain physical mail and electronically deliver it to incarcerated end users. Through Digital Mail Center, authorized staff can (1) view, approve, reject, and manage scanned mail; (2) set alerts when specific recipients receive mail; and (3) review audit logs of activity associated with the Digital Mail Center for increased administrative oversight.

Provider Processed and Delivered – Provider will conduct the initial processing of physical mail and its conversion into electronic form, typically within 48 hours of receipt. After processing and, if desired, Customer approval, Provider will distribute the electronic version of the mail as agreed by Customer and Provider. Provider will not scan any items that are not reasonably susceptible to scanning (such as boxes, books, stapled papers, publications, money orders, or other such materials which do not consist of printed correspondence on a two-dimensional page). Customer will inform recipients and friends and family about this restriction and the general process of the Digital Mail Service. If Provider receives such items, they will be returned to their sender. If Provider receives mail addressed to a recipient no longer at Customer’s facility, such mail will be returned to its sender. At Customer’s option and expense, physical mail may either be destroyed after 30 or 60 days or forwarded to Customer. If Customer elects to withhold mail from delivery to a recipient or directs Provider to destroy mail per this Schedule, the Customer is solely responsible for notifying the recipient and the sender of such actions as may be legally required.

Neither Provider nor Customer will process any mail through Digital Mail Center that originates from an attorney’s office or is otherwise legally private or privileged. If Provider receives mail originating from an attorney’s office or other private/privileged establishments, Provider will return it to its sender.

All electronic information associated with the mail, including sender name, time, date, and address along with the scanned images will be stored for the Term of the Agreement.

This Application will be provided at no cost to the Customer.

5. Tablet Warranty and Inventory Addendum. The Tablet Warranty and Inventory Addendum attached to this Third Amendment, is incorporated into the Agreement by this reference.

6. Express Warranties and Disclaimers. Sections 9 and 10 of the Agreement are hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following language: Provider offers the following express warranties in connection with the telephone and video terminal hardware (“Hardware”) and related services (“Services”). Additional warranties may be provided in the attached schedules:
a. Express Warranty for Hardware installed and owned by Provider. For Hardware installed and owned by Provider and provided to Customer pursuant to the Agreement, Provider agrees to repair and maintain such Hardware in good operating condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), including, without limitation, furnishing all parts and labor during the term of the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Provider is not responsible for any repair, maintenance, replacement or other costs associated with damage due to destruction, vandalism, misuse, neglect, accident, misapplication, abuse or other similar breakage (“Breakage”), and Customer shall be responsible for the cost of such Breakage, including, but not limited to replacement costs. Customer will be charged for repair costs incurred due to Breakage, up to the amount of replacement of the Hardware. Such charges will be invoiced to the Customer. Customer agrees to promptly notify Provider in writing after discovering any damage due to Breakage. Provider will have no obligation to repair or maintain such Hardware, if the Hardware is, without Provider’s knowledge and approval, interfaced with other devices or software owned or used by Customer or a third party, or if the Hardware is otherwise damaged as a result of Customer’s actions.
b. Express Warranty for Hardware purchased and owned by Customer. For Hardware purchased from Provider and owned by Customer pursuant to the Agreement, Provider warrants that such Hardware will be free from material defects under normal use, maintenance, and service for a period of 90 days from the date of sale.

Provider makes no warranty with respect to low performance, damages, or defects in any such materials caused

Page 3 of 6 ends

by Breakage, nor does Provider make any warranty as to any such materials that Customer has repaired or altered in any way. Customer will be charged for repair costs incurred due to Breakage, up to the amount of replacement of the Hardware. Such charges will be invoiced to the Customer. When express warranties are applicable, Provider will replace the Hardware at no cost, which is Customer’s sole remedy in connection with a claim pursuant to this section.
c. Express Warranty for Services provided. Provider warrants that the Services will be performed in a good and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards and practices. Provider warrants that its agents and/or employees used in the performance of its obligations will be qualified to perform the Services. Should any errors or omissions arise in the rendering of the Services under the Agreement, Provider will undertake to correct such errors or omissions within a reasonable time period and in compliance with the Service Level Agreement terms stated in the Section immediately below. d. Disclaimer of Warranties. EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION OR A SCHEDULE OF THE AGREEMENT, THE HARDWARE AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND PROVIDER DISCLAIMS ALL

WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A

PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT.

7. Advanced TRS. In September 2022, the Federal Communications Commission released the Fourth Report and Order in WC Docket No. 12-375 ( “FCC TRS Order”), which requires all providers of communication services for incarcerated end users to provide, in addition to traditional Teletypewriters (TTY) and Speech-to Speech services, those incarcerated end users with a communication disabilities access to Telecommunications Relay Services (“TRS”) and related communication services (collectively, “Advanced TRS”) at each correctional facility in a jurisdiction with an average daily population of 50 or more incarcerated end users, except where the correctional authority overseeing a facility prohibits that access. For this reason, Provider requires Customer to select the following Advanced TRS services from the table below (check the box for each services, or check the last box to decline any services at this time:

Advanced TRS Description Check Box
Video Relay service and Point to
Point Video service
Provides a way to communicate using American sign language (ASL) or Spanish sign language (LSE) and an interpreter through video equipment or allows direct video communication using ASL / LSE IP Relay* Provides a way to communicate using text and an interpreter through internet-enabled equipment
IP-Captioned telephone service* Provides a way to communicate through live captioning on internetenabled equipment Customer does not wish to implement any Advanced TRS services at this time X *Customer agrees to sign the corresponding forms as provided to Customer by Provider with no alteration to the form’s content whatsoever.

TRS Device Limited Warranty. Provider will provide the agreed upon number of TRS devices and related equipment (collectively, the “TRS Device”) during the terms of the Agreement. Provider agrees to repair and maintain such TRS Device in good operating condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), including, without limitation, furnishing all parts and labor during the term of the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Provider is not responsible for any Breakage, as defined in the Warranties and Disclaimer Section of the Agreement, and Customer shall be responsible for the cost of such Breakage, including, but not limited to replacement costs. Customer will be charged for repair costs incurred due to Breakage, up to the amount of replacement of the TRS Device. Such charges will be invoiced to the Customer. Customer agrees to promptly notify Provider in writing after discovering any damage due to Breakage.

Provider will have no obligation to repair or maintain such TRS Device, if the TRS Device is, without Provider’s knowledge and approval, interfaced with other devices or software owned or used by Customer or a third party, or if the TRS Device is otherwise damaged as a result of Customer’s actions.

8. Compliance with FCC Regulations. In 2024, the Federal Communications Commission published the Incarcerated People’s Communication Services; Implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Act: Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, WC Docket Nos. 23-62 & 12-375, FCC 24-75 (rel. July 22, 2024) (the “2024 FCC Order”) which, among other things,

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lowered the rates for voice and video calls and prevented providers from paying cash or in-kind commissions out of revenue regulated by the FCC. On June 30, 2025, the FCC published an order (the “Waiver Order”) extending the compliance dates of the following requirements of the 2024 FCC Order to April 1, 2027: new caps on voice and video calls, the prohibition against cash or in-kind commissions, and the requirement that providers offer video calls on a perminute basis. The parties acknowledge that the 2024 FCC Order and the Waiver Order requirements impact, among other things, maximum calling rates, the charging of ancillary and other fees, commissions that can be paid to agencies, the types of allowable reimbursement payments that can be made to agencies, and the types of in-kind services providers may not offer to agencies. The Agreement includes terms to comply with the current Waiver Order. There is the potential for its requirements to change during the Term of the Agreement. If any such changes occur during the Term of Agreement, the parties agree to work together in good faith to agree to appropriate changes to address such changes. Additionally, current FCC regulations do not allow Provider to charge ancillary service charges on transactions involving voice and video calls. If the FCC allows Provider to charge ancillary service charges on transactions involving voice and video calls in the future, Customer agrees that Provider may charge such fees, up to the maximum amount allowed by the FCC, without the need for further contract amendment or customer approval.

9. Except as expressly amended by this Third Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

EXECUTED as of the Third Amendment Effective Date.

CUSTOMER: Taft County Community Correctional Facility, CA By:

Name:

Title:

Date:

PROVIDER: Securus Technologies, LLC
By:

Name:

Title:

Date:

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TABLET WARRANTY AND INVENTORY ADDENDUM

1. Warranty and Disclaimer. Provider agrees to repair and maintain the tablets in good operating condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), including, without limitation, furnishing all parts and labor during the term of the Agreement.

EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS ADDENDUM, THE TABLETS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND PROVIDER

DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS

FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT.

2. Breakage. Provider is not responsible for the cost of any repair, maintenance, replacement or other costs incurred by Provider in performing any repair, maintenance, replacement or other costs associated with damage to tablets due to modification or attempted modification (of hardware or software), destruction, vandalism, misuse, neglect, accident, misapplication, abuse or other similar breakage, or for the cost of lost tablets (collectively, “Breakage”). Customer agrees that End Users (defined as the person the tablet has been assigned to) shall be responsible for the cost of such Breakage; including but not limited to replacement cost which is currently up to $300.00, plus any applicable handling and restocking fees. Such charges will be billed to the End User, and the Customer will deduct such amounts from the applicable End User’s trust account and remit to Provider, or Provider may, as allowed by applicable law or regulation, deduct such amounts from the applicable End User’s Securus Debit account. Should an End User not have sufficient funds to pay for Breakage, the End User will not be issued a new or replacement tablet until the amount that has been billed to the End User has been paid to Provider, and, as allowed by applicable law or regulation, a lien will be placed on the applicable End User trust account by Customer and/or Securus, as allowed by applicable law or regulation, may deduct funds from the End User’s Securus Debit account until Provider has been fully paid. Any exceptions to this must be documented (including the reason) and will apply toward Customer’s Replenishment Allowance provided below in Section 6. Customer agrees to promptly notify Provider in writing after discovering any damage or loss due to Breakage, including which End User account such Breakage applies to and will turn in such tablets to Provider’s on-site staff, or pursuant to a mutually agreed return procedure, as appropriate.

3. Return of Tablets Upon Contract Termination/Expiration. Upon the termination or expiration of the contract between Customer and Provider, Customer will ensure that all Provider tablets at Customer’s facility(ies) are returned to Provider. Provider will give Customer instructions for the return of tablets. Customer may be billed for the replacement cost of unreturned tablets.

4. Return of Tablet Upon Release. Customer is responsible for the collection and return of the End User’s tablet to Provider’s on-site staff, or other mutually agreed return procedure, up to 7 days prior to the release of an End User or such End User’s transfer to a different facility. Tablets may be returned to Provider’s on-site staff at the designated location. If a tablet is not returned prior to release, Customer will place a lien on the End User’s trust account or Provider may, as allowed by applicable law or regulation, deduct funds for the replacement cost from the End User’s Securus Debit account. Any tablets that are not returned or paid for by the End User within 7 days after the release of an End User or their transfer to a different facility will count toward Customer’s Replenishment Allowance provided below in Section 6. If such Replenishment Allowance has been exhausted, then Provider must be compensated for the cost of such tablet(s) before supplying additional tablets. Customer is responsible for updating its data integration files and data feeds to provide Provider with accurate information regarding the current population for provisioning. Provider may request reports from Customer regarding the release and transfer status of its population for reconciliation at any time.

5. Return of Unused Tablets. Customer is responsible for the collection and return of any tablets that are not actively used. Such non-utilization will be determined by Provider monthly (or more frequently as outlined in the site-specific procedures) based on usage reports ran by Provider. Provider will provide a list to Customer of any tablets not actively used. Customer will either ensure any such device that is not actively used is made active (synced or put into use on Provider’s network) or collect such device and return it to Provider. If any unutilized tablets are not made active or returned to Provider, such tablet(s) will count toward Customer’s Replenishment Allowance provided in Section 6 below.

6. Replenishment Allowance: Customer will be provided with a 10% tablet replenishment allowance based on ADP reported as required under the 2024 FCC Order (the “Replenishment Allowance”). Customer may receive free of charge tablets issued less a.) the number of tablets in active use; and b.) the number of tablets that have been returned in Working Order (as determined by Provider) or paid for up to the Replenishment Allowance. For purposes of this clause, Working Order means a tablet that has not suffered damage due to modification or attempted modification (of hardware or software), destruction, vandalism, misuse, neglect, accident, misapplication, abuse or other similar behavior. This Replenishment Allowance can be used toward tablets that are replaced due to Breakage or any other reason. Once the Replenishment Allowance has been used for any applicable year, Provider must be paid for any additional tablets that

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are issued at replacement cost. This Replenishment Allowance is applied by Customer. The Replenishment Allowance rate will be adjusted annually on June 1 based on ADP reported by Customer. Customer may request an adjustment to its Replenishment Allowance based on unexpected ADP changes. Customer may be required to provide supporting information regarding such request.

7. Tablet User Fee. A one-time tablet enrollment fee of up to $50.00 may be assessed to each End User. Additionally, a monthly tablet content subscription fee of $7.50 will be assessed against each End User. Such amounts will be billed to End Users and the Provider may, as allowed by applicable law or regulation, deduct funds from the End User’s Securus Debit account, or Customer will deduct such amounts from End User accounts and remit to Provider. Should an End User fail to pay the tablet content subscription fee, select tablet applications for the applicable tablet(s) may be disabled by Provider until all past due tablet content subscription fees for such End User account have been paid. Not all tablet applications may be available without a content subscription, and Provider has the right to determine which applications are included in the bundled tablet content subscriptions. Non-payment may also result in tablet collection, depending upon the agency-specific agreement.

Taft City CouncilDecember 16, 2025

Taft City Council
December 16, 2025