TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Kelvin Parker, Community Development Director
DATE:December 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Municipal Code Amendment Initiation Related to Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (MCA 2025-70003)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Find that initiating a Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) for changes to the City’s Zoning Code is an action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 which specifically finds that CEQA does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance by a city to implement the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 66314) (relating to Accessory Dwelling Units) or Article 3 (commencing with Section 66333) [relating to Junior Accessory Dwelling Units] of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code.
2. Adopt a resolution initiating an MCA to update Title 9, Chapter 4 of the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code (TOMC) relating to the regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) to implement recently adopted State law and address comments from the California of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Staff time to prepare and process the MCA and the minor direct cost of providing public hearing notices is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The State of California continues to encourage the production of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) as a key strategy to address the State’s ongoing housing shortage. Over the past several legislative cycles, the State Legislature has adopted numerous bills intended to reduce regulatory impediments, streamline approval processes, and expand opportunities for homeowners to construct small-scale housing. As a result, cities are required to periodically update their local zoning regulations to maintain consistency with State law.
MCA Initiation Related to Junior/Accessory Dwelling Units (MCA 2025-70003) December 2, 2025
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City Council last updated the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance on February 25, 2025, amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 2, Section 9-4.202 Definitions; Article 21, Section 9-4.2104 Permitted Use Matrix-Residential Zones; and Article 45 Accessory Dwelling Units, to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 2533 and Senate Bill (SB) 1211, which amended the State’s ADU law. On March 5, 2025, the City provided, pursuant to California Government Code Section 66326, a copy of the ordinance to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its review. On September 23, 2025, HCD provided the City with comments on the ordinance.
In October 2025, the Governor of California signed AB 1154, AB 462, SB 9, and SB 543, further amending State ADU law. AB 462 took effect as an urgency measure on October 10, 2025, and all other bills become effective January 1, 2026.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The state legislature regularly makes changes to regulations relating to ADUs and JADUs. This past legislative cycle resulted in four bills revising state law associated with ADUs. Cities are required to promptly revise their ADU and JADU regulations to comply with these changes.
The first step in making these changes is to have City Council initiate an MCA, thereby authorizing and directing staff to evaluate the municipal code and suggest revisions to comply with state law and address comments provided by HCD. Once staff concludes its analysis, a report with findings and recommendations will be presented to the Planning Commission for consideration during a noticed public hearing. Subsequently, the Planning Commission recommendation and all public testimony received will be presented to City Council during a noticed public hearing that allows additional public input to be provided.
The adoption of a resolution (Attachment #1) initiating the proposed MCA allows staff to analyze recent legislation and provide recommended revisions to the City’s ADU and JADU regulations to bring the City into compliance with State law.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project has been determined to be exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 which specifically finds that CEQA does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance relating to accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units to implement the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 66314) or Article 3 (commencing with Section 66333) of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code.
MCA Initiation Related to Junior/Accessory Dwelling Units (MCA 2025-70003) December 2, 2025
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COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
A. Create a more equitable, accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, language, education, and/or socio-economic status.
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
PREPARED BY: Matthew Mateo, Community Development Technician I Stephen Kearns, Planning Division Manager
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Resolution Initiating MCA-2025-70003
CDD:660-21\NS\H:\COMMON\City Council\CC Agenda Items\2025\12022025\MCA Initiations Plan Zone Code\Staff Report (FILE ID: MCA 2025-70003)