Planning commission advances zoning text amendments to conform ADU rules to state law and clarify trash/parking rules

The City of Redding Planning Commission on a vote recommended that the City Council adopt municipal code amendments to update accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, clarify trash-enclosure and parking provisions, and fix minor zoning-code references.

Planning staff explained that the package updates local code to match recent state ADU legislation as interpreted by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Among the changes, staff said the ordinance adds a defined junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) type (up to 500 square feet, typically within an existing single-family dwelling), clarifies that owner-occupancy requirements have been lifted for ADUs (but remain for JADUs per state law), and removes subjective design language in favor of objective criteria where state law requires it.

The staff presentation addressed setback and height allowances the state now permits for ADUs, clarified parking exemptions for garage conversions and explained that ADUs and JADUs generally may not be used for short-term rentals (less than 30 days) under the state rules cited by staff. Commissioners asked whether the city had the authority to require architectural compatibility; staff said the state has required objective standards and the proposed edits remove subjective phrasing such as “and colors,” though the commission later asked to restore flexibility on colors only while keeping objective standards for form and roof pitch.

On trash enclosures and solid-waste access, staff revised proposed language after the packet went to print so that a required 50-foot unobstructed approach is placed in the design standards section rather than as an illustrative example; staff said the change clarifies that all trash enclosures must have a 50-foot clear approach for front-load equipment per city solid-waste standards. The amendments also relocate or correct several sign and parking references in chapter 18 of the municipal code.

During discussion, commissioners raised enforcement questions about deed restrictions and owner-occupancy enforcement for JADUs; staff said state law requires a deed restriction and noted that city staff’s enforcement ability is limited after permits are final—the city records the restriction before final inspection in accordance with state requirements.

Motion and outcome: the commission voted to forward the amendments to city council with one small change requested by the commission — to remove the word “colors” from the architectural compatibility language on packet page 174 (so compatibility reads as “materials and roof pitch” rather than “materials, roof pitch and colors”). The motion carried and the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to council for ordinance adoption and the standard two readings.

Why this matters: statewide ADU policy changes aim to increase housing supply by easing some local regulations. The city amendments align local permitting to state law while preserving objective local standards on scale and form. Residents and property owners seeking to add ADUs can expect clarified rules on setbacks, parking, JADU definitions, and state-mandated deed restrictions.