Planning commission backs rewrite of Agoura Hills ADU rules to align with state law

The Agoura Hills Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council adopt a zoning ordinance amendment to repeal and replace the city's accessory dwelling unit regulations and amend related code sections to conform with state law.

Associate City Planner Katrina Garcia told commissioners the rewrite would reconcile the city's ADU ordinance with multiple state changes since the city's 2021 ordinance, most recently Senate Bill 543. Garcia said staff proposes a full repeal-and-replace of section 9.283 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code and related edits to section 9.120 (definitions) and section 61.005 (short-term rental prohibitions) so staff and the public can apply the code consistently.

Garcia outlined the main changes the draft ordinance would implement. The proposal distinguishes state-protected (state-exempt) ADUs from other ADUs. Under the draft, state-protected detached ADUs on single-family lots would be allowed up to 800 square feet of interior livable space with 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Conversions of existing interior space can qualify as a junior ADU (JADU) if 500 square feet or less and must be within the existing structure or…