The Torrance City Council on Aug. 5 unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 3954 to amend municipal code sections governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and delete the separate junior ADU section, consolidating standards and adding objective design rules.

The ordinance consolidates junior ADU provisions into the citywide ADU section, revises height references, removes covenant language, and adds objective design standards for number of stories and attached ADU structures. The council also determined the amendments are statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.17 and approved an ordinance summary for publication.

Adrian Perez, planning associate for the Community Development Department, summarized the staff recommendation and the principal changes before the council: “Before you today, we have the land use 2501 for accessory and junior accessory dwelling units,” and he described the consolidation of 92.2.11 into 92.2.10 and the addition of objective design standards.

During the public hearing, several residents spoke. Joe Buck, a longtime resident of the Hillside neighborhood, said he was concerned the planning commission and council had not received complete analysis and supporting materials: “I don’t think you’ve been able to receive from the planning commission that proper sufficient analysis and recommendations yet in this matter,” and he noted that only four planning commissioners had received certain materials before their meeting. Another resident, Charles Diemer, urged caution about parking and occupancy rules for conversions without on-site parking.

After public comment the council closed the hearing and moved to adopt the ordinance and related determinations. Councilmember Metucci moved to approve the CEQA exemption, adopt the ordinance, and authorize the ordinance summary for publication; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The ordinance amends Torrance Municipal Code section 92.2.10 and removes section 92.2.11 (junior accessory dwelling units). The council did not record changes to specific numeric height or lot-size thresholds during the meeting; the adopted ordinance text governs those details.

The council meeting record shows no dissenting votes; the motion carried unanimously. The ordinance summary will be prepared for publication per council direction, and the amended code sections will govern future ADU and JADU permit reviews in Torrance.

Council action on this item was administrative (ordinance adoption) rather than direction to prepare further study; however several public commenters asked for more thorough packet distribution and clearer local standards on parking and occupancy.

For more details, staff contact information is available through the Community Development Department.