Fairfax council introduces ADU ordinance to align local rules with new state law, adds temporary amnesty and anonymous rent reporting

The Fairfax Town Council on April 2 held a public hearing on proposed changes to local rules for accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs required by new state laws AB 2533 and SB 1211, and the council voted to waive first reading and introduce a local ordinance with two amendments.

The staff report, presented by Planning Director Jeff Beisswanger, said the state bills became effective Jan. 1, 2025, and “expand amnesty for unpermitted ADUs” and limit local review to health-and-safety standards for older, unpermitted units. Beisswanger told the council the state law also removes some local design and parking requirements and increases the number of ADUs allowed on multifamily sites, and that Fairfax may adopt limited objective design standards where state law permits.

Why it matters: the changes affect how homeowners and multifamily property owners may add units, how the town enforces unpermitted conversions,…