Camarillo planning commission recommends code amendments to reflect 2024 state housing laws, adds objective design standards

Camarillo Planning Commission members voted to recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Title 19 of the Camarillo Municipal Code to implement several 2024 state housing laws, add objective design standards for new residential structures, and extend noticing for zoning changes.

The change package, summarized to the commission on Feb. 18, 2025, reflects state bills addressing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), ministerial approval for certain small subdivisions (up to 10 units), objective design standards for residential development, rules for urban dwelling units and urban lot splits, and longer public‑hearing notice for zoning changes that affect permitted uses.

City staff told commissioners the proposed redlines update local code citations and adopt the state provisions by reference where permitted. Staff said the code will (1) update citations moved within the California Government Code, while declining to adopt a state provision that would require the city to allow ADUs to be sold separately from the primary dwelling; (2) implement a state rule that prohibits requiring replacement of off‑street parking when an uncovered space is removed to accommodate an ADU and that defines “livable space” for ADU purposes; (3) adopt the new ministerial approval process that allows single‑family subdivisions of 10 units or fewer to be reviewed without discretionary hearings when they meet strict objective criteria; and (4) incorporate SB 9/SB 450 changes to urban lot splits and urban dwelling units, including new timelines and limits on discretionary denials.

Key technical points discussed at the hearing include:

- ADUs: staff said the…