Commission backs zoning text amendment to limit ADUs on parcels created under state Starter Home Revitalization Act

The Santa Maria Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a zoning text amendment (Z2025-001) updating the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations (Title 12, Chapter 12-56) to reflect recent state law changes and to decline the state’s optional allowance to permit ADUs on parcels created under the Starter Home Revitalization Act.

Frank Alpera, the city’s principal planner, summarized prior study sessions and noted the city had already prepared most of the proposed changes to align with statewide ADU statutes and the July 1, 2025 effective date of amendments to the Starter Home Revitalization Act. The draft amendments incorporate renumbered state code references, state-mandated provisions on legalization of unpermitted ADUs (permit cannot be denied except for specific health and safety violations), and limits on separate sale of ADUs (allowed only in narrow circumstances…