Planning commission to research external ADUs, short-term rental rules; council seeds direction

Sunset City Council discussed a Planning Commission briefing on July 15 about external accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and short-term rentals, and council members asked staff and the commission to continue research before recommending regulatory changes.

Planning Commission materials, read to the council, summarized building- and fire-code implications for external ADUs, including potential firewall, setback, parking and water/sewer impacts. Building inspector remarks noted a scenario where multiple external ADUs could create closely spaced dwelling units that present a fire risk and require code-based separation and fire protection. Inspectors asked the commission to consult Public Works Director John Rhodes on potential infrastructure impacts before finalizing proposals.

On short-term rentals, planning staff reported commissioners are considering a distinct code section (rather than fitting rentals under a generic home-occupation rule), limiting rentals to owner-occupied units, and setting caps on the proportion of a dwelling allowed for short-term use. The Planning Commission is also evaluating a 30-day minimum rental threshold to distinguish short-term vacation rentals from longer-term occupancy.

Commissioners are researching other cities' regulations (Clearfield was cited as using a 6,000-square-foot minimum in one example) and will report back at the commission's August meeting. Council members were asked to send any policy preferences or constraints via email to the planning liaison so the commission can consider them before drafting code language.

No code changes were adopted at the meeting; the item remains in study and the Planning Commission will bring recommendations to council for formal consideration.