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Saint Helena council introduces ordinance to align ADU rules with new state law
Summary
After a public hearing, the City Council voted to introduce and waive first reading of zoning changes to bring the city's accessory dwelling unit rules into compliance with AB 2533 and SB 1211. Staff said changes mainly update definitions, parking and approval standards and legalization of some unpermitted ADUs and JADUs.
Senior Planner O'Neil presented a zoning amendment to the City Council on April 22 to update the city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to conform with recent California legislation. O'Neil said AB 2533 and SB 1211, which took effect in January 2025, require a number of definitional and procedural changes to local ADU rules, including expanded protections for certain unpermitted ADUs and JADUs, adjustments to parking-replacement rules, and a new statewide definition of livable space.
The ordinance amendment makes the municipal code consistent with those bills and clarifies objective design criteria, setbacks, impact-fee rules and the number of detached ADUs allowed for existing multifamily properties. City Attorney Walsh and City Manager Camillo joined the discussion; Walsh noted the city must align its ordinance with state law and Camillo emphasized staff's role in preparing the draft.
Members of the public were invited but offered no substantive broad objections during the public hearing. Council members asked questions about the legislation's intent and local impacts, including whether the state measures would meaningfully change housing availability in Saint Helena. Kevin Caustic, speaking for rate-consultant RAFTELIS earlier in the meeting, noted statewide ADU changes aim to expand rental stock, but City Manager Camillo and City Attorney Walsh observed the law is generally targeted at more urban jurisdictions and may have limited effect locally.
Following the hearing, the City Council voted to introduce the zoning ordinance amendment and waive first reading, and approved a CEQA exemption citation staff identified for accessory dwelling unit ordinances implementing Government Code section 65852.2. The ordinance amends Saint Helena Municipal Code Section 17.22.030 as described in staff materials.
Council members who moved and seconded the motion recorded their votes during roll call; the motion passed. Staff said it will bring a final ordinance adoption item back to council after the required noticing and the waived first reading step.
Why it matters: The ordinance update removes potential conflicts between local rules and newly amended state law and clarifies the city's permitting process for ADUs and junior ADUs. The change could affect owners seeking to legalize or build ADUs, and it limits the grounds on which the city may deny legalization of certain older, unpermitted units.
