Santa Maria council adopts zoning amendments to implement recent state ADU laws
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Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance amending Title 12 (Zoning) to implement multiple recent state laws that expand accessory dwelling unit (ADU) allowances, legalize certain pre-2020 ADUs, and respond to the Starter Home Revitalization Act; council approved the ordinance by roll call and the motion carried.
The Santa Maria City Council on Oct. 21 adopted an ordinance amending Title 12 (Zoning) of the municipal code to align local rules with several recent state laws expanding accessory dwelling unit rules.
City Community Development Director Shen Dow told the council the proposal reflects changes made by six separate bills from the California Legislature and highlighted three principal effects: multifamily projects may now contain up to eight attached ADUs (up from two); cities may not deny permits to legalize unpermitted ADUs or junior ADUs constructed before Jan. 1, 2020, provided they can be brought up to code; and the Starter Home Revitalization Act allows certain subdivisions of single‑family parcels and new development options unless the city opts out of specific provisions. Dow said the proposed ordinance includes an opt‑out where state law permits to limit impacts in single‑family neighborhoods.
Dow said the state also curtailed local authority to require parking for ADUs; she told council that cities cannot require parking for these units and noted enforcement options remain for safety issues such as blocked driveways.
Councilmember Flores moved to approve the ordinance (agenda item 14a); the motion was seconded. The city clerk called the roll: Councilmember Aguilera Hernandez — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo — Aye; Councilmember Flores — Aye; Councilmember Sotto — Aye; Mayor Alice Patino — Aye. The motion carried and the ordinance was introduced for adoption with a second reading/adoption scheduled as provided in the ordinance process. During the meeting Mayor Patino later said she believed she should have voted no; the roll call recorded above is the official vote record.
Why it matters: the ordinance changes local permitting and development rules to comply with state law that expands ADU creation and affects single‑family parcel subdivision. The changes limit local discretion on ADU parking and create new legalization pathways for older unpermitted units, which can affect neighborhood density and parking demand.
Councilmembers discussed parking constraints and neighborhood impacts during the public hearing; no written comments were filed and no public speakers addressed the item during the hearing. The council waived the first reading and moved to introduce the ordinance for formal adoption at the follow‑up meeting as provided by the city's ordinance procedure.
What comes next: the council scheduled the follow‑up reading/adoption under the city's ordinance adoption timeline.
