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La Habra council approves first reading of zoning update to align ADU rules with state law
Summary
The City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to update accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and junior ADU rules in the La Habra Municipal Code to comply with recent state requirements, including application timelines, size limits, and relaxed parking and owner-occupancy rules.
The La Habra City Council unanimously approved on first reading July 21 an update to the city's zoning code to align accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) regulations with state law.
Sonia Louie, planning manager in the Community and Economic Development Department, presented the proposed Zone Change 25-0002 and explained that the updates reflect state-mandated changes affecting single- and multi-family residential zones. "The update stipulates that the city must approve or deny an application for an ADU within 60 days of receipt of the application," Louie said. She summarized other changes: allowing up to eight ADUs with an existing multi-unit structure, permitting two detached ADUs with a new multi-unit dwelling, ADU size limits tied to the primary dwelling or 800 square feet for detached ADUs under certain conditions, removal of owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs (retained only for JADUs), and a prohibition on renting ADUs or JADUs for periods shorter than 31 days.
Louie told the council the update also clarifies that the city cannot deny an ADU or JADU application because of nonconforming zoning conditions, building violations or unpermitted structures unless the latter pose a public-health or safety threat. She said the proposed ordinance includes an objective design standard requiring at least three architectural treatments on any street-facing elevation.
When Council members asked whether the changes were mandated by the state, Louie affirmed, "That is essentially correct, yes." A council member noted the planning commission had excluded a finding that the update satisfies general-plan goal LU-7 and that the council was proceeding while acknowledging the state requirement.
After no public testimony on the item, the council voted unanimously to approve and adopt the first reading of the ordinance amending sections of Title 18 (Zoning) related to ADUs and JADUs. The motion included a CEQA exemption finding as cited in the staff report.
The update modifies local development standards to reflect state ADU law and will affect permitting, design review, and building processes for homeowners and developers in residential zones across the city.
