Chino Hills amends ADU rules to comply with recent state laws, limits some local requirements
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Summary
The council introduced an update to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules to align with state law changes (SB 477, SB 1211, AB 2533). The ordinance increases maximum ADU height, clarifies multifamily conversions and drops the local separate sewer-connection requirement for many detached ADUs.
The Chino Hills City Council on Jan. 28 introduced and approved amendments to the municipal code governing accessory dwelling units, revising local standards to conform to recent state law changes while easing certain local requirements.
Senior Planner Ryan Gattstetter told the council the update (Municipal Code Amendment MCA 3-2024) responds to several state statutes, including Senate Bill 477, Assembly Bill 2533 and Senate Bill 1211. The revisions increase the allowable height for ADUs from 16 feet to 18 feet, allow attached ADUs to match the height of the primary dwelling, clarify standards for detached two-story ADUs and expand rules for converting non-livable areas of multifamily projects into ADUs.
Gattstetter also recommended eliminating the city's prior requirement for a separate sewer connection for detached ADUs. He said property owners and the public works department raised concerns that separate sewer laterals are expensive, require additional trenching in public rights-of-way and could weaken the existing sewer infrastructure.
"Property owners have expressed concern regarding the potentially significant costs associated with installing these sewer connections," Gattstetter said during the hearing. He added that public works staff supported the modification.
Council members asked follow-up questions about parking, timelines for plan review and special rules for narrow-road neighborhoods such as Sleepy Hollow. Planning staff said parking requirements for ADUs are governed by state law and that the city must follow state timelines for plan check (the statutory 60-day review clock, which pauses during applicant response periods). Staff confirmed the SB 1211 changes allow up to eight detached ADUs on multifamily parcels; single-family parcels remain limited to one ADU (with the option of a junior ADU).
A public commenter, Jim Gallagher, urged the council to consider long-term parking impacts and asked whether lot size limits the number of ADUs; staff reiterated that the eight-unit allowance applies only to multifamily properties and that the city must implement the new state-mandated standards.
The council voted 4-0 to introduce and adopt the ordinance amending the ADU code. In closing remarks, council members emphasized that the updates reflect state mandates and that the city sought to minimize cost impacts for residents where possible.
The ordinance will be filed with the city clerk; staff said they will return with final implementing language as necessary.
