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Gilroy council introduces updated ADU ordinance to comply with new state laws
Summary
Council held the first reading and introduction of an updated accessory dwelling unit ordinance so the city code complies with recently enacted state laws that streamline ADU permitting and expand ADU allowances; the council unanimously approved the statutory CEQA exemption, title reading and introduction.
Planning staff presented updates to Gilroy’s zoning code to conform local rules to recent state ADU legislation, including SB 477, AB 2533, SB 1211 and SB 1077. The changes align local regulations to state mandates on unit size, approvals and permitting pathways for accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs.
Michael Fasadi, planning manager, explained that state law now prevents local governments from imposing many additional design restrictions on by‑right ADUs of at least 800 square feet (cities may retain certain local standards above that minimum). The proposed updates remove the one‑story limit in some cases, clarify parking standards (with certain exemptions near transit), address multifamily ADU allowances (including up to eight detached ADUs in certain multifamily zones depending on existing unit counts), and add new statutory references and definitions consistent with the California Department of Housing and Community Development guidance.
Council members asked questions about definitions (for example, "dedicated car share"), parking references for multifamily conversions and where floor‑area limits apply. Staff said most changes stem from state mandates and that local discretion is limited to a few elements such as the city’s prior 1,000‑square‑foot allowance (the state minimum is 800 square feet).
Council voted unanimously (7–0) on three items: to determine the ordinance is statutorily exempt under CEQA, to read the ordinance by title only and to introduce the ordinance for subsequent consideration.
Next steps: staff will bring subsequent readings and final adoption language at a later meeting as required by the city’s ordinance process.
