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Albany council introduces zoning changes to implement housing element, delays ADU revisions
Summary
The council introduced Ordinance No. 2025-07 to amend Albany’s planning and zoning code to implement housing-element programs and align with state law (including SB 234); council agreed to remove ADU-related changes for later review and waived first reading.
The Albany City Council on Oct. 6 introduced and waived first reading of Ordinance No. 2025-07, a staff-backed package of amendments to Chapter 20 of the municipal code designed to implement portions of the city’s housing element and to align local rules with recent state laws.
Associate planner Mira Han told the council the amendments would remove language in the R‑1 district that explicitly limited dwellings to single‑family homes and accessory dwelling units, allow certain residential care facilities and group homes by right, and treat family day care homes as residential uses as required by state law. "Staff recommends that all amendments related to ADUs be removed from City Council consideration and action tonight, and that staff will return with comprehensive updates to the ADU ordinance at a later date," Han said.
The changes staff outlined include: eliminating single‑family‑only language in R‑1 to allow a broader mix of housing types; adding a statutory-aligned definition of group homes and treating them as residential uses; allowing low‑barrier navigation centers and single‑room occupancy housing by right in mixed‑use or commercial districts that permit multifamily housing; and removing procedural and discretionary barriers for family day care homes to comply with Senate Bill 234 (the "Keeping Kids Close to Home" act).
During council questions, staff clarified that building‑code requirements would still apply to any new construction and that ADU-specific updates were being postponed so staff could prepare comprehensive amendments reflecting imminent state legislation. Planning manager Leslie Mendez and staff said the planning commission had recommended adoption, subject to the ADU postponement.
Council member comments ranged from support for eliminating single‑family exclusivity to requests for future work on corridor planning and preapproved ADU plans. Council member Jordan, among others, thanked staff for the effort to reconcile state law and local goals.
Council member Jordan moved to introduce Ordinance No. 2025‑07 with the staff‑recommended modifications (removal of ADU references) and waive first reading; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call vote (motion carries). The ordinance was introduced for further consideration and formal adoption at a later meeting.
The ordinance number listed in staff materials is 2025‑07; staff said additional ADU revisions will return once state-level ADU legislation is finalized and staff can present a consolidated update.
What happens next: staff will return with the ADU updates and any additional amendments needed to reflect final state law changes before the council considers final adoption.
