Planning Commission recommends council adopt updated ADU ordinance; cites ministerial approvals, parking changes

The Los Alamitos Planning Commission voted Sept. 24 to recommend City Council adopt an update to the city’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance, forwarding Resolution 2025-05 after a staff presentation and a period of questions from commissioners and the public.

Staff said the draft ordinance aligns local rules with recent changes in state law and guidance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). "As of right now, the city is obligated to approve an ADU application through a ministerial process within 60 days of receiving a complete application," a planning staff member told the commission, describing the expedited review standard.

Why it matters: State ADU reforms are designed to speed small-unit housing production. Staff said the proposed local updates clarify where ADUs may be created (including within detached garages), increase the number of detached ADUs that may be allowed on some existing multifamily properties, and change local parking requirements tied to ADU development.

Key details: Staff explained the draft removes some local parking replacement requirements for uncovered spaces converted in connection with ADU development and noted that, under recent state law and HCD guidance cited in the report, off-street parking generally is not required for an ADU that is part of a permit application for a new single-family or multifamily residence. The staff presentation also addressed junior ADUs (JADUs), saying those units fall under the same trend of reduced parking obligations while reminding the commission that the city’s general zoning code continues to prohibit short-term vacation rentals in residential zones.

Commissioners and members of the public asked for clarification on several practical points, including how previously converted single-family homes would be treated, whether property owners must pay additional ADU-specific fees (staff said there is no special ADU fee beyond regular permit fees), and how tenant parking agreements would be affected. On tenant parking, staff said contractual lease terms would control: "If it’s written in a signed lease agreement, then that would be a legal right, contractually," staff said.

On timing and construction, staff described the ministerial plan-review targets for the local process (staff noted a 10-business-day target for plan checks and an additional 5 days if corrections are required) and said building permits typically expire after 180 days if construction has not started, at which point applicants must seek an extension or reapply.

The motion to forward Resolution 2025-05 to the City Council was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The commission did not receive any public speakers during the hearing.

What’s next: The planning commission’s action was a recommendation. The city council will consider the ordinance and resolution at a future meeting; the council’s agenda date was not specified during the planning commission meeting.