Planning Commission adopts ordinance to implement state ADU rules, commissioners split on local impacts

San Francisco’s Planning Commission on Nov. 5 adopted an ordinance to bring the city’s accessory dwelling unit rules into alignment with recent state laws, a move commissioners said was required by statute but which prompted sustained debate over local impacts.

The ordinance, intended to implement state changes that shorten review timelines and expand ministerial (non‑discretionary) ADU approvals, passed on a 5–2 vote after the commission accepted an amendment from the Historic Preservation Commission to retain reference to objective architectural review standards for landmark properties. Commissioners Imperial and Moore voted no.

Veronica Flores, Planning Department staff, told commissioners the package responds to state legislation (cited in the hearing as AB 68, AB 881 and SB 13) that creates two broad “state‑mandated” ADU categories — streamlined and ministerial — and requires permits to be issued within 60 days of a complete application. Flores said the city’s local program remains available and that the ordinance focuses on those changes the city must adopt to comply with state law. She also…