Lindsay’s City Council on Tuesday adopted an updated local building‑code ordinance and approved the city’s 2023–2031 housing element, actions staff said bring municipal rules into alignment with state law and expand housing capacity.

The council approved the second reading of the building‑code ordinance, which staff described as an update to the 2025 code standards that will take effect Jan. 1. Planning staff also presented the housing element — a state‑required, eight‑year plan for meeting housing needs — and related zoning code amendments that include by‑right approval language and updates for accessory dwelling units.

Why it matters: The housing element and zoning amendments respond to California planning law requirements and the regional housing needs allocation. Planning staff told the council that the city has roughly 322 units already in the development pipeline and identified inventory sites able to accommodate about 754 units, which they said results in an approximate surplus of 287 units relative to the RHNA allocation.

Planning staff outlined programs in the housing element that emphasize regional collaboration, fair‑housing outreach, and measures to facilitate development of lower‑income and special‑needs housing. The staff presentation also addressed environmental review, saying the amendment produced no significant impacts and that the general‑plan EIR addendum and Resolution 25‑44 were part of the adoption package.

Direct quote: “This is an 8‑year cycle… the housing element components include public participation, site inventory and an affirmative furthering of fair housing analysis,” the presenter said while summarizing the plan’s requirements and outreach.

Council action: Council members moved, seconded and voted to adopt the building‑code ordinance and to approve the housing element and associated resolutions and ordinance amendments. The motions carried unanimously, recorded as 5‑0.

What’s next: Staff said the building‑code update will take effect Jan. 1 and that the city will track implementation of housing‑element programs and report back to the council. The housing element requires ongoing monitoring and coordination with regional agencies to meet program timelines and funding needs.