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Port Hueneme introduces municipal code changes to align with state housing law, extend noticing and ease signage rules
Summary
Council introduced a package of municipal‑code amendments to comply with recent state housing laws (including allowing some employee and supportive housing by right and updating density/inclusionary rules), extend public‑hearing notice periods to 20 days for certain land‑use ordinances, allow an extra garage sale per household, and expand temporary banner allowances; all items were introduced for first reading unanimously.
The Port Hueneme City Council on Nov. 4 introduced a set of municipal‑code amendments aimed at aligning the city’s zoning and administrative rules with recent state housing legislation and relaxing some temporary sign and garage‑sale restrictions. The council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinances for first reading by title only.
Staff framed the package as largely “cleanup” to implement recent state law changes: under the proposed changes, employee housing accommodating six or fewer employees would be allowed by right in residential zones; supportive‑housing developments would be allowed by right without a previously stated cap; and the density bonus/inclusionary housing definitions would be updated to conform to changes under recent state bills (staff cited Assembly Bill 2694 and health and safety code references). Staff said the city’s existing in‑lieu fee (used in prior Habitat for Humanity projects) is currently $26,500 per unit and that the code amendment would expand the in‑lieu option citywide rather than limiting it to coastal zone developments.
“Several of the items we’re bringing tonight are cleanup items to make sure our code reflects recent state changes,” a planning staff member told council, noting the state recently extended public‑hearing notice requirements for certain land‑use ordinances from 10 days to 20 days (AB 2904).
Other, non‑housing changes in the same package would permit each household to hold up to two garage sales per year (currently one), allow each business to display one freestanding or one building‑mounted temporary banner for up to 30 days per quarter (120 days per year), and maintain the city’s current window‑sign exemption. Staff said these sign changes follow a county survey showing Port Hueneme was previously the most restrictive on banner allowances among Ventura County cities.
CEQA: Staff said these ordinance changes are categorically exempt from CEQA under the city’s codified exemptions (staff cited section 15.060(1)(3)), because the ordinance amendments themselves will not directly result in development.
Motion and vote: The council introduced the listed ordinances for first reading by title only and waived further reading; the roll call vote was unanimous.
Next steps: Staff said the “meatier” zoning changes that require 20‑day noticing will return at a later meeting after the extended notice period is satisfied; the council is scheduled to discuss additional zoning/code cleanup items at a subsequent meeting.
