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Planning commission recommends ADU code update to align Calabasas ordinance with state law
Summary
The commission voted March 5 to recommend that City Council adopt an ordinance replacing Calabasas Municipal Code section 17.12.170 to conform with recent state ADU laws. Staff outlined changes including interior living‑space measurement, a 1,200‑square‑foot ADU cap, owner‑occupancy where units share sanitary facilities, reduced timing and deleted appearance controls.
The Calabasas Planning Commission on March 5 recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance rescinding and replacing Calabasas Municipal Code section 17.12.170 to align local accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules with current California law.
Tom Klein, who presented the item for staff, told the commission: “This is an ordinance that we have to do to be consistent with state law.” Klein summarized the changes staff drafted in response to a technical‑assistance letter from the Department of Housing and Community Development, including re‑numbering cross references, measuring ADU size by interior living space rather than exterior dimensions, and setting a maximum ADU living area of 1,200 square feet.
Key changes explained to the commission included: - Interior living‑space measurement for ADU/JADU size limits and a defined living‑space term; - Clarification that owner‑occupancy of the property is required if the ADU or JADU share sanitation facilities with the primary structure; - New language mirroring state provisions so that a multifamily property may have up to eight ADUs but not exceed the number of primary dwelling units on the property; - Removal of local appearance‑based review authority because state law requires ministerial review based on objective standards; and - Reduced project review timeframes and deletion of the local ability to require replacement of lost off‑street parking.
Commissioners raised practical questions about infrastructure: one commissioner asked whether water and sanitation districts are factoring ADU growth into long‑range capacity planning. Klein said the city would follow up with building and safety and noted he was not aware of direct outreach from those utilities on the recent state changes. Another commissioner urged staff to check definitions in the code (lot/parcel/property) for consistency so HCD will not challenge local wording.
After brief comments and suggested wording edits, the commission voted to recommend adoption of the ordinance to the city council. Chair reported no opposition and the motion carried.
Next steps: staff will finalize the ordinance language, confirm definitions in the code with the city attorney, and forward the ordinance to the City Council and HCD as required.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are named where they appeared in the meeting record.
