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Baldwin Park introduces ADU ordinance changes to comply with new state law; council approves first reading

Baldwin Park City Council · April 16, 2026

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Summary

City staff presented revisions to Baldwin Park’s ADU code to align with recent California legislation (changes to height allowances, legalization of unpermitted ADUs/JADUs, review timelines); the council approved the ordinance’s first reading 3–0.

Baldwin Park city staff presented a revised ordinance Wednesday that would amend chapter 153, part 11 of the municipal code to bring the city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules into alignment with recent California state law. The council voted 3–0 to introduce the ordinance by first reading.

Jesus, the city’s associate planner, told the council the revisions respond to multiple state bills that affect ADU construction and processing, including adjustments to height limits, expanded allowances for detached and attached ADUs, provisions that ease legalization of unpermitted ADUs and junior ADUs (JADUs), and statutory limits on application completeness review timeframes. Jesus summarized several bills staff considered and the local modifications recommended to preserve design consistency and remove barriers to JADU conversions.

Staff proposed three local refinements in addition to state-aligned edits: allowing attached ADUs to match the primary house height (higher than the state minimum), eliminating local parking requirements because no city parcels are farther than a half-mile from transit, and removing the requirement for replacement parking when a garage is converted to a JADU, citing cost barriers to conversion.

Staff recommended that the council introduce the ordinance by first reading; Mayor Pro Tem Jean Amayala moved to accept the first reading and Councilmember Manuel Lozano seconded. The motion carried on a 3–0 vote. Staff noted the ordinance is consistent with an urgency ordinance the council approved in November 2024 and that notices for the public hearing were published in the local newspaper on April 2, 2026. To date, staff said it had received one written comment from the California Housing Defense Fund expressing support after earlier review.