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Citrus Heights planning commission forwards 2026 zoning code updates to City Council
Summary
The Citrus Heights Planning Commission unanimously voted April 28 to forward a package of 2026 zoning code amendments to the City Council. Key changes include ADU rule clarifications, a new accessory educational use for religious facilities, SB 9 'rule of 4' guidance, and a permitted employee‑housing use for up to six employees.
The Citrus Heights Planning Commission on April 28 unanimously voted to forward 2026 zoning code amendments to the City Council after a staff presentation and limited commissioner questions.
Planning Division staff member Stephanie Louie outlined the package as an implementation of the city’s general plan and a set of updates to keep city rules aligned with recent changes in state law. "We have to ensure that the city is compliant with those," Louie said, describing annual review practices and specific edits the draft code makes to local standards.
Why it matters: the amendments clarify how state ADU rules interact with local standards, add new allowable uses in residential zones, and resolve questions created by recent state legislation.
Key provisions
- ADUs and SB 9: Louie said the city is presenting a combined state and local pathway for accessory dwelling units and explained the state‑level limit that can result in up to four total residential units on a parcel under SB 9 (the "rule of 4"). She explained that a detached ADU is limited to 800 square feet under state rules, a junior ADU must remain within existing interior space and is limited to 500 square feet, and conversions must use existing interior space when applicable. The commission’s action sends the clarified code language forward for council consideration.
- Accessory educational use for religious assembly: The draft code creates an "accessory educational" classification to allow instructional activities (for example, tutoring or homeschool classes) inside existing church facilities without treating them as a separate school use that would otherwise require a use permit in residential zones. Louie said the accessory educational use would be limited to existing religious assembly locations and could not occupy more than 30% of the building site.
- Employee housing: The amendments add an employee‑housing use in the residential land‑use table so that employers may provide housing for up to six employees by right in residential homes, consistent with the state employee‑housing framework Louie described.
- Murals, animal keeping and childcare definitions: The draft adds provisions allowing murals on fences and walls that face arterial streets in residential zones (with a 60‑day completion window once approved), clarifies that animal keeping cannot be the primary use of a vacant residential lot (targeting unkept parcels used only for animals), and aligns the child‑daycare definition with the California Health and Safety Code.
Commission action and votes
Commissioner VanDuca moved to forward the zoning updates and Commissioner Sheeler seconded; the two motions taken to forward the package carried by unanimous consent. The commission’s roll call earlier in the meeting showed Commissioner Al Raoui absent; Commissioners Sheeler, Usyk, VanDuca, Vice Chair Kauffman and Chair Flowers voted in favor.
What’s next
The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Citrus Heights City Council for further public hearings and final action. Staff said minor clarifying edits were made to exhibits and the staff report before the meeting; the council will receive the revised materials when the item is scheduled.
