Tiburon accepts annual planning reports, hears ADU growth and introduces state-aligned ADU code changes

At its April 15 meeting the Tiburon Town Council accepted the town’s General Plan and Housing Element annual progress reports and introduced code amendments to bring local ADU and JADU rules into alignment with recent state legislation.

Community development staff reported programming progress in the housing element: of 77 programs identified across the housing element cycle, 21 were complete and 50 were ongoing or continuous; staff said a reconciliation with the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) increased the counted housing permits for 2023 and that the town expects to show around 62 units permitted between 2023 and 2025. Planners emphasized that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) remain the principal source of net housing: "ADUs are the main source of new housing," staff said, accounting for the large majority of recent permits.

The council also considered and introduced by title only amendments to Chapter 16‑52.10 to match state rules: clarified definitions (including interior livable space), a 15‑business‑day completeness review period, ministerial approval timelines (60 days after completeness), an appeal route to the planning commission, and clarification of owner‑occupancy limits for certain JADUs. Staff noted that the ordinance is statutorily exempt from CEQA per state guidance and will be submitted to HCD after adoption for confirmation of compliance.

Public comment from housing advocates stressed that ADU permit activity does not guarantee long‑term affordability or availability to non-family renters and called for more proactive measures to meet the town’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals; a caller from Call Marin Home noted the town still faces a significant remaining RHNA gap and urged more aggressive actions and zoning options. Staff said the APR will be corrected with HCD and returned to consent for finalization once HCD reconciles permit counts.