San Clemente Council Adopts State‑aligned ADU Zoning Changes over Resident Objections

The San Clemente City Council voted unanimously June 2 to introduce an ordinance amending the municipal code for accessory dwelling units to align local regulations with recent state law changes.

Resident speakers pressed the council to resist or limit the changes. "I am in strong opposition to this," said Amanda Kinttonia during public testimony, citing concerns about parking loss and infrastructure capacity in downtown neighborhoods. Larry Colbertson warned that allowing up to three additional units on single‑family lots could multiply household counts and vehicles, saying, "A single family lot can now contain four households" and arguing the change will alter neighborhood character.

Staff and the planning commission framed the draft ordinance as a required update to bring San Clemente's zoning into compliance with state statutes and recent guidance. Council members repeatedly said local flexibility has been reduced by state law and that the city's options are constrained. One council member noted the city had received a letter from state housing officials in October 2025 but that the staff report did not include the correspondence.

Council members who supported the ordinance said the city must follow state requirements even when council members disagree with policy outcomes. After public comment and brief discussion, the council called the question and the motion to introduce and move the ordinance forward passed by a 5‑0 voice vote.

Next steps: the ordinance will proceed through the required legislative steps for formal adoption. The council did not adopt local amendments that would reinstate parking minimums or narrower ADU limits; councilmembers suggested those avenues are constrained by state law and would require separate legal review or legislative action at the state level.