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Loomis council adopts urgency ordinance to align ADU rules with 2026 state law
Summary
The Loomis Town Council adopted an urgency ordinance replacing section 13.42.270 of the municipal code to conform local accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules to state changes effective Jan. 1, 2026, while planning parallel review to refine local details.
The Loomis Town Council on June 10 adopted an urgency ordinance to update local rules for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, saying the change is necessary to keep the town’s zoning consistent with state law that took effect Jan. 1, 2026. Planning staff said the new section replaces the existing text to provide clearer definitions, ministerial processing timelines and objective design standards.
Planning manager Christie Consolini told the council the ordinance is meant “to reflect the current law as enacted January 1st, 2026 and also to establish clear parameters in which an ADU can be developed per state law.” She said the replacement ordinance adds definitions, clarifies size, height and setback limits, and creates a discrete planning permit and fee in addition to building permits.
The adoption follows a public hearing and comments from residents and groups urging clarity and safety measures. Jean Wilson, a former planning commissioner, urged adoption to give staff and the public a clear reference while the town fine‑tunes language later. A written comment read into the record asked the council to ensure objective drainage, erosion control and stormwater standards remain applicable to ADU projects for flood protection.
Council members debated whether to treat the ordinance as an emergency adoption or to delay it for additional review. Supporters said not adopting before a statutory or litigation-driven deadline would create a regulatory gap and make local control harder to exercise; opponents urged caution because some local design and setback choices changed from prior code. Staff and council settled on a two-track approach: adopt the urgency ordinance now to meet state timing, and simultaneously send the same language through the planning commission and later hearings so the council can consider refinements.
The council approved the urgency ordinance by roll call vote. Staff said the town will present a non-urgency version for standard two‑reading adoption and will pursue a planning‑commission review in parallel. The ordinance text replaces section 13.42.270 and will be followed by a more deliberate review process to address local concerns within the limits of state preemption.
Next steps: staff will schedule the planning‑commission review and return the non‑urgency ordinance to the council for the standard public hearings and two readings.
