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Lompoc planning panel recommends City Council update ADU rules to align with state law
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to recommend City Council adopt zoning code changes to accessory dwelling units so the city complies with recent state ADU requirements; commissioners raised concerns about alley parking and garage conversions but staff said those parking changes are required by state law.
The Lompoc Planning Commission on June 10 voted to recommend that City Council approve amendments to the city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to conform with recent state law and guidance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Mr. Stone, presenting the staff report, told the commission the city revised ADU language in 2023 but has since received communication from HCD that the local ordinance is not fully consistent with the state Government Code. Staff said the proposed amendments update Lompoc Municipal Code Section 17.44.020 to reflect state ADU requirements, clarify allowable ADU types and counts, remove language no longer required, and add an optional section addressing the Starter Home Revitalization Act.
Staff highlighted two substantive topics. First, recent state law changes mean "no new parking spaces are required for an ADU or a junior ADU," a change staff said is mandatory to match state requirements. Second, staff said the Starter Home Revitalization Act language is optional local ordinance language city councils may adopt to prohibit ADUs on parcels created under that program; staff offered it for local consideration.
Commissioners raised practical concerns about alley-front properties where single-car garages abut narrow alleys and asked whether garage conversions would force more vehicles into alleyways and obstruct emergency access. Staff acknowledged the concerns, said the city enforces alley blocking and towing where necessary, and noted some technical questions (such as whether slabs must be removed when adding an addition over a garage) are matters for building or public works review.
After discussion the commission moved, seconded and passed a resolution recommending City Council adopt the ADU zoning text amendments (resolution 1030-426). Staff said the recommended ordinance amendments are exempt from CEQA per Public Resources Code section 21807. The next step is City Council review and possible adoption.
