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Seaside commission backs code updates to align local ADU rules with California law
Summary
The commission recommended that the City Council adopt ZOA 2026-002 to update Seaside’s ADU/JADU rules to reflect recent state changes — including measuring ADU size by interior living space, expanded allowances for detached ADUs on multifamily parcels, and changes to owner-occupancy rules for JADUs.
The Seaside Planning Commission on May 13 recommended that the City Council adopt ZOA 2026-002, a zoning amendment to bring the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and junior ADU (JADU) rules into alignment with recent California legislation.
Staff told the commission that state law has limited local discretion on ADU regulation and that the draft ordinance updates Seaside Municipal Code section 17.52.230 to measure ADU size by interior living space, permit multiple exempt detached ADUs on multifamily properties (up to the number of primary dwelling units), and clarify that conversions that meet state exempting criteria must be approved. Staff also described modifications to JADU rules: a JADU with a private bathroom no longer requires owner occupancy; a JADU that shares a bathroom with the primary dwelling does require owner occupancy. Staff said the city attorney had reviewed the draft.
Commission discussion touched on parking implications of state rules that prohibit requiring replacement parking when ADUs take existing parking stalls (including uncovered stalls), water allocations for ADU connections and the city’s limited water supply program (city-provided water for up to one ADU unless additional water is secured), and the technical timelines for permit completeness and decision (15 business days for completeness determination; 60 days from application submission to decision). Staff recommended appeals on ADU completeness or denials be heard by the planning commission as the final decision, consistent with state options.
A motion to recommend that the City Council adopt ZOA 2026-002 passed unanimously. Staff will forward the recommended ordinance language to council for final action.
