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Placentia council introduces ADU ordinance to align with new state rules
Summary
The Placentia City Council on Feb. 17 introduced Ordinance O2026‑01 to update local rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs, adding ministerial review time limits, clarifying appeals and when sprinklers are required for JADUs. The motion passed 5–0 and the ordinance will return for second reading.
Joe Lambert presented proposed amendments to Placentia’s ADU rules, telling the council: “This item as you said is consideration of ordinance O2026‑01 which would amend Chapter 23.73 of the Municipal Code as it relates to accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.” Lambert said the changes respond to recent state laws, citing bills including SB 543 and AB 462, and urged the council to adopt a locally compliant ordinance so applications are not processed solely under state rules.
Lambert summarized the principal edits: time limits for ministerial review of ADU applications (a “shot clock” for staff action), clarified appeal procedures for decisions, explicit language about state‑mandated approvals, and clarified when fire sprinklers are required for junior accessory dwelling units (generally only when the primary structure already has sprinklers for attached units).
The council received no public comment. After discussion, the council voted to introduce Ordinance O2026‑01 for first reading; the motion carried on a 5–0 vote. The staff report noted the Planning Commission had held a public hearing in January and recommended that the council find the amendment exempt from CEQA and proceed with introduction.
Council members and staff stressed the objective was local compliance with state ADU law while retaining appropriate local procedures. The ordinance will return to the council for second reading and formal adoption.
