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Planning commission directs staff to develop program for AB 1332 preapproved ADU plans
Summary
Commissioners unanimously voted to direct staff to develop a program to implement California Assembly Bill 1332, allowing preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) building plans to speed permitting; staff said preapproved plans would reduce approval timelines and could lower costs for applicants.
The Fortuna Planning Commission voted unanimously to direct staff to develop a program implementing California Assembly Bill 1332 that would accept and display preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) building plans.
City staff member Katie told the commission that AB 1332 took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and requires local agencies to host a pool of preapproved ADU designs and a dedicated web page. "With the preapproved plans, it cuts the deadline for approval from 60 days to 30," Katie said, noting that while plans themselves are preapproved, "there is still additional review required for site-specific checks, including parcel coverage and setbacks, utility connections, and energy calculations." The staff presentation described an online submission via the city's OpenGov portal, a plan-check fee for designers, and the option for the city to purchase plans to make them available at no cost.
Commissioners asked about fees, whether local designers had been solicited and how septic or utility connections would be addressed for properties not on city sewer. On fees, Katie said designers would pay plan-check and administrative fees (technology fees are currently charged on planning and building applications) and that applicants who use preapproved plans would generally have the plan-check portion of their fee waived, though some site-specific review and other department fees would still apply. Staff presented a sample table estimating possible discounts in the range of roughly $600 to almost $900 depending on ADU size.
During public comment, resident Ryan Jones asked how septic would be handled for ADUs outside the city sewer system. Katie replied that septic permitting is handled by county environmental health and that applicants should secure county-approved septic plans before the city issues a building permit.
A commissioner motioned to direct staff to develop the AB 1332 program; the motion was seconded and the commission conducted a roll-call vote. Commissioners Christiansen, Doris, Hawley, Kine, Moore, Vice Chair Ayman and Chair Nichols all voted yes. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will draft program procedures, fee proposals for council consideration and an online submission workflow through the OpenGov portal; the commission directed staff to return with a proposed program for further review and possible council action.
