Council adopts ADU ordinance on second reading, adds one-space-per-unit parking requirement

The City Council held second reading and adopted a new chapter to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under state law and the city's implementing ordinance. Planning staff explained the state baseline gives cities the option to set parking requirements; staff had recommended no parking requirement to encourage ADU creation but cautioned the council that, absent a local ordinance, state law currently allows some ADU creation via building permit with no additional parking.

Residents from dense neighborhoods, notably Dixon Street, urged the council to require parking to avoid worsening curb congestion; zoning staff noted that if ADUs replace required parking on a property the applicant may need to seek relief from the zoning board. The council amended the ordinance to require one on-site parking space per ADU unit (not per bedroom) and voted to adopt the chapter as amended. Planning staff will return with statistics on variance cases and implementation impacts as the ordinance is applied.