Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Santa Paula introduces ADU ordinance updates to comply with new state law
Summary
The council introduced Ordinance 13-40 to align the city's ADU rules with AB 2533 and SB 1211, including altered timelines for legalizing older ADUs, a definition of "livable space," and expanded allowances for detached ADUs on some multifamily lots; staff said standardized plan sets are coming.
The Santa Paula City Council introduced Ordinance 13-40, amending Chapter 16.227 of the municipal code to ensure local accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations comply with new state law effective Jan. 1, 2025. Planning and Economic Development Manager Tom Tarantino framed the revisions as primarily technical updates to align local rules with AB 2533 and SB 1211.
Tarantino told the council the updates are needed so "To remain valid, the city's ADU ordinance must comply with those requirements imposed by AB 25 33, and SB 12 11 that impose new limits on local authority, to regulate accessory dwelling units...by said date." He summarized key changes: expansion of eligibility for legalizing certain unpermitted ADUs and JADUs (with the construction cutoff moved from 2018 to 2020 for some provisions), a new statutory definition of "livable space," and adjustments to allowances for detached ADUs on lots with multifamily dwellings.
Council members asked detailed questions about how the rules would treat converted garages, tiny or factory-built homes, parking impacts, wildfire setbacks and whether standardized plan sets and online toolkits would be available. Tarantino and staff said the city will publish an ADU guide and five standardized plan models to speed permitting; the staff report and planning commission recommendation were referenced as the basis for the ordinance introduction.
A motion to waive first reading and introduce Ordinance 13-40 passed unanimously. Staff said final adoption is scheduled for the council's next meeting to meet the state's Jan. 1 compliance deadline.
