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Commission backs zoning changes for two‑unit housing and urban lot splits under SB 9
Summary
The commission recommended City Council approve updates to subdivision and zoning chapters to implement SB 9-related provisions (urban lot splits and two-unit developments), clarifying fire-severity mapping, floodplain/conservation definitions, owner-occupancy covenants and objective standards for mechanical placement.
Planning staff presented ZCA 2025-02, a zoning and subdivision code update intended to implement state law provisions that allow two‑unit housing developments and urban lot splits. The draft amends municipal-code language in chapter 22 (subdivision) and chapter 23 (zoning), clarifies what counts as high-fire-severity zones and flood‑prone or conservation lands, sets processing time limits, and adds objective standards (landscaping, open space and placement of water heaters and HVAC equipment) to reduce visibility of mechanicals from front yards.
Staff said the city previously adopted an urgency ordinance and objective standards in 2022; this amendment builds on that work to ensure compliance with additional state changes. The code also proposes recorded affidavits or covenants to document owner-occupancy and clarifies owner rights under Government Code provisions when property owners split lots and retain title for a specified period. Staff recommended forwarding the draft (resolution PC 2025-05) to City Council for action.
Commissioners asked whether code enforcement can compel relocation of permitted mechanicals from the front yard (staff said enforcement applies only to unpermitted installations, while permitted mechanicals that meet code would generally be allowed) and why Placentia saw a small area added to the high fire severity map; staff tied that change to statewide map updates and recent large fires, noting mitigation measures such as boxed eaves and noncombustible exterior construction can be applied for new work.
The commission voted to forward the amendment to City Council.
