Planners present draft ADU rules to meet SB 284; staff recommends cautious rollout

City planning staff presented a draft ordinance that implements the new state ADU law (SB 284), distinguishes attached ADUs, detached ADUs and "extended living areas," and lays out application, parking, setback and footprint rules. Staff emphasized the council had urged a cautious approach and recommended the commission limit detached ADU eligibility initially to lots of 11,000 square feet or larger, with the possibility of expanding eligible areas after a period of monitoring.

"The new state law is effective October 1," a staff presenter told the commission, explaining that SB 284 requires cities to allow detached ADUs on residential lots meeting the statutory minimum (staff member, speaker 1). Staff proposed clear-and-objective standards, owner-occupancy affidavits, an administrative special-use permit and business license for rented ADUs, and a conservative start to implementation so the city can evaluate enforcement and effects before widening eligibility.

Commissioners spent substantial time probing application requirements (elevations versus photos), parking calculations near transit stations, building coverage formulas and the treatment of existing detached accessories that contain habitable elements.