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<br />3 <br /> <br />Summary of Recent Changes to ADU Laws <br />The California legislature found and declared that, <br />among other things, allowing accessory dwelling units <br />(ADUs) in single family and multifamily zones <br />provides additional rental housing and are an <br />essential component in addressing housing needs in <br />California. Over the years, ADU law has been revised <br />to improve its effectiveness such as recent changes <br />in 2003 to require ministerial approval. In 2017, <br />changes to ADU laws will further reduce barriers, <br />better streamline approval and expand capacity to <br />accommodate the development of ADUs. <br />ADUs are a unique opportunity to address a variety of <br />housing needs and provide affordable housing <br />options for family members, friends, students, the <br />elderly, in-home health care providers, the disabled, <br />and others. Further, ADUs offer an opportunity to maximize and <br />integrate housing choices within existing neighborhoods. <br />Within this context, the Department has prepared this guidance to assist local governments in encouraging the <br />development of ADUs. Please see Attachment 1 for the complete statutory changes. The following is a brief <br />summary of the changes for each bill. <br />SB 1069 (Wieckowski) <br />S.B. 1069 (Chapter 720, Statutes of 2016) made several changes to address barriers to the development of ADUs <br />and expanded capacity for their development. The following is a brief summary of provisions that go into effect <br />January 1, 2017. <br />Parking <br />SB 1069 reduces parking requirements to one space per bedroom or unit. The legislation authorizes off street <br />parking to be tandem or in setback areas unless specific findings such as fire and life safety conditions are made. <br />SB 1069 also prohibits parking requirements if the ADU meets any of the following: <br />• Is within a half mile from public transit. <br />• Is within an architecturally and historically significant historic district. <br />• Is part of an existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure. <br />• Is in an area where on-street parking permits are required, but not offered to the occupant of the ADU. <br />• Is located within one block of a car share area. <br /> <br />Courtesy of Karen Chapple, UC Berkeley <br />8.B. - Page 53