AgdaPkt 2017-03-27 Closed and Joint SA PFA

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8 Are Local Governments Required to Adopt an Ordinance? No, a local government is not required to adopt an ordinance. ADUs built within a jurisdiction that lacks a local ordinance must comply with state standards (See Attachment 4). Adopting an ordinance can occur through different forms such as a new ordinance, amendment to an existing ordinance, separate section or special regulations within the zoning code or integrated into the zoning c ode by district. However, the ordinance should be established legislatively through a public process and meeting and not through internal administrative actions such as memos or zoning interpretations. Can a Local Government Preclude ADUs? No local government cannot preclude ADUs. Can a Local Government Apply Development Standards and Designate Areas? Yes, local governments may apply development standards and may designate where ADUs are permitted (GC Sections 65852.2(a)(1)(A) and (B)). However, ADUs within existing structures must be allowed in all single family residential zones. For ADUs that require an addition or a new accessory structure, development standards such as parking, height, lot coverage, lot size and maximum unit size can be established with certain limitations. ADUs can be avoided or allowed through an ancillary and separate discretionary process in areas with health and safety risks such as high fire hazard areas. However, standards and allowable areas must not be designed or applied in a manner that burdens the development of ADUs and should maximize the potential for ADU development. Designating areas where ADUs are allowed should be approached primarily on health and safety issues including water, sewer, traffic flow and public safety. Utilizing approaches such as restrictive overlays, limiting ADUs to larger lot sizes, burdensome lot coverage and setbacks and particularly concentration or distance requirements (e.g., no less than 500 feet between ADUs) may unreasonably restrict the ability of the homeowners to create ADUs, contrary to the intent of the Legislature. Can a Local Government Adopt Less Restrictive Requirements? Yes, ADU law is a minimum requirement and its purpose is to encourage the development of ADUs. Local governments can take a variety of actions beyond the statute t hat promote ADUs such as reductions in fees, less restrictive parking or unit sizes or amending general plan policies. Requiring large minimum lot sizes and not allowing smaller lot sizes for ADUs can severely restrict their potential development. For example, large minimum lot sizes for ADUs may constrict capacity throughout most of the community. Minimum lot sizes cannot be applied to ADUs within existing structures and could be considered relative to health and safety concerns such as areas on septic system s. While larger lot sizes might be targeted for various reasons such as ease of compatibility, many tools are available (e.g., maximum unit size, maximum lot coverage, minimum setbacks, architectural and landscape requirements) that allows ADUs to fit well within the built environment. 8.B. - Page 58