Sec. 49.06. - Accessory development standards.

An accessory dwelling unit permit shall be issued only if the unit complies with the following development standards:

(a)

General.

No development standards shall be applied that would prohibit up to an eight hundred square foot accessory dwelling unit that is no more than sixteen feet in height with four-foot side and four-foot rear setbacks to be constructed in compliance with all other local development standards.

(b)

Setbacks.

a.

Single-family residential districts including single-family planning department zone districts. An accessory dwelling unit shall comply with the following setback requirements:

i.

A new attached or detached eight hundred square foot accessory dwelling unit shall provide a minimum four-foot side and four-foot rear setback, and a front setback consistent with that of the primary dwelling unit in a standard zoning district. An eight hundred square foot accessory dwelling unit that complies with all other development standards may be built within the front yard setback of a lot if it is otherwise physically infeasible to build an accessory dwelling unit on other areas of the lot while maintaining the minimum rear and side yard setbacks outlined in this subsection. Side-corner setbacks shall be a minimum of four feet.

b.

Multifamily districts including multifamily districts. An accessory dwelling unit shall comply with the following setback requirements:

i.

A new attached or detached accessory dwelling unit shall provide a minimum four-foot side and four-foot rear setback. The front setback shall be consistent with a primary dwelling unit in the applicable standard zoning district, or the most similar standard zoning district. Side-corner setbacks shall be a minimum of eight feet.

c.

If the existing multifamily dwelling exceeds height requirements or has a rear or side setback of less than four feet, the department shall not require modification of the existing multifamily dwelling as a condition of approving the application to construct an accessory dwelling unit.

(c)

No setback shall be required for an existing legally constructed living area, garage, or other accessory structure that is converted to an accessory dwelling unit with independent exterior access from an existing or proposed residence. A setback of five feet from the side and rear property lines is required for an accessory dwelling unit constructed above an existing legally constructed or proposed garage.

(d)

Any new attached accessory dwelling unit, detached accessory dwelling unit or expansion of the singlefamily dwelling to support the internal conversion for an accessory dwelling shall be designed to maintain appropriate setbacks, as described in subsection B (a) and (b) above, from the future width of any abutting public streets. Future street configurations shall be based on the widths, standards and right-of-way lines in the circulation element of the City of Colusa General Plan or specifically addressed in a resolution adopted by the city council.

(Ord. No. 568, 5-20-2025)