Division 10 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the development of accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units consistent with Government Code section 66310 et. seq. (Accessory Dwelling Units), as amended. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units are allowed in conjunction with single-family and multi-family dwellings in order to provide flexible and affordable housing options within the city.

(b)

Number permitted. Notwithstanding sections (1) through (3) below, the number of dwelling units permitted on a lot shall not exceed the number allowed by California Government Code sections 66323 and 66333.

(1)

The following shall be permitted as accessory uses on lots with one (1) existing or proposed single-family dwelling:

a.

One (1) accessory dwelling unit; and

b.

One (1) junior accessory dwelling unit.

(2)

The following shall be permitted as an accessory use on lots with more than one (1) existing or proposed single-family dwelling:

a.

One (1) internal or detached accessory dwelling unit per lot.

(3)

The following shall be permitted as accessory uses to existing or proposed multi-family dwellings:

a.

Up to two (2) detached accessory dwelling units; and

b.

The conversion of portions of existing multi-family dwellings that are not used as living space to create at least one (1) internal accessory dwelling unit, or up to twenty-five (25) percent of the number of existing dwelling units as internal accessory dwelling units.

(c)

Occupancy. When a junior accessory dwelling unit is located on a residential property, either the junior accessory dwelling unit or the primary dwelling shall be occupied by the owner of the primary dwelling. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a deed restriction shall be recorded against the title of the property that stipulates this owner occupancy requirement and that the junior accessory dwelling unit cannot be sold separately from the primary dwelling.

(d)

Rental. An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall not be rented for less than thirty (30) days.

(e)

Minimum allowance. Development standards included in this chapter or elsewhere in chapter 29 shall not prohibit an accessory dwelling unit with a floor area up to eight hundred (800) square feet and four (4) foot side and rear yards.

(f)

Development standards. The following development standards shall apply to accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units. Where development standards are not specified in this chapter, accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall meet all development standards for the zone within which they are located, provided the development standards do not prohibit the minimum allowance as described in subsection (d) above.

(1)

Density. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall not be counted for the purpose of determining residential density as defined in this title.

(2)

Lot size. There is no minimum lot size required for accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units.

(3)

Existing structures.

a.

When an existing accessory building is converted to an accessory dwelling unit, the existing square footage may be expanded by up to one hundred fifty (150) square feet to allow for ingress and egress.

b.

Junior accessory dwelling units shall not include expansions of existing structures.

(4)

Junior accessory dwelling unit size.

a.

The minimum floor area of a junior accessory dwelling unit shall be one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

b.

The maximum floor area of a junior accessory dwelling unit shall be five hundred (500) square feet.

(5)

Accessory dwelling unit size.

a.

The minimum floor area of an accessory dwelling unit shall be one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

b.

The maximum floor area of an accessory dwelling unit shall be fifty (50) percent of the size of the primary dwelling (not to exceed one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet), or at least eight hundred fifty (850) square feet for units with one (1) or fewer bedrooms and one thousand (1,000) square feet for units with two (2) or more bedrooms.

c.

The conversion of an existing accessory building to an accessory dwelling unit is not subject to a maximum size limit, provided there is no expansion of the existing structure beyond one hundred fifty (150) square feet for ingress and egress.

(6)

Height.

a.

The maximum height for detached or attached accessory dwelling units shall be twenty-five (25) feet.

b.

The maximum height for internal accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall be the same as the primary dwelling in the underlying zone.

c.

The conversion of an existing accessory building to an accessory dwelling unit is not subject to this height limit, provided there is no expansion of the existing structure beyond one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

(7)

Setbacks for attached or detached accessory dwelling units. Setbacks for attached or detached accessory dwelling units shall be as follows:

a.

Front setback. The front setback shall be consistent with the requirements of the underlying zone.

b.

Rear setback. Rear setbacks shall be four (4) feet or consistent with the requirements of the underlying zone, whichever is less.

c.

Rear setback abutting a freeway. Rear setbacks abutting a freeway shall be fifty (50) feet.

d.

Interior side setback. Interior side setbacks shall be four (4) feet or consistent with the requirements of the underlying zone, whichever is less.

(8)

Setbacks for internal and junior accessory dwelling units. Setbacks for internal accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall be consistent with the requirements for the primary dwelling in the underlying zone.

(9)

Setbacks for conversions. The conversion of an existing accessory building to an accessory dwelling unit is not subject to setback requirements, provided there is no expansion of the existing structure beyond one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

(10)

Access for junior accessory dwelling units. If a permitted junior accessory dwelling unit does not include a separate bathroom, the permitted junior accessory dwelling unit shall include a separate entrance from the main entrance to the structure, with an interior entry to the main living area.

(g)

Parking for junior accessory dwelling units. No additional off-street parking spaces shall be required for junior accessory dwelling units, except that existing off-street parking within an attached garage that is removed as part of a conversion to a junior accessory dwelling unit shall be replaced elsewhere on the property. Required off-street parking spaces may be provided as tandem spaces or within setback areas, provided the spaces do not create a health or safety hazard.

(h)

Parking for accessory dwelling units. Off-street parking shall be provided for accessory dwelling units as follows:

(1)

One (1) off-street parking space shall be required per accessory dwelling unit, except:

a.

No off-street parking spaces are required for accessory dwelling units located within one-half (½) mile walking distance of public transit, defined for the purposes of this section as a location including, but not limited to, a bus stop or train station where the public may access buses, trains, and other forms of transportation that charge set fares, run on fixed routes, and are available to the public.

b.

No off-street parking spaces are required for accessory dwelling units located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.

c.

No off-street parking spaces are required for accessory dwelling units that are part of the proposed or existing primary dwelling or an accessory structure.

d.

No off-street parking spaces are required for accessory dwelling units when on-street parking permits are required, but not offered to the occupant of the accessory dwelling unit.

e.

No off-street parking spaces are required for accessory dwelling units when there is a car share vehicle located within one (1) block of the accessory dwelling unit.

f.

Existing off-street parking within a garage, carport, or covered parking structure that is removed or converted as part of construction of an accessory dwelling unit is not required to be replaced.

(2)

Required off-street parking spaces may be provided as tandem spaces or within setback areas, provided the spaces do not create a health or safety hazard.

(i)

Fire sprinklers. Fire sprinklers shall not be required for accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units unless they are required for the primary dwelling. The construction of an accessory dwelling unit shall not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in the existing primary dwelling.

(j)

Design. A junior or accessory dwelling unit, whether attached or detached, shall be architecturally compatible with the primary dwelling through the use of consistent architectural style, exterior building and roofing colors and materials, and landscaping.

(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24)