TO: Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
THRU: Anna Pehoushek, Assistant Community Development Director
FROM: Arlen Beck, Associate Planner
1. SUBJECT
title
Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance Update (Continued from April 15, 2024).
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2. SUMMARY
An update to the City's existing Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance in response to changes in state law and guidance from the Department of Housing and Community Development, and a finding of CEQA exemption.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 14-24 entitled:
A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Orange recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance updating accessory dwelling unit provisions of the Orange Municipal Code in response to changes in state law and guidance from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
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4. AUTHORIZING GUIDELINES
Orange Municipal Code (OMC) Section 17.08.020 authorizes the Planning Commission to review and make advisory recommendations to the City Council on Zoning Ordinance Amendments.
5. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The City of Orange has regulated accessory dwelling units (ADUs), previously known as "granny flats" or "second units" for thirty years. The law has evolved in order to increase the number of ADUs available in the housing market. The City has made numerous changes to its ADU ordinance over the years, summarized below:
In May 2003, in response to changes in state law, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 8-03 to allow ministerial approval of an ADU of a minimum of 450 sq. ft. and a maximum of 640 sq. ft. in residential zoning districts provided that the lot was occupied by only a single-family residence.
In 2016, state ADU law was again amended to streamline the ADU approval process. The following year, in February 2017 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 02-17 to again meet the requirements of state law. Key OMC updates at that time included: providing for efficiency unit...
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