REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommend to City Council:
Proposed Project: Introduce an Ordinance to:
Amend Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code related to recent State Legislation on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
File #: PLNG-2024-0544
Environmental Review: The action is exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15268.
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458, avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
This report includes proposed ordinance amendments to Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC), which are necessary to comply with state legislation on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
The state considers ADUs a necessary form of housing to contribute to the solution to alleviate the current housing crisis in California. ADUs may provide additional rental housing supply to meet the increasing demand for housing and can potentially reduce displacement of existing homeowners by providing an additional income source. ADUs may also be associated with multifamily housing sites, further increasing the number of housing units. State ADU law has been revised many times in recent years with an aim to improve its effectiveness at creating more housing units.
Staff reviewed the legislation and the applicable sections of Title 19 (Zoning) of the SMC related to ADUs and recommends:
* Repealing and readopting Chapter 19.79 (Accessory Dwelling Units);
* Modifying Chapter 19.12 (Definitions);
* Modifying Table 19.37.040 (Minimum Landscape Area and Usable Open Space);
* Modifying Chapter 19.82 (Miscellaneous Planning Permit); and
* Modifying Chapter 19.50 (Nonconforming Buildings and Uses)
The City Council is scheduled to consider this item on March 25, 2025.
BACKGROUND
Prior to 2016, jurisdictions had the authority to regulate and permit ADUs based on local preferences. However, state legislation passed since then...
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