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ZOA No. 2024-03: ADU Ordinance Amendments (Citywide) <br />January 21, 2025 <br />Page 2 <br />4 <br />7 <br />5 <br />3 <br />consistent with changes to State ADU law. Specifically, staff proposes amendments to <br />Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Sections 41-194 (Purpose), 41-194.1 <br />(Definitions), 41-194.2 (Permitted zones and applicability), and 41-194.3 (Development <br />standards) in order to comply with State ADU Law. It also proposes to update outdated <br />references to the Government Code and change language with respect to ADU size. <br />On December 9, 2024, during its regularly scheduled meeting, the Planning <br />Commission voted 5:0, with Vice-Chairperson Ramos and Commissioner Leo absent, to <br />recommend that the City Council approve the proposed amendments to Chapter 41. As <br />part of its recommendation to approve, the Planning Commission did not include any <br />changes to the proposed ordinance amendments. <br />DISCUSSION <br />ADUs are seen as a critical component in addressing the statewide housing shortage. As <br />such, the California Legislature has enacted bills making changes to State ADU law in <br />nearly every legislative session since 2016. Collectively, the bills have made changes to <br />development and design standards that can be imposed by local agencies, the number of <br />units that can be constructed on a property, set limits on parking standards and included <br />parking exemptions, required streamlined review processes, and prescribed that local <br />ordinances that are not in compliance with state ADU law are null and void and <br />superseded by State law. <br />SB 1211 is the latest bill enacted by the legislature and signed by the Governor that <br />made changes to State ADU law. The bill increases the number of detached ADUs that <br />can be constructed on lots with multi-family buildings, prohibits local governments from <br />requiring replacement of uncovered parking spaces, and clarifies the definition of livable <br />space. <br />To ensure Santa Ana’s local ordinance remains enforceable and consistent with State <br />law, sections of Article II (Use Districts) of Chapter 41 (Zoning) relating to ADUs and <br />Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) that are impacted must be amended. <br />Table 1 below provides a summary of the major changes necessary to the local ADU <br />ordinance. If adopted, the ordinance would require a second reading and would become <br />effective 30 days thereafter.