HomeMy WebLinkAboutO 2025-013
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-013
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTION 16.52.150 OF THE
ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE
EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 21080.17
WHEREAS, state law authorizes cities to act by ordinance to provide for the creation
and regulation of accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”) and junior accessory dwelling units
(“JADUs”); and
WHEREAS, in recent years, the California Legislature has approved, and the Governor
has signed into law, a number of bills that, among other things, amend various sections
of the Government Code to impose new limits on local authority to regulate ADUs and
JADUs; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the California Legislature approved, and the Governor signed into
law, further amendments to state ADU law; and
WHEREAS, the new updates to state ADU law take effect on January 1, 2026, and for
the City’s ADU ordinance to remain valid, it must be amended to reflect the most recent
changes to state law
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend its local regulatory scheme for the construction
of ADUs and JADUs to reflect the most recent changes to state law; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arroyo Grande has duly initiated amendments to the Arroyo
Grande Municipal Code (“AGMC”); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Arroyo Grande, after giving notices
thereof as required by law, held a public hearing on November 4, 2025 concerning the
attached AGMC Section 16.52.150 code amendments and carefully considered all
pertinent testimony and the staff report offered in the case as presented; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande has, after giving notice
thereof as required by law, held a public hearing on November 25, 2025, concerning the
attached amendments to AGMC Section 16.52.150; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande , at its regularly scheduled
public meeting on November 25, 2025 introduced this attached ordinance amending
AGMC Section 16.52.150; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully considered all pe rtinent testimony and the
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PAGE 2
staff report, its attachments and all supporting materials referenced therein or offered in
the matter as presented at the public hearing.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Incorporation. The above recitals and findings are true and correct and
are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Environmental. The City Council finds that, under California Public
Resources Code section 21080.17, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”)
does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance by a city or county implementing the
provisions of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code,
which is California’s ADU law. Therefore, adoption of the proposed Ordinance is
statutorily exempt from CEQA in that it implements state ADU law.
SECTION 3. Required Findings. In accordance with AGMC section
16.16.040(E) , the City Council hereby makes the following findings:
1. General Plan. The City Council hereby finds that the adoption of the
Ordinance is consistent with the General Plan as a matter of law under Government
Code section 66314(c).
2. Health, Safety, and Welfare; Illogical Land Use Pattern. Adoption of the
ordinance will not adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare as it updates
the AGMC as required by State law. Finally, this ordinance will not result in an illogical
land use pattern as it is not amending the City’s zoning map.
3. Consistency with Title 16. This ordinance is consistent with the purpose
and intent of AGMC Title 16 because it amends regulations for the development of
ADUs and JADUs promoted by and consistent with the City’s Housing Element.
4. Environmental. See Section 2 above.
SECTION 5. Code Amendment. AGMC Section 16.52.150 is hereby amended and
restated to read in its entirety as provided in “Exhibit A-1,” attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 6. Publication. A summary of this ordinance shall be published in a
newspaper published and circulated in the City of Arroyo Grande at least five days prior
to the City Council meeting at which the proposed ordinance is to be adopted. A
certified copy of the full text of the proposed ordinance shall be posted in the office of
the City Clerk. Within 15 days after adoption of the ordinance, the summary with the
names of those City Council members voting for and against the ordinance shall be
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published again, and the City Clerk shall post a certified copy of the full text of such
adopted ordinance.
SECTION 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after
adoption.
SECTION 8. HCD Submittal. In accordance with Government Code section 66326, the
City Clerk is directed to submit a copy of this Ordinance to the California Department of
Housing and Community Development within 60 days after adoption.
SECTION 9. Severability. Should any provision of this ordinance, or its application to
any person or circumstance, be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
unlawful, unenforceable or otherwise void, that determination shall have no effect on
any other provision of this ordinance or the application of this ordinance to any other
person or circumstance, and, to that end, the provisions hereof are severable. The City
Council declares that it would have adopted all the provisions of this ordinance that
remain valid if any provisions of this ordinance are declared invalid.
SECTION 10. Records. The documents and materials associated with this ordinance
that constitute the record of proceedings on which the City Council’s findings and
determinations are based are located at 300 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA
93420. The City Clerk is the custodian of the record of proceedings.
On motion by Council Member Maraviglia, seconded by Council Member Guthrie, and
by the following roll call vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Maraviglia, Guthrie, Loe, and Secrest
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Ray Russom
the foregoing Ordinance was adopted this 9th day of December, 2025.
CAREN RAY RUSSOM, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JESSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
MATTHEW DOWNING, CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ISAAC ROSEN, CITY ATTORNEY
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Exhibit A-1
Section 16.52.150 Accessory Dwelling Units
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow and regulate accessory dwelling
units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in compliance with
Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code.
B. Effect of Conforming. An ADU or JADU that conforms to the standards in this
section will not be:
1. Deemed to be inconsistent with the city’s general plan and zoning
designation for the lot on which the ADU or JADU is located.
2. Deemed to exceed the allowable density for the lot on which the ADU or
JADU is located.
3. Considered in the application of any local ordinance, policy, or program to
limit residential growth.
4. Required to correct a nonconforming zoning condition, as defined in
subsection C.8 below. This does not prevent the city from enforcing
compliance with applicable building standards in accordance with Health
and Safety Code section 17980.12.
C. Definitions. As used in this section, terms are defined as follows:
1. “Accessory dwelling unit” or “ADU” means an attached or a detached
residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities
for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing
primary residence. An accessory dwelling unit also includes the following:
a. An efficiency unit, as defined by section 17958.1 of the California
Health and Safety Code; and
b. A manufactured home, as defined by section 18007 of the
California Health and Safety Code.
2. “Accessory structure” means a structure that is accessory and incidental
to a dwelling located on the same lot.
3. “Complete independent living facilities” means permanent provisions for
living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the
single-family or multifamily dwelling is or will be situated.
4. “Efficiency kitchen” means a kitchen that includes all of the following:
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a. A cooking facility with appliances.
b. A food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of a
reasonable size in relation to the size of the JADU.
5. “Junior accessory dwelling unit” or “JADU” means a residential unit that
satisfies all of the following:
a. It is no more than 500 square feet of interior livable space in size.
b. It is contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family
structure. An enclosed use within the residence, such as an
attached garage, is considered to be a part of and contained within
the single-family structure.
c. It includes its own separate sanitation facilities or shares sanitation
facilities with the existing or proposed single-family structure.
d. If the unit does not include its own separate bathroom, then it
contains an interior entrance to the main living area of the existing
or proposed single-family structure in addition to an exterior
entrance that is separate from the main entrance to the primary
dwelling.
e. It includes an efficiency kitchen, as defined in subsection C.4
above.
6. “Livable space” means a space in a dwelling intended for human
habitation, including living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation.
7. “Living area” means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit, including
basements and attics, but does not include a garage or any accessory
structure.
8. “Nonconforming zoning condition” means a physical improvement on a
property that does not conform with current zoning standards.
9. “Passageway” means a pathway that is unobstructed clear to the sky and
extends from a street to one entrance of the ADU or JADU.
10. “Proposed dwelling” means a dwelling that is the subject of a permit
application and that meets the requirements for permitting.
11. “Public transit” means a location, including, but not limited to, a bus stop or
train station, where the public may access buses, trains, subways, and
other forms of transportation that charge set fares, run on fixed routes,
and are available to the public.
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12. “Tandem parking” means that two or more automobiles are parked on a
driveway or in any other location on a lot, lined up behind one another.
D. Approvals. The following approvals apply to ADUs and JADUs created under
this section:
1. Ministerial ADU and Building Permits Required. Every ADU and JADU
requires an ADU permit and a building permit. The city will review and
approve permit applications in accordance with subsection D.3 below.
2. Processing Fee. The city may charge a fee to reimburse it for costs
incurred in processing ADU permits, including the costs of adopting or
amending the city’s ADU ordinance. The ADU-permit processing fee is
determined by the most recent fee schedule approved by city council
resolution.
3. Process and Timing.
a. Completeness.
i. Determination in 15 days. The city will determine whether
an application to create or serve an ADU or JADU is
complete and will provide written notice of the determination
to the applicant within 15 business days after the city
receives the application submittal.
ii. Incomplete Items. If the city’s determination under
subsection D.3.a.i above is that the application is
incomplete, the city’s notice must list the incomplete items
and describe how the application can be made complete.
iii. Cure. After receiving a notice that the application is
incomplete, the applicant may cure and address the items
that were deemed by the city to be incomplete.
iv. Subsequent Submittals. If the applicant submits additional
information to address incomplete items, within 15 business
days of the subsequent submittal the city will determine in
writing whether the additional information remedies all the
incomplete items that the city identified in its original notice.
The city may not require the application to include an item
that was not included in the original notice.
v. Deemed Complete. If the city does not make a timely
determination as required by this subsection a, the
application or resubmitted application is deemed complete
for the purposes of subsection D.3.c below.
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vi. Appeal of Incompleteness. An applicant may appeal the
city’s determination that the application is incomplete by
submitting a written appeal to the city clerk. The planning
commission will review the written appeal and affirm or
reverse the completeness determination and provide a final
written determination to the applicant within 60 business
days after receipt of the appeal.
b. No Discretion or Hearing. Ministerial permits for an ADU or JADU
are considered and approved without discretionary review or a
hearing.
c. Deadline to Approve or Deny Ministerial Approvals. The city
must approve or deny an application to create an ADU or JADU
within 60 days from the date that the city receives a complete
application. If the city has not approved or denied the complete
application within 60 days, the application is deemed approved
unless either:
i. The applicant requests a delay, in which case the 60 -day
time period is tolled for the period of the requested delay, or
ii. When an application to create an ADU or JADU is submitted
with a permit application to create a new single-family or
multifamily dwelling on the lot, the city may delay acting on
the permit application for the ADU or JADU until the city acts
on the permit application to create the new single-family or
multifamily dwelling, but the application to create the ADU or
JADU will still be considered ministerially without
discretionary review or a hearing.
d. Denial. If the city denies an application to create an ADU or JADU,
the city must provide the applicant with comments that include,
among other things, a list of all the defective or deficient items and
a description of how the application may be remedied by the
applicant. Notice of the denial and corresponding comments must
be provided to the applicant within the 60-day time period
established by subsection D.3.c above.
e. Appeal of Denial. An applicant may appeal the city’s denial of the
application by submitting a written appeal to the city clerk. The
planning commission will review the written appeal and affirm or
reverse the denial and provide a final written determination to the
applicant within 60 business days after receipt of the appeal.
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f. Concurrent Review of Demolition. A demolition permit for a
detached garage that is to be replaced with an ADU is reviewed
with the application for the ADU and issued at the same time.
E. Classes.
1. Class 1: Statutorily Regulated. Class 1 ADUs and JADUs are approved
under Government Code section 66323. If an ADU or JADU complies with
each of the general requirements in subsection F below, it is allowed in
each of the following scenarios provided in this subsection E.1. An ADU
and JADU approved under subsection E.1.a may be combined with an
ADU approved under subsection E.1.b, and ADUs approved under
subsection E.1.c may be combined with ADUs approved under subsection
E.1.d.
a. Converted on Lot with Single-Family: One ADU as described in
this subsection E.1.a and one JADU on a lot with a proposed or
existing single-family dwelling on it, where the ADU or JADU:
i. Is either: within the space of a proposed single-family
dwelling; within the existing space of an existing single -
family dwelling; or (in the case of an ADU only) within the
existing space of an accessory structure, plus up to 150
additional square feet if the expansion is limited to
accommodating ingress and egress; and
ii. Has exterior access that is independent of that for the single -
family dwelling; and
iii. Has side and rear setbacks sufficient for fire and safety, as
dictated by applicable building and fire codes.
iv. The JADU complies with the requirements of Government
Code sections 66333 through 66339.
b. Limited Detached on Lot with Single-Family: One detached,
new-construction ADU on a lot with a proposed or existing single -
family dwelling, if the detached ADU satisfies each of the following
limitations:
i. The side- and rear-yard setbacks are at least four feet.
ii. The total floor area is 800 square feet of livable space or
smaller.
iii. The peak height above grade does not exceed the
applicable height limit in subsection F.2 below.
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c. Converted on Lot with Multifamily: One or more ADUs within
portions of existing multifamily dwelling structures that are not used
as livable space, including but not limited to storage rooms, boiler
rooms, passageways, attics, basements, or garages, if each
converted ADU complies with state building standards for
dwellings. Under this subsection E.1.c, at least one converted ADU
is allowed within an existing multifamily dwelling, up to a quantity
equal to 25 percent of the existing multifamily dwelling units.
d. Limited Detached on Lot with Multifamily: No more than two
detached ADUs on a lot with a proposed multifamily dwelling, or up
to eight detached ADUs on a lot with an existing multifamily
dwelling, if each detached ADU satisfies all of the following:
i. The side- and rear-yard setbacks are at least four feet. If the
existing multifamily dwelling has a rear or side yard setback
of less than four feet, the city will not require any
modification to the multifamily dwelling as a condition of
approving the ADU.
ii. The peak height above grade does not exceed the
applicable height limit provided in subsection F.2 below.
iii. If the lot has an existing multifamily dwelling, the quantity of
detached ADUs does not exceed the number of primary
dwelling units on the lot.
2. Class 2: Locally Regulated. Class 2 ADUs are approved under
Government Code sections 66314-66322. Except for Class 1 ADUs
approved under subsection E.1 above, all ADUs are subject to the
standards set forth in subsections F and G below.
F. General ADU and JADU Requirements. The following requirements apply to all
Class 1 and Class 2 ADUs and JADUs:
1. Zoning.
a. A Class 1 ADU subject only to a building permit under subsection
E.1 above may be created on a lot in a residential or mixed -use
zone.
b. A Class 2 ADU subject to an ADU permit under subsection E.2
above may be created on a lot that is zoned to allow single -family
dwelling residential use or multifamily dwelling residential use.
c. In accordance with Government Code section 66333(a), a JADU
may only be created on a lot zoned for single-family residences.
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2. Height.
a. Except as otherwise provided by subsections F.2.b and F.2.c
below, a detached ADU created on a lot with an existing or
proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit may not exceed
18 feet in height.
b. A detached ADU created on a lot with an existing or proposed
single family or multifamily dwelling unit that is located within one -
half mile walking distance of a major transit stop or high quality
transit corridor, as those terms are defined in Section 21155 of the
Public Resources Code, may be up to two additional feet in height
(for a maximum of 20 feet) if necessary to accommodate a roof
pitch on the ADU that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary
dwelling unit.
c. An ADU that is located as a second story above an existing or
proposed detached garage may be up to 25 feet in height.
d. An ADU that is attached to the primary dwelling may not exceed 25
feet in height. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ADUs subject to this
subsection F.2.d may not exceed two stories.
e. For purposes of this subsection F.2, height is determined by
measuring the vertical distance from the average finished grade to
the highest point of the coping of a flat roof or to the deck line of a
mansard roof, or to the highest point of the highest gable of a pitch
or hip roof, but exclusive of vents, air conditioners, chimneys, or
other such incidental appurtenances.
3. Fire Sprinklers.
a. Fire sprinklers are required in an ADU or JADU if sprinklers are
required in the primary residence.
b. The construction of an ADU or JADU does not trigger a
requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in the existing primary
dwelling.
4. Rental Term. No ADU or JADU may be rented for a term that is shorter
than 30 days. This prohibition applies regardless of when the ADU or
JADU was created.
5. No Separate Conveyance. An ADU or JADU may be rented, but, except
as otherwise provided in Government Code section 66341, no ADU or
JADU may be sold o otherwise conveyed separately from the lot and the
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primary dwelling (in the case of a single-family lot) or from the lot and all of
the dwellings (in the case of a multifamily lot).
6. Septic System. If the ADU or JADU will connect to an onsite wastewater -
treatment system, the owner must include with the application a
percolation test completed within the last five years or, if the percolation
test has been recertified, within the last 10 years.
7. Owner Occupancy.
a. ADUs. ADUs are not subject to an owner-occupancy requirement.
b. JADUs.
i. Generally. As required by state law, JADUs are subject to
an owner-occupancy requirement. A natural person with
legal or equitable title to the property must reside on the
property, in either the primary dwelling or JADU, as the
person’s legal domicile and permanent residence.
ii. Exceptions. The owner-occupancy requirement in this
subsection F.7.b does not apply in either of the following
situations:
(I) The JADU has separate sanitation facilities (i.e., does
not share sanitation facilities with the existing primary
dwelling unit structure).
(II) The property is entirely owned by another
governmental agency, land trust, or housing
organization.
8. Deed Restriction. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a
JADU, a deed restriction must be recorded against the title of the property
in the County Recorder’s office and a copy filed with the Community
Development Department. The deed restriction must run with the land and
bind all future owners. The form of the deed restriction will be provided by
the city and must provide that:
a. The JADU may not be sold separately from the primary dwelling.
b. The JADU is restricted to the approved size and to other attributes
allowed by this section.
c. The deed restriction runs with the land and may be enforced
against future property owners.
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d. The deed restriction may be removed if the owner eliminates the
JADU, as evidenced by, for example, removal of the kitchen
facilities. To remove the deed restriction, an owner may make a
written request of the Community Development Director, providing
evidence that the JADU has in fact been eliminated. The
Community Development Director may then determine whether the
evidence supports the claim that the JADU has been eliminated.
Appeal may be taken from the Community Development Director’s
determination consistent with other provisions of this Code. If the
JADU is not entirely physically removed, but is only eliminated by
virtue of having a necessary component of an JADU removed, the
remaining structure and improvements must otherwise comply with
applicable provisions of this Code.
e. The deed restriction is enforceable by the Community Development
Director or his or her designee for the benefit of the city. Failure of
the property owner to comply with the deed restriction may result in
legal action against the property owner, and the city is authorized to
obtain any remedy available to it at law or equity, including, but not
limited to, obtaining an injunction enjoining the use of the JADU in
violation of the recorded restrictions or abatement of the illegal unit.
9. Building & Safety.
a. Must comply with building code. Subject to subsection F.9.b
below, all ADUs and JADUs must comply with all local building
code requirements.
b. No change of occupancy. Construction of an ADU does not
constitute a Group R occupancy change under the local building
code, as described in Section 310 of the California Building Code,
unless the building official, in consultation with the Community
Development Director, makes a written finding based on substantial
evidence in the record that the construction of the ADU could have
a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety. Nothing in
this subsection F.9.b prevents the city from changing the
occupancy code of a space that was uninhabitable space or that
was only permitted for nonresidential use and was subsequently
converted for residential use in accordance with this section.
10. Certificate of Occupancy Timing.
a. Generally. No certificate of occupancy for an ADU or JADU may be
issued before the certificate of occupancy is issued for the primary
dwelling unit.
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b. Limited Exception for State-Declared Emergencies.
Notwithstanding subsection F.10.a above, a certificate of
occupancy for an ADU may be issued before a certificate of
occupancy for the primary dwelling if each of the following
requirements are met:
i. The county is subject to a proclamation of a state of
emergency made by the California Governor on or after
February 1, 2025.
ii. The primary dwelling was substantially damaged or
destroyed by an event referenced in the Governor’s state of
emergency proclamation.
iii. The ADU has been issued construction permits and has
passed all required inspections.
iv. The ADU is not attached to the primary dwelling.
G. Specific ADU Requirements. The following requirements apply only to Class 2
ADUs that are approved under subsection E.2 above. This subsection G does
not apply to Class 1 ADUs or JADUs approved under subsection E.1 above.
1. Maximum Size.
a. The maximum size of a detached or attached ADU subject to this
subsection G is 1,200 square feet of interior livable space.
b. An attached ADU that is created on a lot with an existing primary
dwelling is further limited to 50 percent of the floor area of the
existing primary dwelling.
c. Application of other development standards in this subsection G,
might further limit the size of the ADU, but no application of the
percent-based size limit in subsection G.1.b above or front setback
may require the ADU to be less than 800 square feet of interior
livable space.
2. Setbacks.
a. ADUs that are subject to this subsection G must conform to 4-foot
side and rear setbacks. ADUs that are subject to this subsection G
must conform to 20-foot front setbacks, subject to subsection G.1.c
above.
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b. No setback is required for an ADU that is subject to this subsection
G if the ADU is constructed in the same location and to the same
dimensions as an existing structure.
3. Passageway. No passageway, as defined by subsection C.9 above, is
required for an ADU.
4. Parking.
a. Generally. One paved off-street parking space is required for each
ADU or bedroom, whichever is less. The parking space may be
provided in setback areas or as tandem parking, as defined by
subsection C.12 above.
b. Exceptions. No parking under subsection G.4.a is required in the
following situations:
i. The ADU is located within one-half mile walking distance of
public transit, as defined in subsection C.11 above.
ii. The ADU is located within an architecturally and historically
significant historic district.
iii. The ADU is part of the proposed or existing primary
residence or an accessory structure.
iv. When on-street parking permits are required but not offered
to the occupant of the ADU.
v. When there is an established car share vehicle stop located
within one block of the ADU.
vi. When the permit application to create an ADU is submitted
with an application to create a new single-family or new
multifamily dwelling on the same lot, provided that the ADU
or the lot satisfies any other criteria listed in subsections
G.4.b.i through v above.
c. No Replacement. When a garage, carport, covered parking
structure, or uncovered parking space is demolished in conjunction
with the construction of an ADU or converted to an ADU, those off -
street parking spaces are not required to be replaced.
5. Architectural Requirements.
a. The materials and colors of the exterior walls, roof, and windows
and doors must match the appearance and architectural design of
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PAGE 16
those of the primary dwelling. Projects utilizing the City’s pre -
designed ADU plans or factory building housing are not subject to
this standard.
b. The exterior lighting must be limited to down lights or as otherwise
required by the building or fire code.
c. When a garage is converted to an ADU, the garage door opening
shall be replaced with exterior wall coverings, or residential
windows and doors, to match the existing exterior garage wall
covering and detailing.
d. The ADU must have an independent exterior entrance, apart from
that of the primary dwelling.
e. No window or door of the ADU may have a direct line of sight to an
adjoining residential property. Each window or door must either be
located where there is no direct line of sight or screened using
fencing, landscaping, or privacy glass to prevent a direct line of
sight.
f. Second floor living area shall be setback five feet from the ground
floor footprint.
g. Window sashes and doorframes shall be made of wood or vinyl.
Unfinished aluminum is not allowed.
h. All windows and doors in an ADU less than 30 feet from a property
line that is not a public right-of-way line must either be (for
windows) clerestory with the bottom of the glass at least six feet
above the finished floor, or (for windows and for doors) utilize
frosted or obscure glass.
i. Rooftop decks are prohibited on all detached ADUs.
H. Fees. The following requirements apply to all Class 1 ADUs and JADUs and
Class 2 ADUs that are approved under subsections E.1 or E.2 above.
1. Impact Fees.
a. No impact fee is required for a JADU or an ADU that has less than
800 square feet of interior livable space. For purposes of this
subsection H.1, “impact fee” means a “fee” under the Mitigation Fee
Act (Gov. Code § 66000(b)) and a fee under the Quimby Act (Gov.
Code § 66477). “Impact fee” here does not include any connection
fee or capacity charge for water or sewer service.
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b. A JADU or ADU with less than 500 square feet of interior livable
space does not increase assessable space by 500 square feet for
purposes of Education Code section 17620(a)(1)(C), and is
therefore not subject to school fees under Education Code section
17620.
c. Any impact fee that is required for an ADU that has 800 square feet
or more of interior livable space must be charged proportionately in
relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit. (E.g., the
floor area of the ADU, divided by the floor area of the primary
dwelling, times the typical fee amount charged for a new dwelling.)
2. Utility Fees.
a. If an ADU or JADU is constructed concurrently with a new single-
family home, a separate utility connection directly between the ADU
or JADU and the utility and payment of the normal connection fee
and capacity charge for a new dwelling are required.
b. Except as described in subsection H.2.a, JADUs and converted
ADUs on a single-family lot that are created under subsection E.1.a
above are not required to have a new or separate utility connection
directly between the JADU or ADU and the utility. Nor is a
connection fee or capacity charge required.
c. Except as described in subsection H.2.a, all ADUs that are not
covered by subsection H.2.b require a new, separate utility
connection directly between the ADU and the utility for any utility
that is provided by the city. All utilities that are not provided by the
city are subject to the connection and fee requirements of the utility
provider.
i. The connection is subject to a connection fee or capacity
charge that is proportionate to the burden created by the
ADU based on either the floor area or the number of
drainage-fixture units (DFU) values, as defined by the
Uniform Plumbing Code, upon the water or sewer system.
ii. The portion of the fee or charge that is charged by the city
may not exceed the reasonable cost of providing this
service.
I. Nonconforming Zoning Code Conditions, Building Code Violations, and
Unpermitted Structures.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-013
PAGE 18
1. Generally. The city will not deny an ADU or JADU application due to a
nonconforming zoning condition, building code violation, or unpermitted
structure on the lot that does not present a threat to the public health and
safety and that is not affected by the construction of the ADU or JADU.
2. Unpermitted ADUs and JADUs constructed before 2020.
a. Permit to Legalize. As required by state law, the city may not deny
a permit to legalize an existing but unpermitted ADU or JADU that
was constructed before January 1, 2020, if denial is based on either
of the following grounds:
i. The ADU or JADU violates applicable building standards, or
ii. The ADU or JADU does not comply with state ADU or JADU
law or this ADU ordinance (section 16.52.150).
b. Exceptions:
i. Notwithstanding subsection I.2.a above, the city may deny a
permit to legalize an existing but unpermitted ADU or JADU
that was constructed before January 1, 2020, if the city
makes a finding that correcting a violation is necessary to
comply with the standards specified in California Health and
Safety Code section 17920.3.
ii. Subsection I.2.a above does not apply to a building that is
deemed to be substandard in accordance with California
Health and Safety Code section 17920.3.
J. Nonconforming ADUs and Discretionary Approval. Any proposed ADU or
JADU that would otherwise be allowed under this section but that does not
conform to the objective design or development standards set forth in
subsections A through I of this section may be allowed by the city with a
conditional use permit, in accordance with the other provisions of this title.
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, JESSICA MATSON, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San
Luis Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury,
that the attached Ordinance No. 2025-013 which was introduced at
a regular meeting of the City Council on November 25, 2025;
was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on
the 9th day of December 2025; and was duly published in accordance
with State law (G.C. 40806).
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this
12th day of December, 2025.
JESSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK