“What we can do is cut the red tape, cut the delays, cut whatever expenses we can afford to do without to make housing more affordable and therefore increase the stock and therefore hopefully bring down the costs,” said Governor Brown.
Zoning Code changes for Second Dwelling Units, also called Granny Flats or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), went into effect on January 1, 2017 throughout the State. This is an effort to promote ADU production and reduce the affordable housing crisis gripping California.
The Town Council will address this matter at their regular meeting, Wednesday, February 15th. You can find the full agenda at http://mammothlakes.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php….
The following list (abbreviated from the Staff Report) summarizes the changes to the Town’s existing ADU Ordinance:
- The requirement for a minimum lot size was eliminated.
- The allowable maximum floor area for attached ADUs was increased from 30% to 50% of the existing habitable area of primary residence, not to exceed 1,200 square feet.
- The minimum ADU size was reduced from 300 square feet to 150 square feet.
- No setback increase is required for an existing garage that is converted to an ADU.
- The previously required one parking space for ADUs was eliminated within the Town because all residentially zoned properties are within ½ mile of an established public transit stop.
- Any covered parking spaces that are required to be replaced as the result of the creation of an ADU may be replaced with any combination of enclosed or covered spaces, uncovered spaces, tandem spaces, or by the use of mechanical automobile parking lifts.
- A required pedestrian access walkway or “passageway” was eliminated.
- Fire sprinkler requirements were eliminated for ADUs in cases where the primary residence is not required to provide fire sprinklers.
