SB831

Senate Bill 831 (SB831) is a 2018 bill introduced in the California State Senate by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) to facilitate the creation of Accessory Dwelling Unit homes.

See California housing legislation 2018 for all housing bills.

Summary

Legislative Counsel's Digest

The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes a local agency to provide by ordinance for the creation of accessory dwelling units in single-family and multifamily residential zones and sets forth standards the ordinance is required to impose, including, among others, maximum unit size, parking, and height standards. Existing law authorizes a local agency, special district, or water corporation to require a new or separate utility connection between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility and authorizes a fee to be charged, except as specified. Existing law requires a local agency to submit an ordinance adopted for the creation of accessory dwelling units to the Department of Housing and Community Development and authorizes the department to review and comment on the ordinance.

"This bill would delete the requirement that the area be zoned to allow single-family or multifamily use.
The bill would specify that if a local agency does not act on an application for a accessory dwelling unit within 120 days, then the application shall be deemed approved.
The bill would specify that an accessory dwelling unit shall not be considered to exceed the allowable floor-to-area lot ratio upon which the accessory dwelling unit is located and would prohibit a local agency from requiring offstreet parking spaces be replaced when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.
The bill would delete provisions authorizing a local agency, special district, or water corporation to require an applicant to install a separate utility connection for the accessory dwelling unit and would state that an accessory dwelling unit shall not be considered a new residential use for purposes of calculating fees and shall not be subject to impact fees, connection fees, capacity charges, or any other fees levied by those entities.
The bill would authorize the department, upon submission of an adopted ordinance for the creation of accessory dwelling units, to submit written findings to the local agency regarding whether the ordinance complies with statutory provisions.
The bill would authorize the department to adopt guidelines to implement uniform standards or criteria to supplement or clarify the terms, references, or standards set forth in statute and would exempt the adoption of those guidelines from the Administrative Procedure Act.
The bill would also specify the applicable building code standards for accessory dwelling units constructed before January 1, 2018.

"Existing law authorizes a local agency to provide by ordinance for the creation of junior accessory dwelling units in single-family residential zones. This bill would instead require a local agency to do so. By increasing the duties of local agencies with respect to land use regulations, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

"The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

"This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above."

References

California Legislative Information. "SB-831 Land use: accessory dwelling units.(2017-2018)."