City Council implements new state ADU laws to streamline housing development
March 13, 2023 | San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on new regulations regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in response to state mandates. The meeting outlined two main categories of ADUs: the state program and a hybrid program, both designed to facilitate the addition of housing units within existing residential properties.
Under the state program, property owners can add one ADU to single-family or multifamily homes without needing to meet certain planning code requirements, such as rear yard and open space regulations. Detached ADUs must maintain a four-foot setback from property lines and cannot exceed 16 feet in height. The hybrid program, however, requires compliance with existing planning codes, except for density regulations. This program introduces a new type of ADU called a junior ADU, which allows for the conversion of up to 500 square feet within a single-family home, provided it includes a separate kitchen and is occupied by the owner or primary resident.
Significant changes discussed include a reduction in the review timeframe for ADU applications to 60 days, a waiver of impact fees for ADUs smaller than 750 square feet, and modifications to noticing requirements. The ordinance will now only require notice if a tenant occupies the single-family home, streamlining the process for owner-occupied properties.
The meeting also addressed clarifications regarding waivers for ADUs added to existing buildings and the measurement of detached ADUs in rear yards, aligning local regulations with state law. The proposed changes aim to simplify the approval process and encourage the development of more housing units in San Francisco.
The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns about notification requirements for tenants, with some officials expressing doubts about the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further refine the regulations to ensure clarity and compliance with state laws.
Under the state program, property owners can add one ADU to single-family or multifamily homes without needing to meet certain planning code requirements, such as rear yard and open space regulations. Detached ADUs must maintain a four-foot setback from property lines and cannot exceed 16 feet in height. The hybrid program, however, requires compliance with existing planning codes, except for density regulations. This program introduces a new type of ADU called a junior ADU, which allows for the conversion of up to 500 square feet within a single-family home, provided it includes a separate kitchen and is occupied by the owner or primary resident.
Significant changes discussed include a reduction in the review timeframe for ADU applications to 60 days, a waiver of impact fees for ADUs smaller than 750 square feet, and modifications to noticing requirements. The ordinance will now only require notice if a tenant occupies the single-family home, streamlining the process for owner-occupied properties.
The meeting also addressed clarifications regarding waivers for ADUs added to existing buildings and the measurement of detached ADUs in rear yards, aligning local regulations with state law. The proposed changes aim to simplify the approval process and encourage the development of more housing units in San Francisco.
The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns about notification requirements for tenants, with some officials expressing doubts about the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further refine the regulations to ensure clarity and compliance with state laws.
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