Glendale staff says settlement with state pauses enforcement of three ADU rules while amendments are prepared

City planning staff told the Glendale Planning Commission on Nov. 19 that the city has reached a settlement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) over alleged state-law violations in the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance.

Planning Department staff said the settlement does not include an admission of violations but requires the city to prepare and submit ADU ordinance amendments to the City Council by March. “In the meantime, we are not again. We’re not enforcing our ordinance or more restrictive provisions on those 3 areas,” staff told commissioners, referring to (1) a prohibition on ADUs above detached garages, (2) a prohibition on ADUs where an accessory living quarter or guest house exists, and (3) the city’s interpretation of allowable unit mix.

A commissioner asked whether the proposed amendments would be reviewed by the Planning Commission; planning staff replied the amendments “will come before you before it goes” to City Council, indicating Planning Commission review prior to the March council submission.

Staff characterized the memorandum as public notice and directed residents with questions to the Planning Department or the city website for more information. No formal motion or council action was recorded in the transcript at the meeting; staff described the settlement and the enforcement pause as administrative steps pending the ordinance amendments.

Next steps outlined by staff: preparation of proposed ADU ordinance amendments, Planning Commission review prior to submittal, and a City Council hearing targeted for March. The memorandum and staff contact information are available on the Planning Department pages of the city website.