Committee advances ADU ordinance, duplicates file to consider 18-foot height amendment

The Land Use and Transportation Committee moved forward March 20 on changes to the city’s planning code governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

President Aaron Peskin and other supervisors raised concerns that the draft ordinance did not reflect recent state law changes that allow detached ADU structures up to 18 feet and can permit two detached ADUs on certain sites. City staff said the current ordinance seeks to get prior amendments into local code without further delay and that some state law changes introduced since the ordinance’s introduction might require a separate process, including Planning Commission review.

To balance speed and compliance, the committee agreed to duplicate the file: the original ordinance will be sent to the full Board with a positive recommendation, and a duplicate will be amended (including a proposed change from 16 feet to 18 feet on page 23, line 24) and continued to allow staff to draft language and, if required, re‑refer the duplicate to the Planning Commission. Jake Price of the Housing Action Coalition called in in support and urged conformance with state law.

Next steps: the original ordinance will be placed on the Board agenda; the duplicate file will be amended and returned for further committee action.