Roseville planning staff recommend ADU ordinance updates to match state law; council introduces amendments for first reading

Planning staff recommended updates to the Roseville Municipal Code to reflect recent state changes affecting accessory dwelling units. The proposed amendments change ADU sizing to be based on interior livable square footage (excluding garages and storage), clarify how many ADUs may be permitted on a lot under state law and retain a local limit of one ADU regulated by local ordinance, add definitions for separate exterior entrances, and remove the administrative permit that allowed deviations from development standards.

Lauren Hocker explained the two key state-law-driven changes: use of interior livable space for ADU size calculations and a revised counting framework that, in combination, could permit up to four units in certain configurations (for example: a junior ADU plus one attached/within-home ADU plus one detached ADU). Staff recommended keeping a local ordinance that limits the locally regulated ADU to one unit to reduce the risk of broader allowances under the state's new statutory framework.

Council members asked about parking requirements and whether small offices or accessory structures would be affected; staff said nonliving accessory structures remain regulated under other code provisions, and in most cases the city cannot require parking for ADUs due to state restrictions. Council moved to introduce the ordinance for first reading after taking public comment (none on this item) and approved the two findings required for an ordinance amendment.