Committee updates owner-occupancy language for ADUs in proposed Ordinance 9365

A city committee on Thursday held a public hearing on proposed Ordinance 9365, which would amend zoning code section 150.44 (15044J6B) to tighten owner-occupancy requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Heather, who identified herself at the hearing as the presenter, described the changes that staff propose. She said the current text requires one dwelling unit on a lot to be occupied at least 180 days per calendar year by the owner, and that the amendment would reframe the rule to require the principal residence of the owner. "What essentially the section was doing before it was theoretically requiring the place to be the principal residence of an owner," Heather said, describing how small ownership stakes had been used to meet the old standard. She explained the draft ordinance would close that loophole for corporate-owned properties by requiring a member of a corporation to hold at least 50% ownership for a corporate-affiliated resident to qualify.

Committee members expressed support for fixing the enforcement gap while noting the need to consider broader housing impacts. The committee chair confirmed the ordinance originated with the city; staff recorded no written correspondence. The public hearing concluded with no vote recorded on Ordinance 9365.

The ordinance text under discussion references zoning code section 150.44 and subparagraph 15044J6B and would replace a 180-day owner-occupancy metric with a principal-residence standard and add a 50% ownership threshold for corporate owners. The committee did not schedule or take a final vote during the hearing; next steps were not specified on the record.