TranslateSonoma County Board of Supervisors Adopts Updated Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
Published: September 22, 2021
On September 14, 2021, the Board of Supervisors adopted updated local regulations governing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). The new ordinance will take effect October 14, 2021.
The State legislature enacted changes to ADU and JADU laws, effective January 1, 2020, which reduced local zoning barriers to Accessory Dwelling Unit development in response to the housing affordability crisis. The changes nullified the County’s ADU and JADU regulations. Since the changes took effect, Permit Sonoma has been reviewing and processing permits for ADUs and JADUs using only the standards in State law.
The new ADU and JADU regulations bring County regulations into compliance with State law, allow the County to continue to implement certain provisions of its existing ADU regulations, and streamline the permitting process.
The new ordinance replaces Zoning Code Section 26-88-060, Accessory dwelling units, and Section 26-88-061, Junior accessory dwelling units, and amended relevant definitions in Article 4 (Glossary) and Article 24 (Residential Use Standards) and the land use tables in Article 10 (Commercial Zones) and Article 12 (Industrial Zones).
Download adopted ordinance (Ordinance No. 6352)
Review materials from the September 14, 2021 meeting