Page 16 - Sonoma County Gazatte May 2017

Accessory & Junior Dwelling Units
Sonoma County is defining what these units are, how large they are, where they belong, how much parking, how they are rented and more. This is a
good time to learn and be part of the decision-making process if you are planning building one of these units on your property. ADUs and JDUs are fast becoming one of the solutions people consider viable for creating affordable housing - quickly. They not only provide homes, but they also allow people who own homes to stay in their homes by providing rentable space.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an attached or detached residential dwelling, located on the same parcel as an existing single-family dwelling, that provides complete independent living facilities, including sleeping, cooking, bathing, and sanitation. It may be located within the living space of an existing primary single-family residence, may be an efficiency dwelling as defined
in Section 17958.1 of the California Health and Safety Code, and may be a manufactured home.
Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit. A unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within an existing single-family structure, and utilizing an existing bedroom, and containing an efficiency kitchen. A junior accessory dwelling unit may include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure.
As of January 1, 2017, Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.130 and that portion of 20-36.040 (parking) pertaining to accessory dwelling units are superseded by state law. The new laws create specific exceptions for parking, setbacks, and some utility fees. City staff have prepared guidance for ADU development until City ordinances implementing state law are enacted. Click to view the interim guidance document.
The City of Santa Rosa is preparing an amendment to the Zoning Code to comply with the new law and to incentivize the construction of ADUs. In January, a community meeting was announced through social media and City outreach groups such as the Community Advisory Board. The community meeting was held on February 8, 2017, with over 100 attendees. City staff continues to collect feedback and evaluate policy options, and it is anticipated that a Planning Commission hearing to consider the Zoning Code revisions will be scheduled for May. The document covers MAY topics and you can see the revisions are being made as they get closer to scheduling another public meeting.
REVIEW the current document:
(http://srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/14258 )
and send your comments on the following topics:
Parking - Setbacks and Other Development Standards - Dwelling Size Number of Bedrooms - Owner Occupancy Deed Restrictions Short-term Rental Restrictions: example - vacation rentals - Utility Fees Please send comments or questions to Eric Gage,
the project planner at egage@srcity.org or 707-543-4351
16 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 5/17