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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of an Ordinance Approving City-Initiated Zoning Code Amendment (P2025-0012-ZCA) Amending Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Title 17 Zoning Code, Section 17.400.095 Residential Uses - Accessory Dwelling Units to Clarify and Update Existing Code Sections to Conform to State Accessory Dwelling Unit Law.
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Meeting Date: May 12, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: William Kavadas, Assistant Planner
Emily Stadnicki, Current Planning Manager
Phone Number: (310) 253-5706 / (310) 253-5727
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (Posted) City Website (04/10/2025); Gov Delivery (04/10/2025); (Published in) Culver City News (04/10/2025); (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/07/2025).
Department Approval: Mark E. Muenzer, Planning and Development Director (05/05/2025)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt an Ordinance approving City-initiated Zoning Code Text Amendment, P2025-0012-ZCA, modifying the Zoning Code pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to align with State law.
BACKGROUND
On March 26, 2025, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2025-P004 recommending to the City Council adoption of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption pursuant to CEQA Section 21080.17 and approval of the proposed Zoning Code Amendment language to clarify and update language regarding ADUs.
On April 28, 2025, the City Council unanimously introduced the proposed Ordinance, Zoning Code Amendment P2025-0012-ZCA.
DISCUSSION
The City’s Zoning Code is regularly updated to comply with evolving State ADU law, with the most recent changes in 2023. In Fall 2024, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) reviewed Culver City’s Ordinance and identified items that needed to be updated for compliance. Additionally, new State laws went into effect in 2025 that required updating of local codes. Primary changes include the following:
• New information describing ministerially approved State-mandated ADUs
• No limitation on ADU square footage when converting existing structures
• Exemption for ADUs and JADUs from Objective Design Standards
• Removal of the option for attached new construction ADUs to comply with State law
• Update to multifamily ADU allowances related to number of units permitted.
The proposed ordinance is presented for adoption by the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment, P2025-0012-ZCA, is considered exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17, which exempts the adoption of an ordinance approving Zoning Code amendments related to ADUs implementing the provisions of Government Code Section(s) 66314 and 66333.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment will facilitate and streamline the ongoing implementation of the Zoning Code but will not require any expenditures or generate any direct revenue, and, therefore, has no anticipated fiscal impact to the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2025-05-12_ATT 1 - City Council Ordinance No. 2025- and Exhibit A, Code Amendments
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Adopt an ordinance approving City-Initiated Zoning Code Amendment P2025-0012-ZCA, amending Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Title 17 Zoning Code, Section 17.400.095 Residential Uses - Accessory Dwelling Units to clarify and update existing Code Sections to conform to State Accessory Dwelling Unit Law.