Accessory Dwelling Units Ordinance

Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations

A Purpose. The City of Sausalito finds and declares that accessory dwelling units are a valuable form of housing. Accessory dwelling units provide housing for family members, students, elderly, in-home health care providers, persons with disabilities and others, at below market rental rates within existing neighborhoods. Homeowners who create accessory dwelling units benefit from added income and an increased sense of security. It is the intent of the City to encourage accessory dwelling units and to impose standards to enable homeowners to create accessory dwelling units that will not aggravate or create neighborhood problems. Additionally, it is the intent of the City to encourage the legalization of existing accessory dwelling units that were not built or established with proper permits and to ensure that existing accessory dwelling units are safe and habitable. The purpose of this Chapter is also to comply with Government Code Section 65852.2 relating to accessory dwelling units.

B Applicability. Accessory dwelling units shall only be allowed in single-family residential (R-1-20, R-1-8, R-I-6), two-family residential (R-2-5, R-2-2.5) and multiple residential (R-3) Zoning Districts. Accessory dwelling units shall be prohibited in all zoning districts in which they are not expressly allowed.

C Application Process.
1. An Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit is required to establish a new accessory dwelling unit. Any application for an accessory dwelling unit that meets the location and development standards contained in Section 1O.44.080.D shall be approved administratively without discretionary review or public hearing. Accessory dwelling units that do not meet the administrative requirements of Section 1O.44.080.D may be approved with a Conditional Use Permit if certain requirements and findings set forth in 1O.44.080.F are met.

2. An Amnesty Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit is required to legalize an existing unpermitted accessory dwelling unit in a single-family, two-family, or multiple family residential zoning district. Any complete application received by March 31, 2014 for an accessory dwelling unit that meets the location and development standards contained in Section 1O.44.080.E shall be approved administratively without discretionary review or public hearing unless otherwise specified during the amnesty period effective through March 31, 2014 pursuant to Section 1O.44.080.E.4.

3. An application for an Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit or Amnesty Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit shall be made by the property owner and filed with the Community Development Department on a form prescribed by the Community Development Director.
a. For Accessory Dwelling Unit Permits the submittal shall include fees, a site plan, floor plans, elevations and story pole plan and certification.
b. For Amnesty Accessory Dwelling Permits the submittal shall include fees, a site plan, floor plans, elevations and documentation pursuant to Section 1O.44.080.E.l.a.

4. The City Council shall establish by resolution from time to time the respective application fees for an Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit and an Amnesty Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit.

5. Notice shall be required for a new attached accessory dwelling unit and for a new detached accessory dwelling unit pursuant to Section 1O.82.020.B.

D Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit Standards.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit shall be issued by the Community Development Director upon compliance with the following development standards or requirements:
1. One Accessory Dwelling Unit Per Parcel. No more than one accessory dwelling unit shall be located on a single primary dwelling unit parcel.
2. Access. An accessory dwelling unit shall have a separate entrance. An entrance leading to a foyer with entrances leading from the foyer to the primary dwelling unit and the accessory dwelling unit is permitted.
3. Kitchen and Bathroom Facilities. An accessory dwelling unit shall contain its own kitchen facility and bathroom facility separate from the primary dwelling unit. The kitchen facility must include the following features: (a) a sink; (b) a refrigerator of more than five cubic feet capacity; and (c) a range or cooktop.
4. Building Permits. An accessory dwelling unit shall comply with the California Building Code, including local amendments adopted by the City.
5. Building Coverage and Impervious Surfaces. Construction of an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit shall conform with the building coverage and impervious surfaces regulations applicable to the primary dwelling unit parcel upon which the unit is located.
6. Setbacks. An accessory dwelling unit shall conform with the setback regulations applicable to the primary dwelling unit parcel upon which the accessory dwelling unit is located.
7. Floor Area. Construction of an accessory dwelling unit shall conform with the floor area regulations applicable to the primary dwelling unit parcel upon which the unit is located.

More at: http://www.sausalito.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=19858

Building Department http://www.sausalito.gov/departments/community-development/building-division