County supervisors take a step toward a streamlined ADU ordinance in the coastal zone.

There could be more accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units coming to the coastal zone, after the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Tuesday, Feb. 4, on a resolution of intent to conform the county’s ADU and JADU ordinance to state laws designed to encourage their construction.

Still to come is a review by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, followed by California Coastal Commission staff before the county can formally adopt a new ordinance.

In recent years California has loosened its laws surrounding ADUs and JADUs, with the hope of increasing the supply of affordable homes and lessening the state’s housing crisis. The move by the board is a step toward catching up with the new laws, as well as conform to previous recommendations by Coastal Commission staff.

Comments from the public during the meeting were supportive—over and over again people said they were concerned about adding more housing to the community, as well as giving families the ability to add housing for aging relatives or other family members.

“I built one, my in-laws live in it. It is the best thing that has ever happened in my life to have that childcare and familial support on the property with us,” Board Chair Chris Lopez said before the resolution vote. “It’s incredible to watch my kids who are 5 and 2 grow up with their grandparents…I see the value, and for those of you who are considering it, I encourage it.”

Currently county regulations only allow ADUs up to 800 square feet. Under the proposed rule the allowable size would go up to 1,200 square feet in the Carmel, Del Monte Forest and North County planning areas, and up to 1,000 square feet in Big Sur, as recommended by the Monterey County Planning Commission in November, according to a staff report.

ADUs can be attached or detached and must have their own kitchen and bathroom facilities, plus their own air circulation. They do not have to be owner occupied and they are not deed restricted.

JADUs are fully contained within the walls of a single family residence and may share a bathroom and kitchen, although they must have their own efficiency kitchen. The main portion of the home must be owner occupied and the units are deed restricted.

Under state law, the county cannot constrain ADUs by lot size, parcel density or unit cap requirements, which means previous county regulations that required a certain amount of acreage no longer apply.

The new regulations also would expand the areas where ADUs are allowed in the county beyond residential areas to include commercial areas in the coastal zone, as well as visitor-serving commercial, coastal agricultural preserve areas and agricultural conservation areas.

The ADUs cannot be used for vacation rentals. They cannot be sold separately from the main house, except in the case of those constructed by a qualified nonprofit corporation.

The changes also make it possible for the county to waive some standards and fees for smaller newly constructed ADUs up to 800 square feet. They also require that the county approve building permits for ADUs or JADUs within 60 days of submission of completed applications.