HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981ORDINANCE NO. 1981
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE
SECTIONS 91.00.1 0, 92.01.01, AND 93.23.14, RELATING
TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN RESIDENTIAL
ZONES, CASE 5.1447 ZTA.
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. Notice of a public hearing of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm
Springs to consider Case 5.1447 ZT A was given in accordance with applicable law.
B. On January 9, 2019, a public hearing on the proposed Zone Text
Amendment was held by the Planning Commission in accordance with applicable law,
and voted 5 to 1 to recommend approval of the proposed amendment.
C. On February 20, 2019, a public hearing on the proposed Zone Text
Amendment was held by the City Council in accordance with applicable law.
D. Pursuant to Section 15282(h) of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), the project is subject to CEQA statutory exemption because it proposes the City
to adopt an ordinance regarding second units in residential zones to implement the
provisions of Government Code Section 65852.2. Additionally, the construction and
conversion of minor structures such as Accessory Dwelling Units in residential zones, as
well as the construction of additions to existing structures that does not exceed 50°/o of
the existing floor area and 2,500 square feet in area are categorically exempt from CEQA
review pursuant to Section 15303(a) ("New Construction or Conversion of Small
Structures") and Section 15301 (e)(1) ("Existing Structures"), respectively. The project is
also exempt from further CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) because the
adoption of the proposed Zone Text Amendment will provide guidelines pertaining to the
development of Accessory Dwelling Units, which with certainty will not have a significant
environment effect.
E. The City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence
presented in connection with the hearing on the Zone Text Amendment, including, but not
limited to, the staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
F.
would:
The City Council finds that approval of the proposed Zone Text Amendment
1. Implement Action HS1.4 of the Housing Element of the General Plan,
which addresses the need for completing zoning ordinance
amendments to facilitate affordable and diverse housing options and
to adopt a Second Unit provision that is consistent with the current
requirements of State law.
Ordinance No. 1981
Page2
2. Allow the definition, Accessory Second Units, in the City of Palm
Springs Zoning Code to be consistent with the definition identified in
the State's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law (Government Code
Section 65852.2}.
3. Allow the City of Palm Springs Zoning Code Accessory Second Unit
regulations (PSZC Section 93.23.14) to be consistent with the
State's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law (Government code
Section 65852.2).
4. Achieve consistency in the Palm Springs Zoning Code regulations
relating to Accessory Dwelling Units, which are stated in Sections
91.00.10 ("Definitions"), 92.01.01 ("Uses Permitted"), and 93.23.14
("Accessory Second Units").
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the findings and determinations reflected above are true and
correct, and are incorporated by this reference herein as the cause and foundation for the
action taken by and through this Ordinance.
SECTION 2. Amend and replace the definition of "Accessory second dwelling unit"
and amend the definition of "Living area" in Section 91.00.01 ("Definitions") of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code as follows:
"Accessory Dwelling Unit" means an attached or detached residential dwelling unit,
situated on the same parcel as an existing primary single-family dwelling, which
provides complete independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons. It shall
include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit also includes an efficiency unit, as defined in Section
17958.1 of the Health and Safety Code, and a manufactured home, as defined in
Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code.
"Living area" means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit including
basements, attics and mezzanines, but does not include a garage or non-habitable
accessory structure.
SECTION 3. Add the definitions of "Cooking facilities" and "Tandem parking" to
Section 91.00.01 ("Definitions") of the Palm Springs Municipal Code as follows:
"Cooking facilities" means appliances that are designed and utilized for preparing
or cooking food that include the following: ovens, ranges, stoves, cooktops, built-
in microwaves. Cooking facilities do not include refrigerators, countertop
microwaves, hot plates, and sinks.
Ordinance No. 1981
Page 3
"Tandem parking" means two (2) or more automobiles that are parked on a
driveway or in any other location on a lot, lined up behind one another.
SECTION 4. Amend Section 92.01.01 (A)(2) ("Uses Permitted") of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code as follows:
Accessory buildings and uses customarily incident to the permitted uses when
located on the same lot therewith. It is unlawful to construct, erect or locate any
accessory building without a permitted main building. Servants quarters, guest
houses and accessory living quarters may be erected in detached structures but
shall not be provided with kitchen arrangements, nor other provisions for meal
preparation.
SECTION 5. Rescind and replace Section 93.23.14 ("Accessory Second Units")
of the Palm Springs Municipal Code as follows:
93.23.14 Accessory Dwelling Units.
A. Intent.
The intent of this Section is to provide for the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units
in the City's single-family and multiple-family residential zones, in accordance with
Government Code Section 65852.2. Accessory Dwelling Units are an important
source of housing that contributes to the character and diversity of housing
opportunities in the City. Accessory Dwelling Units provide workforce housing,
housing for family members, students, elderly, in-home health care providers, the
disabled, and others. This Section prescribes standards for Accessory Dwelling
Units to minimize adverse impacts on the public health, safety, and general welfare
from the establishment of such units.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit which conforms to the requirements of this section
shall:
1. Not be considered to exceed the allowable density for the lot upon which it
is located;
2. Be deemed a residential use consistent with the Palm Springs General Plan
and zoning designation for the lot upon which it is located;
3. Not be considered in the application of any ordinance, policy, or program to
limit residential growth; and
Ordinance No. 1981
Page4
4. Not be considered a new residential use for the purposes of calculating
connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer
service.
B. Applicability.
1. New Accessory Dwelling Units
Any construction, establishment, alteration, enlargement, or modification of
an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall comply with the requirements of this
Chapter, other development standards in this Title applicable to the zone in
which the lot is located, and the City's Building Code.
2. Non-Conforming Accessory Dwelling Units
All Accessory Dwelling Units which were legally constructed or initiated but
which do not conform to this Chapter are deemed non-conforming and shall
be subject to the provisions of Chapter 94.05.00-07, Non-conformance.
3. Existing Illegal Accessory Dwelling Units
The provisions of this Chapter shall in no way validate any existing illegal
Accessory Dwelling Unit. An application may be made pursuant to this
Section to convert an illegal Accessory Dwelling Unit to a legal conforming
Accessory Dwelling Unit, and shall be subject to the same standards and
requirements as for a newly proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit.
4. Designation of Existing Primary Unit to Accessory Dwelling Unit
An existing residential structure may be designated as an Accessory
Dwelling Unit at such a time as a new primary dwelling unit is constructed,
provided the existing structure conforms to all the development standards
of this Chapter.
5. Conflicting Provisions in Specific Plans and General Development Plans
In the event the provisions of this Section conflicts with any provision of an
adopted Specific Plan or Planned Development District, the provisions of
this Section shall prevail.
C. Permitted Sites.
1. No more than one (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit may be allowed on any
residentially zoned lot. The residential lot must meet the following criteria:
Ordinance No. 1981
PageS
a. An Accessory Dwelling Unit may only be permitted on a residentially
zoned lot that is at least 5,000 square feet and that has one (1)
proposed or existing single-family dwelling on it.
b. All lots must be conforming in size for the zone in which it is located.
c. The lot may contain no more than one (1) existing single-family
dwelling.
d. Notwithstanding subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, the City shall
approve an application in a ministerial manner for a building permit
to create within a single-family residential zone one (1) Accessory
Dwelling Unit per single-family lot if the Accessory Dwelling Unit is
contained within the existing space of a single-family residence or
accessory structure, including, but not limited to, a studio, pool
house, or other similar structure, has independent exterior access
from the existing residence, and meets the applicable side and rear
setbacks of the zone in which Accessory Dwelling Unit is located.
D. Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements.
1. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not be intended or offered for sale
separately from the primary dwelling unit.
2. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be either:
a. Attached to the existing dwelling unit;
b. Detached from the existing dwelling and located on the same lot as
the existing dwelling; or
c. Located within the living area of the existing dwelling.
3. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be constructed on a permanent
foundation and connected to the public sewer.
4. The following additional requirements shall apply to Accessory Dwelling
Units in all residential zones:
a. The owner of the Accessory Dwelling Unit may live within the
primary dwelling unit or the Accessory Dwelling Unit, and may rent
the other unit; rentals shall be for periods of twenty-eight (28) days
or more. The owner may also rent both the primary dwelling and
the Accessory Dwelling Unit concurrently for periods of twenty-
eight (28) days or more.
Ordinance No. 1981
Page 6
b. The twenty-eight (28) day minimum rental requirement shall not
apply where the entire property, including the primary unit and the
Accessory Dwelling Unit, is rented or leased to the same person
under one (1) lease or rental agreement.
c. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not be required to be metered
separately from the primary dwelling unit for gas, electricity, and
water.
d. Accessory Dwelling Units shall not be required to provide fire
sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence.
E. Setbacks, Lot Coverage, and Floor Area Restrictions.
1. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall conform to all required setback
requirements of the zone in which the lot is located. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no setback shall be required for an existing legally permitted
structure that is converted to an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
2. All development shall conform to the lot coverage standards of the zone in
which the lot is located.
3. The total floor area of an attached or detached Accessory Dwelling Unit
shall not exceed 1 ,200 square feet, nor be less than 150 square feet
pursuant to the definition of efficiency unit as set forth in the California
Health and Safety Code.
4. The floor area of an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not exceed fifty percent
(50°/o) of the existing living area or 1 ,200 square feet, whichever is less.
5. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not include more than two {2) bedrooms.
F. Height Restriction. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be limited to one (1)
story and shall not exceed the maximum permitted height of the zone in which the
lot is located.
G. Architectural Standards.
1. All architectural details of an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be compatible
to the style, materials, colors, and quality of the primary dwelling unit.
2. The Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be provided with an entrance separate
from that of the primary dwelling. No passageway shall be required in
conjunction with the construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit. For
purposes of the subparagraph, "passageway" means a pathway that is
Ordinance No. 1981
Page?
unobstructed clear to the sky and extends from the street to one (1)
entrance of the Accessory Dwelling Unit.
3. The entrance to the Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not be oriented to the
street or otherwise alter the single-family appearance of the property from
the street. Screen walls or other similar features may be utilized to screen
the entrance of the Accessory Dwelling Unit from the street.
H. Off-Street Parking and Driveway Provisions.
1. No Accessory Dwelling Unit may be permitted on a lot where the required
parking for the existing dwelling unit has not been met in accordance with
Section 93.06.00(D)(29)(a).
2. Off-street parking for Accessory Dwelling Units shall be one (1) space per
unit regardless of the number of bedrooms. Such parking space shall be
nine (9) foot-wide and seventeen (17) foot-long, and be provided on the
same lot as the Accessory Dwelling Unit. A covered parking space is
preferred but not required. The parking space for the Accessory Dwelling
Unit shall be in addition to the parking required for the primary residence.
3. No additional driveway approaches from public streets shall be permitted
for the off-street parking for Accessory Dwelling Units unless it is approved
by the Director of Planning Services. Access to the parking can be provided
from an alley.
4. The required off-street parking space for the Accessory Dwelling Unit may
be located in rear or non-street side setbacks or through tandem parking on
existing driveways, but such space shall not interfere with access to the
required parking for the primary residence. "Tandem parking" means that
two (2) or more automobiles are parked on a driveway or in any other
location on a lot, lined up behind one another.
5. Off-street parking spaces shall be replaced when a garage, carport or other
covered parking area is demolished or converted to a non-parking use in
conjunction with the construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
6. Off-street parking for the Accessory Dwelling Unit is not required in any of
the following circumstances:
a. The Accessory Dwelling Unit is located within half a mile (0.5 mile)
of public transit.
b. The Accessory Dwelling Unit is located on a designated historic site
or within a designed historic district.
Ordinance No. 1981
Page 8
c. The Accessory Dwelling Unit is part of the existing primary residence
or an existing accessory structure.
d. When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the
occupant of the Accessory Dwelling Unit.
e. When there is a car share vehicle located within one (1) block of the
Accessory Dwelling Unit.
f. Where on-street parking spaces are available immediately adjacent
to the subject property.
I. Ministerial Approval.
The Director shall approve an application for an Accessory Dwelling Unit if
a complete application is submitted that demonstrates that the Accessory
Dwelling Unit complies with the requirements of this Section. The
application shall be considered in a ministerial manner without discretionary
review or a hearing within one hundred twenty (120) days of the submittal
of a complete application.
SECTION 6. Any legally established Accessory Dwelling Unit for which a Vacation
Rental Registration Certificate has been issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance
shall be allowed to continue in accordance with the provisions of PSZC Section 94.05.04
(Nonconforming Uses).
SECTION 7. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to
be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by
reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining sections and/or provisions of this
ordinance shall remain valid. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted
this Ordinance, and each section or provision thereof, regardless of the fact that any one
or more section(s) or provision(s) may be declared invalid or unconstitutional or
contravened via legislatio~.
SECTION 8. Pursuant to Section 15282(h) of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), the project is subject to CEQA statutory exemption because it proposes the
City to adopt an ordinance regarding second units in residential zones to implement the
provisions of Government Code Section 65852.2. Additionally, the construction and
conversion of minor structures such as Accessory Dwelling Units in residential zones, as
well as the construction of additions to existing structures that does not exceed 50°/o of
the existing floor area and 2,500 square feet in area are categorically exempt from CEQA
review pursuant to Section 15303(a) ("New Construction or Conversion of Small
Structures") and Section 15301 (e)(1) ("Existing Structures"), respectively. The project is
also exempt from further CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) because the
adoption of the proposed Zone Text Amendment will provide guidelines pertaining to the
Ordinance No. 1981
Page 9
development of Accessory Dwelling Units, which with certainty will not have a significant
environment effect.
SECTION 9. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage
and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect thirty (30) days after passage.
ADOPTED THIS erH DAY OF MARCH, 201 ~ ~--~
ROBERT MOON
MAYOR
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No.1981 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on the 201h day of February, 2019, and
adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 61h day of March, 2019, by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Holstege, Middleton, Roberts , Mayor Pro Tem Kors , and
Mayor Moon
None
None
None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Springs, California , this I 01~ day of H (;) ~ , '201 a, .
c