AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 27, 2024

AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 19, 2024

AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 20, 2024

AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 10, 2024

AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 1, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

92

CHAPTER 454

Statutes of 2024

[ Approved by Governor September 22, 2024. Filed with Secretary of State September 22, 2024. ]

Introduced by Senator Blakespear

February 12, 2024

An act to add Section 30500.5 to the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: yes

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, establishes the California Coastal Commission and provides for planning and regulation of development in the coastal zone, as defined. The act requires the commission to adopt, after public hearing, procedures for the preparation, submission, approval, appeal, certification, and amendment of a local coastal program, as provided.

Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, authorizes a local agency to provide for the creation of accessory dwelling units in areas zoned for residential use, as specified. Existing law also authorizes a local agency to provide for the creation of junior accessory dwelling units in single-family residential zones, as specified. Existing law authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Development to review, adopt, amend, or repeal guidelines to implement uniform standards or criteria that supplement or clarify certain statutory terms, references, and standards related to accessory dwelling units.

This bill would require, by July 1, 2026, the commission, in coordination with the department, to develop and provide guidance for local governments to facilitate the preparation of amendments to a local coastal program to clarify and simplify the permitting process for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units within the coastal zone. The bill would require the commission, in coordination with the department, to convene at least one public workshop to receive and consider public comments on the draft guidance before the finalization of the guidance document and to post the guidance document on the commission’s and department’s respective internet websites, as specified. To the extent the bill would create additional duties for a local government, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 30500.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:

30500.5.

(a) By July 1, 2026, the commission shall, in coordination with the Department of Housing and Community Development, develop and provide guidance for local governments to facilitate the preparation of amendments to a local coastal program to clarify and simplify the permitting process for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, as defined in Section 66313 of the Government Code, within the coastal zone.

(b) The commission shall, in coordination with the Department of Housing and Community Development, convene at least one public workshop to receive and consider public comments on the draft guidance before the finalization of the guidance document. The commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development shall post the draft guidance on their respective internet websites at least 30 days before the public workshop. The commission shall provide notice of the public workshop to all cities and counties within the coastal zone. The final guidance document shall be posted on the commission’s and the Department of Housing and Community Development’s respective internet websites.

SEC. 2.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.