The price of a permit to build an accessory dwelling units in the city of Thousand Oaks in Southern California is prohibitive—putting the permitting fee in opposition to the stated intent of the city's zoning code and state law.
It's rare that we post a submission from the letters to the editor section of a newspaper's editorial page, but a letter by Trevor Hughes to the Thousand Oaks Acorn is informative of how California's 2016 law, SB 1069, is playing out at the local level.
According to Hughes, AB 1069 paved the way for Thousand Oaks to adopt accessory dwelling unit criteria—a development that he welcomed and hoped to take advantage of at his home as his parents age. However, Hughes reports he was "shocked and appalled to discover that the permitting fees alone in Thousand Oaks are $13,190 to $26,325." According to Hughes, that explains why only 11 property owners have applied for ADUs in Thousand Oaks.
Hughes is responding to a news article by Becca Whitehall that examines the slow response to the new ADU rules in Thousand Oaks without settling on an explanation for why residents haven't sought more permits.
The Thousand Oaks example is not the first reported case of localities struggling to meet the mandates of the state law. Irvin Dawid reported in December 2017 on the example of Santa Rosa. On the other hand, a recent study by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley found evidence of rapid growth in ADU permitting in other cities since the adoption of the law.
FULL STORY: ADU permits are prohibitively expensive
Complying With New State Laws on ADUs No Easy Matter
Santa Rosa is struggling to complying with two laws passed last year to encourage construction of inlaw units to increase affordable housing. Council members are concerned that loosened restrictions would degrade neighborhood character.
Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits
The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.
Affordable Homes Act Targets ADUs, ‘Seasonal Communities’ in Massachusetts
State legislators say the new law could support 65,000 new housing units.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie