How to Improve an Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance

Pasadena is revising its zoning regulations to accommodate more accessory dwelling units. This open letter to the city's Planning Commission includes sound suggestions, applicable everywhere.

2 minute read

May 26, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

By wadams92101


Accessory dwelling units (ADU) can be a big part of the solution to California's housing crisis. They incrementally increase housing supply. They also increase density, utilize existing infrastructure, and are not as likely as new multi-family residential projects to trigger massive community resistance. However, Pasadena's existing ADU ordinance did more to prevent than facilitate the orderly construction of ADUs. Recent changes in state law brought on by AB 2299 and SB 1069 are intended to alleviate the housing crisis in California by making it easier to build ADUs. Accordingly, Pasadena has started the process of revising its obsolete ADU ordinance. Planner and resident Jonathan Bell was a critic of the first draft of the revised ordinance, which he said was full of "poison pills" having the practical effect of severely limiting ADU construction - and making it expensive. He did so in an open letter. Now a more refined draft is before the city. In another open letter, Bell acknowledges the improvements but says there is still work to be done on the revisions. The letter identifies principles that have far wider applicability than just in Pasadena, including: 

  • Don't limit ADUs to houses on big lots: Not only does it cut down on the number of eligible lots, but also on the middle class property owners most motivated to build ADUs.
  • Allow ADUs in a number of zoning designation areas to increase the number of ADUs.
  • Allow ADUs in historic districts. 
  • Don't encumber ADU's with requirements meant to hide their existence.
  • Facilitate garage-over ADU's, including reasonable height restrictions. 
  • Allow ADU square footages sufficient to accommodate families. 
  • Waive residential impact fees for ADUs

Bell concludes by reminding the Pasadena Planning Commission that restrictions that make it too difficult to build ADUs result in ADUs that are built "informally," i.e., without permits. He cites both the high number of "informal" dwelling units in Los Angeles County, as well as the many disadvantages of an unknown quantity of "informal" dwelling units. Utmost among these disadvantages: housing that does not meet safety requirements. Bell warns:

The Ghost Ship fire in Oakland and Aviles Family tragedy in Long Beach are vivid reminders of the dangerous consequences of unpermitted housing.

For Bell's full open letter, see the source article. 

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 in UrbDeZine

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.