Accessory Dwelling Units: ordinances.

Senator Arreguín's proposal to modify California's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations introduces automatic nullification of local ordinances that fail to meet state oversight requirements. The measure adds enforcement mechanisms to existing requirements that local agencies submit ADU ordinances to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) within 60 days of adoption.

Under the proposed changes, local ADU ordinances would become void if agencies either miss the 60-day submission deadline or fail to respond within 30 days to HCD findings of non-compliance. In such cases, the local agency must then apply state-established ADU standards until adopting a compliant ordinance. The bill maintains HCD's authority to notify the Attorney General of violations, while adding consideration of whether agencies adopted compliant ordinances between January 2017 and January 2020.

The measure preserves current provisions allowing local agencies to either amend non-compliant ordinances or adopt them unchanged with explanatory findings addressing HCD's concerns. This process requires agencies to document their reasoning when choosing not to incorporate HCD's recommended changes while maintaining state oversight of local ADU regulations.