Land use: accessory dwelling units.

Assembly Members Lowenthal and Rivas propose new pathways for accessory dwelling unit (ADU) development in California, particularly in areas affected by natural disasters and within coastal zones. The legislation allows local agencies to issue certificates of occupancy for ADUs in counties under state emergency proclamations, even when primary dwellings lack occupancy certification, provided the primary structure was damaged by the emergency event and the ADU meets construction permit requirements and inspection standards.

The bill establishes a 60-day timeline for local governments and the California Coastal Commission to process coastal development permits for ADUs. Applications receive automatic approval if not acted upon within this timeframe, except when submitted alongside permits for new primary dwellings. In such cases, the Coastal Commission retains authority to delay ADU permit decisions until resolving the primary dwelling application. Local government decisions on these permits cannot be appealed under existing coastal development regulations.

These modifications apply to all California municipalities, including charter cities, reflecting the bill's classification as a matter of statewide concern rather than municipal affairs. While the legislation creates new requirements for local agencies, it allows them to levy fees and charges to cover implementation costs without state reimbursement. The measure includes an urgency clause for immediate implementation upon enactment.