San Mateo decides to allow larger ADUs

The council added a height incentive provision to encourage more off-street parking. Under the incentive, detached ADUs can exceed the ordinance’s height limit if applicants provide an additional off-street parking spot. Councilmember Joe Goethals asked for the inclusion to address public worries about a lack of parking. Height incentives are available for detached ADUs constructed over an existing detached garage. Incentives also exist if an ADU provides side yard setbacks of at least 5 feet, rear yard setbacks of at least 10 feet and one off-street parking space.

ADUs are typically detached units that provide independent living spaces and are sometimes called second or granny units. They are often used for older family members or young adults fresh out of school, adding additional income or maximizing unused space. The council has worked on updating its ordinance for a year to fall in line with state ADU legislation that went into effect in 2020. The new state laws create minimum standards that supersede local ordinances, requiring cities to adjust. In March 2021, the council approved an interim draft ordinance but did not adopt it because there was not a broad enough public input process. Council debate on what the specific height limits should be has also slowed the process. Instead, it sought community input over several months and tinkered with height limits, setback requirements and balconies.

Some on the council favored using the state guidelines to provide a simple local update without much deviation. Others have wanted to loosen restrictions to add more housing options and create more opportunities to live in San Mateo. The council has tried to balance the need for more housing and following state laws with resident concerns about overcrowded lots and neighborhood changes.

There were 83 applications for ADUs in 2021 in San Mateo, with 66 permits issued. There were 47 permits issued for 91 applications in 2020 and 44 permits for 56 applications in 2019. Most applications are for one-story structures. Of the 174 total ADU permits submitted since 2020, 17 were for two-story ADUs, with three attached and 14 detached. Of the 17, the city has issued 10 permits, five are pending and two are not active.

The ordinance includes options for ADUs that don’t meet all objective standards through an alternative discretionary review process. The city will schedule a review in a year to determine if further updates are needed to the law. The first reading of the ordinance passed 5-0. A second ordinance reading will occur later in March.

curtis@smdailyjournal.com

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