The Ventura County Planning Commission on Sept. 18 voted to approve amendments to the county's Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) to update rules governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs (JADUs) so they conform to recent state law. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Ayala, seconded by Commissioner Cushing, and passed with four yes votes and one absence (Chair Kesely was absent).

The changes, presented by Rachita Kadakia, manager of the housing and state mandate section in the Planning Division, are intended to harmonize coastal ADU rules with the county's noncoastal ADU ordinance and state requirements enforced by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Kadakia said the amendments apply only to coastal zones and will be submitted to the Coastal Commission and HCD for certification if adopted by the Board of Supervisors. "An ADU is an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit with independent facilities and located on a lot with a proposed or existing principal dwelling," Kadakia said during the presentation.

Why it matters: Ventura County's 2021–2029 housing element identifies ADUs as an important mechanism to help meet the county's regional housing need (RHNA). The housing element anticipates that about 44% of the county's RHNA—identified in staff materials as roughly 560 units—could be addressed by ADU development, and it set a target of 258 lower-income ADUs. Kadakia told commissioners that from 2021 through December 2024 the county issued or recorded 349 ADUs and JADUs combined, which staff said represents about 62% of the ADU target in the housing element.

Key provisions: The ordinance draft preserves two permitting pathways in coastal areas: (1) a coastal development permit (CDP) processed by the planning director when a CDP is required under the CZO, and (2) a ministerial zoning clearance for ADUs/JADUs that qualify for residential exemptions. The draft mirrors state law provisions in Government Code section 66323 for ADUs that qualify for ministerial review and includes standards that reflect state law on unit sizes, allowable combinations, rental terms and deed restrictions for JADUs.

Kadakia explained that state law allows different ADU types—converted interior units, attached units, detached units and conversions of accessory structures—and that the proposed CZO sets where each type is allowed in coastal residential and mixed-use zones. The draft incorporates a state-law change effective January 2025 that removed a 1,200-square-foot cap for certain detached ADUs on lots with multifamily dwellings and adjusted how many detached ADUs may be allowed on those lots. For single-family lots, the draft allows up to two ADUs that meet the requirements of Government Code section 66323 (for example, one conversion ADU plus one detached ADU of up to 850 square feet), and it allows a JADU (maximum 500 square feet) if the property meets the JADU standards.

Commissioners asked about affordability incentives and implementation details. Commissioner Boydston asked whether the county has an incentive program targeted to lower-income households; Kadakia said there is no separate ADU incentive program but staff collects rental information from applicants and monitors tenant income categories. "We request a rental form from any applicant, and they check the box to show which income household might be," Kadakia said. She added that, based on staff monitoring, a substantial portion of ADUs have been rented to lower-income households. Boydston also asked about preapproved detached ADU designs; Kadakia said the county offers three preapproved plans (approximately 700, 900 and 1,200 square feet) cleared by the Building and Safety Division to speed review.

Commissioner and staff exchanges also addressed fire and building code review. Kadakia and Director Ward emphasized that all ADUs must meet building and fire code requirements and that the fire agency reviews site-specific access and fire-flow issues during permitting; Director Ward noted hose-reach and separation standards typically govern access rather than requiring truck access to every rear yard.

Environmental and procedural notes: Planning staff determined the CZO amendments are exempt from CEQA under Public Resources Code section 21080.9 because they are amendments to the certified Local Coastal Program (LCP); final environmental effect and consistency will be subject to the Coastal Commission's review. Staff also noted the noncoastal ADU ordinance was reviewed by HCD in January 2025 and found compliant; the coastal update follows that certification process. Staff reported no public comments had been received on the project by the time of the hearing and said the Board of Supervisors hearing on adoption is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 18, 2025.

The commission approved the staff recommendation; the ordinance will proceed to the Board of Supervisors and, if adopted there, will be submitted to HCD and the Coastal Commission for certification as required for Local Coastal Program amendments.

For resources and guidance on the proposed changes, Kadakia directed residents to the county's ADU web page and said planning staff maintain outreach materials and an interested-parties email list used to notify about hearings.