HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 142393939.00059\42726913.2
ORDINANCE NO. 1423
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT AMENDING SECTION 25.34.030 OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING
UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND FINDING
THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA CEQA
UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE § 21080.17
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert, California (“City”) is a municipal corporation,
duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, state law authorizes cities to act by ordinance to provide for the
creation and regulation of accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”) and junior accessory
dwelling units (“JADUs”); and
WHEREAS, in recent years, the California Legislature has approved, and the
Governor has signed into law, numerous bills that, among other things, amend various
sections of the Government Code to impose new limits on local authority to regulate ADUs
and JADUs; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the California Legislature approved, and the Governor signed
into law, Assembly Bill 2533 (“AB 2533”) and Senate Bill 1211 (“SB 1211”), which further
amend state ADU law; and
WHEREAS, AB 2533 and SB 1211 take effect on January 1, 2025, and for the
City’s ADU ordinance to remain valid, it must be amended to reflect the requirements of
AB 2533 and SB 1211; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend its local regulatory scheme for the
construction of ADUs and JADUs to reflect AB 2533’s and SB 1211’s changes to state
law; and
WHEREAS, on October 29, 2024, the Planning Commission held a duly-noticed
public hearing and considered the staff report, recommendations by staff, and public
testimony concerning this proposed Ordinance. Following the public hearing, the Planning
Commission adopted Planning Commission Resolution No. 2885 to forward the
Ordinance to the City Council with a recommendation in favor of its adoption; and
WHEREAS, on November 14, 2024, the City Council held a duly-noticed public
hearing to consider the Ordinance, including: (1) the public testimony and agenda reports
prepared in connection with the Ordinance, (2) the policy considerations discussed
therein, and (3) the consideration and recommendation by the City’s Planning
Commission; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of the Ordinance have occurred.
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Ordinance No. 1423 Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert does ordain as
follows:
SECTION 1. Incorporation. The recitals above are each incorporated by reference
and adopted as findings by the City Council.
SECTION 2. CEQA. Under California Public Resources Code section 21080.17,
the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) does not apply to the adoption of an
ordinance by a city or county implementing the provisions of Article 2 of Chapter 13 of
Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code, which is California’s ADU law
and which also regulates JADUs, as defined by section 66313. Therefore, adoption of
the Ordinance is statutorily exempt from CEQA in that it implements state ADU law.
SECTION 3. General Plan. The City Council hereby finds that the adoption of the
Ordinance is consistent with the General Plan as a matter of law under Government Code
section 66314(c).
SECTION 4. Code Amendment. Section 25.34.030 of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as provided in Exhibit “A,”
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance takes effect 30 days after its adoption.
SECTION 6. HCD Submittal. In accordance with Government Code section 66326,
the City Clerk is directed to submit a copy of this Ordinance to the California Department
of Housing and Community Development within 60 days after adoption.
SECTION 7. Publication. The City Clerk is directed to certify to the adoption of this
Ordinance and post or publish this Ordinance as required by law.
SECTION 8. Custodian of Records. The custodian of records for this Ordinance is
the City Clerk and the records comprising the administrative record are located at 73-510
Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA.
SECTION 9. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application to any
person or circumstance is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity has no effect on the other provisions or applications of the Ordinance that can
be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this extent, the
provisions of this Ordinance are severable. The City Council declares that it would have
adopted this Ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any portion thereof.
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Ordinance No. 1423 Page 3
ADOPTED ON DECEMBER 12, 2024.
JAN C. HARNIK
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. 1423 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Desert City Council on November 14, 2024, and adopted at
a regular meeting of the City Council held on December 12, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES: NESTANDE, PRADETTO, TRUBEE, AND HARNIK
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: QUINTANILLA
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Desert, California, on ____________________.
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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Ordinance No. 1423 Page 4
EXHIBIT A - ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code
Section 25.34.030 is hereby amended as follows:
Section 25.34.030 Accessory Dwelling Units
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow and regulate accessory dwelling
units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in compliance with Chapter
13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code.
B. Effect of conforming. An ADU or JADU that conforms to the standards in this
section will not be:
1. Deemed to be inconsistent with the City’s General Plan and zoning designation
for the lot on which the ADU or JADU is located.
2. Deemed to exceed the allowable density for the lot on which the ADU or JADU is
located.
3. Considered in the application of any local ordinance, policy, or program to limit
residential growth.
4. Required to correct a nonconforming zoning condition, as defined in subsection
(C)(8) below. This does not prevent the City from enforcing compliance with applicable
building standards in accordance with Health and Safety Code section 17980.12.
C. Definitions. As used in this section, terms are defined as follows:
1. “Accessory dwelling unit” or “ADU” means an attached or a detached residential
dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons
and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. An accessory
dwelling unit also includes the following:
a. An efficiency unit, as defined by section 17958.1 of the California Health and
Safety Code; and
b. A manufactured home, as defined by section 18007 of the California Health and
Safety Code.
2. “Accessory structure” means a structure that is accessory and incidental to a
dwelling located on the same lot.
3. “Complete independent living facilities” means permanent provisions for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or
multifamily dwelling is or will be situated.
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4. “Efficiency kitchen” means a kitchen that includes all of the following:
a. A cooking facility with appliances.
b. A food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of a reasonable size in
relation to the size of the JADU.
5. “Junior accessory dwelling unit” or “JADU” means a residential unit that satisfies
all of the following:
a. It is no more than 500 square feet in size.
b. It is contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family structure. An
enclosed use within the residence, such as an attached garage, is considered to be a
part of and contained within the single-family structure.
c. It includes its own separate sanitation facilities or shares sanitation facilities with
the existing or proposed single-family structure.
d. If the unit does not include its own separate bathroom, then it contains an interior
entrance to the main living area of the existing or proposed single -family structure in
addition to an exterior entrance that is separate from the main entrance to the primary
dwelling.
e. It includes an efficiency kitchen, as defined in subsection (C)(4) above.
6. “Livable space” means a space in a dwelling intended for human habitation,
including living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation.
7. “Living area” means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit, including
basements and attics, but does not include a garage or any accessory structure.
8. “Nonconforming zoning condition” means a physical improvement on a property
that does not conform with current zoning standards.
9. “Passageway” means a pathway that is unobstructed clear to the sky and
extends from a street to one entrance of the ADU or JADU.
10. “Proposed dwelling” means a dwelling that is the subject of a permit application
and that meets the requirements for permitting.
11. “Public transit” means a location, including, but not limited to, a bus stop or train
station, where the public may access buses, trains, subways, and other forms of
transportation that charge set fares, run on fixed routes, and are available to the public.
12. “Tandem parking” means that two or more automobiles are parked on a driveway
or in any other location on a lot, lined up behind one another.
D. Approvals. The following approvals apply to ADUs and JADUs under this section:
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1. Building-Permit. An ADU or JADU must comply with each of the general
requirements in subsection (E) below and is allowed with a building-permit in the
following scenarios:
a. Converted on Single-family Lot: One ADU as described in this subsection
(D)(1)(a) and 1 JADU on a lot with a proposed or existing single -family dwelling on it,
where the ADU or JADU:
i. Is either: within the space of a proposed single-family dwelling; within the existing
space of an existing single-family dwelling; or (in the case of an ADU only) within the
existing space of an accessory structure, plus up to 150 additional square feet if the
expansion is limited to accommodating ingress and egress; and
ii. Has exterior access that is independent of that for the single-family dwelling; and
iii. Has side and rear setbacks sufficient for fire and safety, as dictated by applicable
building and fire codes.
iv. The JADU complies with the requirements of Government Code sections 66333
through 66339.
b. Limited Detached on Single-family Lot: One detached, new-construction ADU on
a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling (in addition to any JADU that
might otherwise be established on the lot under su bsection (D)(1)(a) above, if the
detached ADU satisfies each of the following limitations:
i. The side- and rear-yard setbacks are at least 4 feet.
ii. The peak height above grade does not exceed the applicable height limit in
subsection (E)(2) below.
c. Converted on Multifamily Lot: One or more ADUs within portions of existing
multifamily dwelling structures that are not used as livable space, including but not
limited to storage rooms, boiler rooms, passageways, attics, basements, or garages, if
each converted ADU complies with state building standards for dwellings. Under this
subsection (D)(1)(c), at least one converted ADU is allowed within an existing
multifamily dwelling, up to a quantity equal to 25 percent of the existing multifamily
dwelling units.
d. Limited Detached on Multifamily Lot: No more than 2 detached ADUs on a lot
with a proposed multifamily dwelling, or up to 8 detached ADUs on a lot with an existing
multifamily dwelling, subject to the following:
i. The side- and rear-yard setbacks are at least 4 feet. If the existing multifamily
dwelling has a rear or side yard setback of less than 4 feet, the City will not require any
modification to the multifamily dwelling as a condition of approving the ADU.
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ii. The peak height above grade does not exceed the applicable height limit
provided in subsection (E)(2) below.
iii. If the lot has existing multifamily dwelling units, the quantity of detached ADUs
does not exceed the number of primary dwelling units on the lot.
2. Process and Timing.
a. A building-permit for an ADU or JADU is considered and approved ministerially,
without discretionary review or a hearing; provided, however, this section does not
preclude or modify any requirement for discretionary review or a hearing under another
provision of the Municipal Code consistent with the requirements of state law.
b. The City may charge a fee to reimburse it for costs incurred in processing
building permits, including the costs of adopting or amending the City’s ADU ordinance.
The building permit processing fee is determined by the Director of Development
Services and approved by the City Council by resolution.
c. The City must approve or deny an application to create an ADU or JADU within
60 days from the date that the City receives a completed application. If the City has not
approved or denied the completed application within 60 days, the application is deemed
approved unless either:
i. The applicant requests a delay, in which case the 60-day time period is tolled for
the period of the requested delay, or
ii. When an application to create an ADU or JADU is submitted with a permit
application to create a new single-family or multifamily dwelling on the lot, the City may
delay acting on the permit application for the ADU or JADU until the City acts on the
permit application to create the new single-family or multifamily dwelling, but the
application to create the ADU or JADU will still be considered ministerially without
discretionary review or a hearing.
d. If the City denies an application to create an ADU or JADU, the City must provide
the applicant with comments that include, among other things, a list of all the defective
or deficient items and a description of how the application may be remedied by the
applicant. Notice of the denial and corresponding comments must be provided to the
applicant within the 60-day time period established by subsection (D)(2)(c) above.
e. A demolition permit for a detached garage that is to be replaced with an ADU is
reviewed with the application for the ADU and issued at the same time.
E. General ADU and JADU Requirements. The following requirements apply to all
ADUs and JADUs that are approved under subsection (D):
1. Zoning.
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a. An ADU subject to a building permit under subsection (D)(1) above may be
created on a lot in a residential or mixed-use zone.
b. In accordance with Government Code section 66333(a), a JADU may only be
created within the following zoning designations: R-1, R-E, R-2, R-3, and PR. A JADU is
prohibited in all other zoning designations, including R-1M and HPR.
2. Height.
a. Except as otherwise provided by subsections (E)(2)(b) and (E)(2)(c) below, a
detached ADU created on a lot with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily
dwelling unit may not exceed 16 feet in height.
b. A detached ADU may be up to 18 feet in height if it is created on a lot with an
existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit that is located within one -
half mile walking distance of a major transit stop or high quality transit corridor, as those
terms are defined in Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code, and the ADU may be
up to 2 additional feet in height (for a maximum of 20 feet) if necessary to accommodate
a roof pitch on the ADU that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary dwelling unit.
c. A detached ADU created on a lot with an existing or proposed multifamily
dwelling that has more than 1 story above grade may not exceed 18 feet in height.
d. An ADU that is attached to the primary dwelling may not exceed 25 feet in height
or the height limitation imposed by the underlying zone that applies to the primary
dwelling, whichever is lower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ADUs subject to this
subsection (E)(2)(d) may not exceed 2 stories.
e. For purposes of this subsection (E)(2), height is measured from existing legal
grade or the level of the lowest floor, whichever is lower, to the peak of the structure.
3. Fire Sprinklers.
a. Fire sprinklers are required in an ADU if sprinklers are required in the primary
residence.
b. The construction of an ADU does not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to
be installed in the existing primary dwelling.
4. Rental Term. No ADU or JADU may be rented for a term that is shorter than 30
days. This prohibition applies regardless of when the ADU or JADU was created.
5. No Separate Conveyance. An ADU or JADU may be rented, but, except as
otherwise provided in Government Code section 66341, no ADU or JADU may be sold
or otherwise conveyed separately from the lot and the primary dwelling (in th e case of a
single-family lot) or from the lot and all of the dwellings (in the case of a multifamily lot).
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6. Septic System. If the ADU or JADU will connect to an onsite wastewater -
treatment system, the owner must include with the application a percolation test
completed within the last 5 years or, if the percolation test has been recertified, within
the last 10 years.
7. Owner Occupancy.
a. ADUs created under this section on or after January 1, 2020, are not subject to
an owner-occupancy requirement.
b. As required by state law, all JADUs are subject to an owner-occupancy
requirement. A natural person with legal or equitable title to the property must reside on
the property, in either the primary dwelling or JADU, as the person’s legal domicile and
permanent residence. However, the owner-occupancy requirement in this subsection
(E)(7)(b) does not apply if the property is entirely owned by another governmental
agency, land trust, or housing organization.
8. Deed Restriction. Prior to issuance of a building permit for a JADU, a deed
restriction must be recorded against the title of the property in the County Recorder’s
office and a copy filed with the Director of Development Services. The deed restriction
must run with the land and bind all future owners. The form of the deed restriction will
be provided by the City and must provide that:
a. Except as otherwise provided in Government Code section 66341, the JADU
may not be sold separately from the primary dwelling.
b. The JADU is restricted to the approved size and to other attributes allowed by
this section.
c. The deed restriction runs with the land and may be enforced against future
property owners.
d. The deed restriction may be removed if the owner eliminates the JADU. To
remove the deed restriction, an owner may make a written request of the Director,
providing evidence that the JADU has in fact been eliminated. The Director may then
determine whether the evidence supports the claim that the JADU has been eliminated.
Appeal may be taken from the Director’s determination consistent with other provisions
of this Code. If the JADU is not entirely physically removed, but is only eliminated by
virtue of having a necessary component of a JADU removed, the remaining structure
and improvements must otherwise comply with applicable provisions of this Code.
e. The deed restriction is enforceable by the Director of Development Services or
his or her designee for the benefit of the City. Failure of the property owner to comply
with the deed restriction may result in legal action against the property owner, and the
City is authorized to obtain any remedy available to it at law or equity, including, but not
limited to, obtaining an injunction enjoining the use of the JADU in violation of the
recorded restrictions or abatement of the illegal unit.
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9. Certificate of Occupancy. A certificate of occupancy may not be issued for an
ADU or JADU until a certificate of occupancy has been issued for the primary dwelling.
10. Building & Safety.
a. Must comply with building code. Subject to subsection (E)(10)(b) below, all ADUs
and JADUs must comply with all local building code requirements.
b. No change of occupancy. Construction of an ADU does not constitute a Group R
occupancy change under the local building code, as des cribed in Section 310 of the
California Building Code, unless the building official or Code Enforcement Division
officer makes a written finding based on substantial evidence in the record that the
construction of the ADU could have a specific, adverse impact on public health and
safety. Nothing in this subsection (E)(10)(b) prevents the City from changing the
occupancy code of a space that was uninhabitable space or that was only permitted for
nonresidential use and was subsequently converted for residential use in accordance
with this section.
F. Specific ADU Requirements. The following requirements apply to all ADUs and
JADUs permitted under subsection (D) above.
1. Maximum Size.
a. The maximum size of a detached or attached ADU subject to this subsection (F)
is 850 square feet for a studio or one-bedroom unit and 1,000 square feet for a unit with
2 or more bedrooms.
b. An attached ADU that is created on a lot with an existing primary dwelling is
further limited to 50 percent of the floor area of the existing primary dwelling.
c. Application of other development standards in this subsection (F), such as FAR
or lot coverage, might further limit the size of the ADU, but no application of the percent -
based size limit in subsection (F)(1)(b) above or of an FAR, front setback, lot coverage
limit, or open-space requirement may require the ADU to be less than 800 square feet.
2. Floor Area Ratio (FAR). No ADU subject to this subsection (F) may cause the
total FAR of the lot to exceed 45 percent, subject to subsection (F)(1)(c) above.
3. Setbacks.
a. ADUs must conform to 4-foot side and rear setbacks. ADUs must conform to 25-
foot front yard setbacks, unless a lesser setback is allowed by the underlying zoning
designation, specific plan, planned development standard and/or overlay district that
applies to the primary dwelling, subject to subsection (F)(1)(c) above.
b. No setback is required for an ADU if the ADU is constructed in the same location
and to the same dimensions as an existing structure.
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c. An ADU that is subject to this subsection (F) must be at least 5 feet from any
other existing and/or proposed dwelling and/or accessory structure.
4. Lot Coverage. No ADU subject to this subsection (F) may cause the total lot
coverage of the lot to exceed 75 percent, subject to subsection (F)(1)(c).
5. Minimum Open Space. No ADU subject to this subsection (F) may cause the
total percentage of open space of the lot to fall below 25 percent, subject to subsection
(F)(1)(c) above.
6. Passageway. No passageway, as defined by subsection (C)(9) above, is
required for an ADU.
7. Parking.
a. Generally. One off-street parking space is required for each ADU. The parking
space may be provided in setback areas or as tandem parking, as defined by
subsection (C)(12) above.
b. Exceptions. No parking under subsection (F)(7)(a) is required in the following
situations:
i. The ADU is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit, as
defined in subsection (C)(11) above.
ii. The ADU is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic
district.
iii. The ADU is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory
structure under subsection (D)(1)(a) above.
iv. When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of
the ADU.
v. When there is an established car share vehicle stop located within one block of
the ADU.
vi. When the permit application to create an ADU is submitted with an application to
create a new single-family or new multifamily dwelling on the same lot, provided that the
ADU or the lot satisfies any other criteria listed in subsections (F)(7)(b)(i) through (v)
above.
c. No Replacement. When a garage, carport, covered parking structure, or
uncovered parking space is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an ADU
or converted to an ADU, those off -street parking spaces are not required to be replaced.
8. Architectural Requirements.
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a. The materials and colors of the exterior walls, roof, and windows and doors must
match the appearance and architectural design of those of the primary dwelling.
b. The roof slope must match that of the dominant roof slope of the primary
dwelling. The dominant roof slope is the slope shared by the largest portion of the roof.
c. All roof and ground-mounted equipment must be fully screened from the adjacent
public right-of-way and adjacent properties. Masonry walls, landscaping, or architectural
features may be used to provide screening and prevent a direct line of sight.
d. The exterior lighting must be limited to down-lights or as otherwise required by
the building or fire code.
e. The ADU must have an independent exterior entrance, apart from that of the
primary dwelling.
f. The interior horizontal dimensions of an ADU must be at least 10 feet wide in
every direction, with a minimum interior wall height of 7 feet.
g. No window or door of the ADU may have a direct line of sight to an adjoining
residential property. Each window and door must either be located where there is no
direct line of sight or screened using fencing, landscaping, or privacy glass to prevent a
direct line of sight.
h. All windows and doors in an ADU less than 30 feet from a property line that is not
a public right-of-way line must either be (for windows) clerestory with the bottom of the
glass at least 6 feet above the finished floor, or (for windows and for doors) utilize
frosted or obscure glass.
9. Historical Protections. An ADU that is on or within 600 feet of real property that is
listed in the California Register of Historic Resources must be located so as to not be
visible from any public right-of-way.
10. Allowed Stories. No ADU subject to this subsection F may have more than one
story, except that an ADU that is attached to the primary dwelling may have the stories
allowed under subparagraph (E.2.d) of this section.
G. Fees. The following requirements apply to all ADUs that are approved under
subsection (D).
1. Impact Fees.
a. No impact fee is required for an ADU that is less than 750 square feet in size. For
purposes of this subsection (G)(1), “impact fee” means a “fee” under the Mitigation Fee
Act (Government Code section 66000(b)) and a fee under the Quimby Act (Government
Code section 66477). “Impact fee” here does not include any connection fee or capacity
charge for water or sewer service.
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b. Any impact fee that is required for an ADU that is 750 square feet or larger in
size must be charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary
dwelling unit. (E.g., the floor area of the ADU, divided by the floor area of the primary
dwelling, times the typical fee amount charged for a new dwelling.)
2. Utility Fees.
a. If an ADU is constructed with a new single-family home, a separate utility
connection directly between the ADU and the utility and payment of the normal
connection fee and capacity charge for a new dwelling are required.
b. Except as described in subsection (G)(2)(a), converted ADUs on a single-family
lot that are created under subsection (D)(1)(a) above are not required to have a new or
separate utility connection directly between the ADU and the utility. Nor is a connection
fee or capacity charge required.
c. Except as described in subsection (G)(2)(a), all ADUs that are not covered by
subsection (G)(2)(b) require a new, separate utility connection directly between the ADU
and the utility for any utility that is provided by the City. All utilities that are not provided
by the City are subject to the connection and fee requirements of the utility provider.
i. The connection is subject to a connection fee or capacity charge that is
proportionate to the burden created by the ADU based on either the floor area or the
number of drainage-fixture units (DFU) values, as defined by the Uniform Plumbing
Code, upon the water or sewer system.
ii. The portion of the fee or charge that is charged by the City may not exceed the
reasonable cost of providing this service.
H. Nonconforming Zoning Code Conditions, Building Code Violations, and
Unpermitted Structures.
1. Generally. The City will not deny an ADU or JADU application due to a
nonconforming zoning condition, building code violation, or unpermitted structure on the
lot that does not present a threat to the public health and safety and that is not affected
by the construction of the ADU or JADU.
2. Unpermitted ADUs and JADUs constructed before 2020.
a. Permit to Legalize. As required by state law, the City may not deny a permit to
legalize an existing but unpermitted ADU or JADU that was constructed before January
1, 2020, if denial is based on either of the following grounds:
i. The ADU or JADU violates applicable building standards, or
ii. The ADU or JADU does not comply with the state ADU or JADU law or this ADU
ordinance (section 25.34.030).
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b. Exceptions:
i. Notwithstanding subsection (H)(2)(a) above, the City may deny a permit to
legalize an existing but unpermitted ADU or JADU that was constructed before January
1, 2020, if the City makes a finding that correcting a violation is necessary to comply
with the standards specified in California Health and Safety Code sectio n 17920.3.
ii. Subsection (H)(2)(a) above does not apply to a building that is deemed to be
substandard in accordance with California Health and Safety Code section 17920.3.
I. Nonconforming ADUs and discretionary approval.
(1) Any proposed ADU or JADU that does not qualify for ministerial approval under
the objective standards set forth in subsections (A) through (H) of this section may be
allowed by the City with a conditional use permit, in accordance with the other
provisions of this title.
(2) A proposed ADU or JADU that does not qualify for ministerial approval under the
objective standards set forth in subsections (A) through (H) of this section and that is on
real property that is listed in the California Register of Historic Resources or is a
Landmark, as defined by Chapter 29.20 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code is also
subject to the following requirements:
a. All additions and modifications that affect the exterior of the primary dwelling
require a Certificate of Appropriateness in accordance with Title 29 of the Palm Desert
Municipal Code.
b. All additions and exterior modifications must preserve the architectural character,
and retain any distinctive stylistic features of the existing research and be subject to
design standards identified under Section 29.60.080 of the Palm Desert Municipal
Code.
Docusign Envelope ID: 3F35C9CD-C30E-40D1-B92E-96EB6A27BB61