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<br /> <br />Additionally, this section contains non-objective standards (emphasis added): <br />● “Architecture of an accessory dwelling unit shall match the existing architectural <br />style of the primary residence” (City code § 17.70.040(C)(1)(a).) <br />● “Use of same trim material and trim style” (City code § 17.70.040(C)(1)(a)(ii).) <br />● “Use of same roof form, rooing material and roof slope to the maximum extent <br />feasible” (City code § 17.70.040(C)(1)(a)(iii).) <br />● “To the maximum extent feasible, mechanical equipment and plumbing, conduit, or <br />cabling for utilities is not permitted on the exterior walls of the accessory dwelling <br />unit.” (City code § 17.70.040(C)(1)(d).) <br /> <br />These are not objective standards, as it is impossible for an applicant to know, ex <br />ante, what a reviewing oficial will consider to be of the same “style” as the existing home or <br />what is the “maximum extent feasible.” Government Code section 66314, subdivision(b)(1) <br />permits the imposition of objective standards, and Government Code section 66315 <br />prohibits the imposition of standards beyond what is provided for in section 66314. The City <br />may therefore not impose these non-objective standards on any ADUs. HCD’s guidelines, <br />promulgated under its statutory authority in Government Code section 66327, conirm this. <br />The January 2025 HCD ADU Handbook states: <br />● State law “[r]equires local agencies to only impose objective standards on ADUs” (pg. <br />13). <br />● A requirement that ADUs “maintain a similar architectural style” is an example of a <br />non-objective standard and thus “may not be imposed on ADU development” (pg. 35). <br /> <br />Impermissible Parking Requirements <br /> <br />City code section 18.106.060(C)(7) requires parking for each new ADU, less certain <br />exceptions. However, as discussed supra, Government Code section 66323 mandates that <br />the City approve a speciic class of ADUs subject only to speciied height and setback <br />requirements, notwithstanding any local code requirements to the contrary. This means <br />that the City cannot subject such ADUs to parking requirements. <br /> <br />From page 20 of the January 2025 HCD ADU Handbook (emphasis added): “A local agency <br />may not impose development or design standards, including both local standards and <br />standards found in State ADU Law, on 66323 Units that are not speciically listed in <br />Government Code section 66323. (Gov. Code, § 66323, subds. (a), (b).) This includes, but is not <br />limited to, parking, height, setbacks, or other zoning provisions (e.g., lot size, open space, <br />floor area ratio, etc.).” <br /> <br />Impermissible FAR Limitation <br /> <br />City code section 18.106.060(C)(8) applies underlying floor area ratio (“FAR”) limits (deined <br />in section 18.08.190 of the City zoning code as “Floor area, basic)” to ADUs as follows: <br /> <br /> <br />4 of 7