388_ADU_2025_Ordinance_F_EOrdinance No. 388 ADU Amendments
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ORDINANCE NO. 388
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROLLING HILLS AMENDING CHAPTER 17.28 OF THE
ROLLING HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND FINDING THE
ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA
UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE § 21080.17
WHEREAS, the City of Rolling Hills, 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 2025, the California Legislature approved, and the Governor signed
into law, further amendments to state ADU law; and
WHEREAS, new updates to state ADU law take effect on January 1, 2026, and for
the City’s ADU ordinance to remain valid, it must be amended to reflect the most recent
changes to state law; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend its local regulatory scheme for the
construction of ADUs and JADUs to reflect the most recent changes to state law; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 2025, 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 voted to forward the Ordinance to the City Council with a recommendation
in favor of its adoption; and
WHEREAS, on November 24, 2025, 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills does ordain as
follows:
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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 Chapter 13 of Division 1 of
Title 7 of the California Government Code, which is California’s ADU law. 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. Chapter 17.28 of the Rolling Hills 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 sections
66326 and 66333.5, 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 Rolling
Hills City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California 90274.
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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EXHIBIT A-1
Amended ADU Regulations
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EXHIBIT “A”
Chapter 17.28
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
Sections:
17.28.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this Chapter 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.
17.28.020 Effect of conforming.
An ADU or JADU that conforms to the standards in this Chapter will not be:
A. Deemed to be inconsistent with the City's general plan and zoning designation for the lot on which the ADU
or JADU is located.
B. Deemed to exceed the allowable density for the lot on which the ADU or JADU is located.
C. Considered in the application of any local ordinance, policy, or program to limit residential growth.
D. Required to correct a nonconforming zoning condition, as defined in subsection 17.28.030(H) below. This
does not prevent the City from enforcing compliance with applicable building standards in accordance with
Health and Safety Code Section 17980.12.
17.28.030 Definitions.
As used in this Chapter, terms are defined as follows:
A. "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:
1. An efficiency unit, as defined by Section 17958.1 of the California Health and Safety Code; and
2. A manufactured home, as defined by Section 18007 of the California Health and Safety Code.
B. "Accessory structure" means a structure that is accessory and incidental to a dwelling located on the same
lot.
C. "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.
D. "Efficiency kitchen" means a kitchen that includes all of the following:
1. A cooking facility with appliances.
2. A food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of a reasonable size in relation to the size of
the JADU.
E. "Junior accessory dwelling unit" or "JADU" means a residential unit that satisfies all of the following:
1. It is no more than 500 square feet of interior livable space in size.
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2. 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.
3. It includes its own separate sanitation facilities or shares sanitation facilities with the existing or
proposed single-family structure.
4. 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.
5. It includes an efficiency kitchen, as defined in subsection (D) above.
F. "Livable space" means a space in a dwelling intended for human habitation, including living, sleeping, eating,
cooking, or sanitation.
G. "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.
H. "Nonconforming zoning condition" means a physical improvement on a property that does not conform with
current zoning standards.
I. "Passageway" means a pathway that is unobstructed clear to the sky and extends from a street to one
entrance of the ADU or JADU.
J. "Proposed dwelling" means a dwelling that is the subject of a permit application and that meets the
requirements for permitting.
K. "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.
L. "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.
17.28.040 Approvals.
A. The following approvals apply to ADUs and JADUs created under this Chapter:
1. Ministerial ADU and Building Permits Required. Every ADU and JADU requires an ADU permit and a
building permit. The City will review and approve permit applications in accordance with subsection
(A)(3) below.
2. Processing Fee. The City may charge a fee to reimburse it for costs incurred in processing ADU permits,
including the costs of adopting or amending the City’s ADU ordinance. The ADU-permit processing fee
is determined by the Director of Community Development or other City employee as determined or
designated by the City Manager and approved by the City Council by resolution.
3. Process and Timing.
(a) Completeness.
(i) Determination in 15 days. The City will determine whether an application to create or serve
an ADU or JADU is complete and will provide written notice of the determination to the
applicant within 15 business days after the City receives the application submittal.
(ii) Incomplete items. If the City’s determination under subsection (A)(3)(a)(i) above is that the
application is incomplete, the City’s notice must list the incomplete items and describe how
the application can be made complete.
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(iii) Cure. After receiving a notice that the application is incomplete, the applicant may cure
and address the items that were deemed by the City to be incomplete.
(iv) Subsequent submittals. If the applicant submits additional information to address
incomplete items, within 15 business days of the subsequent submittal the City will
determine in writing whether the additional information remedies all the incomplete items
that the City identified in its original notice. The City may not require the application to
include an item that was not included in the original notice.
(v) Deemed complete. If the City does not make a timely determination as required by this
subsection (a), the application or resubmitted application is deemed complete for the
purposes of subsection (A)(3)(c) below.
(vi) Appeal of incompleteness. An applicant may appeal the City’s determination that the
application is incomplete by submitting a written appeal to the City Clerk. The Planning
Commission will review the written appeal and affirm or reverse the completeness
determination and provide a final written determination to the applicant within 60
business days after receipt of the appeal.
(b) No discretion or hearing. Ministerial permits for an ADU or JADU are considered and approved
without discretionary review or a hearing.
(c) Deadline to approval or deny ministerial approvals. 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 complete
application. If the City has not approved or denied the complete 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) Denial. 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 (A)(3)(c) above.
(e) Appeal of denial. An applicant may appeal the City’s denial of the application by submitting a
written appeal to the City Clerk. The Planning Commission will review the written appeal and
affirm or reverse the denial and provide a final written determination to the applicant within 60
business days after receipt of the appeal.
(f) Concurrent review of demolition. 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.
B. Classes.
1. Class 1: Statutorily Regulated. Class 1 ADUs and JADUs are approved under Government Code Section
66323. If an ADU or JADU complies with each of the general requirements in Section 17.28.050, it is
allowed in each of the scenarios provided in this subsection (B)(1). An ADU and JADU approved under
subsection (B)(1)(a) may be combined with an ADU approved under subsection (B)(1)(b), and ADUs
approved under subsection (B)(1)(c) may be combined with ADUs approved under subsection (B)(1)(d).
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(a) Converted on Lot with Single-Family: One ADU as described in this subsection (B)(1)(a) and one
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 Lot with Single-Family: One detached, new-construction ADU on a lot with a
proposed or existing single-family dwelling, if the detached ADU satisfies each of the following
limitations:
(i) The side- and rear-yard setbacks are at least four feet.
(ii) The total floor area is 800 square feet of livable space or smaller.
(iii) The peak height above grade does not exceed the applicable height limit in subsection
17.28.050(B) below.
(c) Converted on Lot with Multifamily: 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 (B)(1)(c), at least one converted
ADU is allowed within an existing multifamily dwelling, up to a quantity equal to twenty-five
percent of the existing multifamily dwelling units.
(d) Limited Detached on Lot with Multifamily: No more than two detached ADUs on a lot with a
proposed multifamily dwelling, or up to eight detached ADUs on a lot with an existing multifamily
dwelling, if each detached ADU satisfies all of the following:
(i) The side- and rear-yard setbacks are at least four feet. If the existing multifamily dwelling
has a rear or side yard setback of less than four feet, the City will not require any
modification to the multifamily dwelling as a condition of approving the ADU.
(ii) The peak height above grade does not exceed the applicable height limit provided in
Section 17.28.050(B) below.
(iii) If the lot has an existing multifamily dwelling, the quantity of detached ADUs does not
exceed the number of primary dwelling units on the lot.
2. Class 2: Locally Regulated. Class 2 ADUs are approved under Government Code Sections 66314–66322.
Except for Class 1 ADUs approved under subsection (B)(1) above, all ADUs are subject to the standards
set forth in Sections 17.28.050 and 17.28.060 below.
17.28.050 General ADU and JADU requirements.
The following requirements apply to all Class 1 and Class 2 ADUs and:
A. Zoning.
1. A Class 1 ADU approved under subsection 17.28.040(B)(1) may be created on a lot in a residential or
mixed-use zone.
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2. A Class 2 ADU approved under subsection 17.28.040(B)(2) may be created on a lot that is zoned to
allow single-family dwelling residential use or multifamily dwelling residential use.
3. In accordance with Government Code Section 66333(a), a JADU may only be created on a lot zoned for
single-family residences.
B. Height.
1. Except as otherwise provided by subsections (B)(2) and (B)(3) below, a detached ADU created on a lot
with an existing or proposed single family or multifamily dwelling unit may not exceed sixteen feet in
height.
2. A detached ADU may be up to eighteen 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 two additional feet in height (for a maximum of
twenty feet) if necessary to accommodate a roof pitch on the ADU that is aligned with the roof pitch of
the primary dwelling unit.
3. A detached ADU created on a lot with an existing or proposed multifamily dwelling that has more than
one story above grade may not exceed eighteen feet in height.
4. An ADU that is attached to the primary dwelling may not exceed twenty-five 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 (B)(4) may not exceed two
stories.
5. For purposes of this subsection (B), height is measured from existing legal grade or the level of the
lowest floor, whichever is lower, to the peak of the structure.
C. Fire Sprinklers.
1. Fire sprinklers are required in an ADU or JADU if sprinklers are required in the primary residence.
2. The construction of an ADU or JADU does not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in
the existing primary dwelling.
D. 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.
E. 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 the case of a single-family lot) or from the lot and all of the dwellings (in the case of a
multifamily lot).
F. 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 five years or, if the percolation test
has been recertified, within the last ten years.
G. Owner Occupancy.
1. ADUs are not subject to an owner-occupancy requirement.
2. JADUs.
(a) Generally. As required by state law, all JADUs are generally 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.
(b) Exceptions. The owner-occupancy requirement in this subsection (G)(2) does not apply in either
of the following situations:
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(i) The JADU has separate sanitation facilities (i.e., does not share sanitation facilities with the
existing primary dwelling unit structure).
(ii) The property is entirely owned by another governmental agency, land trust, or housing
organization.
H. Deed Restriction. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy 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 or
other City employee as determined or designated by the City Manager. 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:
1. The JADU may not be sold separately from the primary dwelling.
2. The JADU is restricted to the approved size and to other attributes allowed by this Chapter.
3. The deed restriction runs with the land and may be enforced against future property owners.
4. The deed restriction may be removed if the owner eliminates the JADU, as evidenced by, for example,
removal of the kitchen facilities. To remove the deed restriction, an owner may make a written request
of the Director or other City employee as determined or designated by the City Manager, providing
evidence that the JADU has in fact been eliminated. The Director or other City employee as determined
or designated by the City Manager may then determine whether the evidence supports the claim that
the JADU has been eliminated. Appeal may be taken from the Director's or other City employee as
determined or designated by the City Manager 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 an JADU removed, the remaining structure and improvements must
otherwise comply with applicable provisions of this code.
5. The deed restriction is enforceable by the director or other City employee as determined or designated
by the City Manager 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.
I. Building & Safety.
1. Must Comply with Building Code. Subject to subsection (I)(2) below, all ADUs and JADUs must comply
with all local building code requirements.
2. No Change of Occupancy. Construction of an ADU does not constitute a Group R occupancy change
under the local building code, as described in Section 310 of the California Building Code, unless the
Building Official or Code Enforcement 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 (I)(2) 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 Chapter.
J. Certificate of Occupancy Timing.
1. Generally. No certificate of occupancy for an ADU or JADU may be issued before the certificate of
occupancy is issued for the primary dwelling unit.
2. Limited Exception for State-declared Emergencies. Notwithstanding subsection (J)(1) above, a
certificate of occupancy for an ADU may be issued before a certificate of occupancy for the primary
dwelling if each of the following requirements are met:
(a) The county is subject to a proclamation of a state of emergency made by the California Governor
on or after February 1, 2025.
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(b) The primary dwelling was substantially damaged or destroyed by an event referenced in the
Governor’s state of emergency proclamation.
(c) The ADU has been issued construction permits and has passed all required inspections.
(d) The ADU is not attached to the primary dwelling.
17.28.060 Specific ADU requirements.
The following requirements apply only to Class 2 ADUs approved under subsection 17.28.040(B)(2) above:
A. Maximum Size.
1. The maximum size of a detached or attached ADU subject to this Section 17.28.060 is 850 square feet
of interior livable space for a studio or one-bedroom unit and 1,000 square feet for a unit of interior
livable space with two or more bedrooms.
2. 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.
3. Application of other development standards in this Section 17.28.060, 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
(A)(2) 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.
B. Floor Area Ratio (FAR). No ADU subject to this Section 17.28.060 may cause the total FAR of the lot to exceed
45 percent, subject to subsection (A)(3) above.
C. Setbacks.
1. ADUs that are subject to this Section 17.28.060 must conform to four-foot side and rear setbacks.
2. ADUs that are subject to this Section 17.28.060 must conform to 30-foot front setbacks, subject to
subsection (A)(3) above.
3. No setback is required for an ADU that is subject to this Section 17.28.060 if the ADU is constructed in
the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure.
D. Lot Coverage. No ADU subject to this Section 17.28.060 may cause the total lot coverage of the lot to exceed
50 percent, subject to subsection (A)(3) above.
E. Minimum Open Space. No ADU subject to this Section 17.28.060 may cause the total percentage of open
space of the lot to fall below 50 percent, subject to subsection (A)(3) above.
F. Passageway. No passageway, as defined by Section 17.28.030(I) above, is required for an ADU.
G. Parking.
1. Generally. One off-street parking space is required for each ADU or bedroom, whichever is less. The
parking space may be provided in setback areas or as tandem parking, as defined by subsection
17.28.030(L).
2. Exceptions. No parking under subsection (G)(1) is required in the following situations:
(a) The ADU is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit, as defined in Section
17.28.030(K).
(b) The ADU is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
(c) The ADU is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure.
(d) When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the ADU.
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(e) When there is an established car share vehicle stop located within one block of the ADU.
(f) 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 (G)(2)(a) through (e) above.
3. 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.
H. Architectural Requirements.
1. The materials and colors of the exterior walls, roof, and windows and doors must be the same as those
of the primary dwelling.
2. 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.
3. The exterior lighting must be limited to down-lights or as otherwise required by the building or fire
code.
4. The ADU must have an independent exterior entrance, apart from that of the primary dwelling.
5. The interior horizontal dimensions of an ADU must be at least ten feet wide in every direction, with a
minimum interior wall height of seven feet.
6. 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.
7. All windows and doors in an ADU less than thirty 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 six feet above the
finished floor, or (for windows and for doors) utilize frosted or obscure glass.
I. Historical Protections. An ADU that is on or within six hundred 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.
J. Allowed Stories. No ADU subject to this Section 17.28.060 may have more than one story, except that an
ADU that is attached to the primary dwelling may have the stories allowed under subsection 17.28.050(B)(4).
17.28.070 Fees.
The following requirements apply to all Class 1 ADUs and JADUs and Class 2 ADUs that are approved under
subsections 17.28.040(B)(1) or 17.28.040(B)(2) above.
A. Impact Fees.
1. No impact fee is required for a JADU or for an ADU that is less than 750 square feet of interior livable
space in size. For purposes of this subsection (A), "impact fee" means a "fee" under the Mitigation Fee
Act (Gov. Code § 66000(b)) and a fee under the Quimby Act (Gov. Code § 66477). "Impact fee" here
does not include any connection fee or capacity charge for water or sewer service.
2. A JADU or ADU with less than 500 square feet of interior livable space does not increase assessable
space by 500 square feet for purposes of Education Code Section 17620(a)(1)(C), and is therefore not
subject to school fees under Education Code section 17620.
3. Any impact fee that is required for an ADU that has 750 square feet or more of interior livable space
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.)
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B. Utility Fees.
1. If an ADU or JADU is constructed with a new single-family home, a separate utility connection directly
between the ADU or JADU and the utility and payment of the normal connection fee and capacity
charge for a new dwelling are required.
2. Except as described in subsection (B)(1), JADUs and converted ADUs on a single-family lot that are
created under subsection (B)(1)(a) are not required to have a new or separate utility connection
directly between the JADU or ADU and the utility. Nor is a connection fee or capacity charge required.
Notwithstanding the rest of this paragraph, a direct utility connection is required for separate
conveyance of an ADU when separate conveyance is allowed under this code.
3. Except as described in subsection (B)(1), all ADUs that are not covered by subsection (B)(2), 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.
(a) 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.
(b) The portion of the fee or charge that is charged by the City may not exceed the reasonable cost
of providing this service.
17.28.080 Nonconforming zoning code conditions, building code violations, and unpermitted
structures.
A. 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.
B. Unpermitted ADUs and JADUs constructed before 2020.
1. 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:
(a) The ADU or JADU violates applicable building standards, or
(b) The ADU or JADU does not comply with state ADU or JADU law or this ADU ordinance (Chapter
17.28).
2. Exceptions:
(a) Notwithstanding subsection (B)(1), 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 Section 17920.3.
(b) Subsection (B)(1) does not apply to a building that is deemed to be substandard in accordance
with California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3.
Ordinance No. 388 ADU Amendments
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17.28.090 Nonconforming ADUs and discretionary approval.
Any proposed ADU or JADU that would otherwise be allowed under this Chapter but that does not conform
to the objective design or development standards set forth in Section 17.28.010 through 17.28.080 of this Chapter
may be allowed by the City with a conditional use permit, in accordance with the other provisions of this title.
17.28.100 Parcels Created Under Government Code Section 66499.41.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Chapter, no ADU or JADU may be created on a
parcel resulting from a subdivision under Government Code section 66499.41. (Gov. Code, § 66499.41(g).)
Ordinance No. 388 ADU Amendments
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) §§
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS )
I, Christian Horvath, City Clerk of the City of Rolling Hills, California, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Ordinance No. 388 was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Rolling Hills held on the 9th day of December, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Christian Horvath
City Clerk