Redwood City To Discuss Accessory Dwellings Monday

REDWOOD CITY, CA — The City Council is reviewing upcoming issues involving the increasingly popular accessory dwelling units to protect affordability and architecture character in Redwood City neighborhoods by encouraging single-story construction.

Think of how popular mother-in-law units have become on homeowners' properties.

The phased approach begins with proposed ADU changes related to home size limits and residential design guidelines that will begin this summer and run through early 2020.

The City Council will take up the matter for next Monday's meeting.

In June, the Redwood City Planning Commission recommended the council adopt new ADUs requirements intended to encourage single-story ADU construction.

The Planning Commission recommendations include requirements to limit second story ADUs above detached garages to 280 square feet and to reduce maximum height of a detached, second story ADU to 20 feet. In addition, second-floor balconies and roof decks would be prohibited. Among other proposed rules, exterior stairs would be required to face the interior of a lot, rather than the sides or rear.

Potential exceptions to what is included in the calculation of floor area could include basements that are fully below grade, detached structures including ADUs and architectural features like bay windows, unenclosed decks, front porches and balconies. The City Council will consider this proposal on August 26.