The city of Goleta is accepting submissions from design professionals for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans to be considered for pre-approval.
This is in accordance with Assembly Bill No. 1332 which requires each local agency to develop a program for the pre-approval of ADU plans by Jan. 1.
An ADU is an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more individuals, and is on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence.
ADUs include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel as a single-unit or multi-family dwelling.
Currently, the city is accepting plans for detached ADUs that meet size and height restrictions per Goleta Municipal Code (GMC) §17.41.030(D)(1)(b) to be pre-approved.
The detached plans must be between 250 and 800 square feet in floor area. The height can be no greater than 16 feet or up to 18 feet or 20 feet, if located within one half-mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor.
Design professionals interested in submitting detached ADU plans for consideration should submit one PDF with floor plans, elevations, and square footage meeting the city’s “Floor Area” definition per GMC §17.03.070, and indicating the maximum building height to scale on the plans.
Plans will be accepted via email to PreapprovedADU@cityofgoleta.org. Submissions will be accepted until noon Nov. 18.
There are two fees for design professionals seeking pre-approval. The first is for Design Review, which is $1,734. The second fee will be for Building Plan review, which is based on valuation of the project including the market rate for labor and materials.
Goleta’s Design Review Board (DRB) will hold a hearing at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 to review submissions of ADU plans for inclusion in the city’s Pr-eapproved ADU Program.
The meeting will be held in person at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers, 130 Cremona Drive, and via Zoom. A link can be found in the agenda, posted at least 72 hours in advance at http://cityofgoleta.org/goletameetings. The public may also view the meeting on the City’s website or Goleta TV Channel 19.
For community members interested in using one of the pre-approved ADU plans, once available, the program allows proposed ADUs to move through the review process quickly and efficiently, the city said.
The pre-approved plans will be made available to view on the Planning and Environmental Review webpage, once approved.
Site-specific information will be required for each location and homeowners will have to contact the design professional for costs associated with the use of the pre-approved plans and the preparation of the required site plan and other documents (e.g., soils reports) and building permitting.
Following the Dec. 10 Design Review Board hearing, the approved ADU plans will then move on to Building Permit plan review to ensure the plans meet the current triennial Building Standard Code rule-making cycle.
Pre-approved ADU plans will be available on the Planning and Environmental Review page of the city’s website.
Direct any questions and/or comments to Kathy Allen, supervising senior planner, kallen@cityofgoleta.org, or Christina McGuire, associate planner, cmcguire@cityofgoleta.org.