The Oxnard City Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend that the City Council adopt a zone text amendment to Chapter 16 of the Oxnard City Code that updates local rules for accessory dwelling units to align with recent state ADU law and to implement several code cleanups.

Jamie Peltier, planning supervisor for the City of Oxnard Community Development Department, told commissioners the amendment is intended to mirror state law and to remove obsolete provisions. "The ADU ordinance is in full compliance with the state law," Peltier said, noting two specific edits staff recommended in response to a letter from the California Housing Defense Fund (HDF): striking a provision that imposed an 800-square-foot cap in a particular multifamily provision and removing a requirement that manufactured-home ADUs be "built on a permanent foundation." Peltier also explained technical points, including that ADU and JADU size are measured by gross interior living space and that the ordinance adopts recent state timelines such as a 15-day review period for certain submittals.

Commissioner Nash said the changes would streamline residential permitting and expand housing opportunities. "These reforms will reduce barriers to build ADUs and create additional housing opportunities within residential zones," Nash said.

Key details recorded in the staff presentation and discussion:

- Compliance and scope: Staff stated the amendment does not alter the city's General Plan and is limited to code changes and cleanup; provisions beyond state requirements were not being added at this time because additional local standards would require broader public process.

- Measurement and sizes: ADUs and junior ADUs (JADUs) are measured by gross interior living space; the ordinance relies on state-defined minimums and maximums where allowed. The single-family detached/attached ADU maximum referenced in state law is 800 square feet; staff recommended striking an 800-square-foot cap where state code prevents a local cap for certain multifamily ADUs.

- Rental and parking: The ordinance follows state law that sets a minimum rental term longer than 30 days (i.e., no short-term rentals under 30 days). Parking references in the ADU section point to the off-street parking requirements table rather than repeating a lengthy table in the ordinance text.

- Timelines: Staff noted recent state law changes creating a 15-day review period for initial submissions/resubmittals; staff said Oxnard will implement state-required timeframes and is not proposing shorter local timelines at this time.

- Historic/architectural standards: The commission directed that architectural provisions referenced in the amendment be reworded to be objective rather than subjective so that standards (for example, on materials and roof style) are enforceable without ambiguous language. Staff responded that language can be revised to require compatibility in measurable terms.

Motion and vote

Chair Arejo moved that the commission recommend City Council adoption of the zone text amendment (PZ 23-5383), find the project categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) (general rule), and include staff edits and the HDF-recommended strikes and objective-language direction noted in the public comment letter. Commissioner Lopez seconded the motion. The roll-call vote recorded six ayes; the motion passed.

Actions recorded

- Motion: Recommend the City Council adopt the zone text amendment to Oxnard City Code Chapter 16 (PZ 23-5383) and adopt findings including a CEQA general-rule exemption; include staff edits and the HDF recommendations to strike specified code language and to make architectural provisions objective.
- Mover: Chair Arejo. Second: Commissioner Lopez.
- Vote: Chair Arejo: aye; Commissioner Nash: aye; Vice Chair Dr. Stewart: aye; Commissioner Lopez: aye; Commissioner Schulke: aye; Commissioner Barcena: aye. Outcome: approved.

What happens next

The commissionrecord and resolution will be transmitted as a recommendation to the Oxnard City Council for consideration and potential adoption of the zone text amendment. The amendment as recommended implements state ADU requirements, removes select local limits where state law preempts them, and directs staff to refine objective language for architectural provisions prior to Council review.