HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2308-186113.Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Quarterly Report (Quarter 2 of CY 2023)
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: INFORMATION REPORTS
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: September 11, 2023
Report #:2308-1861
TITLE
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Quarterly Report (Quarter 2 of CY 2023)
RECOMMENDATION
This is an informational report, and no action is required.
BACKGROUND
This report transmits information related to application and period activity for accessory
dwelling units (ADU), including junior accessory dwelling units (JADU). Since 2015, the City has
received 605 ADU/JADU building permit applications and issued 429 permits. In CY 2022, the
City received the highest volume of ADU applications in a one-year period. The data for quarter
1 and 2 of 2023 shows a slight reduction in application submittals on a year-to-year basis, but
the number of applications submitted remains robust.
As it relates to the Housing Element, the data continues to support the anticipated housing unit
production expected from ADU/JADUs for the current housing element cycle. In the first half of
CY 2023, the ADU applications range from 230 to 999 square feet, with an average size of 536
square feet. Approximately 48% and 52% of the applications were located north and south,
respectively, of Oregon Expressway. Further details can be found in Table 1 of Attachment A.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is exempt from environmental review under Section 15061 of the California
Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Table 1 ADU Data for Quarters 1 and 2 of CY 2023
APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director
Table 1: Summary of ADU Permits from Calendar Year 2015-2023
Category 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
New ADU Applications
Filed1 10 9 28 55 75 78 136 151 62
Permits: Ready to Issue
(City Approved)2 8 5 12 39 62 46 112 127 60
Permits: Issued (Permit
Obtained)3 8 5 12 36 62 43 89 120
55
Permits: Final
Inspection Approved4 3 4 9 12 33 46 37 62 49
Permits Expired 1 1 2
Detached ADUs
(Submitted)5 20 35 52 52 80 80 28
Detached ADUs
(Issued)5 8 24 41 33 55 64 26
Attached ADUs
(Submitted)6 8 20 23 20 56 44 26
Attached ADUs
(Issued)6 4 11 21 9 34 32 24
Junior ADUs
(Submitted)7 1 1 1 25 27 19
Junior ADUs (Issued)7 1 1 1 9 24 12
Average Application
Processing Time (Days
Including Weekends)8
127 214 118 183 135 197 162 193 211
Average Construction
Time (Days Including
Weekends)9
578 751 330 287 173 262 455 431 494
Category 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
City Impact Fees
Collected for New
ADUs10
$451,514 $402,012 $198,962 $44,057 $139,592 $540,453
$165,965
ADU Size Smallest 150 SF 159 SF 220 SF 208 SF 178 SF 192 SF 230 SF
ADU Size Largest 900 SF 900 SF 1,031 SF 1,000 SF 1,218 SF 2,217 SF 999 SF
Average ADU Size 470 SF 469 SF 383 SF 518 SF 550 SF 589 SF 536 SF
ADU Location
Relative to
Oregon
Expressway
North 46% 49% 52% 55% 49% 52% 48%
South 54% 51% 48% 45% 51% 48% 52%
Source: City of Palo Alto Accela Data January 2015 through June 2023
Notes:
1. Any ADU/JADU Application SUBMITTED for the year
2. Any ADU/JADU application Permit 'READY TO Issue' for the year (regardless of when it was submitted)
3. Any ADU/JADU Permit ISSUED for the year (regardless of when it was submitted)
4. Any ADU/JADU Permit receiving a Final Inspection (Ready to Occupy) for the year, regardless of when the
application wassubmitted. Years 2015-2017 data point not available.
5. Any Detached ADU Permit Application submitted for the year/Any Detached ADU Permit Issued for the year,
regardless of when the application was submitted. Years 2015 -2016 data point not available.
6. Any Attached ADU Permit Application submitted for the year/Any Attached ADU Permit Issued for the year,
regardless of when the application was submitted. Years 2015 -2016 data point not available.
7. Any JADU Permit Application submitted for the year/Any JADU Permit Issued for the year, regardless of when
the application was submitted. Years 2015-2016 data point not available.
8. Average number of days from permit application submittal to when permit is approved and ready to issue. This
average includes weekends and days application is pending due to applicant preparation of resubmittal or
additional information from applicant.
9. Average number of days from permit issued to final inspection completed. This average includes weekends and
days staff is waiting for applicant to schedule the next required inspection; it also includes time related to the
construction of a primary residence when the J/ADU is built at the same time.
10. Impact Fees collected for ADU’s permitted for the year. Years 2015 -2016 data point not available.