Urban Lot Split and Two Unit Developments

On September 16, 2021, the Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 9, also known as the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act. SB 9 allows cities to ministerially approve:

  • A lot split of an existing single-family residential parcel, and/or
  • A housing development of up to two residential units on a single-family lot.

SB 9 updates the Subdivision Map Act and California Planning and Zoning Law to allow more housing on single-family lots, increasing potential units from three (primary unit, Junior ADU, and detached ADU) to four. Designed to boost housing supply and variety, SB 9 helps California cities address the housing crisis. In compliance, the City of Sierra Madre adopted Ordinance No. 1452 on April 12, 2022, establishing rules for Urban Lot Splits and Two-Unit Developments.

Key Components of SB 9

Urban Lot Split

Provides a streamlined process for subdividing an existing single-family zoned lot into two new parcels, also known as an Urban Lot Split

Added Chapter 16.18 (Urban Lot Split) to the Sierra Madre Municipal Code implementing regulation, procedure and standards for subdivision of an eligible single-family property

Two Unit Developments

Provides a streamlined process for creating Two Unit Developments on single-family zoned lots

Added Chapter 17.59 (Ministerial Design Review) to the Sierra Madre Municipal Code implementing the regulation, procedure and standards for Two Unit Development of an eligible single-family property

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