The Saratoga City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday, Oct. 7, on this year's package of City Code amendments, a set of 26 changes that touch everything from second-story granny flats to where homeowners can put solar batteries.
The annual update is meant to clean up unclear language, keep the code in line with state law and reflect how city staff has been applying the rules, according to a report from City Attorney Richard Taylor. The Planning Commission reviewed the zoning changes at a Sept. 9 hearing and recommended them.
The council is set to introduce the ordinance Wednesday and bring it back for final adoption at its next regular meeting.
Housing and development
- Small subdivisions: The Community Development Director, rather than the Planning Commission, would approve tentative and parcel maps that create four or fewer lots. Public notice and comment would stay the same, and the director's decisions could be appealed to the commission.
- Accessory dwelling units: The ADU section would be updated for changes in state law, including how many ADUs and junior ADUs a property may have. Bonus floor area for deed-restricted units would rise from 10% to 15%, and second-story ADUs added on top of existing one-story homes would again be approved ministerially. The council adopted that rule in November 2024, but it was mistakenly dropped in a later code update.
- Lot splits: SB 9 urban lot splits would remain barred on historic landmark properties, and the city would set a 60-day window to decide applications.
- Faith and college land: Housing rules for land owned by religious institutions and colleges would no longer be limited to R-1 districts, and affordability terms would change to match state law.
- Affordable rents: If an owner charges more than the allowed rent for an affordable unit, the excess could be recovered and returned to the tenant.
- Village boundary: A largely residential parcel at 20656/20660 Fifth Street would be moved out of the Saratoga Village boundary and rezoned from CH-1 to RM-3,000 to match its neighbors.
Around the house
Pool pumps and other pool equipment would have to sit at least 6 feet from side and rear property lines, the same as air conditioning units, and those setbacks would also apply to battery storage systems for home solar. The code would clarify that trash carts may sit in the street on collection day and that block parties can receive special event permits.