Title
Introduce, waive first reading, and set November 3, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. as the date and time to consider adoption of an ordinance adding Chapter 18.20 to the Monterey County Code to establish objective design criteria for multiple-unit and mixed-use housing development projects in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County. (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors introduce, waive first reading, and set November 3, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. as the date and time to consider adoption of an ordinance adding Chapter 18.20 to the Monterey County Code to establish objective design criteria for multiple-unit and mixed-use housing development projects in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The proposed ordinance would add model objective design standards to Title 18 of the Monterey County Code by adding a new Chapter 18.20. This action is related to the Sixth Cycle Housing Element update scheduled and noticed for public hearing on November 3, 2026. The proposed ordinance allows the Board of Supervisors to adopt objective design criteria by resolution. When the Board hears the Housing Element item on November 3rd, the action will include a draft resolution with Objective Design Standards for Housing Development. Also included with that action will be consideration of formal adoption of this ordinance. The associated California Environmental Quality Act finding will be made at the November 3rd hearing.
Recent actions by the state legislature limit the County’s ability to apply subjective architectural development standards to multifamily housing projects. Under state housing law, a project of two or more housing units (detached or attached) cannot be denied for non-compliance with subjective zoning standards (Government Code section 65589.5). With these types of applications, jurisdictions are prevented from applying or enforcing subjective standards. Much of the current County Code ...
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