Summary

ADU rules updated for state law

Thousand OaksJan 27, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The Planning Commission recommended updating Thousand Oaks’ rules for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units so the city code matches state law.

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Community Development

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Planning Commission

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Housing

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What this means

The Planning Commission approved a recommendation to the City Council to revise the city’s ADU and JADU rules. These are the small homes or living units that can be added to an existing property, and the changes are meant to keep local rules consistent with state law. The commission also approved its January 12 minutes and received public comment about tree-work permits and bird nesting season. One public hearing item was removed from the agenda.

Key decisions

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Approved the January 12, 2026 Planning Commission minutes, with one abstention.
Recommended that the City Council adopt the updated ADU/JADU ordinance MCA-2025-70003 to bring Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 45 into compliance with state law.
Found the ADU/JADU ordinance update exempt from CEQA under Public Resources Code Section 21080.17.
Removed Public Hearing item 7.A. from the agenda; it was not considered.

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Meeting information

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Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Jan 27, 2026, 2:00 AMREVISED AGENDA POSTED 3:00 P.M. 01/23/2026, ITEM 7.A. REMOVED FROM AGENDA, Planning Commission, REGULAR MEETINGcompleted

Agenda

Minutes of Planning Commission Meeting of January 12, 2026. RECOMMENDATION: Approve
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Decision: 6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Agenda revised removing item 7.A. that will not be discussed at the meeting.
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Decision: 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Subject: Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) 2025-70003 Applicant: City of Thousand Oaks Location: Citywide Request: To amend Title 9, Chapter 4 of the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code relating to the regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) by updating Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 45, Accessory Dwelling Units; to align with recent changes in State law. Recommendation : Adopt a Resolution based on the findings contained therein to: 1. Find that initiating a Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) for changes to the City’s Zoning Code is an action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 which specifically finds that CEQA does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance by a city to implement the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 66314) [relating to Accessory Dwelling Units] or Article 3 (commencing with Section 66333) [relating to Junior Accessory Dwelling Units] of Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code ; and 2. Recommend to the City Council the adoption of the updated ADU ordinance approving MCA-2025-70003 to amend the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code relating to the regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) by updating Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 45, Accessory Dwelling Units; to align with recent changes in State law. Planner: Community Development Tech 1 Matthew Mateo
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Decision: 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Follow-up items, announcements and upcoming issues.
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Decision: 10. STAFF UPDATE:
Upcoming Planning Commission Meetings
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Decision: 10. STAFF UPDATE:

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