(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) Accessory dwelling units are a valuable form of housing in California.

(2) Accessory dwelling units provide housing for family members, students, the elderly, in-home health care providers, the disabled, and others, at below market prices within existing neighborhoods.

(3) Homeowners who create accessory dwelling units benefit from added income, and an increased sense of security.

(4) Allowing accessory dwelling units in single-family or multifamily residential zones provides additional rental housing stock in California.

(5) California faces a severe housing crisis.

(6) The state is falling far short of meeting current and future housing demand with serious consequences for the state’s economy, our ability to build green infill consistent with state greenhouse gas reduction goals, and the well-being of our citizens, particularly lower and middle-income earners.

(7) Accessory dwelling units offer lower cost housing to meet the needs of existing and future residents within existing neighborhoods, while respecting architectural character.

(8) Accessory dwelling units are, therefore, an essential component of California’s housing supply.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that an accessory dwelling unit ordinance adopted by a local agency has the effect of providing for the creation of accessory dwelling units and that provisions in this ordinance relating to matters including unit size, parking, fees, and other requirements, are not so arbitrary, excessive, or burdensome so as to unreasonably restrict the ability of homeowners to create accessory dwelling units in zones in which they are authorized by local ordinance.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 65803, this section shall also apply to a charter city.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 856, Sec. 4. (SB 1333) Effective January 1, 2019.)