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PRESS RELEASE. From the City of Half Moon Bay on October 23rd, 2025.
Senate Bill 1077 requires the California Coastal Commission to develop written guidance for local governments, regarding permitting for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). That guidance is intended to facilitate the preparation of local coastal program amendments to clarify and simplify the permitting process for ADUs and junior accessory dwelling units in the coastal zone.
California Coastal Commission and Department of Housing and Community Development staff are seeking feedback from local governments and communities on ways to improve the efficiency of ADU permitting procedures in the coastal zone. That feedback will help to inform the guidance that will be provided to local governments.
Here is your opportunity to share your experiences with ADU development and provide your input and opinions. The City of Half Moon Bay is located wholly within the coastal zone, therefore feedback received will help inform future guidance and amendments that will be applicable throughout Half Moon Bay.
You are encouraged to provide your input via email to SB1077ADU@coastal.ca.gov or by submitting an online form here.
In addition, you can provide input via mail to:
California Coastal Commission
Attn: CCC Staff301 E. Ocean Blvd., Suite 300Long Beach, CA 90802
SB 1077 requires the Coastal Commission to develop the written guidelines by July 1, 2026, in coordination with the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
If you have questions regarding this process, please reach out to Half Moon Bay planning staff by email at planning@halfmoonbay.gov or by calling 650-726-8270.
Half Moon Bay Accessory Dwelling Units Permitting Process
Development standards and other information surrounding ADUs can be found within Section 18.33 of the Half Moon Bay Municipal Code. If you are interested in constructing an Accessory Dwelling Unit, we recommend you first talk with planning staff who can provide guidance on the process.
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?
According to the California Government Code, an ADU is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons and located on a single lot with a proposed or existing single-unit dwelling. ADUs must include a separate external entrance and permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling.
What is a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)?
A JADU is a unit that is no more than five hundred (500) square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family dwelling unit. A JADU may include separate sanitation facilities or may share sanitation facilities with the single-family dwelling. An efficiency kitchen is required, which must include a sink and a built-in cooking facility with appliances.
What is a Statewide Exemption Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?
A Statewide exemption ADU, found in Government Code Section 65852, subdivision (e), is an ADU of up to eight hundred (800) square feet, sixteen (16) feet in height (eighteen (18) feet near transit or when the primary dwelling has more than one (1) story, twenty-five (25) feet or the underlying zoning height limit, whichever is lower, for an attached ADU), as potentially limited by a local agency, and with four (4) foot side and rear yard setbacks. State ADU law requires that no lot coverage, floor area ratio, open space, front setback, or minimum lot size will preclude the construction of a Statewide exemption ADU.
How and where do I apply for an ADU/JADU?
ADUs and JADUs are approved ministerial without discretionary review or a hearing.
An ADU/JADU application can be submitted directly through the planning department.
Planning Inquiries and Permits:
Call (650) 726-8270 for an appointment or to leave a message for a Planner.
Submit all planning permit applications and attachments at planning@hmbcity.com.
Please do not send permit applications to individual planners.
They will be returned to you for submittal to the planning email above.
San Mateo County Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance and Permitting Process
Non-Coastal Zone
Coastal Zone
- Chapter 22.5.1. Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations
- LCP Map 3.2 ADU Special Parking El Granada-Pillar Point
- LCP Map 3.1 ADU Special Parking Moss Beach-Montara
How to Apply
Resources
More on the Half Moon Bay City Council on Coastside Buzz
Half Moon Bay City Council Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7:00pm
The City Council of Half Moon Bay is the City’s governing body, and consists of five elected members. The Council sets priorities and policies, makes final decisions on all major City matters, adopts ordinances and resolutions, appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, and approves the annual budget.
The Half Moon Bay City Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month starting at 7:00pm at the Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue.
HMB City Council Agendas and Zoom Links
Regular meeting agendas are posted 72 hours in advance.
Special meeting agendas are posted 24 hours in advance.
– Streamed live on Comcast Channel 27 and Pacific Coast TV website
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Comments in accordance with the three-minute per speaker limit. The City Clerk will read all comments into the record. Please visit our “Commenting at a City Council Meeting” information page.
– Email the City Clerk, Jessica Blair, at jblair@hmbcity.com prior to or during the meeting
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– Phone during the meeting: (650) 477-4963 (English) and (650) 445-3090 (Spanish)
Archived HMB City Council meeting videos on PCTv
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City Council Contact
Phone: (650) 726-8250 (leave message with Clerk’s office)
Mayor Robert Brownstone, District 1; Term ends 2026
RBrownstone@hmbcity.com
Vice Mayor Debbie Ruddock, District 4; Term ends 2026
DRuddock@hmbcity.com
Councilmember Deborah Penrose, District 5, Term ends 2026
DPenrose@hmbcity.com
Councilmember Patric Bo Jonsson, District 2, Term Ends 2028
PJonsson@hmbcity.com
Councilmember Paul Nagengast, District 3; Term Ends 2028
PNagengast@hmbcity.com
The City of Half Moon Bay holds district-based elections for its five city council seats. Each Councilmember is elected to a 4 year term. There are no term limits in Half Moon Bay. The City Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and one to serve as Vice Mayor, on an annual basis.
- November 2024 Election – Districts 2 and 3 will elect a representative to a four-year term.
- November 2026 Election – Districts 1, 4, and 5 will elect a representative to a four-year term.
Click here to figure out which district you are in. Type your address into the interactive map and it will show you which district you are in.
Author: mdrag
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