WESTMINSTER : Council Acts on Room Additions

The City Council last week tentatively approved an ordinance that will regulate room additions to homes in single-family residential districts.

A key provision is a requirement that room additions be limited to four, or less than 40% of the house’s existing floor area.

That measure would prevent residents from converting single-family homes into virtual duplexes, as homeowners with extended families living together often do, officials said.

“The concern . . . is that traffic, noise, trash and parking problems associated with higher-density neighborhoods do not impact on single-family residential districts,” said Planning and Building Director Michael Bouvier.

The ordinance will apply only to new housing, not to existing homes, he said.

In a report to the council, Bouvier said the ordinance will also simplify currently vague and broad guidelines governing room additions.

“Sometimes, staff would make decisions . . . based purely on unwritten policy,” Bouvier said.

He said the city staff surveyed 19 cities in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties, including Irvine and Laguna Niguel, which have extensive new developments, before writing the new ordinance.

Under the ordinance, the architecture and materials must be consistent with others in the neighborhood. It also provides that the house must have common living and dining areas and one kitchen, except for living quarters installed for senior citizens, commonly known as granny flats, an official said.

Bouvier said, however, that the ordinance is flexible enough to allow homeowners to enjoy their properties.