DATE: May 20, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Development Services
SUBJECT
Title
Universal Residential Design: Introduce an Ordinance Amending the Hayward Municipal Code to Add Article 9, Chapter 9 (Building Regulations), Establishing Universal Residential Design and Visitability Standards, and Finding the Amendments Categorically Exempt from CEQA Review Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) supporting the proposed amendments to Chapter 9, Article 9 of the Hayward Municipal Code, and introduces an Ordinance (Attachment III) amending the Hayward Municipal Code for the establishment of a Universal Residential Design program for the City of Hayward, and finds the action categorically exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
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SUMMARY
As part of the 6th Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) and in alignment with the implementation strategies outlined in the Hayward 2040 General Plan, the City is committed to developing and implementing Universal Design Guidelines that promote accessibility for individuals of all ages and abilities. To fulfill this commitment, staff has drafted a new Universal Design Ordinance, which would apply to all new single-family, duplex, and townhome developments in the City, consistent with similar approaches adopted by other jurisdictions across California. The proposed Ordinance includes the following provisions:
* All new single-family, duplex, and townhome developments must be designed to accommodate Universal Design features, which can be installed during construction or at a later date, as needed.
* Projects proposing five (5) or more new single-family, duplex, and townhome units must be designed to meet Visitability requirements in at least 50% of the units.
* All new single-family, duplex, and townhome development...
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