The City recently adopted a new ordinance for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to ensure compliance with new California State laws pertaining to ADUs. New State laws limit the ability of local jurisdictions to regulate certain aspects of ADUs related to size, quantity, setbacks, and parking. ADUs, also known as “secondary dwelling units” or “in-law apartments,” are attached or detached residential dwelling units that are subordinate to a primary dwelling on the same lot. ADUs provide independent living facilities for one or more persons and include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
 
There are two types of ADUs. Regular ADUs are detached or attached to the primary dwelling and typically increase the habitable floor space of the property. Junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) are constructed within the walls or attached garage of a proposed or existing single-family residence and are 500 square feet or less in size.
 
To build an ADU, applicants must first submit a City Planning Permit Application. Applications completed on or after November 5, 2020 will be reviewed for conformance with the City’s new ordinance.
 
For more information, please read the City’s updated Accessory Dwelling Units handout or contact the Planning Division at 510-494-4440 or by email.

In response to the direction given from the Fremont City Council to update the City’s Affordable Housing Ordinance, City staff recently commissioned a Nexus Study to inform the decision-making process. The draft Nexus Study and supporting documents are now available on the City's Affordable Housing Ordinance webpage.

The City will host a virtual stakeholder meeting on Thursday, October 29, 2020 to gather input on these documents. Please see details below:

Affordable Housing Ordinance Update Stakeholder Meeting
Thursday, October 29, 2020 via Zoom
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Register to attend the meeting.

If you have questions about the Ordinance update or the virtual meeting, please contact Lucia Hughes, Housing Manager at 510-494-4506 or by email.

St. Anton Communities is accepting applications for Innovia Apartments, a new affordable housing development located at 3051 Quantum Drive in the Warm Springs area of Fremont. A total of 69 units are available for low-income households. Eligibility information including income limits and rent amounts are available on the City's Innovia Apartments webpage.

Applications can be submitted online and will be processed on a first come, first served basis in the order received. Applications received after units are no longer available will be placed on an interest list.

For more information, please visit the City's Innovia Apartments webpage.

Fremont is looking ahead to this decade of climate action and visioning for a sustainable future through its Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update. A virtual community workshop held last month was a great success, with over 160 people in attendance to hear about the process and share their ideas and concerns. The video recording, presentation slides, and live polling results are available on the City's CAP Update webpage.

As the City moves forward with the CAP update process, staff will continue to engage with the community and provide additional opportunities to provide feedback. More information will be available soon.

For questions or comments, please visit the CAP Update webpage or contact the City's Sustainability team by email.

The City's Development Services Center is open. The Center is a one-stop-shop for accepting, reviewing, and approving City permit applications and construction documents for all types of projects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has implemented safety measures to help protect the health and safety of staff and the community. If you plan to visit the Development Services Center, please watch this short safety video on the City's YouTube Channel.