Woodside adopts new guest house rules Woodside adopts new guest house rules (April 27, 2005)

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

It's official. Changes to Woodside's rules governing accessory living quarters, such as guest houses, will go into effect next month.

After several years, countless hours of debate, and a few last-minute changes-of-heart, the Woodside Town Council agreed April 12 to change part of the housing element in the town's general plan.

Rental units -- as distinguished from those occupied by house guests, family members or staff -- may now have a larger maximum size and will be allowed in barns and stables.

The changes affect only new construction, and are intended to satisfy state mandates to create opportunities for new affordable housing.

The new rules will limit the number of rental units to one per property. The rules increase the cap on the size of second rental units from 720 square feet to 1,000 square feet.

The maximum size for guest houses that are not rented remains 1,500 square feet.

Woodside officials intend to waive planning and building fees for new rental units as an incentive to property owners who will agree to charge below-market rates to qualified renters. The council will act on fee changes at a future meeting.

The vote for the new rules was 6-1.

Carroll Ann Hodges, who opposed them, said she was living up to the platform of her 2001 campaign. She called the distinction between rentals and non-rentals impossible to enforce, and said that accessory living units should have a smaller maximum size and no more than one should be allowed on lots of 1-3 acres in size.

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