Santa Cruz City Council to discuss future of ‘granny units’ during special meeting

As the rental housing market becomes more expensive in Santa Cruz, some people have turned small units like garages and sheds into homes. The City Council is getting ready to consider how to regulate the “granny units” that in some cases are illegal.

Ariela Dair recently moved to Santa Cruz to attend college and said finding an affordable home was the biggest challenge.

“With such expensive housing these days, I think if people can find a place to live in maybe a granny unit or like a garage or something, then go for it I say,” she said.

Dair, a Cabrillo College student, said she understands why there are more than 50 unpermitted units in the city. Dozens of residents have converted small units into homes without getting the proper permits from the city. At the same time, Dair said the problem is two-fold.

“It can be dangerous for people living in these smaller places that don’t even have a mailing address sometimes,” she said. “It poses a problem for the county, and college students and other people trying to get off of the streets sometimes can’t find a place to live so it’s definitely a toss-up.”

Mayor Lynn Robinson said the City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday to listen to both sides of the issue. She said the city is looking seriously at different solutions to make sure the units are in compliance with both city and state codes.

“One of the issues is how do people find accessory dwelling units that are safe and we know that there are some in the community that are honestly not safe,” Robinson said. “We have to be accountable as well, so we have to find that balance.”

The units need to have essentials like a kitchen and a bathroom. Robinson said making sure all of those things are safe and affordable is a challenge.

There are more than 300 accessory dwelling units in Santa Cruz, which mean they have the proper permits.

The city will hold the special meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

City leaders will not be taking any action, but may do so at a meeting within the next month. The date has not yet been determined.