Hot Tub Zoning Referral

At a glance

What: A referral by Councilmember Humbert to the City Manager and Planning Commission to loosen the zoning rules for hot tubs: allow unenclosed outdoor hot tubs, jacuzzis and spas without discretionary review in every zoning district except ES-R, subject to building, fire, noise and setback rules, and replace the Use Permit in the ES-R district with an Administrative Use Permit.
Where it stands: Approved June 9, 2026, with Kesarwani and Bartlett added as co-sponsors. O'Keefe was recorded absent, recused because of a recent hot tub purchase.
Next: Staff and the Planning Commission draft the code amendment.

Council Consent item 22, taken separately from the rest of the Consent Calendar. Motion (Lunaparra/Tregub) to adopt Item 22. Ayes: Kesarwani, Taplin, Bartlett, Tregub, Blackaby, Lunaparra, Humbert, Ishii; Noes none; Abstain none; Absent O'Keefe (recused).
The author's rationale: the change matches the level of review to the actual impact of these installations, reduces delay and cost for applicants and the City, and keeps oversight in environmentally sensitive areas.
The minutes cite the code section as 23.204.070(D) in the item title and 23.304.070(D) in the text; the recommendation text is probably the correct one.

Referral approved 8-0 with O'Keefe recused; two co-sponsors added.