Members of the Santa Maria City Council have approved new rules regarding H-2A farmworker housing during a meeting Tuesday night.
The updated guidelines define employee housing and allows them in residential areas, requires a permit for employee housing that holds seven or more people in the single-family zones and establishes the Zoning Administrator hearing process.
These changes came after many discussions were held to consider the way the city would deal with agricultural housing and two options were put on the table for the ordinance.
Santa Maria city staff plans to continue the discussions about H-2A housing in future hearings, specifically in relation to housing on properties that are currently in a commercial zone.
A second reading of the ordinance is expected to take place on Tuesday, June 18. The rules will then go into effect by mid-July.
