Reasonable Accommodation

About

Reasonable accommodation is the process for providing people with disabilities flexibility in the application of land use and zoning regulations and procedures. Sometimes this involves waiving certain requirements to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities.

Purpose

The purpose of City Code division 17.76 (PDF) is to provide a procedure so someone with a disability can request a reasonable accommodation in the application of zoning requirements.

We provide people with disabilities reasonable accommodation in regulations and procedures to:

  • Ensure equal access to housing
  • Facilitate the development of housing

This division is based on requirements of the Federal and State fair housing laws, and implements the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan. It is distinct from the requirements for a variance set forth in City Code division 17.70, Variances.

Examples

  • Yard modifications for ramps, handrails, or other accessibility improvements
  • Landscape additions, such as widened driveways, parking area, or walkways
  • Building additions for accessibility
  • Tree removal
  • Reduced off-street parking where the disability clearly limits the number of people operating vehicles.

Reasonable accommodation does not include an accommodation that would:

  • Impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city, or
  • Require a fundamental alteration in the nature of the city’s land use and zoning program

How to apply

The City of Piedmont has a new online permitting system called eTRAKiT. You can now apply for and track your reasonable accommodation planning permit online. Paper and email applications for this planning permit are no longer accepted.

Contact us if you need help with information about the permit process, documents required, criteria and conditions for approval, or how to complete the application.

This permit is free. You do not have to pay any permit fees to apply.

Application documents

When you apply online, you will need to upload documents based on the application type. Review these resources to learn about the documents you’ll need to prepare:

When you apply online, upload a completed eligibility determination and applicant findings forms with your other documents.

Apply for a reasonable accommodation planning permit

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