Development Services
ADUs are detached or attached accessory structures on a residential lot that provide independent living areas. ADUs are intended as permanent housing solutions and shall not be used for rental terms of less than 31 consecutive days.
ADUs can be integrated into existing single-family or multi-family properties. They can be designed in various ways, including converting a portion of an existing house, adding to the existing house, converting an existing garage or constructing a new detached structure. Learn more about ADUs and JADUs.
ADUs and JADUs are an integral part of the City's Housing SD initiatives to increase housing affordability and supply citywide. The City has amended regulations that make it easier and less expensive to build ADUs and JADUs, providing affordable and below-market housing throughout the City.
Some of these changes include:
*Contact each jurisdiction for the latest version of their plans. Once customized for your application, they must be submitted in PDF format. View PDF requirements.
Can I build a new detached JADU?
No, a JADU must be within the envelope of an existing Single Primary Dwelling Unit, within a proposed Single Primary Dwelling Unit or within an attached garage.
Can I have an access door between my JADU and my primary dwelling unit?
Yes, but the JADU must also have a separate exterior entry.
Am I required to provide a kitchen in my ADU or JADU?
No. However, if the construction of an ADU or JADU involves the conversion or demolition of an existing covered parking structure and the existing driveway curb is not in conformance with current city standards, the driveway shall be closed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
Yes. However, if you exceed the maximum FAR of the zone, you are limited to one (1) ADU with a maximum gross floor area of 800 square feet.
Can I use my existing driveway as a parking space?
Yes. The parking spaces must meet minimum dimension standards. 9’ x 18’ for parking spaces with wall or column on one side. 9’-6” x 18’ for parking spaces with a wall or column on two sides. 8’ x 18’ for all others.
Yes, however, no additional floor area can encroach into the front and/or street-side setbacks.
Yes. These proposed encroachments should be in conformance with §131.0461 of the San Diego Municipal Code.
The regulations allow for the following:
I am in a zone that allows residential and commercial uses, can I build an ADU?
Yes, however, there must be at least one existing or proposed primary dwelling unit.
No, there must be at least one existing or proposed primary dwelling unit.
Am I required to provide a kitchen in my ADU?
I am at the floor area ratio maximum for my zone, what is the largest new ADU I can build?
1 detached ADU with 800 square feet of new gross floor area. Exterior wall thickness is included in the gross floor area. See SDMC §113.0234 Calculating Gross Floor Area.