The Land Development Code (LDC) contains regulations for the development and use of property, including zoning, subdivisions and other related land use activities. The City Planning Department monitors and continually updates the code to simplify and streamline the permitting processes, assure compliance with state and federal regulations, eliminate unnecessary barriers, redundancies and contradictions, and align the code with the City's climate, equity, and housing goals.

For questions about LDC updates, please email developmentcode@sandiego.gov.

Current Single-Issue Updates

The City Planning Department processes single-issue updates and amendments to the LDC as needed. For various reasons, including time sensitivity and/or complexity, single-issue updates may be processed separately from a comprehensive code update.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) Regulation Amendments

The City Planning Department is proposing amendments to the ADU Home Density Bonus Program along with amendments to the City’s ADU and JADU regulations to comply with state law, implement Assembly Bill 1033 to allow ADU homes to be available for homeownership, address setbacks in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and provide clarifications and technical corrections.  

Why is the City Planning Department proposing all of these ADU Amendments at the same time?

On March 4, 2025, the City Council requested amendments to the ADU Bonus Program, urging expeditious action to address several concerns related to the program’s implementation. In response, the City Planning Department is proposing the Council’s request and additional amendments to the ADU regulations as part of a single action.

Comprehensively amending the ADU and JADU regulations, along with the ADU Home Density Bonus Program, creates an opportunity for a robust discussion on how the amendments can address several key issues, such as public safety, development size, and funding for neighborhood improvements. By adopting all amendments simultaneously, the City can provide greater regulatory certainty and avoid the confusion and delays of a phased adoption. This helps clarify both the location and regulatory requirements of ADU home development throughout the city.

By law, the City is required to coordinate amendments to its ADU ordinance with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This proposal enables the City Planning Department to coordinate more effectively with HCD, ensuring that the timely implementation of the amendments aligns with the City Council’s goal for swift and efficient action.

How can I review the proposed ADU amendments?

The draft regulations and the list describing the changes are available for public review:

Draft ADU and JADU Regulation Amendments List (April 25, 2025)

Draft ADU and JADU Regulation Amendments Language  (April 25, 2025) 

What is the schedule for the adoption of the ADU Amendments?

The amendments will be heard at the Planning Commission, Land Use and Housing Committee, and the City Council. 

Planning Commission 

Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 9:00 a.m.

The ADU and JADU Regulation Amendments are scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning Commission. The meeting agenda and supporting documents can be accessed here.

Upcoming Hearings:

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2025 Land Development Code Update

The 2025 LDC Update is currently in the drafting phase. Please sign up for updates below to be notified when draft documents are released, and public workshops are scheduled. 

Public Outreach

Office Hours

The City Planning Department hosted in-person and virtual office hours on August  20 and 22, 2024, for the 2025 LDC Update. These office hours allowed participants to meet with staff to discuss their potential code update submissions and ask questions about the LDC Update process.

Planning for the Next LDC Update

If you want to submit a code amendment request for the 2026 LDC Update, the submission portal is open until August 15, 2025. Please visit the Code Update Request webpage to submit your idea.