ADU Zoning in San Diego
Get Help with ADU Zoning in San Diego
Looking for help with ADU Zoning in San Diego? In 2017, Accessory Dwelling Unit regulation were amended to lower design and construction restrictions. Since 2017, the topic of ADU requirements has made local news headlines on many occasions. Before the long Fourth of July weekend in 2021, the La Jolla Community Planning Association met to discuss the future of San Diego ADU regulations.
As of now, San Diego ADU zoning regulations are currently on hold for coastal communities. It is important to note, accessory dwelling ADU zoning in San Diego and its regulations are not precisely the same at the state, county, and city levels. Consequently, the varying levels of government regulation has residential homes in coastal communities excluded from the new rules. Homeowners should become familiar with these regulations. Especially if they are interested in boosting the value of their properties, California residents need to pay close attention.
Understanding Zoning Laws and Regulations
Through our San Diego ADU services, we help you understand and abide the most up-to-date zoning laws and regulations to build your new ADU. We take the guesswork out of the whole process and ensure the project runs smoothly.
We are here to assist you in navigating through the zoning and permits with complete assurance and ease.
Where In San Diego Can You Build ADUs?
ADUs are built just about anywhere within the city where residential use adu zoning has been established. Listed for reference, you can refer to Chapter 13 of the San Diego Municipal Code. Specifically, refer and review Article 1. You will learn more about residential zoning after reading Article 1. The San Diego Zoning and Parcel Information Portal allows you to input a street address. After entering an address, information regarding the property address’s zoning is then displayed.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego ADU Zoning
What Are ADU Zoning Laws in San Diego?
ADU zoning ordinances can be found within Chapter 12 of the San Diego Municipal Code, on Article 9, Division 2. Further reading, Chapter 14 of the California Building Code also covers ADUs. Additionally, find applicable laws relating to zoning which are found within Chapter 13 and Chapter 15 of the San Diego Municipal Code. After proper zoning, ADUs can be built just about anywhere within the city where residential use zoning has been established. As for JADUs, they can be made in zones deemed for single-family homes. Many homeowners who previously considered expanding the living space of their properties are now contemplating ADUs instead. Particularly, if homeowners are expecting to live with their elderly parents. In some cases, homeowners find themselves in a situation offering living space to extended family members. In other cases, homeowners end up offering living space to their adult children and their partners.
What Are The ADU Regulations In San Diego?
The minimum square footage for ADU zoning in San Diego is one-hundred fifty square feet (150 sq.ft.) with a maximum square footage of one-thousand two-hundred square feet 1,200 (sq.ft.) per code. Collectively, the square footage regulation applies to both attached and detached ADUs. Note that, there are no specific requirements for the size of the space required to construct an additional housing unit. For properties with small cottages and bungalows, the ADU cannot be larger than eight-hundred square feet (800 sq. ft.)
San Diego does not permit properties to rent their ADU’s through agencies like Airbnb. However, if your property has an accessory dwelling unit, you do not have to rent the property. If you do decide to rent your ADU out, the accessory dwelling unit must be leased for at minimum thirty-one (31) days.
Pay close attention, one crucial regulation about new ADUs in San Diego is related to the California Energy Code. So as long as the ADU is detached and non-manufactured, the California Energy Commission mandates installing solar panels. One minor detail, it is not necessarily required to have the solar panels on the ADU itself. Installation of the solar panels may be attached to the main property. There is one exception, though. If you are converting a commercial property to a residential property, you will have to reconsider the ADU for the location for installing solar panels.
What Are The ADU Size Regulations?
Thought you knew everything about ADU zoning in San Diego? Think, again. ADU contractors know the restrictions placed on them. Contractors must follow the: minimum room dimensions, reconstruction, and remodeling regulations for ADUs per the California Building Standards Code.
California Building Standard Codes do not allow storage sheds to be attached to the ADU. Still, with an administrative permit a garage can be attached to the unit as long as it stays within the maximum one-thousand two hundred square foot regulation (1,200 sq. ft.)
In regards to height restrictions, detached ADUs cannot exceed twenty-four feet (24 ft.) Further, you can obtain an administrative permit if the ADU is part of a multi-family property. For example, a two-story duplex is a multi-family property. If the ADU is detached, the property lines along the rear and the side of the ADU will need to feature a four foot (4 ft.) setback.
In general, parking spots must be available to ADU tenants. For example, suppose there are deed restrictions related to historic districts. In this case, parking spaces can be skipped. This same leniency exists for ADUs, or JADUs, located within half-mile walking distance of public transportation features. Examples of public transportation features are bus stops or train stations. Concerning sprinklers and other fire safety issues, please consult the San Diego Fire Department for more information on fire safety regulations for your ADU in San Diego.
