San Diego County • Permissiveness Score: 99/100
San Diego, CA ADU Zoning Rules & Regulations
San Diego has the most aggressive ADU bonus program in the United States. Its "ADU Bonus Program" allows unlimited ADUs in Transit Priority Areas when deed-restricted as affordable housing.
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Key Zoning Parameters for San Diego
Verified 2026 Max Detached Size 1,200 sq ft
Max Attached Size 1200
Rear & Side Setbacks 4 ft rear / 4 ft side
Front Setback Front yard setback determined by underlying zone
Max Height Limit 25 feet (2 stories)
Owner Occupancy Not Required (Waived) State law prohibits owner-occupancy requirements for standard ADUs.
Parking Requirements Exempt Completely waived in all Transit Priority Areas (which covers roughly 80% of urban San Diego).
Junior ADU (JADU) Allowed up to 500 sq ft within primary residence
Short Term Rentals (Airbnb) Prohibited Restricted to 30+ day rentals.
Estimated Permit Fees $2,000 - $5,000 (Waived Development Impact Fees)
Avg Review Timeline 3 - 6 weeks
Fire Sprinklers Only if primary house has sprinklers.
Governing Ordinances & State Laws
- ✓ San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14 Article 1
- ✓ San Diego ADU Bonus Ordinance
- ✓ CA State ADU Law
San Diego ADU Frequently Asked Questions
How does the San Diego ADU Bonus Program work?
In Transit Priority Areas, for every deed-restricted moderate-income ADU you build, you can build one additional market-rate ADU with no statutory ceiling.
Can I build a two-story ADU in San Diego?
Yes, up to 25 feet high in non-coastal zones if adhering to standard 4-foot side and rear setbacks.
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