The County of San Diego is making it easier for homeowners to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their existing property. In an effort to encourage more people to build an ADU, the county has implemented a waiver for San Diego County ADU fees and a set of requirements to streamline the process. This article outlines the ADU permit fee waiver and some of the requirements for building an ADU in San Diego County.
Fee Waiver for Building a San Diego County ADU
San Diego County just took major steps to promote the building of accessory dwelling units, commonly called granny flats. They passed a fee waiver saving homeowners an average of $14,000 on permit costs. This San Diego County ADU fee waiver will only be in effect until 2023 so act quickly to take advantage of this. This fee waiver may mean it’s much more feasible for you to build!
Affordable housing advocates hope this will spur granny flat development in a county where rental prices have soared and vacancy rates hover at just 3.3%.
California passed Senate Bill 1069 in January of 2017 stating that any single-family home could build a second rentable unit. In major cities across California, accessory dwelling unit permit applications spiked in a reaction to the passage of the bill.
San Diego County, until recently, was still charging Development Impact Fees of close to $14,000. Since passing this major fee waiver in July of 2018, the County has seen a large uptick in permit applications.
So if you’ve been on the fence about starting a project, now is a fantastic time.
San Diego County ADU Requirements
The San Diego County ADU guidelines and requirements are designed to encourage the development of accessory dwelling units in the unincorporated areas of the County. The requirements are intended to provide an efficient process for approving ADUs while also protecting the character of the neighborhood. The requirements include limits on the size and height of the ADU, requirements for parking, and owner occupancy. While these requirements may seem restrictive, they are intended to ensure that ADUs are safely integrated into existing neighborhoods.
Lot Size Rules
There is no minimum or maximum lot size requirement to build an accessory dwelling unit. However, there are other rules to keep in mind:
- Single family lots may only have one ADU built, whereas multi-family lots may have up to two.
- Sheds, garages, and other non-residential structures may also be constructed.
- An ADU must be a minimum of 6 feet away from other residential buildings.
- When constructing a companion unit, a passageway is not necessary.
Min/Max Building Sizes in San Diego County
The size of the accessory dwelling unit you can build depends on whether or not your accessory unit is connected to the main house. If it is connected, then your build size will be limited. If it is detached, then you will have more freedom to build a larger structure.
- The size of an attached ADU should not exceed 50% of the size of the existing residence, with a maximum of 1,200 square feet. For instance, if the existing home is 2,500 square feet, the attached ADU should be no larger than 1,200 square feet.
- A detached ADU should not exceed 1,200 square feet in area, no matter the size of the main residence.
ADU Height Restrictions
San Diego County accessory dwelling units are restricted to a maximum height of 24 feet and a maximum of two stories. These restrictions are in place to ensure that ADUs do not disrupt the existing neighborhood and are able to blend in with surrounding structures.
Parking Requirements
Detached ADUs are required to have one parking space per bedroom or unit. Off-street parking is allowed to be in tandem or within the residence’s setbacks given that it’s safe to access. If the ADU’s construction involves garage conversion, replacement off-street parking must be provided.
Parking is not required if the ADU is:
- Located within ½ mile of public transit.
- Located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
- Part of an existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure.
- In an area where on-street parking permits are required, but not offered to the occupant of the ADU.
- Located within one block of a car share area.
Attached ADU’s built within the existing residence do not require additional parking.
The San Diego ADU guidelines and requirements can get tricky, so we recommend booking a free appointment with a San Diego ADU expert to find out what your lot needs.
Fire Sprinklers
Fire sprinklers are typically not required in ADUs, if they’re not required in the main residence.
San Diego County ADU Setbacks
A setback is the minimum distance a structure must be away from the street, buildings, or other features. Here are some of the regulations you need to comply with when building a San Diego County ADU:
- When an existing garage is converted to an ADU, no additional setbacks are required (given it complies with fire and safety regulations).
- For ADUs constructed above a garage, the setback requirements are five feet from the side and rear lot lines.
- Two-story ADU’s are required to have a setback of five feet from the side and rear lot lines.
- Attached ADU’s must follow the San Diego County ADU setback regulations of the main residence.
Owner Occupancy Regulations
ADUs cannot be sold separately from the primary residence. The owner of the property is required to live in either the main residence or the ADU.
Renting Rules for ADUs
California passed Senate Bill 1069 in an effort to increase the supply of housing to the state. For this reason, any accessory dwelling unit may be used for a long-term rental. No short term rentals (less than 30 days) are allowed.
Add Value with San Diego County ADUs
Accessory dwelling units are a beneficial long-term opportunity to maximize the use of your existing property. Building an accessory dwelling unit can increase the equity of your property. For example, if you build an ADU for $275 per square foot but the average value of homes in your neighborhood is $400 per square foot, you are instantly gaining equity. Additionally, you now have the added benefit of a flexible space to generate rental income or to be used as a primary residence for family.
Let Us Help You Navigate San Diego County ADU Fees & Regulations
Building an accessory dwelling unit in San Diego is now more achievable with the waiver and the streamlined permitting process. However, each lot is unique and there are a lot of regulations to consider before beginning the process.
At USModular Inc, our team of experienced professionals can help you navigate San Diego County ADU fees and building process. From initial design to obtaining permits and construction, we are here to help you every step of the way.
Contact a USModular Inc ADU expert to get a free site assessment and to discuss your ADU goals today.
