San Diego County, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- Eligible units
- Unpermitted ADU/JADU built before 1/1/2020
- Waived charges
- Impact, connection, capacity fees
- Not waived
- Health & Safety Code utility corrections
- Approving department
- Planning and Development Services
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County waives impact, connection and capacity fees when legalizing an ADU or JADU that was built without permits before January 1, 2020.
A homeowner applying for a permit for a previously unpermitted ADU or JADU constructed before January 1, 2020, shall not be required to pay impact fees or connection or capacity charges except when utility infrastructure is required to comply with all applicable Health and Safety Code requirements. Necessary permits to correct noncompliance with health and safety standards shall be approved without penalty by the Planning and Development Services Department.
B. Ministerial ADU and JADU Permit Approval. Ministerial approval of qualifying ADUs and JADUs, within a residential or mixed-use zone, shall be subject to the following criteria, in accordance with California Law Government Code Section 66323 as detailed in this subsection:
1. Any of the following categories may be created, as allowed by the site and lot conditions, and may be combined. As such, a single-family lot may have at least one ADU constructed from existing space, one JADU, and one newly constructed detached ADU; or a multifamily lot may have at least one ADU constructed from existing non-livable space and up to 8 detached:
a. Single-Family Converted ADUs and JADUs: One ADU and/or one JADU per lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling if all of the following apply:
i. The ADU and/or JADU is within the proposed space of a single-family dwelling or existing space of a single -family dwelling or accessory structure and may include an expansion of not more than 150 square feet beyond the same
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
Under the county's Zoning Ordinance ADU/JADU permit standards, a homeowner seeking a permit for a previously unpermitted accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU built before January 1, 2020 is not charged impact fees or connection/capacity charges. The waiver does not cover utility infrastructure work needed to meet Health and Safety Code requirements, and the county's Planning and Development Services Department must still approve any permits needed to correct health and safety noncompliance, without penalty.
Violations & Fines
An ADU or JADU built on or after January 1, 2020 does not qualify for this fee waiver and is billed standard impact, connection and capacity charges through Planning and Development Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I owe impact fees to legalize an old unpermitted ADU in San Diego County?
Does the waiver cover septic or well upgrades needed for approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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