Santee, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)

When Santee first built out its accessory dwelling unit rules, the City Council paired them with a temporary break from its development impact fee program. Chapter 12.30 imposes development impact fees on new construction, and Section 12.30.060(A) ties payment to the building permit: developers must pay the applicable fees to the City at issuance of the building permit, to defray the cost of installing the public facilities the fee supports. Section 12.30.080 carves out several narrow exceptions to that payment obligation, including, at subsection (C), private garages, children's playhouses, television antennas, and other buildings accessory to a one-family or two-family dwelling.

Subsection (F), added in 2019, singled out accessory dwelling units for a full waiver of all applicable development impact fees, but only for a five-year period the ordinance itself dates: commencing September 27, 2019, and ending September 27, 2024. The ordinance history in the code shows no later amendment extending, renewing or replacing that window, so on its own printed terms the ADU fee waiver has expired, and Santee's standard development impact fees now apply to new ADU building permits like any other residential development. An applicant who disputes the fee calculation can still appeal to the City Council under Section 12.30.090, but Section 12.30.090(B) requires that appeal to be filed with the City within 90 days after the fee is imposed.