Accessory Structures in La Mesa, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for La Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
The City of La Mesa permits one attached or detached accessory dwelling unit per single-family or multifamily lot under Municipal Code Section 24.05.020(D)(8). An ADU cannot exceed one thousand two hundred square feet, must keep at least a four-foot side and rear setback, and needs no new off-street parking to be approved.
La Mesa Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code § 24.05.020(D)(8)
8.Accessory Dwelling Units, Attached and Detached.a.Development and Use Standards.i.One attached or one detached accessory dwelling unit may be permitted in conjunction with an existing or proposed dwelling on lots zoned for single-family or multifamily residential use.ii.The floor area of an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed one thousand two hundred square feet. ......
ADU Impact Fees
In the City of La Mesa, an accessory dwelling unit under seven hundred fifty square feet pays no development impact fees at all. Municipal Code section 24.05.020(D)(8)(h)(v) waives impact fees below that size threshold outright and prorates any fee charged on a larger ADU to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit, though water and sewer connection or capacity charges are billed separately.
La Mesa ADU Impact Fee Exemption Rules
Few RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code § 24.05.020(D)(8)(h)(v)
v.No impact fees shall be imposed for an accessory dwelling unit that is less than seven hundred fifty square feet in area. Any impact fees charged for an accessory dwelling unit that is seven hundred fifty square feet in area or greater shall be assessed proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit. "Impact fee" as used herein does not include any connection f...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In the City of La Mesa, a junior accessory dwelling unit only qualifies under Municipal Code Section 24.05.020(D)(9) if the property owner lives on site. The owner must occupy either the primary dwelling or the JADU itself as a principal residence, with a narrow exception for land trusts and nonprofit housing organizations holding title for affordable housing.
La Mesa JADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code Section 24.05.020(D)(9)(e)
e.The owner of a lot with a junior accessory dwelling unit shall occupy as a principal residence either the primary dwelling or the junior accessory dwelling unit, except where the primary dwelling and junior accessory dwelling are held by an agency such as a land trust or housing organization in an effort to create affordable housing.
ADU Rental Restrictions
In the City of La Mesa, an accessory dwelling unit built under the ministerial ADU standards can only be rented for stays longer than thirty days. Municipal Code Section 24.05.020(D)(8)(i) blocks short-term and vacation rentals of ADUs city-wide, though a unit can still be rented long-term or occupied by family.
La Mesa ADU Rental Term Minimum
Significant RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code Section 24.05.020(D)(8)(i)(i)
i.The rental of an accessory dwelling unit created under Section 24.05.020D8e shall be for terms longer than thirty days.
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of La Mesa, a storage shed counts as a detached accessory structure under Municipal Code section 24.05.020(D)(1) and is capped at one story and fifteen feet tall under section 24.05.030 unless the Planning Commission grants a special permit. A shed under thirty feet in length or width can skip the side and rear setback entirely if it sits at least seventy feet back from the front property line.
La Mesa Backyard Shed Size and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code §§ 24.05.020(D)(1), 24.05.030
D.Permitted Accessory Uses and Structures. Accessory uses and structures are those which are subordinate, clearly incidental and customarily appropriate to the operation of the principal use and are permitted in all residential zones. Those permitted accessory uses and structures shall be limited to:1.Accessory structures including: garages, carports for vehicles, and swimming pools; those stru...
Garage Conversions
In the City of La Mesa, converting a garage or carport into an accessory dwelling unit does not trigger a requirement to replace the parking spaces that are lost. Municipal Code Section 24.05.020(D)(8)(f) removes the usual off-street parking replacement duty specifically for ADU conversions and demolitions.
La Mesa Garage-to-ADU Parking Rule
Few RestrictionsLa Mesa Municipal Code Section 24.05.020(D)(8)(f)(iii)
iii.When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or converted to an accessory dwelling unit, any required parking spaces removed shall not be required to be replaced.
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