Accessory Structures in San Diego, CA (2026)
9 verified accessory structures rules for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
San Diego permits ADUs under SDMC Chapter 14, Article 1, Division 3, consistent with California ADU law (Government Code 65852.2). Single-family lots may have one ADU, one JADU, and one converted ADU. No owner-occupancy requirement. Permit timeline typically 3-5 months. SB 1211 (2024) allows up to 8 ADUs.
San Diego ADU Regulations
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Information Bulletin 400 / SDMC Ch. 14, Art. 1, Div. 3 (ADU Regulations)
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that: Is 1,200 square feet in size or less; and Provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation; and Is located on a lot with a proposed or existing single-dwelling unit or multiple-dwelling units. [.....
ADU Permits
San Diego processes ADU permits ministerially (over-the-counter, no discretionary review) under SDMC § 141.0302 and California Government Code § 65852.2. Applications are filed with the Development Services Department through OpenDSD. State law caps review at 60 days. San Diego offers pre-approved ADU plan sets, which can shorten review to a few weeks.
San Diego ADU Permits and Ministerial Review
Few RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
San Diego exempts ADUs under 750 square feet from all impact fees per California Government Code § 65852.2(f). ADUs 750 sq ft or larger pay impact fees proportionate to the principal dwelling's square footage. Affordable ADUs deed-restricted for low/moderate-income tenants receive additional fee waivers. School fees are separately governed by SB 13 (2019) and state law.
San Diego ADU Impact Fee Exemptions
Few RestrictionsADU Owner Occupancy
San Diego does NOT require owner occupancy for ADUs built between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024 under California Government Code § 65852.2(a)(6). For ADUs permitted in 2025 and later, AB 976 (extending the moratorium) and AB 1033 (allowing condo conversion) keep most owner-occupancy bans in place. Junior ADUs (JADUs) still require owner occupancy on the property per SDMC § 141.0302(c).
San Diego ADU Owner-Occupancy Rules
Few RestrictionsADU Rental Restrictions
San Diego ADUs may be rented long-term (30+ days) without restriction. Short-term rentals are governed by SDMC § 510.0101 et seq. (the four-tier STRO program). ADUs cannot operate as Tier 3 or Tier 4 STRs in most cases because those tiers require the host's primary residence. Junior ADUs are restricted to 30-day minimum rentals by SDMC § 141.0302(c)(2).
San Diego ADU Rental and STR Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsShed Rules
San Diego exempts detached accessory structures (sheds) under 120 square feet and one story from building permits under SDMC 129.0202. Sheds must comply with setback requirements. Larger sheds require permits. Structures may not be used as habitable space without ADU approval.
San Diego Shed & Accessory Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
San Diego permits garage conversions to ADUs under state law (Government Code 65852.2) without requiring replacement parking. Conversions must meet Building Code standards for habitable space including egress, ventilation, insulation, and fire separation. Permits required through Development Services.
San Diego Garage Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Information Bulletin 400 / SDMC Ch. 14, Art. 1, Div. 3 (ADU Regulations)
Conversions or Interior Alterations of Existing Structures: Where an existing structure is converted to an ADU, the ADU may continue to observe the setbacks of the existing structure. [...] The conversion of an existing accessory structure or a portion of the existing primary residence to an ADU is not subject to the 1,200-square-foot maximum gross floor area limitation. An ADU constructed with...
Carport Rules
Carports in San Diego are permitted as accessory structures in residential zones. Carports and patio covers up to 300 square feet of projected roof area that are accessory to single-family homes are generally exempt from building permits if they maintain minimum 6-foot clearance from other such structures and at least 3 feet from property lines. Larger carports require building permits and must comply with zoning setback requirements.
San Diego Carport Construction Rules
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Tiny homes in San Diego are most commonly permitted as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) under SDMC Chapter 14, Article 1, Division 3. Detached ADUs may be up to 1,200 sq ft; units 800 sq ft or smaller are exempt from lot coverage, FAR, and open-space requirements. ADUs up to 16 ft tall may be built at side and rear property lines; taller ADUs require 4-ft setbacks. The minimum ADU size is 150 sq ft. Tiny homes on wheels are not recognized as permanent housing.
San Diego Tiny Home & Small Dwelling Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Accessory Structures in San Diego County →