Accessory Structures in San Diego, CA (2026)
6 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 Impact Fees
San Diego waives development impact fees for the first two ADUs on a property and for any ADU under 750 square feet, removing one of the biggest cost barriers to building a backyard unit.
San Diego ADU Development Impact Fee Exemption
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 142.0640(b)(1)(A)
Accessory Dwelling Units less than 750 square feet in gross floor area, Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, movable tiny houses, and guest quarters are exempt from Development Impact Fees... The first two Accessory Dwelling Units on a premises shall be exempt from the requirement to pay Development Impact Fees, regardless of the gross floor area of the Accessory Dwelling Unit.
ADU Rental Restrictions
San Diego bars renting an accessory dwelling unit for stays shorter than 31 consecutive days, closing off short-term vacation rental use of ADUs while leaving JADUs free of any minimum-stay limit.
San Diego ADU 31-Day Minimum Rental Rule
Significant RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 141.0302(a)(8)
An ADU shall not be used for a rental term of less than 31 consecutive days. JADUs are not subject to rental term limitations. 9) ADUs and JADUs allowed under state law shall be exempt from the Climate Action Plan Consistency regulations in accordance with
Shed & Carport Rules
A detached one-story storage shed or playhouse in San Diego skips the Building Permit if its roof area is 120 square feet or less and it isn't used for a separately regulated use.
San Diego Backyard Shed Permit Rule
Light RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 129.0203(a)(1)
A Building Permit is not required for the following structures and activities, except when the development would involve alterations, repairs, or improvements to a historical resource as described in Section 143.0220; when development on a premises containing environmentally sensitive lands requi...
Garage 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
Light 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...
Tiny Homes
Movable tiny houses are allowed citywide as an accessory structure with a Process One permit, capped at 430 square feet and limited to one per lot.
San Diego Movable Tiny House Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 141.0318
Movable tiny houses are permitted as a limited use in accordance with Process One in the zones indicated with an "L"... (b) One movable tiny house may be permitted per premises in addition to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units... (c) A movable tiny house shall not be used for a rental term of less than 30 consecutive days.
Looking 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 →