ADU Permits: El Cajon vs San Diego
How do adu permits rules compare between El Cajon, CA and San Diego, CA?
El Cajon and San Diego have similar restriction levels.
El Cajon, CA
San Diego County
El Cajon processes ADU and JADU applications ministerially through the Community Development Department under ECMC Title 17 and California Government Code §65852.2. State law caps review at 60 days from a complete application. Detached ADUs are allowed up to 1,200 sq ft and JADUs up to 500 sq ft, with the by-right 4-foot side and rear setbacks for one-story units and a minimum 16-foot height.
View full El Cajon rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
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.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cajon | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | ECMC Title 17; Gov. Code §65852.2 | SDMC § 141.0302; Gov. Code § 65852.2 |
| Review | Ministerial, 60-day cap | Ministerial, 60-day cap (state law) |
| Detached Max | 1,200 sq ft | 1,200 sq ft (state by-right 800) |
| JADU Max | 500 sq ft | - |
| Setback | 4 ft side/rear (one-story) | - |
| Height | 16 ft standard; up to 25 ft for some attached | - |
| Pre-Approved Plans | - | 3–4 week turnaround |
| Portal | - | OpenDSD |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cajon FAQ
How long does ADU review take in El Cajon?
California Gov. Code §65852.2(b) caps ministerial review of a complete application at 60 days. The El Cajon Community Development Department reviews ADU permits against ECMC Title 17 objective standards — no public hearing, no discretionary findings, just plan check.
Where do I apply for an ADU permit in El Cajon?
Through the El Cajon Community Development Department's Building & Fire Safety Division. Plans are submitted for combined planning and building review. Pre-approved ADU plan sets, where offered, can shorten architectural plan check.
San Diego FAQ
How fast can I get an ADU permit in San Diego?
State law caps ministerial review at 60 days from complete application. Using a pre-approved plan can reduce this to 3–4 weeks. Custom designs typically take 6–12 weeks including plan check.
Do I need discretionary approval for an ADU in San Diego?
No. SDMC § 141.0302 and California Government Code § 65852.2 require ministerial (objective-standards) review. No public hearing, neighbor notice, or planning commission review is allowed.
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