ADU Impact Fees: Escondido vs San Diego
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Escondido, CA and San Diego, CA?
Escondido and San Diego have similar restriction levels.
Escondido, CA
San Diego County
Escondido exempts ADUs under 750 square feet from all impact fees per California Government Code §65852.2(f)(3). ADUs 750 sq ft or larger pay impact fees proportionate to the principal dwelling's square footage. School district fees follow SB 13 (2019). Standard permit, plan-check, and connection fees still apply through the Escondido Planning and Building Department. Typical total fees for 750+ sq ft ADUs range $9,000-$12,000.
View full Escondido rules →San Diego, CA
San Diego County
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.
View full San Diego rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Escondido | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Under 750 sq ft | All impact fees waived | ALL impact fees waived (state law) |
| 750+ sq ft | Proportional to principal dwelling | Proportional to principal dwelling |
| State Law | Gov. Code §65852.2(f); SB 13 | Gov. Code § 65852.2(f) |
| School Fees Under 500 sq ft | Waived (Ed. Code §17620) | - |
| Typical Total (750+) | $9,000-$12,000 | - |
| Affordable Bonus | - | Additional waivers for deed-restricted ADUs |
| School Fees | - | Proportional under SB 13 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Escondido FAQ
Are ADU impact fees waived in Escondido?
Yes for ADUs under 750 sq ft — all local impact fees are waived by California Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3). ADUs 750 sq ft or larger pay proportionally based on the principal dwelling's size, not the full single-family rate.
What ADU costs still apply?
Standard building permit fees based on construction valuation, plan-check fees, and Escondido Utilities service fees if a new water or sewer connection is needed. School district fees apply for units 500 sq ft and larger. Property taxes will reassess on the added square footage.
San Diego FAQ
Are ADU impact fees waived in San Diego?
Yes for ADUs under 750 sq ft — all local impact fees are waived by state law (Gov. Code § 65852.2(f)). ADUs 750 sq ft+ pay proportional fees, not full single-family rates.
How much can I save by building under 750 square feet?
Impact fees in San Diego typically total $10,000–$30,000 for a new single-family unit. Building under 750 sq ft eliminates this entirely. Permit fees, plan-check, and utility service fees still apply.
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