Building an ADU in San Diego: 2026 Permits, Costs & Rental Income Guide
Vision ADU Team ·
Building an ADU in San Diego, CA
San Diego is one of the friendliest big cities in California for ADU construction. The city's 'Bonus ADU' program lets eligible properties build additional units in exchange for affordability deed restrictions, and standard ADUs sail through plan check faster than almost anywhere else in SoCal.
San Diego ADU permit timeline (2026)
Most San Diego ADU permits clear plan check in 8–12 weeks when the application package is complete on first submittal. State law (Gov. Code §65852.2) requires the city to approve or deny within 60 days, and California capped most discretionary review for ADUs in 2024–2026. Here's what to expect:
- Pre-application + design: 2–4 weeks for site survey, architectural set, structural, Title 24, and MEP.
- Plan check: 8–12 weeks for San Diego Building & Safety to review and issue corrections.
- Permit issuance: 1–2 weeks after corrections are cleared.
- Construction: 4–6 months for a typical detached ADU; 3–4 months for a garage conversion.
San Diego ADU fees & costs
Total San Diego city + utility fees typically land in the $8,000–$18,000 range for a standard 600–1,000 sq ft ADU. The biggest line items are plan check, building permit, school fees (if your ADU is over 500 sq ft), and water/sewer capacity. SB 13 waives most impact fees for ADUs under 750 sq ft — a huge savings if you're building small.
Construction itself ranges $215,000–$370,000 for a turn-key 600–800 sq ft detached ADU in the San Diego area, depending on finishes and site conditions (slope, soils, sewer reach, panel upgrade).
San Diego ADU rental income potential
A finished, code-compliant ADU in San Diego typically rents for $2,300–$3,900 per month, depending on size, finishes, and proximity to the coast or transit. Many San Diego owners cover their entire mortgage with ADU rent — and short-term rental rules vary by neighborhood, so check the city's current STR ordinance before banking on Airbnb numbers.
Key San Diego ADU rules to know in 2026
- Setbacks: 4 ft side and rear for new detached ADUs (state floor); San Diego can't require more.
- Height: Up to 18 ft for detached ADUs (25 ft if within ½ mile of major transit) — San Diego follows state limits.
- Owner-occupancy: No longer required by California through at least 2025.
- Parking: No replacement parking when converting a garage; no new parking required if within ½ mile of transit.
- JADU: One Junior ADU (up to 500 sq ft) allowed inside the existing home in addition to a detached ADU on most lots.
Should you build a garage conversion or detached new construction?
If your existing garage is structurally sound and within the buildable envelope, a conversion is usually 30–40% cheaper and 2–3 months faster than ground-up construction. If you have backyard space and want a 2-bed/2-bath unit with the highest possible rent, a detached new-construction ADU almost always pencils better long-term. We walk every San Diego client through both numbers before they commit.
Why homeowners in San Diego choose Vision ADU
The Vision ADU team has completed over 75 ADUs across its service area. We handle design, structural, Title 24, permits, and construction — one team, one contract, one timeline. Call (866) 668-4264 or book a free consultation to get a San Diego-specific estimate.