San Diego ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in San Diego, California means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 20 source-cited requirements (12 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through OpenDSD / Accela online permitting portal. These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of San Diego. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
A building permit is always required to create an ADU or JADU — there are no exemptions — and review is ministerial (approved if the regulations are met). Under AB 1332, applying with pre-approved plans gets a 30-day review. The ADU Bonus Program (SDMC § 141.0302) allows additional bonus ADUs in exchange for deed-restricted affordable units. The detailed item-by-item submittal standard is the Project Submittal Manual (PSM) Section 2A for single-dwelling-unit projects.
- Building Sectionsrequired
Cross-sections showing framing, insulation R-values, floor/roof levels, and ceiling heights (PSM item 5.4).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - CALGreen Documentationrequired
Notes/details showing California Green Building Standards (CALGreen) compliance (PSM item 4.18).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Exterior Elevationsrequired
All four exterior elevations (N/S/E/W) to scale, with grades, finished-floor elevations, building height, and materials (PSM item 5.2).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Floor Plansrequired
Plan of all floors showing room uses, dimensions, and doors/windows; existing and proposed (PSM item 5.1).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - General Application (DS-3032)required
The Development Services permit application form (PSM item 1.0, General Application Package).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Roof Planrequired
Required for new construction or roof modification — slopes, ridges, drains, material, and screening (PSM item 5.3).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Site Plan & Vicinity Maprequired
Lot layout per IB 122 — property/setback lines, easements, structures, parking, drainage, utilities, impervious surface (PSM item 4.0, Site Plan Package).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Storm Water Requirements Applicability Checklist (DS-560)required
Must be completed and scanned onto the construction plans for all projects (PSM item 1.4).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Structural Plans & Detailsrequired
Foundation, framing, and connection details (PSM item 6.0, Structural Package).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Title 24 / California Energy Code Documentationrequired
Energy-compliance documentation (CF1R) per the California Energy Code (PSM item 9.0) — required even though full MEP plans are not.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Title Sheet / General Notesrequired
First-sheet table: scope of work, sheet index, project team, owner, legal description/APN, zoning, occupancy, FAR, and dwelling-unit summary (PSM item 3.1).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Water Meter Data Card (DS-16)required
Required for any project adding new plumbing fixtures; one card per new/modified meter (PSM item 1.1).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Affordable Housing Requirements Checklist (DS-530)conditional
Conditional — for residential projects of 10+ units (5+ in the Coastal Overlay Zone) or condo conversions; rarely triggered by a single ADU (PSM item 1.5).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Best Management Practice (BMP) Planconditional
Construction plus permanent/LID BMPs shown as a BMP sheet; triggered by storm-water/site conditions (PSM item 4.8).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Coastal Development Permit (CDP)conditional
Conditional — required for ADUs/JADUs in the Coastal Overlay Zone not fully contained in the existing structure, or adding/converting habitable area; some JADUs are exempt.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Geotechnical Investigation / Soils Reportconditional
Conditional based on site conditions / building-official determination (PSM matrix item 13.0).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Junior Unit Agreement (DS-202A)conditional
Required before permit issuance for a JADU only: a deed restriction that the primary and junior unit cannot be sold/conveyed separately and that the owner resides on-site.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Landscape Construction Packageconditional
Conditional — triggered by tree/landscape requirements (e.g. two or more ADUs require trees per lot area; PSM matrix item 7.0).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Residential Fire Sprinkler System Plansconditional
Required where the primary dwelling has or needs sprinklers (see Technical Bulletin RESD 3-4; PSM matrix item 12.0).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Structural Calculations / Truss Calculationsconditional
Structural calculations (PSM item 10.0) and truss plans/calcs (PSM item 11.0) — IB 400 marks these 'as applicable.'
source · reviewed 2026-06-22