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, with 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
San Diego ADU permit questions
- Do I need a permit to build an ADU in San Diego?
- Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in San Diego requires a building permit. ArchPermit tracks 20 cited requirements for this jurisdiction (12 required, the rest conditional). Always confirm the exact forms, fees, and code edition with the local permitting authority that issues the permit.
- What does an ADU permit package require in San Diego?
- Core required items include: Building Sections; CALGreen Documentation; Exterior Elevations; Floor Plans; General Application (DS-3032); Roof Plan, plus 6 more. Each requirement links to its authoritative source, and nothing is permit-ready until an independent licensed professional reviews and seals it.
- How are ADU permits submitted in San Diego?
- San Diego accepts permit submittals via OpenDSD / Accela online permitting portal. ArchPermit prepares a draft package you can submit there after a licensed architect reviews and seals it.