Building a Granny Flat in San Diego County – What You Need to Know

At Specialty Design Build, we’ve been building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — or “granny flats” — for our clients for years. For most of those years, getting a permit to build a granny flat involved jumping through multiple hoops and complying with very restrictive requirements. To address the severe housing shortage we face, the State of California recently passed legislative reforms making these types of additions easier than ever to build.

Granny Flats Basics

What is a Granny Flat?What are the types of ADUs?

  • Attached ADU. A new space such as a 2nd story or suite addition is added onto an existing primary structure as an independent living unit
  • Detached ADU. A new independent structure is built on the property as a freestanding independent living unit
  • Re-purposed ADU. Existing living space such as a garage or loft within the primary dwelling is renovated into an independent living unit

Why build an ADU?

  • Rental income. Helping pay the mortgage or as a second stream of income
  • Housing for relatives. Adult children, parents, in-laws or relatives with special needs who still have a desire for privacy
  • Downsizing. Some of our recent clients now rent out the main home while they have downsized and live in the ADU

Building a Granny Flat in San Diego

  • Location. ADUs must be built on the same residential lot as the primary residence and must be independent from the residence with no interior access. They cannot be sold separately.
  • Facilities. An ADU must be an independent living unit with sleeping, bathing and kitchen facilities.
  • Parking. If located within ½ mile from public transit (such as a bus stop), no additional parking is required for an ADU. Otherwise, one additional off-street parking space is required (uncovered, such as tandem parking in a driveway).
  • Size. An ADU may be up to 50% of the square footage of the primary residence or a maximum of 1,200 s.f.
  • Rental. An ADU may not be rented for less than a 30 consecutive day period
  • Setbacks. ADUs must comply with the main residence setbacks.
  • Fire sprinklers. Fire sprinklers are only required in an ADU if they are required in the main residence.

building an ADU or granny flat in San DiegoCertified Aging-In-Place Specialist

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