ADU Builder in San Diego
Custom accessory dwelling units designed, permitted and built by one in-house team — in every City of San Diego neighborhood, from North Park to Clairemont to Point Loma.
Get your free feasibility check → or call (619) 404-0125The City of San Diego is the most ADU-friendly jurisdiction in the county — and the only one where a single-family lot can hold 4, 5, even 6 units through the City's ADU Bonus Program. But “San Diego” isn't one market: a garage conversion in North Park's historic district, a backyard unit on a Clairemont canyon lot, and a coastal ADU in Point Loma each run into different overlays, even though the same city rules apply. We design, permit and build ADUs across the city's neighborhoods, so we know which rules actually bite on your street — before you spend a dollar on plans.
Why build an ADU in the City of San Diego?
The county's most permissive rules
The ADU (Home Density) Bonus Program allows up to 4–6 units per lot depending on lot size — no other jurisdiction in San Diego County comes close.
Neighborhood-level knowledge
Coastal permits in Point Loma and La Jolla, historic districts in Kensington and North Park, canyon lots in Clairemont and Serra Mesa, HOAs in Carmel Valley and Scripps Ranch — we've designed around all of them.
One accountable team
Architecture, permitting and construction under one roof — one contract, one point of contact, no finger-pointing between your designer and your builder.
San Diego neighborhoods we build ADUs in
City of San Diego ADU rules apply in every one of these neighborhoods — what changes is the overlay on your parcel. Here's how they group, and what to watch for in each area:
Uptown & Central
North Park, South Park, Golden Hill, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, University Heights, Normal Heights, Kensington, Talmadge, City Heights
Older lots with alleys and detached garages — prime for garage conversions and over-garage ADUs. Several designated historic districts; parking requirements are waived inside them.
Central Mesas & East
Serra Mesa, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa / Convoy, Linda Vista, Tierrasanta, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, San Carlos
Mid-century lots with real backyards — the sweet spot for detached ADUs. Canyon-rim parcels in Clairemont and Serra Mesa need slope-aware siting.
Coastal
Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla, Bird Rock
City ADU rules apply, but most parcels sit in the Coastal Zone, so plan on a Coastal Development Permit — decided within 60 days under AB 462.
North City
University City, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Sabre Springs, Carmel Valley
Larger family lots and strong rental demand. Many communities have HOAs with architectural review — we design to satisfy both the city and your CC&Rs.
South San Diego
Encanto, Paradise Hills, Bay Terraces, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa
City of San Diego rules and Bonus Program access apply here too — transit-rich areas often qualify for parking waivers.
We build across these neighborhoods — see our attached ADU in Serra Mesa, over-the-garage ADU in North Park and garage-conversion ADU in Convoy / Kearny Mesa.
City of San Diego ADU rules at a glance
| Jurisdiction | City of San Diego |
|---|---|
| Max detached ADU | Up to 1,200 sq ft |
| Height | 16 ft (18 ft near transit; up to 25 ft if attached) |
| Setbacks | 4 ft side & rear; 0 ft for conversions |
| ADUs per lot | Up to 4–6 via the ADU (Home Density) Bonus Program, by lot size |
| Parking | 1 space max; waived within ½ mile of transit, in historic districts; none for garage conversions |
| Coastal permit | Only in coastal neighborhoods (Point Loma, OB, PB, La Jolla) — 60-day CDP under AB 462 |
| Owner-occupancy | Not required for ADUs (required for JADUs) |
The same City rules apply citywide — what changes by neighborhood is the overlay: Coastal Zone on the coast, historic districts in the older central neighborhoods, HOAs in the master-planned north. The Bonus Program (up to 4 ADUs on lots ≤8,000 sq ft, 5 on 8,001–10,000 sq ft, 6 above that, each bonus unit paired with a deed-restricted affordable unit) is being refined in 2025–2026 — see Information Bulletin 400 and our San Diego ADU regulations page, and confirm current terms before you design.
What it costs
Most detached ADUs in the city fall within San Diego’s typical 2026 ranges; garage conversions in the central neighborhoods are usually the most cost-effective path, while coastal and canyon lots carry a premium for permitting and foundations. We give you a real number for your lot, not a guess — see our 2026 ADU cost guide.
How we work — design, permits & build under one roof
- Free feasibility check — we confirm your lot's exact rules and what fits.
- Custom design + 3D — we refine the layout and show you the result.
- Permitting — full plan set, structural, and the coastal permit if required.
- Construction — built by our team, on a defined schedule.
- Keys — final inspection, certificate of occupancy, and warranty.
See what your San Diego property can build
We'll confirm your neighborhood's exact overlays, what fits your lot, and a realistic budget and timeline — free, with no obligation.
Book your free feasibility check →San Diego ADU — frequently asked questions
Do ADU rules differ between San Diego neighborhoods?
How many ADUs can I build on my San Diego lot?
Do I need a Coastal Development Permit for my ADU?
What if my home is in a historic district, like Kensington or North Park?
Do I have to add parking for a San Diego ADU?
How long does ADU approval take in the City of San Diego?
Keep exploring
Note: ADU rules change and vary by lot and overlay. Figures reflect our reading of state and local rules as of July 2026 and are not legal advice — we confirm your exact, current requirements in your free feasibility check. IL Total Design & Build, CSLB #1058676.