ADUs, or Accessory Dwelling Units, have become very popular with the new ADU-friendly regulations in San Diego County. Most permit fees are waived in local jurisdictions for ADUS and most setbacks are waived to 4’-0” from property lines. As a homeowner with unused space on your property, this is a viable option as extra living space for an aging family member or adult children living on your property to have their own space or to use as a rental, extra income, and at the same time help with the crisis in the rental housing market. The independent residential living space requires a permit but the maximum allowable is 1200sf.

Here are some basic considerations for an ADU: Septic/Sewer connection: If the house is connected to the sewer, no changes will need to be made. If your main house is on septic. The existing system will need to be redesigned or another system will be needed to serve the ADU. Typically if the main house has fire sprinklers, then the ADU will need fire sprinklers as well. All new construction will require PVC (solar design)