County context

San Diego County Pre-Approved ADU Plans

Browse official city and county pre-approved ADU plan programs in San Diego County, California.

Source-backed county plan listings

Program Overview

This San Diego County page summarizes source-backed county context for San Diego County, California. The current export lists 4 city program pages in this county and 6 county-level accepted-plan records. County-level plan sources include County of San Diego and County of San Diego Planning & Development Services. Provider names include County of San Diego Standard ADU Building Plans.

County records may apply only in unincorporated areas or county-administered jurisdictions, so verify the official source before relying on a plan for an incorporated city. County fee and permit data includes 2 fee records and 6 permit requirement records. Missing source fields remain Not listed in source, and directory records do not guarantee permit approval.

Summary

Location
San Diego County, California, USA
County-level accepted plans
6 accepted plans
Providers
1 provider
Origin programs
1 program
Plan size range
600 to 1,200 sq ft
Permit sources
8 sources

Included Locations

County-Level Accepted Plans

6 plans

Permit Requirements

6 requirements

Detached

County detached ADU maximum size

Official county source

Detached ADU total floor area shall not exceed 1,200 sq ft.

Last checked
May 1, 2026
Notes
Not listed in source

Attached

County attached ADU maximum size

Official county source

Attached ADU total area can be up to 50% of the SFD area, limited to 1,200 sq ft max, with exceptions to the 50% limit in some cases.

Last checked
May 1, 2026
Notes
Not listed in source

All

County eligibility

Official county source

Property must be in unincorporated San Diego County, residential, and have an existing or planned main house or SFD.

Last checked
May 1, 2026
Notes
Not listed in source

All

County building permit

Official county source

A building permit is required so the ADU meets zoning, building, health, and safety codes.

Last checked
May 1, 2026
Notes
Not listed in source

Fees

2 fee records

All

County ADU fee waiver ended

Official county source

County ADU fee waiver program ended January 9, 2024; qualifying projects started before that date may not have paid plan check fee, but permits not issued by that date pay typical fees at permit issuance.

Last checked
May 1, 2026
Notes
Not listed in source

Detached

County standard plan fee

Government PDF

County handbook describes free Pre-Approved County Standard ADU Building Plans; project-specific permit and agency fees may still apply.

Last checked
May 1, 2026
Notes
Not listed in source

Official Sources

8 sources