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San Diego Proposes Major Updates to ADU and JADU Regulations The City of San Diego’s City Council has passed amendments to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) regulations. The Community Planners Committee (CPC) provided recommendations, including changes to RS and RM zones, but these were overridden due to concerns raised in the June 13 letter from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Key Proposed Amendments The amendments include 25 changes, split into general ADU/JADU regulations (15 items) and ADU Home Density Bonus Program updates (10 items). Highlights include: Alignment with State Law: Updates ensure compliance with state mandates, such as removing the 1,200 sq. ft. size cap for ADUs converted from existing structures, allowing separate sales of ADUs as condominiums (per AB 1033), and permitting up to eight detached ADUs on lots with existing multifamily structures (per SB 1211). Fire Safety and Setbacks: ADUs in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones will require a minimum 4-foot side and rear setback for defensible space, with flexibility for the Fire Code Official to impose stricter requirements. Tree Requirements: State-allowed ADUs and JADUs will no longer require two trees per 5,000 sq. ft. of lot area, but this rule will still apply to projects under the ADU Home Density Bonus Program. ADU Home Density Bonus Program Restrictions: The program will no longer apply to very low-density zones (RS-1-1, RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-8, RS-1-9, RS-1-10, RS-1-11), reducing eligible acreage by 25,698 acres (24% of the current total). Remaining eligible areas include 82,970 acres, with 38,583 acres in Sustainable Development Areas (SDAs). Development Scale Caps: Amended by CM Foster in council meeting June 16, 2025 **Table 141.03A: Maximum Number of Permitted ADUs and JADUs on Single Dwelling Unit Lots** Community Enhancement Fee: A new fee for ADUs under 750 sq. ft. in the Bonus Program will fund neighborhood improvements, with exemptions for moderate, very low- and low-income ADUs in high-resource areas. Public Safety Measures: Projects in fire-prone zones must have two evacuation routes and avoid cul-de-sacs. All detached Bonus Program ADUs will require automatic fire sprinklers. Affordable Housing Incentives: Bonus Program ADUs must match the size and bedroom count of affordable units, with increased penalties ($10,000/month per unit) for deed restriction violations. A proposed moderate-income enhancement would require all bonus ADUs to be deed-restricted at 110% AMI for 15 years if opting for moderate-income restrictions. FOR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 6/16/2025 HCD letter 6/13/2025 FOR MORE INFO on ADUs
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