Have an Older Unpermitted ADU? What San Diego Owners Can Do
Finding out that a backyard unit or converted space may lack permits can feel unsettling, especially if you did not build it. If you want to legalize an unpermitted ADU in San Diego , start by checking where the property is and when the unit was built. Those facts determine which permitting guidance to follow. Who may qualify for the city process? The City of San Diego offers a streamlined path for qualifying accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs (JADUs) built without a building permit before January 1, 2020. An older unpermitted granny flat is not automatically eligible: the space must meet the applicable ADU or JADU definition, and its location and condition matter. The city’s Information Bulletin 242 explains the criteria and the conditions that must be corrected. This is a City of San Diego process. A San Diego County mailing address does not establish that a home is within city limits. Unincorporated county properties follow County of San Diego guidance . If the proper...
