Santee ADU/JADU Guide

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guide Understanding ADUs in the City of Santee This guide provides an overview of ADUs in the City of Santee (City), including the types of ADUs allowed, the basic development requirements, and a summary of the City’s permitting process for ADUs. What are ADUs? What are the benefits? ADUs have been known by many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units and • Increase number and more. ADUs are secondary housing units located on the variety of housing choices in Santee. same lot as a primary unit. There are various types of • Generate an extra source ADUs illustrated in Figure 1 – ADU Development of income. Scenarios that may be permitted within residential areas • Create private living of the City. State law guides what ADU development spaces for the City does and does not allow and the process by multigenerational living. which the City reviews ADUs. State law identifies two • Increase a property’s general types of ADUs: Accessory Dwelling Units resale value and home (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). equity.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) An ADU is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. Efficiency units, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 17958.1 and manufactured homes, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 18007, can also be considered ADUs. Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) A JADU is a residential dwelling unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence or attached garage in a single-family zoning district. A JADU may include separate sanitation facilities or share sanitation facilities with the primary residence. A JADU must provide a kitchen or efficiency kitchen. The JADU or single-family residence must be owner-occupied, if shared sanitation facilities are proposed. 1

Figure 1 – ADU Development Scenarios New Construction Detached ADU: New Construction Attached ADU: Located on the same property as an Attached to an existing or proposed SFR existing or proposed single-family (e.g., an ADU built on top of an attached residence (SFR) and fully detached from garage, as a new second story of a SFR). the SFR. JADU: Contained entirely within an Converted Attached/Detached ADUs: existing or proposed SFR, including an Created from the existing space within a attached garage. May include separate SFR or within the existing space of an sanitation facilities or share sanitation accessory structure (e.g., detached facilities with the existing structure. garage). Modular/Pre-Manufactured: Modular Multi-Family ADUs: ADUs on multi-family ADUs are built partially or entirely off-site sites must be detached from the primary and delivered to the property and are multi-family dwelling. For proposed multi- permitted subject to the applicable ADU family development, ADUs must be standards. Modular/pre-manufactured detached from the primary multi-family

ADUs are subject to the standards of new buildings but may be attached to each construction ADUs. other. 2

What are the requirements for ADUs? The table below outlines the City of Santee ADU and JADU Regulations requirements for different types of ADUs SMC Section 13.10.045 or as amended in: in the City, consistent with the Government Code Sections 66310-66342 requirements of State law and Santee Municipal Code (SMC). New Construction Converted Space ADU and JADU Requirements Attached and Attached Detached Table Detached JADUs ADU ADU ADUs Lots zoned Lots zoned Lots zoned Lots zoned for single- for single- for single- for single- Zoning family or family or family family multi-family multi-family residences. residences. residences. residences. One ADU created from converting existing space within Single family: No more than a single- one attached or detached family ADU. dwelling, General multi-family Requirements Existing multi-family: No dwelling, or for All ADUs & more than eight detached an accessory JADUs (SMC § ADUs, except the number of structure. 13.10.045.D) Number of detached ADUs shall not One JADU. Units exceed the number of For multi- existing units on the lot. family: at

least one Proposed multi-family: No ADU up to more than two detached 25 percent of ADUs (ADUs may be the existing attached or detached to each units. The other). space to be converted may not be livable space. 3

New Construction Converted Space ADU and JADU Requirements Attached and Attached Detached Table Detached JADUs ADU ADU ADUs Maximum 16 feet; or 18 feet if within ½ mile walking distance of major transit*. May not exceed the height May not standards of the underlying For multi- exceed the zone (SMC § story, multi- height 13.10.045.D.7.d): family standards of dwellings, 18 HL, R-1, R-1A and R-2: 35 Height the feet. feet, four stories; underlying R-7: 35 feet, three stories; zone (SMC § R-14: 45 feet, four stories; 13.10.045.D. *An 7.d). additional 2 R-22 and R-30: 55 feet, five feet (for a stories. maximum of 20 feet), if height is necessary to align the roof pitch with the primary unit. At minimum, an efficiency kitchen is Kitchen Full kitchen facilities required. required. (SMC § 13.10.045.C. 6) Six feet from main residence Building (if detached) and five feet N/A Separation from accessory structures SMC § 13.10.040.G. 4

New Construction Converted Space ADU and JADU Requirements Attached and Attached Detached Table Detached JADUs ADU ADU ADUs Exterior access is required; interior access to primary Exterior access is required; interior access to Ingress/ residence is primary dwelling unit is acceptable but not Egress required if required. separate bathroom and sanitation facilities are not provided. Either primary dwelling unit or JADU must be owner- Owner No owner occupancy requirements for ADUs occupied, if Occupancy created on or after January 1, 2020. there are shared sanitation facilities within the existing structure. Units shall not be rented for a term that is shorter than 30 Rental days. Except as provided in Government Code Section 66341, no Not For Sale ADU or JADU may be sold or conveyed separately from the lot and primary dwelling. Fire sprinklers are required in an ADU if sprinklers are Fire required in the primary residence. The construction of an Sprinklers ADU does not trigger a requirement for fire sprinklers to be installed in the existing primary dwelling. 5

New Construction Converted Space ADU and JADU Requirements Attached and Attached Detached Table Detached JADUs ADU ADU ADUs No impact fee is required for an ADU that is less than 750 square feet in size. Anything above 750 SF is subject to impact fees on a per square foot basis, please see the attached two example for a 751 SF and a 1,500 SF ADU unit and the associated impact fee that would be due. Impact Fees Note that school districts may still charge development impact fees for ADUs larger than 500 square feet. For more information, see: Santee School District Grossmont Union High School District Must be contained within existing/ proposed space, plus up to 150 500 square Unit Size 800 square feet maximum. additional feet square feet if maximum. the expansion is Additional limited to Requirements accommodati for ADUs & ng ingress JADUs Subject and egress. to Limited Requirements Subject only to side and rear under State setbacks sufficient for fire Law (SMC § Side and rear yard setbacks Setbacks and safety, as dictated by 13.10.045.F) must be at least 4 feet.

applicable building and fire codes. Parking None required. JADU must comply with the Other N/A requirements of Government Code Section 6

New Construction Converted Space ADU and JADU Requirements Attached and Attached Detached Table Detached JADUs ADU ADU ADUs 66333 through 66339. Maximum 1,200 square feet. N/A Size Front Yard Setback established by underlying zone (SMC § 13.10.045G.2): HL: 30 feet, Setbacks N/A R-1, R-1A, R-2 & R-7: 20 feet, R-14, R-22 & R-30: 10 feet, Side and Rear Yard: 4 feet. Lots are subject to the maximum lot coverage of underlying zone (SMC § Requirements 13.10.045G.3): for New Maximum Lot N/A HL: 25%, R-1: 30%, Construction Coverage of ADUs R-1A: 35%, R-2: 40%, Larger Than R-7: 55%, R-14: 60%, 800 SF R-22: 70%, R-30: 75%. (SMC § Lot must maintain minimum 13.10.045.G) private open space requirement of underlying zone (SMC § 13.10.045G.4): Private Open HL, R-1, R-1A & R-2: N/A; N/A Space R-7: 100 SF/unit; R-14: 100 SF/unit; R-22: 60 SF/unit; R-30: 60 SF/unit. One off-street parking space is required for each ADU. Parking No parking is required in the N/A situations outlined in SMC § 13.10.045G.6. The most 7

New Construction Converted Space ADU and JADU Requirements Attached and Attached Detached Table Detached JADUs ADU ADU ADUs common situation being, the ADU is located within one- half mile walking distance of public transit. When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction Replacement with the construction of an N/A Parking ADU or converted to an ADU, those off-street parking spaces are not required to be replaced. Each unclosed parking space shall be at least 9 feet wide and 19 feet long. In an Parking Space enclosed garage, each N/A Size parking space shall be at least 12 feet wide and 20 feet long, with at least 7 ½ feet vertical clearance. The architectural treatment of an ADU to be constructed on or within 600 feet of a lot that has an identified historical resource listed in Historical the California Register of N/A Protections Historic Resources must comply with all applicable objective ministerial requirements imposed by the Secretary of Interior. 8

What is the process for building an ADU on my property? The following provides an overview of the process for building an ADU, from planning your project through to construction stages: Pre-Plan • Check your zoning to determine if your property is eligible for an ADU. • Determine size and approximate location for your ADU. • Review applicable ADU standards established in SMC Section 13.10.045. For clarification on process and requirements, consult with applicable City departments. • Contact City staff to discuss preliminary layout and identify any issues in advance. • Contact the Planning Division at (619) 258-4100 x 167 to determine if the project site is within an Airport Influence Area (AIA) which may require review from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC). Requirements from the ALUC may include sound attenuation measures and/or recordation of an overflight notification. • Contact service districts and utility providers to discuss ADU utility connections, fees, and any potential conflicts with public utility equipment or easements.

o Padre Dam Municipal Water District o San Diego Gas and Electric Design Prepare architectural drawings, including a site plan. A qualified draftsman or architect can complete plans for ADUs, which must be signed by a person responsible for plan preparation. You may also be required to hire an engineer to prepare a grading plan. ADU’s in Santee must comply with the 2025 California Green Building Standards Tier II Voluntary Measures and SMC § 13.10.040.J and § 13.10.040.K regarding energy conservation. Two story ADU’s or new second story ADU’s will require a licensed engineer. Pre-Approved and Manufactured Home Plans: You can also apply for a building permit using preapproved or manufactured home plans, which may simplify review process and provide opportunities to reduce pre-construction fees. Note that pre-approved and manufactured home plans are not complete and require that you provide project-specific information, including a site plan that shows the location of the proposed ADU and a 9

specific foundation plan. Modifications to pre-approved plans are not permitted. The City accepts the following pre-approved plans: • County of San Diego Standard ADU Plans • City of Chula Vista Standard ADU Plans • City of Encinitas Permit-Ready ADU Plans Apply for a Building Permit • Prepare a complete building permit application for submittal. See Building Submittal Checklist on the City’s website. • The City will notify you of whether or not your application is deemed complete within 30 days of submittal. Revise Application (If required) • Upon receipt of a complete building permit application, the City must approve or deny the application within 60 days. • If your application is denied, the City will provide you with comments, including a list of deficient items and a description of how you may correct your application. Build • Pay all building permit inspection/issuance, school and impact fees. o Units smaller than 750 square feet may be exempt from impact fees. o Units smaller than 500 square feet may be exempt from school fees. • Start construction. • Call for inspections.

• Obtain final sign-off on permits and connect utilities as applicable. • The Certificate of Occupancy will be issued automatically. A copy can be picked up over the counter or requested via email at building@cityofsanteeca.gov. Questions? For further guidance and information, please contact the Planning & Building Department at 619-258-4100 ext. 167 or via email at planning@cityofsanteeca.gov and building@cityofsanteeca.gov. 10

CITY OF SANTEE - DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES WORK SHEET RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Date: RATES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 FY 25/26 Project # Project Name: 751 sqft ADU Development Impact Fee Example Project Status: Prepared By: # Units Total SF Fee / SF Total Fee PUBLIC FACILITIES FEE - 3101.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 5.31 $ 3,987.81 Multi-Family 0 $ 5.91 $ - TRAFFIC SIGNAL FEE - 3102.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 0.38 $ 285.38 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.30 $ - TRAFFIC MITIGATION FEE - 3103.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 2.73 $ 2,050.23 Multi-Family 0 $ 2.11 $ - DRAINAGE FEE - 3104.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 0.36 $ 270.36 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.44 $ - PARK IN-LIEU FEE - 3105.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 6.79 $ 5,099.29 Multi-Family 0 $ 7.56 $ - FIRE FACILITIES FEE - 3107.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 1.79 $ 1,344.29 Multi-Family 0 $ 1.99 $ - LONG RANGE PLANNING FEE - 2108.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 0.08 $ 60.08 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.09 $ - ADMINISTRATION FEE - 2109.00.4501 Single Family 751 $ 0.35 $ 262.85 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.37 $ - # Units Total SF Fee / SF Total Fee RTCIP MITIGATION FEE - 3106.00.4501

Single Family Residential 1 $3,047.57 $3,047.57 Multi-Family Residential 0 $3,047.57 $0.00 Total Fees $ 16,407.86

CITY OF SANTEE - DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES WORK SHEET RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Date: RATES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025 FY 25/26 Project # Project Name: 1200 sqft ADU Development Impact Fee Example Project Status: Prepared By: # Units Total SF Fee / SF Total Fee PUBLIC FACILITIES FEE - 3101.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 5.31 $ 6,372.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 5.91 $ - TRAFFIC SIGNAL FEE - 3102.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 0.38 $ 456.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.30 $ - TRAFFIC MITIGATION FEE - 3103.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 2.73 $ 3,276.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 2.11 $ - DRAINAGE FEE - 3104.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 0.36 $ 432.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.44 $ - PARK IN-LIEU FEE - 3105.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 6.79 $ 8,148.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 7.56 $ - FIRE FACILITIES FEE - 3107.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 1.79 $ 2,148.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 1.99 $ - LONG RANGE PLANNING FEE - 2108.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 0.08 $ 96.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.09 $ - ADMINISTRATION FEE - 2109.00.4501 Single Family 1200 $ 0.35 $ 420.00 Multi-Family 0 $ 0.37 $ - # Units Total SF Fee / SF Total Fee RTCIP MITIGATION FEE - 3106.00.4501

Single Family Residential 1 $3,047.57 $3,047.57 Multi-Family Residential 0 $3,047.57 $0.00 Total Fees $ 24,395.57