The formal authorizations you must obtain from the City to build this project — the permits and approvals it will issue. These are what you apply for and receive.
Building Permit (Combination)Required
A combination building permit covers structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work for the ADU.
- Application Process and Requirements Building Permit Requirement A Building Permit is required to create an ADU or JADU. There are no exemptions. Depending upon the number of dwelling units created by the ADU(s), either a Combination Building Permit or a Building Permit will — SD Information Bulletin 400, p. 15
Ministerial ADU/JADU reviewRequired
ADUs/JADUs that meet state standards are approved ministerially (no public hearing or discretionary findings).
- Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026) (11) The record owner is not required to live on the same premises of an ADU. (c) Development Regulations for JADUs. (1) On a premises with an existing or proposed single dwelling unit, one JADU is permitted, subject ... following: (A) The JADU shall be within an existing or proposed single dwelling unit or attached garage; (B) Construction of the JADU may expand the floor area of the existing single dwelling unit up to 150 square feet to only allow for ingress and egress — SDMC §141.0302, p. 8
- Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026) (8) ADU Home Density Bonus Agreement. The affordable ADUs shall be guaranteed through a written agreement and a deed of trust securing the agreement, entered into by the applicant and President and Chief Executive Officer ... Diego Housing Commission, or their designee, prior to the issuance of a Building Permit for the first affordable ADU or bonus ADU, whichever occurs first, that meets the following requirements: (A) A rental affordable ADU home density bonus agreement shall utilize the following qualifying criteria — SDMC §141.0302, p. 13
Site Development Permit (Environmentally Sensitive Lands)Conditionaltriggered by: esl, steepSlopes, sensitiveHabitat, flood
ESL (steep slopes, sensitive habitat, wetlands, floodplain) generally requires a Site Development Permit with discretionary findings.
Parcel intersects environmentally sensitive lands.
SDMC §143.01 (Environmentally Sensitive Lands)
Historical resources reviewConditionaltriggered by: historicCultural
Historic-district location or a primary structure 45+ years old can trigger historical-resources review before approval.
Historic overlay and/or primary structure age ≥ 45 years.
SDMC §143.0212 / DSD Historical Resources review
Grading permitVerifytriggered by: steepSlopes
A separate grading permit is required when cut/fill exceeds City thresholds — common on sloped lots or new foundations. Verify quantities with a site plan.
Slope and/or new footprint may trigger regulated earthwork.
SDMC §142.01 (Grading Regulations)
Right-of-way / encroachment permitVerify
Required if work touches the public right-of-way (new/widened driveway, curb, sidewalk, or utility trench in the ROW).
City of San Diego — Public Right-of-Way / Encroachment permit
FAA Part 77 noticingConditionaltriggered by: airport
Airport land-use / FAA Part 77 surfaces apply — height may be limited and FAA noticing may be required.
Parcel within an airport influence area.
SDMC §132.02–132.03 (Airport overlays); FAA Part 77
Deterministic, source-cited — each item links its governing document. Items marked “Verify” depend on data not yet captured (lot geometry, construction valuation); confirm with DSD. First-iteration ruleset manifest-2026.06.08-v1.