Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026) (4) In accordance with Government Code section 66321(b)(3), one attached or detached ADU with a gross floor area of 800 square feet or less may be permitted in accordance with Sections ... provided that the development results in no more than one attached or detached ADU on the premises. The ADU shall not be subject to maximum lot coverage, maximum floor area ratio, a front yard setback, and minimum open space requirements of the underlying base zone— SDMC §141.0302, p. 4
existing accessory structure shall not exceed two stories. (C) ADUs shall comply with the overall maximum structure height of the underlying base zone and overlay zone. (9) Setbacks. (A) The front yard setback of an ADU shall be consistent with the base zone ... minimum street side yard setback of an ADU shall be 4 feet or the minimum street side yard setback of the base zone, whichever is less. (C) Interior side yard and rear yard setbacks for ADU structures with a structure height of 16 feet— SDMC §141.0302, p. 5
Building / Structural reviewRequired
Plan check for structural, life-safety, and CRC compliance.
2022 California Residential Code (as amended by SDMC)
Fire reviewRequired
Fire & life-safety review; escalates with access, size, and wildland-urban-interface location.
homeowners to use materials or construction methods that are not specifically listed in the code if they provide the same level of fire resistance. If a product or design can be shown—through testing or reliable documentation—to resist embers, heat, and flames as well ... approved method, it may be accepted by the Fire Code Official. Defensible Space. The buffer that a responsible person is required to create or maintain on a property between a structure that could ignite in the event of a fire. Drip Line. The line— SD Fire Defensible Space Guidelines, p. 12
vegetation, and low sap or resin content, that make them less likely to ignite or contribute heat or spread flame in a fire. Fire-Smart vegetation may include both native and ornamental species when their growth characteristics and maintenance reduce ignition potential. Fuel Modification Zone ... strip of land where combustible vegetation has been thinned or modified, or both, and may be partially or totally replaced with approved Fire-Smart or irrigated plants or both, to provide an acceptable level of risk from vegetation fires. Fuel modification reduces the radiant— SD Fire Defensible Space Guidelines, p. 12
Public Utilities (water/sewer) reviewVerify
Required when a NEW or upsized water/sewer connection is proposed. A shared connection to the primary dwelling may not need separate review — verify the connection type.
upon a combination of the number of Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU) being reviewed and whether or not a change is being made to a meter. The plan check fee is based per EDU and is charged for both irrigation and domestic meters. For the purposes ... assessing these fees, 20 fixture units are given a value of one EDU. Table 501D lists Water and Sewer plan check fees. Water & Sewer Capacity Fees Water and Sewer Capacity Fees are collected on behalf of the Public Utilities Department and are determined during— SD Information Bulletin 501, p. 1
Water services and sewer lateral installation fees associated with new construction are collected on behalf of the Public Utilities Department and are determined during the building permit plan review process. See “Schedule for Water and Sewer Fees” for water and sewer services, including potable ... reclaimed water for the City of San Diego. A Water Meter Data Card (DS-16) is used to determine the correct size required for the water meter, service and sewer lateral. Storm Water High Priority & Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) Inspection Fee The Regional— SD Information Bulletin 501, p. 1
School District fee processingRequired
New residential living area is subject to school developer fees collected before permit issuance.
enclosed space, as applicable. Credits of the school fees for the demolished building may be issued by the appropriate school district. When the scope of development includes demolition of portion of an existing building, the school fee is based on the net increase in area ... assessable space or chargeable covered and enclosed space, as applicable. Issues concerning credits, exemptions, or adjustment of school fees shall be addressed directly to the appropriate school district by the applicant. X. School Fee Rate The City of San Diego determines assessable space for residential— SDUSD School Fee Schedule 2026, p. 3
R/NR: XXXX/XXXX).” For questions about your user account or assistance with getting the report, contact 619-446-5000. Please contact the applicable school district (s), www.sdcoe.net/schools/finder for instruction on paying school fees. For San Diego Unified School District, refer to https://sandiegounified.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=27732478&pageId=28486210 Once ... school fees are paid, you will need to digitally upload a receipt or Certificate of Compliance from the respective school district (s) to your Online Permitting Account at the time of Permit Issuance. Reference Table • California Government Code, Section 65995 Visit our web site: sandiego.gov— SDUSD School Fee Schedule 2026, p. 3
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.