San Diego Sees Continued Growth in ADU Permits

Applications for permits for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) continue to grow at a rapid clip in San Diego, where state and city laws have made it easier to build the units in recent years, reports Andrew Keatts in Axios San Diego. “In 2015, the city issued just four ADU permits. That figure jumped to 627 in 2019 as city planners reduced fees, expanded where ADUs could be built, streamlined approvals, eliminated parking requirements and more.”

According to Keatts, “The 2021 ‘ADU bonus program’ allows owners to build an extra unit for each ADU they agree to reserve for renters earning below a certain income threshold.” While some homeowners oppose the Bonus Program, Keatts notes that only 8 percent of ADU applications used the program.

Meanwhile, the promise of increased affordability remains aspirational: “The city issued permits last year for 87 ADUs with income restrictions for future renters, but nearly all of those were for so-called moderate incomes, or people earning up to 110% of the area median.” Keatts adds, “Just five units were reserved for people categorized as having low or very low incomes.”