Pre-Approved ADU Plans in San Diego
Updated
Pre-approved ADU plans in San Diego are ready-made building designs that a city has already reviewed. Using one can shorten plan review and cut design costs, but it does not skip the permit. This guide covers which plans the City of San Diego accepts, what the County and nearby cities offer, and what you still need to do.
Plans the City of San Diego accepts
The City accepts pre-approved ADU plans from three sources: the County of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista, and the City of Encinitas [1]. A few rules apply:
- You contact the plan provider to license the plan [1].
- The plan must meet the building codes in effect when you apply [1].
- Applications that use pre-approved plans get a 30-day review [2].
- You still need a building permit. The City says there are no exemptions for ADUs or JADUs [2].
Designers can also get their own plans pre-approved for others to use, under the City's Information Bulletin 114a [1].
County of San Diego plans
The County posts building plans as downloadable PDF and CAD files that can be used as an ADU in the unincorporated areas of the County [3]. They are about 85 percent complete, so you fill in project-specific details using the County's checklist [3]. The ADU options are [3]:
| Plan | Size | Layout |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1,200 sq ft | 3 bedroom, 1 bath |
| B | 1,200 sq ft | 2 bedroom, 1 bath |
| C | 1,200 sq ft | 2 bedroom, 2 bath |
| D | 1,000 sq ft | 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath |
| E | 800 sq ft | 1 bedroom, 1 bath |
| F | 600 sq ft | 1 bedroom, 1 bath |
Because the City of San Diego accepts County plans [1], these designs can also be a starting point for a City project. Your contractor still has to fit the plan to your lot, setbacks, and utilities.
Escondido plans
Escondido's Pre-Approved ADU Program (PAADU) came from a state LEAP grant the City received in 2020 [4]. It offers four pre-approved plans for new detached ADUs that the public can download and use [4]. Applicants still submit a building permit and go through the standard ADU process [4]. See our Escondido page for more.
What a pre-approved plan does not cover
A pre-approved plan covers the building itself. It does not cover:
- Your site. Setbacks, slope, trees, and where the unit sits on your lot still need review.
- Utilities. Water, sewer, and power runs depend on your property.
- Fees. Plan check, inspection, impact, and school fees still apply. See our ADU cost guide for City fee amounts.
- Coastal and fire zones. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone, a Coastal Development Permit is generally required, and fire hazard zones have their own setbacks [2].
Is a pre-approved plan right for you?
A pre-approved plan can make sense if:
- One of the layouts fits your goals and your lot.
- You want a faster, more predictable review.
- You are fine with limited design changes.
A custom design can make more sense for a tight, sloped, or odd-shaped lot, an attached ADU, or a garage conversion. Ask a contractor to compare both on your property.
FAQ
Do pre-approved ADU plans cost money?
The County of San Diego posts its plans as downloadable PDF and CAD files, and we did not see a fee listed on that page [3]. For plans accepted in the City of San Diego, you contact the plan provider to license the plan, so terms vary [1]. Either way, permit and other fees still apply.
How long is review with a pre-approved plan?
The City of San Diego says applications that use pre-approved plans are subject to a 30-day review [2]. Your full timeline also depends on how quickly you answer review comments, your site work, and construction.
Request a quote from an independent contractor who can tell you whether a pre-approved plan fits your lot.
A referral is not an endorsement, so check any contractor yourself before you sign.
We're a referral service, not a contractor, and independent contractors may pay us for referrals.
Sources
- City of San Diego Development Services, "Accessory Dwelling Unit/Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit," no date shown. Fetched 2026-11-11. https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/news-programs/programs/companion-junior-units
- City of San Diego Development Services, "Information Bulletin 400: Accessory Dwelling Unit/Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit," January 2026. Fetched 2026-11-11. https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/forms-publications/information-bulletins/400
- County of San Diego Planning & Development Services, "Dwelling Unit Building Plans," no date shown. Fetched 2026-11-11. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/bldg/adu_plans.html
- City of Escondido, "Pre-Approved ADU Program (PAADU)," no date shown. Fetched 2026-11-11. https://www.escondido.gov/1207