The County of San Diego’s April 3, 2026 qualifications guidance describes a route to convey an eligible ADU separately through condominium ownership in unincorporated San Diego County. It does not apply inside an incorporated city. The County says its March 2026 ordinance update implemented California AB 1033 locally. A parcel’s jurisdiction and current ordinance therefore matter before considering any application.

The route does not add another dwelling

The County process uses a tentative map or tentative parcel map, followed by the applicable final map or parcel map. The condominium approach changes how ownership interests may be structured; it does not increase the underlying number of dwelling units allowed on the lot. The guidance excludes junior ADUs from separate sale. For a qualifying single-family property, the checklist describes up to two ADUs in addition to the primary home, but other property types have different limits and require review under the County zoning ordinance.

The County requires the ADU’s final building inspection and certificate of occupancy before the condominium plan can be recorded. A project already under construction may enter the map process, but recording remains contingent on completion and occupancy approval. Junior ADUs are not eligible for separate sale. Do not treat a tentative map or a planned condominium as a completed separate interest.

Prepare for the map and condominium requirements

The County checklist calls for items such as owner authorization, lienholder or deed-of-trust consent when there is a secured loan, HOA authorization where applicable, notice to utility providers, plot and condominium plans prepared by qualified professionals, and HOA bylaws and CC&Rs. The plan must address unit boundaries, common areas, access, easements, and shared services. The map application follows once the applicable checklist conditions are met; a tentative approval also has a deadline for processing and recording the final map.

The County’s current ADU ordinance page reports additional resale conditions adopted August 19, 2026 and effective September 18, 2026. ADU-condominium owners must establish a right-of-first-refusal contract with an existing tenant or another condominium owner on the lot. A new buyer must sign an affidavit that the buyer or a family member intends to use the unit as a primary residence, and each new listing must be publicly posted with a disclosure prioritizing buyers who intend primary residence use. The County summary does not state the applicable periods; do not infer their length. Check the current Section 6156 provisions, forms, and any recorded documents with the County before relying on a sale timetable.

Start by confirming that the parcel is in unincorporated County jurisdiction, then verify permits, unit count, map type, liens, HOA documents, utility arrangements, current resale conditions, and any right-of-first-refusal or buyer/listing forms. The guidance is an eligibility aid, not a parcel decision, title opinion, or guarantee of map approval or recordation. These County conditions do not apply within the incorporated City of San Diego.