San Diego’s Information Bulletin 400 describes the City’s building-permit route for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs). The bulletin was issued in January 2026. It says a building permit is required to create an ADU or JADU and lists no permit exemption for these units. The City issues either a Building Permit or Combination Building Permit depending on the number of dwelling units created.
Assemble the application package
The bulletin’s minimum application materials include site and vicinity plans; floor and roof plans; applicable elevations and sections; structural plans, details, and calculations where required; and Title 24 energy calculations. It also lists City application forms, including water-meter and storm-water forms. Use the current bulletin and linked City forms to identify the requirements for the actual unit type, site, and project scope; the short list here is not a complete design checklist.
San Diego accepts ADU and JADU applications through its online permitting account. Select the permit type that matches the number and type of units in the project, then follow the bulletin’s document and form instructions. A submitted package may need separate approvals or fees based on the site and project.
Consider the preapproved-plan route
The City allows applicants to use preapproved ADU plans and states that applications using those plans are subject to a 30-day review. The bulletin does not define the day type or a single project-wide start and end point for this statement. Treat it as a measure for the stated plan-review route, not as a promise of approval, permit issuance, or construction completion.
A preapproved design does not remove the obligation to comply with the San Diego Municipal Code. Contact the plan provider about its license cost and confirm what site-specific work, utility coordination, and other approvals remain. Coastal Overlay Zone requirements may also differ: the bulletin notes that some provisions are not effective there until specified ordinance amendments are certified. Verify the current rule for the parcel before relying on the general bulletin.
Check fees separately
Information Bulletin 400 identifies potential fee categories rather than giving one total. School fees may apply. The bulletin says the General Plan Maintenance Fee applies to ADUs and JADUs, ADUs are subject to Development Impact Fees under the cited code, and projects proposing more than one ADU incur Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program fees. Other program-specific charges may apply. Check the City’s current schedules and the project classification for amounts, exemptions, and payment stages.
For a selected project, confirm current forms, permit class, plan-provider terms, coastal applicability, fees, and the applicable review measure with San Diego. The general plans and closeout checklist covers records that may be useful across jurisdictions.