San Diego, California
San Diego layers generous local bonus programs on top of California state ADU law, including extra units near transit — many lots here can build more than one ADU.
$170K–$250K
All-in build cost
construction, design, permits & fees
$2,300–$2,800
Monthly rent
one-bed comps nearby
2–4 mo
Permit timeline
typical city review window
up to 1,200 sq ft
Typical max size
detached new construction
Estimates from regional cost and rental data — not a quote or a permit decision.
For San Diego ADU builders
Every homeowner searching "ADU cost in San Diego" ends up on a page like this. Our early-access widget will give them the answer for their exact address on your site — and send you the lead. Founding builders get it first.
FAQ
Most detached ADU projects in San Diego land between $170,000 and $250,000 all-in — construction, design, permits and fees. Garage conversions come in lower; high-end finishes and difficult lots push higher. These are estimates from regional cost data, not a quote.
Local comps put a new one-bedroom ADU in San Diego at roughly $2,300–$2,800 per month, depending on neighborhood, size and finish.
Permit review in San Diego typically runs 2–4 months, plus design time before you submit. California's 60-day review clock applies to each complete submission — correction rounds are what stretch the calendar in practice.
San Diego layers generous local bonus programs on top of California state ADU law, including extra units near transit — many lots here can build more than one ADU. The fastest way to find out for a specific address is a feasibility check against the city's zoning data — that's exactly what our early-access widget will do on builders' websites.