Coronado ADU Regulations & Zoning

Coronado, California 92118

Zip Codes: 92118, 92135 (Military Base), 92155 (Military Base)

Our quick take on Coronado: Moderately ADU-Friendly


Coronado's ADU regulations are largely in line with state guidelines, allowing up to 1,000 ft² 2 bedroom or an 850 ft² one bedroom. With a smaller building department, regulation questions are answered swiftly. And while the entire city is in the coastal zone, ADUs do not require a separate CDP (meaning no added expense or time).

Coronado Regulation & Permitting Requirements:

  • ADU SIZE & BUILDING CONSTRAINTS

    What size detached ADU can you build in Coronado?

    Coronado allows for a detached ADU up to 850 sqft for units with 1 bedroom, and up to 1000 sqft for 2+ bedrooms. ADUs up to 800 sqft are exempt from lot coverage requirements. No ADU may be smaller than the size required to allow an efficiency unit (Meaning: You can build an ADU of this size even if you’re maxed out on lot coverages).

    What is the height requirement for an ADU in Coronado?

    A new detached ADU or an addition to an existing detached structure for an ADU shall not exceed 16’. However, ADUs attached to the primary dwelling are subject to the height requirements of the primary dwelling and may allow for a 2-story ADU.

    Does Coronado allow roof decks on ADUs?

    Roof decks are not permitted on detached ADUs in Coronado.

    How big can an attached ADU be in Coronado?

    The floor area of an attached or detached ADU shall not exceed 850 square feet for a studio or one bedroom or 1,000 square feet for a unit that contains more than one bedroom.

    What are the requirements of the exterior of the ADU?

    An ADU shall utilize the same architectural style, exterior materials, and colors as the existing or proposed primary dwelling, and the quality of the materials shall be the same or exceed that of the primary dwelling.

  • SETBACKS

    What is the setback requirement for an ADU in Coronado?

    ADUs must have 4′ minimum setbacks, or the applicable setback for the zone district, whichever is less, from rear and side-yard property lines. The front yard no longer has setbacks, pursuant to state law amendments as of September 2022. An ADU taking advantage of the 4′ setbacks cannot exceed a height of 16′. An ADU exceeding 16′ must comply with the setbacks of the underlying zoning. In all cases, an ADU shall comply with the required coastal bluff setback in the Coastal Bluff Overlay Zone and the required Beach reservation.

    Initiative setback in the Beach Overlay Zone: Properties located between the ocean and the 1st public roadway shall comply with the street yard setback of the applicable zone where necessary to protect public scenic views to the ocean.

    What is the minimum distance the ADU must be from existing structures?

    The minimum required distance between structures is not applicable, though fire codes may require special materials when closer than 10′.

  • ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

    Does Coronado require in-person submission of plans for an ADU?

    Yes, Coronado requires in-person submission of applications for an ADU.

    Does Coronado require a soils report for an ADU?

    No, Coronado does not mandate soils reports for ADUs.

    Does Coronado require coastal development permits?

    California Gov. Code § 65852.2 provides that the ADU statutes do not supersede or in any way alter or lessen the effect or application of the California Coastal Act, except that the city shall not be required to hold public hearings for Coastal Development Permit applications for ADUs. Because the city has an approved Local Coastal Development Plan, all permits are the same and no separate CDP is required.

  • MULTIFAMILY

    How many ADUs does Coronado allow for multifamily properties?

    Up to two detached accessory dwelling units shall be permitted on a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling, not to exceed 18′ in height, and four-foot side and rear yard setbacks are maintained. A separate application is required for every JADU and ADU.

    Can you stack detached ADUs on top of each other?

    No, you cannot stack ADUs on top of each other in Coronado.

    Can you attach two ADUs to each other in Coronado?

    No, you cannot attach two ADUs to each other in Coronado.

    Can you convert existing space to an ADU?

    Yes, existing non-livable space may be converted to ADUs (e.g. storage areas and garages). The minimum number of ADU conversions allowed is one, up to a maximum equal to 25% of the number of existing multifamily units. This is in addition to the allowed number of detached ADUs.

  • PARKING

    What is the parking requirement for an ADU in Coronado?

    The City’s Certified Local Coastal Program (LCP), approved in 1983, mandates certain parking requirements to be met, including the number of off-street parking spaces for dwellings, to ensure and maintain public access to the coast. The California Coastal Act of 1976 is neither superseded nor in any way altered or lessened as provided for in Government Code Section 65852.2(I).

    To ensure compliance with the California Coastal Act of 1976 and the approved LCP, a maximum of one (1) parking space shall be required for each accessory dwelling unit. No additional parking is required for a JADU.

    Where can a parking space be located?

    If a parking space is required, it may be located within the side and rear setbacks and in an existing driveway as tandem parking. ADU parking within the front yard setback area is limited to within an existing driveway. If an ADU or JADU replaces an existing garage or other required parking, replacement spaces shall be provided.

Coronado Regulation & Permitting Requirements:

  • ADU SIZE & BUILDING CONSTRAINTS

    What size detached ADU can you build in Coronado?

    Coronado allows for a detached ADU up to 850 sqft for units with 1 bedroom, and up to 1000 sqft for 2+ bedrooms. ADUs up to 800 sqft are exempt from lot coverage requirements. No ADU may be smaller than the size required to allow an efficiency unit (Meaning: You can build an ADU of this size even if you’re maxed out on lot coverages).

    What is the height requirement for an ADU in Coronado?

    A new detached ADU or an addition to an existing detached structure for an ADU shall not exceed 16’. However, ADUs attached to the primary dwelling are subject to the height requirements of the primary dwelling and may allow for a 2-story ADU.

    Does Coronado allow roof decks on ADUs?

    Roof decks are not permitted on detached ADUs in Coronado.

    How big can an attached ADU be in Coronado?

    The floor area of an attached or detached ADU shall not exceed 850 square feet for a studio or one bedroom or 1,000 square feet for a unit that contains more than one bedroom.

    What are the requirements of the exterior of the ADU?

    An ADU shall utilize the same architectural style, exterior materials, and colors as the existing or proposed primary dwelling, and the quality of the materials shall be the same or exceed that of the primary dwelling.

  • SETBACKS

    What is the setback requirement for an ADU in Coronado?

    ADUs must have 4′ minimum setbacks, or the applicable setback for the zone district, whichever is less, from rear and side-yard property lines. The front yard no longer has setbacks, pursuant to state law amendments as of September 2022. An ADU taking advantage of the 4′ setbacks cannot exceed a height of 16′. An ADU exceeding 16′ must comply with the setbacks of the underlying zoning. In all cases, an ADU shall comply with the required coastal bluff setback in the Coastal Bluff Overlay Zone and the required Beach reservation.

    Initiative setback in the Beach Overlay Zone: Properties located between the ocean and the 1st public roadway shall comply with the street yard setback of the applicable zone where necessary to protect public scenic views to the ocean.

    What is the minimum distance the ADU must be from existing structures?

    The minimum required distance between structures is not applicable, though fire codes may require special materials when closer than 10′.

  • ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

    Does Coronado require in-person submission of plans for an ADU?

    Yes, Coronado requires in-person submission of applications for an ADU.

    Does Coronado require a soils report for an ADU?

    No, Coronado does not mandate soils reports for ADUs.

    Does Coronado require coastal development permits?

    California Gov. Code § 65852.2 provides that the ADU statutes do not supersede or in any way alter or lessen the effect or application of the California Coastal Act, except that the city shall not be required to hold public hearings for Coastal Development Permit applications for ADUs. Because the city has an approved Local Coastal Development Plan, all permits are the same and no separate CDP is required.

  • MULTIFAMILY

    How many ADUs does Coronado allow for multifamily properties?

    Up to two detached accessory dwelling units shall be permitted on a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling, not to exceed 18′ in height, and four-foot side and rear yard setbacks are maintained. A separate application is required for every JADU and ADU.

    Can you stack detached ADUs on top of each other?

    No, you cannot stack ADUs on top of each other in Coronado.

    Can you attach two ADUs to each other in Coronado?

    No, you cannot attach two ADUs to each other in Coronado.

    Can you convert existing space to an ADU?

    Yes, existing non-livable space may be converted to ADUs (e.g. storage areas and garages). The minimum number of ADU conversions allowed is one, up to a maximum equal to 25% of the number of existing multifamily units. This is in addition to the allowed number of detached ADUs.

  • PARKING

    What is the parking requirement for an ADU in Coronado?

    The City’s Certified Local Coastal Program (LCP), approved in 1983, mandates certain parking requirements to be met, including the number of off-street parking spaces for dwellings, to ensure and maintain public access to the coast. The California Coastal Act of 1976 is neither superseded nor in any way altered or lessened as provided for in Government Code Section 65852.2(I).

    To ensure compliance with the California Coastal Act of 1976 and the approved LCP, a maximum of one (1) parking space shall be required for each accessory dwelling unit. No additional parking is required for a JADU.

    Where can a parking space be located?

    If a parking space is required, it may be located within the side and rear setbacks and in an existing driveway as tandem parking. ADU parking within the front yard setback area is limited to within an existing driveway. If an ADU or JADU replaces an existing garage or other required parking, replacement spaces shall be provided.

More Projects
Schedule A Call Map This Community More Projects