Two Story ADU Over Garage in San Diego

Explore the Potential of an ADU Over Garage

Maximize your property’s utility and aesthetic appeal with our meticulously designed ADU over garage plans. Perfect for those looking to enhance their living space without sacrificing the convenience of garage parking, two story ADUs over garages are increasingly popular, especially on alleyways.

Our ADU above garage floorplan includes 1BR 1BA, strategically crafted to fit under 500 sqft. The design prioritizes efficient use of space, ensuring a comfortable living area that includes all the essentials of a full-sized home. The garage with ADU above concept is not just about adding space; it’s about creating value, offering a smart, stylish living solution that complements your main residence.

Key Features of Our ADU Above Garage Plans

• Smart Design: Our ADU over garage plans are the epitome of smart design, offering a seamless blend of functionality and style. The living space is thoughtfully arranged to maximize comfort and utility, featuring a cozy bedroom, a full bathroom, a full kitchen, and an inviting living area. Read more about our ADU designs.
• Privacy and Accessibility: Positioned above the garage, this ADU provides a private retreat that’s separate from the main house, ideal for guests, tenants, or family members.
• Customizable Options: Recognizing the diverse needs of homeowners, we offer customizable ADU options for our garage with ADU above plans. Whether you’re looking to add personal touches to the interior or considering an exterior deck for outdoor enjoyment, our team is ready to tailor the design to your specific preferences.
• Efficient Use of Property: By building an ADU over your garage, you’re efficiently utilizing existing space on your property. This approach not only preserves your backyard and outdoor areas but also leverages the typically flat area of your existing garage to add valuable living space.

Also read our guide about ADUs Over Garages.

Why Choose an Above Garage ADU Plan?

Choosing to build an ADU above your garage is a strategic decision that brings numerous benefits. It’s an excellent way to generate additional rental income, provide independent living space for family members, or even create a home office that’s separate from the distractions of the main house. Moreover, an ADU over garage enhances the overall value of your property, making it a wise investment for the future.

We can also modify any of our standard plans when you are thinking about building a new detached ADU over a garage in Greater San Diego.

At SnapADU, we’re committed to turning your vision into a reality. Our ADU over garage plans are just the beginning. We work closely with you to understand your needs, preferences, and the unique characteristics of your property. From the initial design phase to the final touches, our team ensures a smooth, efficient process that results in a high-quality ADU tailored to the exterior of your property and to your lifestyle.

With more than 70 ADU projects completed or in progress throughout the City of San Diego, we’ve seen firsthand how the city’s regulations create opportunities that are not available in many other jurisdictions.

One of the biggest differentiators is San Diego’s Affordable ADU Bonus Program, which allows qualifying properties to add multiple ADUs when some units are rented at affordable rates. This has made San Diego a leader in ADU development and has opened the door for homeowners and investors to create additional housing beyond what is typically allowed under state law.

In 2025, the city became the first jurisdiction in San Diego County to adopt AB1033, allowing qualifying ADUs to be sold separately from the primary residence. As of June 2026, only the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego have adopted AB1033.

San Diego also offers significant flexibility in the types of ADUs that can be built. The city allows two-story ADUs, ADUs with garages, ADUs with guest quarters, ADUs with rooftop decks, front yard ADUs, and stacked ADUs for multi-unit projects. We’ve worked on all of these project types throughout the city.

Another unique aspect of San Diego is its setback regulations. Many single-story ADUs can be built with 0-foot side and rear setbacks, creating opportunities on properties where space is limited. However, building too close to property lines can trigger additional fire-rating requirements and construction challenges, which is why thoughtful site planning remains critical even when the regulations appear flexible.

San Diego ADU Permitting

Most ADU permits in the City of San Diego are approved within approximately 3 to 5 months after submission, although timelines vary depending on project complexity and city workload.

Compared to many other jurisdictions in San Diego County, the City of San Diego has some of the highest ADU permit fees. Permit costs often range from approximately $26-$28 per square foot, though smaller ADUs under 500 square feet can benefit from reduced fees closer to $14 per square foot. We maintain a detailed breakdown of City of San Diego permit fees, including plan check fees, building permit fees, impact fees, and inspection fees, in our ADU permit fee guide.

Approximately 10% of our City of San Diego projects are located within the Coastal Zone. While coastal properties often raise concerns for homeowners, many ADUs qualify for exemptions from Coastal Development Permit requirements under the City’s updated Local Coastal Program. Learn more about building an ADU in the Coastal Zone.

Working with an experienced ADU builder helps identify potential permitting requirements early and creates a more predictable path through design and permitting.