Custom Two Story ADU with Beautiful Views in Encinitas
Hillcrest Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
Homeowner Story: Flex space
Other Features: Garage, Deck
Special Circumstance: Coastal Zone
For this client in Encinitas, we demolished an existing garage to construct a new 2-car garage with a stunning 610-square-foot ADU above it.
This modern build features an exposed stairway leading to a spacious second-story deck, complete with full sliding glass doors. The upward expansion not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the home but also provides a beautiful vantage point of the surrounding neighborhood and coastal views. This project seamlessly blends functionality with elegance, creating a versatile living space that maximizes the property’s potential.
Read more about building in the coastal zone and building an ADU above a garage.
Floor Plan:
Custom ADU Floor Plan
Community:
The Encinitas ADU Guide
With more than 20 ADU projects completed or in progress throughout Encinitas, we’ve seen firsthand how the city’s regulations and permitting processes compare to other jurisdictions throughout San Diego County.
More than half of our Encinitas projects have been located within the Coastal Zone. Unlike some coastal jurisdictions, Encinitas ADU projects generally experience little to no additional time or cost associated with coastal permitting. Because the City’s Local Coastal Program has been updated to align with California ADU laws, most homeowners find the coastal review process to be relatively straightforward. Learn more about building an ADU in the Coastal Zone.
We’ve also worked on a wide variety of project types throughout Encinitas, including septic properties, HOA communities, two-story ADUs, multiunit developments, and custom ADUs for aging parents.
Encinitas ADU Permitting
Most ADU permits in Encinitas are approved within approximately 4 to 5 months after submission. Unlike many coastal jurisdictions, properties within the Coastal Zone generally experience similar permitting timelines because ADUs are largely treated as ministerial approvals under current regulations.
Historically, Encinitas has had some of the lowest ADU permit fees in San Diego County. Permit costs have often averaged approximately $2-4/sqft, though homeowners planning ADUs of 750 square feet or larger should review the City’s updated development impact fee schedule, which took effect July 20, 2026. ADUs over 750 square feet will have permit fees closer to the $18/sqft mark. Learn more about the new Development Impact Fee Schedule.
Encinitas Permit Ready ADU Program (PRADU)
Encinitas was one of the early adopters of permit-ready ADU plans through its Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) Program. The program provides homeowners with a collection of pre-approved ADU designs intended to reduce upfront design costs and simplify the permitting process.
The City now offers both its original PRADU plans and private-party preapproved plans through California’s AB1332 preapproval framework. These plans can provide a useful starting point for homeowners seeking a faster and more standardized design process.
However, homeowners should understand that site-specific plans, engineering, and permitting documents are still required. Based on our experience building several PRADU projects, permitting timelines are often similar to traditional ADU plans because every property must still be evaluated for grading, utilities, fire requirements, and other site-specific conditions.
Many homeowners ultimately choose between permit-ready, standard, semi-custom, and fully custom plans based on their goals, budget, and desired level of personalization. Read more about the pros and cons of pre-approved ADUs.
