Modern One Bedroom ADU for Rental Income in San Diego
Cherokee Avenue, San Diego, CA
Homeowner Story: Generate rental income
This San Diego ADU is intended as a well-planned addition designed to support long-term rental use. The homeowners are exploring a way to create a comfortable, efficient living space that can generate rental income while complementing their existing property. To bring this vision forward, they partnered with SnapADU for guidance through design and permitting.
The design includes a single-story 748 sq ft ADU featuring one bedroom and one bathroom, arranged in a long, efficient floor plan. The layout is planned to maximize functionality and privacy within a compact footprint, making it well suited for a variety of tenants. The one-story configuration supports ease of access and everyday livability.
Located within the City of San Diego and connected to sewer, the property is positioned for a straightforward permitting process. Early planning focuses on efficient site placement and a design approach that integrates naturally with the primary dwelling unit.
Overall, this ADU serves as a practical and well-balanced rental solution, offering comfortable living space while adding long-term value to the property.
Floor Plan:
1BR/1BA 29×17 Long
Community:
The City of San Diego ADU Guide
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.
