Modern Two Story Two Bedroom ADU in La Jolla
Skylark Drive, San Diego, CA 92037
Homeowner Story: Other
Other Features: Poolside
Special Circumstance: Coastal Zone, HOA
Two-Story ADU in the La Jolla Mesa Vista HOA
This custom two-story 1,200 sqft ADU in La Jolla was designed within the architectural standards of the La Jolla Mesa Vista HOA. The first floor centers around a spacious open-concept living room and kitchen with a large island, creating a functional gathering space for day-to-day living and entertaining. The downstairs also includes a full bathroom, dedicated office space, laundry room, and mudroom for added flexibility.
Upstairs, the layout shifts to a more private bedroom retreat with two bedrooms and generous closet space throughout. The larger primary suite includes an ensuite bathroom, while the second bedroom is positioned nearby for guests, family, or additional workspace. The result is a layout that feels practical for long-term living while still fitting comfortably within the HOA’s design requirements.
Floor Plan:
Two Story 3BR/2BA 30×20 Long | Ground Floor Bedroom
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.
