Two Story Modern Granny Flat for Mother-In-Law
South Ditmar Street, Oceanside, CA 92054
Homeowner Story: Bring aging family closer
Other Features: Deck
Video TourModern Granny Flat in Oceanside
This two story modern granny flat in Oceanside was thoughtfully designed to provide a comfortable and private living space for the homeowner’s mother-in-law. Built with long term livability in mind, the layout maximizes both functionality and style while offering scenic views from a second story terrace.
Each of the two bedrooms is paired with its own private full bathroom, creating a peaceful retreat for its occupants. With just under 1,000 square feet of living space, this modern granny flat offers a compact yet well appointed layout that blends seamlessly with the main home.
Smart & Spacious Floor Plan
The floor plan of this modern granny flat offers ample room for independent living while maintaining a strong connection to the main home. On the first floor, you’ll find an open-concept living room and kitchen that flows naturally, perfect for daily living and entertaining. A full bathroom and guest bedroom are also located on the first floor, along with a laundry area for added convenience. Upstairs features a spacious primary bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and access to a private terrace providing an ideal spot to relax and take in the views.
Can a Granny Flat Be Two Stories?
A two story granny flat is allowed in many municipalities throughout San Diego County. Beyond Oceanside, cities like San Diego, Encinitas, and Escondido permit two story ADUs within their municipal code with specific height and setback requirements.
Some jurisdictions allow reduced side and rear setbacks, while others require that a second story unit aligns with underlying zoning regulations. In coastal or view sensitive areas, there may also be additional review processes for height and privacy impacts. Read more about two story ADU considerations.
For more details on what’s allowed in your area, check out our city specific ADU regulation pages or reach out to our team!
Floor Plan:
Two Story 2BR/2BA 30×20 Long with Terrace
Community:
The Oceanside ADU Guide
With more than 15 ADU projects completed or in progress throughout Oceanside, we’ve seen firsthand how the city’s regulations and permitting process compare to other jurisdictions throughout San Diego County.
One of the more unique Oceanside requirements is the building verification survey, which is required as part of the ADU plan review process. This survey confirms that the proposed ADU location complies with setback requirements and is typically prepared alongside a boundary survey. Because this requirement is not common across all jurisdictions, it is important to account for it early when planning an Oceanside ADU project.
We’ve worked on a wide variety of Oceanside ADU projects, including two-story ADUs, carriage house ADUs over garages, rooftop deck ADUs, HOA properties, rental units, homes for aging parents, and flexible living spaces.
Also of note, Oceanside recently updated its ADU ordinance in June 2026 to align with state law.
Oceanside ADU Permitting
Most ADU permits in Oceanside are approved within approximately 3 to 4 months after submission. Properties located within the Coastal Zone generally experience similar permitting timelines, making Oceanside one of the more straightforward coastal jurisdictions for ADU development.
Permit costs typically range from approximately $9-$11 per square foot, which is on par with many neighboring jurisdictions. As with any project, site-specific conditions such as grading, utility upgrades, fire requirements, and survey requirements can influence permitting timelines and overall project costs.
Approximately 15% of our Oceanside projects have been located within the Coastal Zone. Like Encinitas and Carlsbad, Oceanside’s Local Coastal Program has been updated to accommodate California’s ADU laws, meaning most homeowners experience little to no additional time or cost associated with coastal permitting. Learn more about building an ADU in the Coastal Zone.
Oceanside Pre-Approved ADU Program
Per requirements from AB1332, Oceanside offers a pre-approved ADU program. Under this program, ADU plans can be reviewed and pre-approved by the City before being used on individual properties.
However, as of June 2026, Oceanside’s pre-approved ADU library does not yet contain any approved plans. As the program develops, homeowners will see plan options become available as designers submit their plans for pre-approval.
