Stylish Two Story ADU for Family in San Diego
Via Bartolo, San Diego, CA 92111
Homeowner Story: House younger family
Other Features: Deck
This family in Clairemont Mesa West came to SnapADU after researching ADU builders online and wanting a partner with a clear process and thorough guidance. Their goal is to build a comfortable long-term home for themselves and their children on their existing property.
The plan is a two-story, 1200 square foot ADU with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The spacious backyard offers strong potential for a new build, though the natural downslope will require grading, soil compaction, and likely retaining walls. Early planning will focus on the best way to prepare the site and position the structure for privacy, access, and cost efficiency.
The property is on sewer, outside the coastal zone and not part of an HOA, which streamlines permitting in the City of San Diego. This ADU will serve as a standalone residence designed specifically for a young family looking to stay in their neighborhood while creating more functional living space.
Floor Plan:
Two Story 4BR/2BA 30×20 Long
With four bedrooms, this large two-story ADU of ~1200 sqft is a great option for landlords. A first floor bath and bedroom/office offer flexibility, while three bedrooms and bath upstairs complete the guest house.
Alternate Build Ready Option Pre-Approved in San Diego
An alternate 1200 sf build-ready floor plan pre-approved in San Diego features a similar layout with slight modifications to the floor plan and dimensions. The first floor bedroom has replaced with an office, and the plans includes a first floor patio and a second floor balcony that comes at an additional cost.
About Build Ready Floor Plans
Build ready floor plans are pre-designed layouts developed from real projects, ready to be used or modified into a semi-custom plan. Choosing a build ready plan saves homeowners time and money by utilizing designs we’ve already permitted and built. These plans also minimize risk, as their engineering and construction processes are already well-documented.
For homeowners seeking more flexibility, semi-custom options allow for modifications to standard designs without significant additional fees. Adjustments can include layout changes, such as flipping or rotating the plan, customizing windows and doors, or altering finish materials. With semi-custom plans, you get the perfect balance of personalization and efficiency.
Additionally, build ready plans allow us to more accurately forecast costs in early planning phases. Since we’ve built similar units, we understand the engineering and potential expenses involved, providing homeowners with greater confidence and clarity during the process.
Learn more about build-ready and semi-custom options.
Pre-Approved in San Diego
Government Code Section 65852.27(b)(2) requires cities to approve or deny an application within 30 days if the application uses a plan identical to one already approved in that jurisdiction during the current code cycle. This floor plan was previously permitted in San Diego, so if re-used in San Diego, there is another time saving benefit to using this build ready floor plan. Read more about the benefits of pre-approved plans.
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.
