ADU Plans

Pre-Designed Plans from

​San Diego Local & County Building Depts.

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Architectural ADU Plans

One of the initial investments is the creation of architectural plans.   This is daunting to most of us. It becomes essential to contemplate your living needs.  You should also consider short-term and long-term needs for this time of investment.

Two important considerations in creating plans are costs and time.  Plans start at $5,000.   Survey of site, drainage evaluation, engineering and septic adds to costs and timeline.

Timeframe can be considerable.  Survey and design services to plan completion takes weeks.  Then submission to local building department will take months.  Current ordinance mandates the streamline of this timeframe to be completed in 60 days. 

Pre-designed Plans

Several San Diego building departments have responded by offering pre-designed plans.  They are free of charge and pre-approved that streamlines the permitting process.
  
The County of San Diego offers 6 sets of pre-designed plans ranging from 1 bed, 1 bath to 3 bed, 1 bath plans.  These are complete plans that you can revise to begin discussions with general contractors to discuss costs.

City of San Diego and Chula Vista will accept these pre-designed plans.

City of Encinitas also offers pre-designed plans ranging from studio units to 3 bed 3 bath designs.

​ADU Pre-approved Plans ​ from city of Encinitas

Select image to download plans.

350 Sq ft - Studio

555 sq ft - 1 Bed, 1 Bath

745 sq ft - 2 Bed, 2 Bath

935 Sq ft - 3 Bed, 2 Bath

350 sq ft - Studio

499 sq ft - 1 Bed, 1 Bath

990 sq ft - 2 Bed, 2 Bath

1,199 sq ft - 3 Bed, 3 Bath

Link to City of Encinitas  ADU Plans
For the most updated and current information of San Diego,  please visit the counties Link
Encinitas ADU Link

County of San Diego - Pre-Approved plans

County of San Diego has provided comprehensive sets of architectural plans for ADUs.  The range of 600 sq ft studio to 1,200 sq ft 3 bedroom, 3 bath design.  Plans and CAD files are available free of charge.

​City of San Diego and Chula Vista has advised they will also accept these county plans.  
ADU Letter (required)
ADU Checklist (required)
ADU Checklist Guidance

Link to San Diego County
For the most updated and current information of San Diego, please visit the counties Link
San Diego County ADU Link

Renderings

The following are sample renderings based on these public pre-designed plans.  The rendering was modified to include double doors to the exterior to create an indoor/outdoor living area.