Do I need a Coastal Development Permit for an ADU in Imperial Beach?

Many properties in Imperial Beach lie within the Coastal Zone, and some ADU projects may trigger a Coastal Development Permit or additional coastal review. The city provides a specific handout explaining what triggers a coastal permit for ADUs.

How do Imperial Beach homeowners finance an ADU?

Most Imperial Beach ADU projects are financed using cash-out refinance, second mortgages or HELOCs, leveraging coastal property values and long-term rental demand.

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Imperial Beach Homes with ADU, Casita & Guest House

This page is your guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Imperial Beach, CA. As the southernmost beach city on the West Coast, Imperial Beach combines coastal ADU opportunity with a compact, walkable surf town feel in San Diego’s South Bay.

Imperial Beach has adopted its own ADU ordinance with local coastal considerations, while still following California’s state ADU laws. Detached ADUs can typically reach up to 1,200 sq ft under state standards, with Imperial Beach applying height limits, design rules and coastal permit triggers in certain areas near the shore and Tijuana Estuary. For official guidance, see the City of Imperial Beach ADU resources .

Fun Fact: Imperial Beach is the most southwesterly city in the continental United States, known for its pier, Boca Rio beach break and proximity to the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, a major coastal wetland.

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⭐ Local ADU Expertise — Jessica Rinaldi: Jessica specializes in coastal ADU planning in Imperial Beach, including height limits (often 16 feet for standard ADUs, with special cases near transit), parking replacement exemptions, and coastal permit triggers near the beach and estuary. She helps buyers and owners assess whether a specific lot can realistically support a second unit under the city’s ADU ordinance and coastal review.

Investment Potential: Why Build or Buy an ADU in Imperial Beach?

Imperial Beach ADUs tap into coastal rental and surf-town demand. Well-located ADUs and casitas near the pier or Silver Strand attract long-term renters and seasonal tenants.
Detached ADUs can reach 1,200 sq ft under state rules. Imperial Beach follows California standards that allow full-size detached ADUs when lot and zoning limits are met.
Parking replacement is often not required for converted garages. The city aligns with state law that waives replacement spaces when garages become ADUs in many cases.
AB 976 removes local owner-occupancy requirements for full ADUs. Investors can hold both the main home and ADU as rentals, so long as other city and state rules are satisfied.

Imperial Beach ADU, Casita & Guest House Listings

Live MLS feed — focused on homes with guest-house or casita-style amenities:

New ADU-capable listings in Imperial Beach appear as the coastal market updates.

Where Is Imperial Beach, CA?

Imperial Beach sits in San Diego’s South Bay, about 14 miles south of downtown San Diego and just northwest of Tijuana, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, San Diego Bay and the Tijuana River estuary.

Imperial Beach ADU & Financing FAQs: What Should Owners Know?

Q: How big can a detached ADU be in Imperial Beach?

A: Detached ADUs in Imperial Beach can typically be built up to 1,200 sq ft under California law, with city height, design and coastal standards guiding what is feasible on each lot.

Q: Is owner-occupancy required for my ADU in Imperial Beach?

A: No. Under California’s AB 976, effective January 1, 2024, local agencies such as Imperial Beach are prohibited from enforcing owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs, increasing flexibility for owners and investors.

Q: Do I need a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for an ADU in Imperial Beach?

A: Many properties in Imperial Beach lie within the Coastal Zone, so some ADU projects may trigger a coastal permit or additional review. The city provides a specific handout on what triggers a coastal permit for ADUs.

Q: Can I build both an ADU and a Junior ADU (JADU) on the same lot in Imperial Beach?

A: In line with state rules, one full ADU and one JADU are often allowed on qualifying single-family lots, subject to the city’s ADU ordinance, parking standards and coastal constraints.

Q: How do Imperial Beach homeowners usually finance an ADU?

A: Many coastal ADU projects are financed with cash-out refinance, second mortgages or HELOCs, backed by coastal rental potential and long-term equity.

ADU Planning & Strategy with Solve Lending & Realty

Solve Lending & Realty helps Imperial Beach buyers and owners interpret the local ADU ordinance, coastal and estuary considerations, parking waivers, rental potential and overall build costs before committing to a second-unit plan.

San Diego County REALTOR® Jessica Rinaldi leads ADU-focused planning in Imperial Beach, working in sync with Kenji Inui and the Solve Lending & Realty lending team.

How Can I Finance an ADU or Second Unit in Imperial Beach?

ADU Financing Options

Use your existing equity or structure a new purchase loan that anticipates ADU improvements.

Cash-Out to Build ADU Purchase Loans Second Mortgages

See Your Home’s ADU Equity Potential

Check your estimated home value and see how much equity might be available to fund an ADU or to upgrade into a more ADU-ready Imperial Beach property.

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