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San Diego Homes with ADU, Casita & Guest House

San Diego is one of California’s most active cities for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), casitas, and guest houses. With pro-ADU local policies, transit incentives, and strong rental demand, second units are a key strategy for both homeowners and investors.

This guide focuses on City of San Diego ADU rules, live MLS listings, and neighborhood-level opportunities across areas like North Park, Clairemont, Serra Mesa, Mira Mesa, and coastal communities.

Fun Fact: San Diego is the second-largest city in California, with dozens of neighborhoods where ADUs are used for multigenerational living, long-term rentals, and strategic house-hacking.

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⭐ Local ADU Expertise — Jessica Rinaldi: Jessica tracks San Diego’s evolving ADU bonus programs, Transit Priority Area (TPA) incentives, parking exemptions, and multi-unit ADU opportunities on both single-family and multifamily lots. She reviews lot size, alley access, slope, and utility layouts to help clients target properties that are truly ADU-ready.

Why Build or Buy an ADU in San Diego?

  • San Diego offers high rental demand for legal ADUs. Strong job centers, universities, and military bases keep long-term rental demand steady across many neighborhoods.
  • Local policies encourage ADU construction. City zoning and state law work together to streamline ADU approvals and reduce parking requirements near transit.
  • Detached ADUs can significantly increase property value. Properly permitted ADUs, casitas, and guest suites add livable square footage and support higher appraisals.
  • Multifamily lots can support multiple ADUs. Qualifying apartment or duplex properties can often add both detached and conversion ADUs, subject to safety and design standards.

Where Can You Find ADU, Casita & Guest House Listings in San Diego?

Live MLS feed — updated throughout the day:

New San Diego homes with existing ADUs, casitas, or ADU-ready layouts appear daily — check back often.

Where Is San Diego, CA Located?

San Diego sits along the Pacific coast near the U.S.–Mexico border, with major freeways I-5, I-8, I-15, and 805 connecting coastal, urban, and suburban ADU opportunities.

San Diego ADU & Financing Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How big can a detached ADU be in San Diego?

A: Under California law, detached ADUs can typically be built up to 1,200 sq ft, with local zoning standards governing height, lot coverage, and design in each San Diego neighborhood.

Q: Can I build more than one ADU on my San Diego property?

A: Many single-family parcels can support a detached ADU plus a Junior ADU (JADU), and qualifying multifamily parcels may be able to add multiple ADUs through a mix of conversion and detached units, subject to local code and safety requirements.

Q: Is owner-occupancy required for my ADU in San Diego?

A: No. Under California’s AB 976, effective 2024, cities like San Diego may not enforce owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs, allowing both the primary home and ADU to be rented when fully permitted.

Q: What are the best ways to finance an ADU in San Diego?

A: Most ADU projects are funded using cash-out refinance mortgages, second mortgages, or HELOCs. When the ADU is legal and well-documented, projected rental income can help support appraisal strategy.

ADU Planning & Strategy with Solve Realty & Lending

Solve Realty & Lending helps San Diego homeowners evaluate zoning, ADU feasibility, neighborhood rent ranges, and build-cost strategy before you commit to a property or contractor.

Jessica Rinaldi provides full ADU planning support, from neighborhood selection and lot review to offer structure and lending coordination.

How Can You Finance a San Diego ADU or Second Unit?

San Diego ADU Financing Options

Use existing equity or structure a purchase loan around future ADU rental income and added square footage.

Cash-Out to Build ADU Purchase Loans Second Mortgages

See Your San Diego Home’s ADU Equity Potential

Check your current home value and estimate how much equity is available to fund plans, permits, and construction for a legal San Diego ADU or casita.

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Watch: How to Finance Your ADU Investment

Watch the video, then map out the best financing path for your San Diego ADU or second unit.

Talk to Jessica Rinaldi About ADU Properties in San Diego