BLACK mobile logo

california

community

Robust ADU Reform Passes, Aims to Balance San Diego’s Housing Growth With Community Concerns

June 17, 2025

San Diego's City Council narrowly approved a series of amendments to regulate Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development following significant community backlash, particularly in neighborhoods like Encanto, Clairemont, and North Park. The 5-4 vote introduces new restrictions including caps on unit numbers, parking requirements, and developer impact fees to address what some councilmembers described as "loopholes" being exploited to create dense "granny towers" on single-family lots. During a contentious seven-hour meeting with overwhelming opposition from speakers, councilmembers defended the changes as keeping the ADU program aligned with its original purpose while still maintaining housing opportunities.

Who is affected

  • San Diego residents in neighborhoods such as Encanto, Clairemont and North Park
  • Developers like SDRE Homebuyers who have been involved in large ADU developments
  • Working families struggling to stay in the city who may lose housing opportunities
  • Property owners looking to build ADUs on their lots
  • Neighboring residents concerned about overcrowding, parking, fire risks, and inadequate infrastructure

What action is being taken

  • City Council is implementing 25 code amendments to regulate ADU development
  • Caps are being established on the number of units that can be built on a single lot
  • Parking requirements are being mandated for new ADU developments
  • Community impact fees are being introduced for developers to pay
  • The city is restricting "outlier" high-density ADU projects that resemble apartment complexes

Why it matters

  • The amendments aim to preserve the original purpose of ADUs as "granny flats" rather than dense apartment complexes
  • The changes address community concerns about overcrowding, parking, fire risks, and infrastructure strain
  • The regulations could impact San Diego's ability to address its housing affordability crisis
  • The amendments put the city's ADU program closer in line with state provisions while maintaining local control
  • The California Department of Housing and Community Development has warned that the changes could decrease affordable housing opportunities

What's next

  • The amendments require a second reading and mayoral approval before becoming law
  • If passed, the changes could be implemented by August

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint