DATE:
March 4, 2026
05
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING:
ADU ORDINANCE AMENDMENT INCLUDING THE SEPARATE SALE OF ADUs AND RELATED CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Title
Body
OVERVIEW
This action proposes updates to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) section of the Zoning Ordinance (ADU Ordinance) with an amendment. The proposed ADU Ordinance Amendment Including the Separate Sale of ADUs (Amendment), includes updates to align with new mandatory State laws, and introduces an opt-in program to provide smaller, more attainable homeownership opportunities.
The County of San Diego continues to make periodic and regular updates to the Zoning Ordinance to streamline and advance housing efforts in the unincorporated area and maintain alignment with new mandatory State laws. Advancing and improving the Zoning Ordinance has been consistently identified as a priority by industry stakeholders and the community and is a shared objective of the Board of Supervisors (Board).
In 2025, the Chief Administrative Officer established the Housing for All initiative to unify and accelerate cross-department efforts to address the housing crisis through a near-term workplan anchored in the Board's adopted "5 Ps" Housing Solutions Framework-Protect, Preserve, Produce, Promote, and Prevent-which identifies expanding homeownership opportunities, including through innovative tools, as a key action.
Today's Amendment works to advance these shared goals by updating the ADU Ordinance with mandatory State requirements, clarifying public guidance, and providing a tool to create new pathways to homeownership through the separate sale of ADUs.
The first component of the proposed Amendment incorporates updates for alignment with State laws adopted in 2023 and 2024, and reorganizes the ADU Ordinance for clear public guidance and improved transparency. The second component establishes a County program under Assembly Bill (AB) 1033 to enable the separate sale of ADU...
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