San Diego City Council Caps Accessory Dwelling Units Amid Public Opposition

The San Diego City Council narrowly approved significant reforms to the city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policies, including capping the number of ADUs allowed on single-family lots to a maximum of six units depending on lot size and limiting their height to two stories. These changes aim to prevent developers from exploiting the program by building large, apartment-style complexes next to single-family homes, with some lots previously hosting dozens of units. Additional measures include requiring developers to pay infrastructure fees, mandating parking for ADUs not near transit, increasing setbacks from property lines, prohibiting ADUs on cul-de-sacs in high wildfire risk areas, and allowing ADUs to be sold rather than only rented. The reforms followed extensive public comment from nearly 200 residents, many of whom voiced concerns about neighborhood character, infrastructure strain, and safety risks, particularly related to evacuation access in fire-prone areas. While some councilmembers and residents pushed for stricter limits, such as a four-unit cap, the council balanced these concerns with the need for housing, despite warnings from state officials about potential impacts on San Diego's pro-housing status. Councilmembers emphasized addressing exploitation of the program to protect neighborhood integrity while maintaining housing availability.