Do I need a permit for an ADU or garage conversion in San Diego, CA?

Short answer: Yes, a permit is required for an ADU or garage conversion in San Diego, CA.

Last verified: 2026-10-19 · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.

Permit required Confidence: high

Yes. Converting a garage at a house or duplex into living space needs a permit; Information Bulletin 142 explains the requirements.

What changes the answer

See IB-142

Cost

Fee not extracted; see San Diego Development Services. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/what-permits-do-i-need

Where to apply

City of San Diego Development Services Department (online permits)

Permitting authority: City of San Diego Development Services Department. Applies inside the City of San Diego. Exemptions do not apply to designated historical resources, historic districts, or work that needs a development permit (for example environmentally sensitive lands). See also: how to apply for a building permit.

Official sources

“Information Bulletin 142, Permitting Requirements for Residential Garage Conversions, explains the requirements for getting a permit to convert a garage in a single-family home or duplex into living space.”

Source: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/permits/faqs

Verified: 2026-10-19 · Status: verified · Confidence: high

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