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If you’re a homeowner in San Diego planning to build an ADU, understanding the city’s permit process is crucial. Getting an ADU permit isn’t just a matter of paperwork and stamps — it’s a detailed, multi-step process involving prescreens, department reviews, and rechecks before you’re cleared to start construction. This guide breaks down each stage of the ADU permitting process in San Diego so you know exactly what to expect.
Once you’ve prepared your plans and documents, your permit application is submitted to the City of San Diego’s Development Services Department (DSD). From there, it enters the pre-screen phase, which usually takes about two to four weeks.
During the pre-screen, city staff review your submission to make sure all required documents are included. It’s important to note that they’re not verifying whether the information is correct — they’re simply checking that your application is complete. If something is missing, you’ll receive a correction notice. You’ll have 30 days to fix any issues and resubmit your documents. If you don’t respond within that time, you’ll have to start the process over with a new submittal. Once you pass the pre-screening, an intake invoice is generated before the formal plan check process begins. The city won’t assign your project to a reviewer until this invoice is paid.
After paying your invoice, your plans officially enter the city’s review cycle. This is where the detailed evaluation begins. Your ADU plans are sent to several departments — including planning, structural, engineering, and combined review — depending on the scope of your project. Each one must approve the plans before you can move forward.
A single review cycle can take anywhere from three to six weeks. However, it’s rare for a project to be approved in the first cycle. Most applicants receive plan check comments, or “recheck requested” status, that requires revisions to the plans or accompanying documents, and resubmittal. Each time you resubmit, a new review cycle begins, meaning another three-to-six-week timeline restarts. On average, an ADU project in San Diego goes through three to four review cycles before receiving all necessary departmental approvals.
Once all departments have given conditional approval, your project reaches what’s called the “final approval” stage. At this point, the last set of plans you’ve submitted that address all previous comments from the city’s staff, are reviewed one more time by every applicable department.
Even at this stage, it’s possible to receive new plan check comments. This can occur when one department approves your plans early in the process, and doesn’t review the project again until the final version. If other departments requested changes after that initial approval, these changes could affect your project’s compliance with a different part of the code. This is why all departments must re-review the project before issuance. This final review process generally takes about two to four weeks to complete.
Once all departments have signed off, your project moves into the permit issuance phase — often referred to as being “in issuance.” This phase usually lasts around two to four weeks.
During issuance, the city provides you with an issuance checklist. This list outlines everything you must complete before your permit can be officially issued. Common requirements include paying final permit fees, water and sewer fees, school fees, and submitting contractor information along with other documents. Only after all checklist items are completed and verified will your permit be issued — and only then can construction begin.
Although the state of California technically requires local jurisdictions to approve or deny ADU applications within 60 days, this rule isn’t always met in practice. Cities like San Diego often extend timelines by citing “health and safety” considerations, which apply to nearly all residential construction.
In reality, most homeowners should expect the ADU permit process in San Diego to take several months. While some projects move through quickly in three to five months, others — especially those with multiple review rounds or complex site conditions — can take six months or longer. The key is to anticipate delays and stay proactive throughout the process.
It’s easy to feel frustrated by how long ADU permits take, but there’s more happening behind the scenes than most homeowners realize. Each application must be reviewed by multiple departments, each operating on its own schedule. The city also handles an enormous volume of ADU applications, especially after recent regulation changes that made it easier for homeowners to build.
Every correction or resubmittal restarts the review timeline, which adds more weeks to the overall process. Additionally, limited staff and high demand contribute to longer processing times.
There are several ways to make your San Diego ADU permit process smoother:
The more organized your submittal is, the faster it’s likely to move through each phase.
The San Diego ADU permit process may seem complicated, but understanding each stage helps you plan your project timeline more effectively. From pre-screening to final issuance, patience and preparation are key. Knowing that each department plays a role — and that multiple rechecks are normal — helps set realistic expectations.
While the process can take time, every step is designed to ensure your ADU meets code requirements and zoning standards. With the right preparation and professional guidance, you can navigate San Diego’s permitting process smoothly and get one step closer to building your ADU.
Still curious? Explore these additional resources to help you plan, design, and build smarter.
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