Compare · checked Oct 18, 2026

Los Angeles vs San Diego ADU fees: Los Angeles $250–$5,630 vs San Diego $16,137–$21,682 in modeled fees for 1,000 sq ft, before building permits in Los Angeles

Modeled from each place’s official fee schedules for a detached ADU next to a 2,000 sq ft main home (example assumption), law in force today. Ranges count fees that always apply (low) and fees that may apply (high). Not like for like: Los Angeles: Totals leave out LADBS building permit and plan check fees. San Diego: Totals leave out water and sewer capacity fees.

Modeled fee totals by ADU size

	Los Angeles	San Diego	Lower
499 sq ft	$0	$6,117–$6,282	Los Angeles by $6,282
750 sq ft	$0–$4,035	$16,137–$20,337	Los Angeles by $16,302
1,000 sq ft	$250–$5,630	$16,137–$21,682	Los Angeles by $16,052
1,200 sq ft	$300–$6,756	$16,137–$22,758	Los Angeles by $16,002

Where the money goes at 1,000 sq ft

	Los Angeles	San Diego
Planning & zoning	–	$737
Building permit & plan check	–	$15,400–$15,565
Impact fees	$250	$0
School district fee	$0–$5,380	$0–$5,380
Impact fees under SB 1117 (from 2027)	$62	$0
ADU permits issued, 2025	12329	2165

Line-by-line figures with the quoted source text: Los Angeles · San Diego. Permits: HCD Annual Progress Report data.

Rules side by side

	Los Angeles	San Diego
Maximum size	State floor: cities must allow at least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with 2+ bedrooms); detached ADUs can be capped at 1,200 sq ft.	State floor: cities must allow at least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with 2+ bedrooms); detached ADUs can be capped at 1,200 sq ft.
Height	State floor: 16 ft detached (18 ft near transit or on a multifamily lot, +2 ft for roof pitch); 25 ft attached.	State floor: 16 ft detached (18 ft near transit or on a multifamily lot, +2 ft for roof pitch); 25 ft attached.
Setbacks	State limit: no more than 4 ft side and rear.	State limit: no more than 4 ft side and rear.
Parking	State limit: at most 1 space per ADU or bedroom, and none within ½ mile of transit and in other cases.	State limit: at most 1 space per ADU or bedroom, and none within ½ mile of transit and in other cases.
Owner occupancy	State law: cities can't require the owner to live on site for an ADU (JADUs: owner on site if sanitation is shared).	State law: cities can't require the owner to live on site for an ADU (JADUs: owner on site if sanitation is shared).
Pre-approved plans	State law: every city must run a program to pre-approve ADU plans (Gov. Code 65852.27).	State law: every city must run a program to pre-approve ADU plans (Gov. Code 65852.27).

Grey text is the state floor where we haven’t captured the local rule yet.

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FAQ

Los Angeles vs San Diego: questions

Are ADU fees higher in Los Angeles or San Diego?

For a detached 1,000 sq ft ADU with a 2,000 sq ft main home, our model of the official schedules gives Los Angeles $250–$5,630 and San Diego $16,137–$21,682. Los Angeles: Totals leave out LADBS building permit and plan check fees. San Diego: Totals leave out water and sewer capacity fees.

Which charges more impact fees on an ADU, Los Angeles or San Diego?

At 1,000 sq ft: Los Angeles $250, San Diego $0 (proportional to a 2,000 sq ft house). Neither can charge impact fees at 750 sq ft or less. From 2027, SB 1117 limits them to the area over 750 sq ft: $62 and $0 in our model.

What does a 750 sq ft ADU cost in fees in each?

Los Angeles: $0–$4,035. San Diego: $16,137–$20,337. At 750 sq ft or less, state law bars impact fees in both.

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