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What are the requirements to build ADU in El Cajon?
Constructing an ADU in El Cajon is a great way to expand your living space and boost your property's value and resale potential. To ensure your ADU project is successful, it's crucial to understand the local regulations that pertain to your property and evaluate the financial feasibility of building an ADU in El Cajon City. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of El Cajon's ADU requirements and key financial considerations to help you plan and execute your project effectively.
ADU regulations for properties with a single-family home
How many ADUs can you build in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, each eligible single-family lot can have one ADU alongside an existing or proposed single-family home, whether it's attached or detached from the primary dwelling.
How large can an attached ADU be in El Cajon?
The maximum size for an attached ADU is 1,200 square feet, but it cannot be larger than the primary dwelling unit. Also, ADUs of up to 800 square feet are not subject to lot coverage requirements.
How large can a detached ADU be in El Cajon?
Like attached ADUs, detached ones can be a maximum of 1,200 square feet, but they cannot go beyond the size of the primary dwelling unit. Additionally, detached ADUs up to 800 square feet are exempt from lot coverage requirements.
Can I build a 2-story ADU in El Cajon?
Yes, although it's not stated in the regulations, ADUs in El Cajon can be up to 20 feet tall, allowing for two-story structures.
Is there a minimum size for an ADU?
No, the City did not set any rules about ADU’s minimum size. However, to create livable spaces, the Building Code will require a minimum size for each room type.
Can I convert the existing space to an ADU?
Yes. Existing structures like garages or accessory buildings can be converted into an ADU, whether attached or detached from the primary unit.
What is the maximum height for an ADU?
On a single-family lot, the maximum height for an ADU is 16 feet.
ADU regulations for properties with a multi-family building
How many ADUs does El Cajon allow for multifamily properties?
Multifamily properties in El Cajon can have at least one ADU within the existing structure or up to 25% of the existing multifamily units. Additionally, you can add no more than two detached ADUs.
How large can an attached ADU for a multifamily building be in El Cajon?
In multifamily properties, attached ADUs can reach a maximum size of 1,200 square feet, but they should not be larger than the primary dwelling unit's size. Additionally, ADUs up to 800 square feet are exempt from lot coverage regulations.
How large can a detached ADU for a multifamily building be in El Cajon?
Detached ADUs in multifamily properties can be as large as 1,200 square feet, just like the size limit of attached ADUs, but they should not be over the primary dwelling unit's size. Additionally, detached ADUs of up to 800 square feet are exempt from lot coverage regulations.
Can I stack detached ADUs on top of each other?
No. El Cajon did not mention the stacking of ADUs.
Can I attach two ADUs to each other?
No, as it is not mentioned in the El Cajon municipal code.
Can I convert the existing space to an ADU?
Yes, conversion of existing space into an ADU is allowed. Similar to single-family properties, existing structures like garages or accessory buildings can be converted into an ADU.
What is the maximum height for an ADU on a property with a multi-family building
For a property with a multifamily building, detached accessory units may be constructed with a height limit of either 20 feet, 16 feet, or 12 feet depending on specific setback requirements: 5 feet, 4 feet, and 3 feet, respectively.
What ADU types are allowed to build in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, there are several ADU options available for homeowners:
A. Detached ADU: A separate building that is independent from the main residence.
B. Attached ADU: A unit that is physically connected to or part of the primary home.
C. Converted ADU: Converting existing non-livable areas, such as a garage or shed, into a livable space with necessary features like kitchens and bathrooms.
Homeowners have the option to build a new ADU or convert an existing structure. Converting spaces like garages or sheds may offer benefits, such as fewer zoning restrictions, like setback and height limitations, and could allow for smaller projects. However, renovating older buildings might uncover unforeseen issues, potentially increasing costs.
ADU setbacks from the property lines and other buildings
What are the required setbacks for an ADU in El Cajon?
The setbacks for an ADU in El Cajon include 5 feet for side and rear setbacks with a height limit of 20 feet, 4 feet for side and rear setbacks with a height limit of 16 feet, and 3 feet for side and rear setbacks with a height limit of 12 feet. However, the city hasn't established rules for corner or through lots.
What is the minimum distance the ADU must have from the existing structures?
The ADU should be at least 6 feet away from the primary unit.
Are setbacks required when converting existing structures into ADU?
The city did not mention any setback requirements for converting existing structures into an ADU. However, San Diego County regulations state that no setbacks are necessary if the ADU is created entirely within the primary residence or an accessory structure.
Can I build an ADU in the front yard of my house in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, you may build an ADU in the front yard only if no other location on the property can accommodate an ADU of at least 800 square feet. Be sure to follow the required zoning setback guidelines.
Design requirements for ADU
How many bedrooms can an ADU have?
According to regulations, it should have at least one bedroom if not proposed as a studio unit.
Does an ADU need to have a kitchen?
While it's not specified in the City's municipal code, most ADUs in California typically include a full kitchen, unlike JADUs, which often have efficiency kitchens.
Does an ADU require independent utility meters?
No, the municipal code in El Cajon doesn't require separate utility meters for ADUs.
What is the minimum ceiling height?
In El Cajon, living areas in newly constructed homes, including ADUs, should comply with the California Building Code's minimum ceiling height requirement of 7 feet.
Find out the maximum ADU size for your property here
The parking requirements for ADU
What is the parking requirement for an ADU in El Cajon?
You need to provide one additional paved off-street parking space per ADU, which can be arranged as a tandem space.
Where can I have a parking space on my property?
The parking space can be placed within the required front yard setback area.
How to get permits for your ADU
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, a permit application for an ADU can usually be approved within 3 weeks. Additionally, the typical plan check submission process takes around 3 to 4 weeks. Plan checks for ADU projects in El Cajon are estimated to cost $1,012.
Does El Cajon require in-person submission of plans for an ADU?
No. El Cajon doesn't require in-person submission of plans for ADUs. Plans can be submitted for plan check online through the Project Assistance Center Online (PACO).
Does El Cajon require coastal development permits?
No, the city does not require coastal development permits in any area.
When do you need a licensed professional to design an ADU in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, whether you need a licensed professional to design an ADU depends on the complexity of the project.
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How much does it cost to build an ADU in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, constructing an ADU costs about $325 per square foot. Additionally, you need to consider the soft costs for permits, architects, and engineers. For instance, a 900-square-foot ADU would cost around $330,000 in total, including both hard and soft costs.
Is it profitable to build an ADU in El Cajon?
The profitability of building an ADU depends on construction costs and the market value of real estate in the area. In El Cajon, a 900-square-foot ADU has a market value of approximately $460,000, while the total project cost is around $330,000, yielding a return on investment of roughly 39%.
You can also evaluate profitability based on potential rental income or personal lifestyle benefits, such as housing relatives on your property.
Can you sell an ADU in El Cajon?
Under California's AB 1033, local authorities can create rules for the sale of ADUs and primary homes as condominiums, as long as they meet existing development regulations.
In Coronado, local laws govern the sale of ADUs. These units may be sold if they were built by a recognized nonprofit, if a valid tenancy-in-common agreement is in place, or if the city grants permission for the ADU and the main residence to be sold separately as individual condominiums.
Are ADUs rent-controlled in El Cajon?
ADUs in the City of El Cajon are not subject to rent control, as they are categorized as new structures. Landlords can annually increase rents under AB 1482, but this regulation only applies to buildings that are at least 15 years old.
How do I get money to build an ADU in El Cajon?
To secure funding for an ADU in El Cajon, consider the Accessory Dwelling Unit Loan Program, which provides a future repayment loan for construction costs on owner-occupied properties. ADUs must remain affordable for at least five years. City staff will assist with the loan process, prioritizing applications from Environmental Justice Areas and Racially and Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty. After April 1, 2024, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find out how much value an ADU could add to your property.
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