Solana Beach

Maximum size: 1000 square feet

Side/rear setbacks: 4 feet

Two story: No

Building separation: 6 feet

Soils Report: No

Building Verification Survey: No

Coastal permit (in some areas): Yes

Stormwater Mitigation: No

Solana Beach

On single-family residential lots in Solana Beach, you may build one ADU (either attached or detached) and one Junior ADU (JADU). JADUs must be converted from existing space within the primary residence and require owner occupancy requirements
Solana Beach allows up to two detached ADUs on multifamily lots with an existing multifamily building. This means that at least a duplex must already exist on the property—single-family homes do not qualify.

Conversion ADUs

Non-livable spaces within an existing multifamily building, such as storage rooms and garages, may be converted into ADUs.

The maximum number of conversion ADUs allowed is 25% of the total existing units in the structure, rounded down.

However, at least one conversion ADU is always permitted.

Solana Beach allows detached or attached ADUs up to 850 square feet for one-bedroom units and up to 1,000 square feet for two or more bedrooms.

Additionally, ADUs up to 800 square feet are exempt from lot coverage requirements, meaning they can be built even if the property has already reached its maximum lot coverage.
A detached ADU in Solana Beach can be built up to 16 feet in height.

However, under recent state law changes, detached ADUs located within half a mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor can have 4-foot side and rear setbacks and a height of up to 18 feet. An additional 2 feet is allowed if the ADU’s roof pitch matches the primary dwelling, making a two-story ADU possible within these conditions.
The roofing, trim, walls, windows, and color palette of the ADU must match the primary dwelling unit to ensure architectural consistency.

A unique requirement in Solana Beach is that the primary entrance to the ADU cannot be visible from the street adjacent to the front yard setback.

Additionally, if ADU parking is located in setback areas visible from the street, it must be screened by vegetation that grows to a maximum height of 42 inches at maturity.

ADUs must have a minimum 4-foot setback from rear and side-yard property lines, while front yard setbacks must comply with zoning standards.

If an ADU utilizes the 4-foot setbacks, its height cannot exceed 16 feet. Any ADU taller than 16 feet must follow the setback requirements of the underlying zoning.
The minimum required distance between structures is 6 feet (eave to eave). If the entrance of the ADU faces the wall of another structure on the property, the minimum distance must be 10 feet (eave to eave).

Yes, Solana Beach requires in-person submission of plans and does not accept digital applications at this time.
No, Solana Beach does not require soils reports for ADUs.
Yes, accessory dwelling units developed within the coastal zone are subject to the requirements of the Local Coastal Program (LCP). However, the processing of these permits may be handled in parallel with the building permit process.

A parking space is not required for an ADU in any of the following cases:

It is located within a half-mile walking distance of public transit, including bus stops.

It is located within an established historic district.

It is converted from existing space within a primary residence or accessory structure, or is attached to an existing or proposed primary dwelling.
If a parking space is required, it can be located within the setbacks or in an existing driveway as tandem parking. Additionally, parking spaces do not need to be replaced when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted to build an ADU.

Solana Beach ADU Regulations & Zoning