City Pre-Approved ADU Plans in San Diego County
Several San Diego County cities publish standard ADU plans their building departments have already approved. Pick your city, browse its plans, and start with one.
around $3,500 and the fastest route to your permit submittal
With a pre-approved plan, your city has already plan-checked the building design. BluPlan only prepares the site-specific work: the site plan, a zoning and placement check on your lot using aerial imagery, and the permit paperwork and submittal. A fully custom design typically takes several months of design and plan check.
City fees, plan licensing fees where applicable, and construction costs are separate.
How It Works
Pick your city and plan
Choose your city below and browse the plans its building department accepts.
We check your lot
We run a zoning and placement check with aerial imagery to confirm the plan fits your property, setbacks included.
We prepare the package
Site plan, permit application, and every form your city requires, prepared and quality-checked.
Your city runs its streamlined review
Pre-approved plans skip the building design review; each city lists its own timeline above its plans.
Find Your City's Plans
Every city keeps its own list. Select yours to see the plans its building department accepts, then start with the one that fits.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in City of San Diego
The City of San Diego (including La Jolla and all city neighborhoods) does not publish plans of its own. Instead it accepts three outside pre-approved plan sets, so you can pick from any of the plans below.
County of San Diego Standard ADU Plans
Free to download, including CAD files. Plan sets are roughly 85 percent complete; the site-specific details are filled in per project.
Plan A
PDS 6701,200 sq ft · 3 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan B
PDS 6731,200 sq ft · 2 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan C
PDS 6751,200 sq ft · 2 bed · 2 bath · Single story
Plan D
PDS 6741,000 sq ft · 1 bed · 1.5 bath · Single story
Plan E
PDS 672800 sq ft · 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan F
PDS 671600 sq ft · 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Chula Vista City Standard ADU Plans
These plans were created for the city by a private design firm that keeps the copyright. You license the plan directly from the designer for a separate fee; BluPlan handles the site-specific package.
498 Square
498 sq ft · 1 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
748 Long
748 sq ft · 2 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
749 L-Shape
749 sq ft · Single story
Mirrored layout available
749 Square
749 sq ft · Single story
Mirrored layout available
999 L-Shape
999 sq ft · 2-3 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
1199 L-Shape
1,199 sq ft · 2-3 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
Encinitas Permit-Ready ADU (PRADU) Plans
Free to download from the city. Fixed designs by two local architecture firms; exteriors offer sanctioned option packages.
Studio 224
224 sq ft · Studio · 1 bath · Single story
By DZN Partners, with an optional loft. Three exterior schemes available: Traditional, Barn Modern, and Coastal Craftsmen.
Studio 350
350 sq ft · Studio · 1 bath · Single story
By Design Path Studio.
1 Bedroom 499
499 sq ft · 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
By DZN Partners. Three exterior schemes available: Traditional, Barn Modern, and Coastal Craftsmen.
1 Bedroom 555
555 sq ft · 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
By Design Path Studio.
2 Bedroom 745
745 sq ft · 2 bed · 2 bath · Single story
By Design Path Studio.
3 Bedroom 938
938 sq ft · 3 bed · Single story
By Design Path Studio.
2 Bedroom 990
990 sq ft · 2 bed · 2 bath · Single story
By DZN Partners. Three exterior schemes available: Traditional, Barn Modern, and Coastal Craftsmen.
3 Bedroom 1199
1,199 sq ft · 3 bed · Single story
By DZN Partners. Three exterior schemes available: Traditional, Barn Modern, and Coastal Craftsmen.
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in County of San Diego (unincorporated)
If your property is in an unincorporated community (Lakeside, Spring Valley, Ramona, Fallbrook, and similar areas), the County's own standard plans apply. This is the region's oldest program, running since 2019.
County of San Diego Standard ADU Plans
Free to download, including CAD files. Plan sets are roughly 85 percent complete; the site-specific details are filled in per project.
Plan A
PDS 6701,200 sq ft · 3 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan B
PDS 6731,200 sq ft · 2 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan C
PDS 6751,200 sq ft · 2 bed · 2 bath · Single story
Plan D
PDS 6741,000 sq ft · 1 bed · 1.5 bath · Single story
Plan E
PDS 672800 sq ft · 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan F
PDS 671600 sq ft · 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in Chula Vista
Chula Vista publishes twelve City Standard plans: six base layouts, each also available mirrored. All are single-story detached designs.
Chula Vista City Standard ADU Plans
These plans were created for the city by a private design firm that keeps the copyright. You license the plan directly from the designer for a separate fee; BluPlan handles the site-specific package.
498 Square
498 sq ft · 1 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
748 Long
748 sq ft · 2 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
749 L-Shape
749 sq ft · Single story
Mirrored layout available
749 Square
749 sq ft · Single story
Mirrored layout available
999 L-Shape
999 sq ft · 2-3 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
1199 L-Shape
1,199 sq ft · 2-3 bed · Single story
Mirrored layout available
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in Escondido
Escondido's PAADU program offers four free single-story detached plans designed for the city's lots.
Escondido has discussed limiting ADU sizes in ways that could affect the larger plans. Confirm current limits with the city before committing to a plan over 800 sq ft; we verify this during your placement check.
Escondido Pre-Approved ADU Program (PAADU)
Free to download from the city. Detached new construction only; the size and shape of each plan cannot be modified.
Plan 1
484 sq ft · Studio or 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan 2
644 sq ft · 2 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Plan 3
851 sq ft · 2 bed · 2 bath · Single story
Plan 4
1,000 sq ft · 2 or 3 bed · 2 bath · Single story
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in El Cajon
El Cajon publishes standard ADU plans alongside its ADU loan program. The plans are hosted on the city's website.
El Cajon Standard ADU Plans
The city hosts its current plan set on its website; additional plans may be available beyond those listed here.
Studio
560 sq ft · Studio · 1 bath · Single story
Rectangular layout with front and side porches and in-unit laundry.
2 Bedroom
802 sq ft · 2 bed · 1 bath · Single story
Square layout with covered porches.
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in La Mesa
La Mesa publishes five preapproved single-story plans, from a compact studio to a three bedroom, designed by an Encinitas architecture firm. The city also points homeowners to the County's standard plans as an additional resource.
La Mesa Preapproved ADU (PADU) Building Plans
Free to view online; the official construction permitting set is requested from the city Planning Division. Reverse layouts available for each plan.
Plan A (Studio)
224 sq ft · Studio · Single story
By DZN Partners, with three exterior options and selectable roof, siding, and window materials. Request the official permitting set from the city Planning Division.
Plan B
400 sq ft · 1 bed · Single story
By DZN Partners, with three exterior options and selectable roof, siding, and window materials. Request the official permitting set from the city Planning Division.
Plan C
499 sq ft · 1 bed · Single story
By DZN Partners, with three exterior options and selectable roof, siding, and window materials. Request the official permitting set from the city Planning Division.
Plan D
990 sq ft · 2 bed · Single story
By DZN Partners, with three exterior options and selectable roof, siding, and window materials. Request the official permitting set from the city Planning Division.
Plan E
1,199 sq ft · 3 bed · Single story
By DZN Partners, with three exterior options and selectable roof, siding, and window materials. Request the official permitting set from the city Planning Division.
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach publishes one city-designed pre-approved plan, a 600 sq ft one bedroom. For other sizes or layouts, a custom design is the path and we handle it end to end.
Imperial Beach Pre-Approved ADU Plans
Free public download, city-published. Coastal zone lots may also need a Coastal Development Permit.
600 sq ft ADU
600 sq ft · 1 bed · 1 bath · Single story
City-published plan with an optional accessible roll-in shower. Not usable on lots in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area.
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in Carlsbad
Carlsbad runs an ADU Permit Ready Program with four single-story plans from 400 to 1,000 sq ft.
Plans temporarily unavailable
Carlsbad is updating its permit-ready plans to the 2025 California building codes and expects them back around summer 2026. In the meantime a custom-designed ADU is your path, and we can track the program's return for your project.
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in National City
National City has not published a pre-approved plan program yet. A custom-designed ADU is the path here, and our team handles the full design and permitting.
No pre-approved plans yet
A custom-designed ADU is your path here, and it comes with the same free feasibility review. We handle the full design and permitting for you.
Plan list last updated July 2026. Pre-approvals expire with each building code cycle; we verify current program status for your project.
Before you choose a plan
- Pre-approval covers the building design only. Every project still needs a site plan, a site-specific review by the city, utility connections, and a building permit.
- Pre-approvals expire with each three-year building code cycle, so a plan approved under an older code may need re-approval.
- City permit fees, plan licensing fees where applicable, and construction costs are separate from BluPlan's fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a standard ADU design that a city or county building department has already reviewed and approved. Because the building design review is complete, a permit application that uses one of these plans goes through a streamlined path, in some cities a 30-day ministerial review required by state law (AB 1332).
The most expensive and slowest part of an ADU project on the design side is drawing and plan-checking a custom building. With a pre-approved plan that work is already done. BluPlan only prepares the site-specific package: the site plan, a zoning and placement check for your lot, and the permit paperwork and submittal. That package runs around $3,500 and is the fastest route, compared to several months for a full custom design.
Generally no. The size and shape of the building are fixed, because changing them would invalidate the approval. Some programs allow limited options such as window placement, finishes, or sanctioned exterior style packages. If you want changes beyond that, a custom design is the right path and we can help with that too.
Some cities, like National City, have not published a plan library yet. In that case a custom-designed ADU is your path, and our team handles the full design and permitting. State law also lets cities accept plans pre-approved by other agencies, which is exactly what the City of San Diego does.
Yes. Pre-approvals are tied to the state building code cycle, which updates every three years, so a plan approved under an older code may need re-approval. We verify the current status of your chosen plan as part of your project.
The city already approved the building design. BluPlan prepares everything specific to your property: the site plan, a zoning and placement check using aerial imagery of your lot, the permit application paperwork, and the submittal itself. Where a plan is owned by a private designer, such as Chula Vista's standard plans, you license it directly from the designer and we coordinate the rest.
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