top of page
Bonita.jpg

What you can build

Poway ADU Regulations & Zoning

KEY RULES AT A GLANCE
Size and Separation

Maximum size 1500 square feet

Side/rear setbacks 4 feet

Two story Yes

Building separation  10 feet

Additional Requirements

Soils Report Yes

Building Verification Survey No

Coastal permit (in some areas) No

Stormwater Mitigation No

Number of ADUs Allowed

  • On Poway single-family residential lots, you may build one ADU (either attached or detached) and one Junior ADU.

    Note that JADUs have an owner occupancy requirement and must located within a proposed or existing main single-family residence and may include not more than 150 square feet beyond the same physical dimensions of the existing accessory structure.

  • Poway allows up to 2 detached ADUs for multifamily lots with an existing multi-family building. (Meaning: In order to build 2 ADUs, the property must already have at least a duplex on it, not just a single family dwelling)

    Effective Jan 2025 (SB1211): Multifamily property owners are permitted to build as many ADUs as there are existing units, with a maximum of eight detached ADUs. This change is due to California state law and will pre-empt existing local laws that are not brought into conformance.

    Non‐livable space within existing multi‐family structures may be converted into an ADU. Examples of areas that can be converted include storage rooms and garage spaces. The maximum number of ADU allowed in a multi‐family structure is equal to 25% of the number of existing multi‐family units in the structure. Fractional units are rounded down. A minimum of one conversion ADU is allowed.

ADU Size & Building Constraints

  • Poway allows for a detached ADU of up to 1200-1500 sqft. If you are building larger than 1200 sqft, the unit may only be up to 50% of the floor area of the Single Family Residence (SFR). ADUs up to 800 square feet are exempt from lot coverage requirements. (Meaning: You can build an ADU of this size even if you’re maxed out on lot coverages).

  • The square footage of any attached ADU may not to exceed 50% of the primary dwelling square footage, or 1,500 sqft, whichever is less. However, a minimum
    1,000 sf for a 1-BR+ ADU or 850 sf for a “studio” ADU is permitted.

    “Attached” to the main residence requires a roof attachment equal to the width of the structure to be attached and shall not be greater than 10 feet from the main residence, excluding eaves. The roof of the structure to be attached shall match the eave widths and roofing materials, color and style of the main residence.

  • No areas are subject to Coastal requirements.

  • Yes, Poway requires that any disturbed soil must be covered. This includes the 5′ graded area surrounding the ADU, the pathway to the ADU, and any additional areas impacted by work.

Setbacks

  • ADUs must have 4′ minimum setbacks from rear and side-yard property lines, with front yard setback per zoning standards. An ADU taking advantage of the 4′ setbacks cannot exceed a height of 16 feet. An ADU exceeding 16′ must comply with the setbacks of the underlying zoning.

  • The minimum required distance between structures is 10′.

Additional Requirements 

  • Yes, Poway requires in-person submission of plans and does not accept digital applications at this time.

  • Yes, as of a July 2022 email from the Planning department, Poway mandates soils reports for all new structures, including ADUs.

  • No areas are subject to Coastal requirements.

  • Accessory dwelling units developed within the coastal zone are subject to requirements of the Local Coastal Program (LCP).

    All ADUs and JADUs which are under the coastal overlay zone will required a Coastal Development Permit No Fee (CDPNF). There are no additional fees related to the CDPNF other than the noticing fee (~$200), building permit plan check fee, school fees, water etc. The CDPNF is concurrent with the building permit. Once all other departments have passed their review, the CDPNF process can begin.

    During this process:

    1. The legal notice will be sent out to all surrounding properties within a 500 square foot radius. Once the letter is sent out there will be a 10-day period in which the public will have the opportunity to contact me and ask me questions about the project.

    2. After the 10 days, the city drafts a Notice of Decision (NOD), which the Planning Manager will review and sign. Once the NOD is signed, the city planner will receive a decision number needed to draft the Hold Harmless agreement.

    3. The applicant will need to return a notarized covenant along with a check made out to the San Diego County Recorder’s office and a signed/notarized Hold Harmless agreement.

     

    The City’s Municipal Code, Section 30.34.020 “Coastal Bluff Overlay Zone,” states that accessory structures are not permitted within 40’ of the top of the bluff, with some exceptions.

Parking

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

    • Within a one-half mile walking distance from public transit, which includes bus stops.

    • Within an established historic district.

    • Converted from the existing space of a primary residence or accessory structure, or are attached to an existing or proposed primary residence.

    Effective Jan 2025 (SB1211): When a garage, carport, covered parking structure, or uncovered parking space is demolished or converted for construction of an ADU, replacement parking will not be required.

  • If a parking space is required, it may be located within the setbacks and in an existing driveway as tandem parking. Parking spaces don’t need to be replaced when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an ADU or converted to an ADU.

bottom of page