New Law Encourages Construction of Granny Flats

An Attempt to Address The San Diego Housing Crisis

The city of San Diego recently passed a law limiting the fees paid by property owners to build granny flats, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADU’s). Fees can range between $30,000 and $50,000. When combined with our currently high construction costs, very few granny flats have been built in San Diego in recent years. New rules attempt to stream-line the process and minimize fees with the goal of boosting production.

City leaders believe granny flats can provide at least some relief to our current housing shortage that many would argue has become a crisis. While far from a solution to our housing shortage, granny flats are an encouraging sign that city leaders are attempting to remove barriers to new home construction.

Obviously, there are some residents who are not supportive of this change and encouragement of new construction. The most obvious concern is the lack of parking. Adding new residents without the typically required parking can strain neighborhood street parking.

What do you think? Would you consider building a granny flat on your property? Are you against these type of units being built? Here is a link to the city of San Diego guide to granny flats.