Can I Build Tiny Home in San Diego, CA? (2026)
Find out if you can build a tiny home in San Diego, CA. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations are allowed in San Diego, CA. Tiny homes on wheels are not permitted as permanent dwellings.
A tiny home is a small dwelling unit — typically under 400 sq ft — that can be built on a permanent foundation or on wheels. In San Diego, CA, the rules differ significantly depending on whether the structure is on a permanent foundation (treated as a dwelling unit under building code) or on wheels (treated as a recreational vehicle under vehicle code). Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet a minimum size of 150 sq ft in San Diego.
Tiny Home Rules in San Diego
Tiny Home Rules in San Diego: Foundation-based tiny homes: Permitted. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs): Not permitted as permanent dwelling — classified as recreational vehicle. Minimum size: 150 sq ft. Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet California Residential Code minimum habitable room sizes (70 sqft per habitable room). San Diego allows small ADUs and accessory structures as tiny homes if they meet all building code and zoning requirements. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) not permitted as permanent dwellings in most residential zones — classified as recreational vehicles. Some coastal communities have explored tiny home villages as accessory structures.
Costs & Fees
Building permit fees for tiny homes in San Diego follow the same schedule as other new construction. Contact the San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) at (619) 446-5000 for current fee information.
Next Steps
Next steps for building a tiny home in San Diego: 1. Determine foundation vs. wheeled — the rules are fundamentally different. 2. For foundation tiny homes, obtain a building permit from the San Diego Development Services Department (DSD). 3. For wheeled tiny homes, verify whether your property allows RV siting. 4. Check if your tiny home could qualify as an ADU on your property.
San Diego Development Services Department (DSD)
Phone: (619) 446-5000
Website: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services
Online Permits: https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/opendsd
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in my backyard in San Diego?
Yes. California state law requires San Diego to permit ADUs by-right on all residential lots. You can build a detached ADU up to 1,200 sqft, plus a Junior ADU (JADU) up to 500 sqft within your existing home. No owner-occupancy requirement applies. San Diego also offers a Standard ADU Plan Program to speed up permit approval. Permits are processed within 60 days.
What are San Diego's Airbnb (short-term rental) rules?
San Diego requires a Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) license ($150/year) for all rentals under one month. There are four license tiers: Home-Sharing (hosted), Whole-Home Primary Residence, Mission Beach properties, and Whole-Home Non-Primary Residence (limited citywide via lottery). The 10.5% Transient Occupancy Tax applies to all short-term rentals. Operating without a license carries fines of $1,000 per day.
How does San Diego's zoning system work?
San Diego uses the Land Development Code (LDC) with community plan areas governing local land use. Residential zones use a numeric system — RS (Residential Single Unit) or RM (Residential Multiple Unit) followed by numbers indicating density (e.g., RS-1-4 = single-unit residential, 4,000 sqft minimum lot). Each of San Diego's 107+ communities has its own community plan that implements the General Plan for local conditions.
Do I need a permit to run a business from my home in San Diego?
Yes. A Home Occupation Permit ($175) is required for any business operated from a residence. Restrictions: no clients on-site, no non-resident employees, no exterior signs, maximum 25% of floor area used for business. San Diego's LDC Section 113.0295 governs home occupations.
What are the setback requirements for a single-family home in San Diego?
Setbacks in San Diego vary by zone designation. In the most common RS-1-4 (single-family residential) zone: front yard 15 ft, side yards 4 ft, rear yard 15 ft. Larger lot zones (RS-1-7, RS-1-14) have proportionally larger setbacks. Canyon-adjacent properties often have additional open space easements limiting building closer to canyon edges.
Are solar panels required on new homes in San Diego?
Yes. California's Title 24 Energy Code requires solar PV on all new low-rise residential construction. San Diego receives 266+ sunny days per year — one of the best solar markets in the US. SDG&E net metering is available. Properties in San Diego's Coastal Zone may need additional Coastal Commission review for rooftop modifications, but solar cannot be denied for code-compliant installations.
What is San Diego's Coastal Zone and how does it affect my property?
San Diego's Coastal Zone encompasses roughly the westernmost 3-4 miles of the city, covering neighborhoods like Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and others. Properties in the Coastal Zone require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) from the California Coastal Commission for new construction, additions over 10% of existing floor area, and some changes to primary structures. This applies in addition to regular city building permits and can add 2-6 months to project timelines.
Source: San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) — Building Regulations. Last verified April 5, 2026. View source