The San Diego City Council voted 5-4 on June 16, 2025, to approve reforms to the city's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) regulations.

This vote represents a partial rollback of the city's previously popular ADU Bonus Program, which incentivized the construction of additional ADUs by allowing increased density in exchange for including income-restricted units.

The vote was 5-4 in favor of the reforms. The council members voting in favor were Joe LaCava, Raul Campillo, Marni von Wilpert, Henry Foster, and Jennifer Campbell. The dissenting votes were cast by Stephen Whitburn, Kent Lee, Vivian Moreno, and Sean Elo-Rivera, who advocated for less restrictive caps or no caps at all.

Key changes approved include:

1. Caps on the number of ADUs: A maximum of four ADUs are allowed on lots under 8,000 square feet, five on lots between 8,001 and 10,000 square feet, and six on lots over 10,001 square feet.
2. Two-story height limit: ADUs are now limited to a maximum of two stories.
3. Prohibition in certain areas: ADUs are prohibited in cul-de-sacs located in high wildfire risk areas.
4. New fees: Developers must now pay infrastructure fees to support community needs like libraries and fire stations.
5. Parking requirements: Parking requirements are being implemented for properties far from public transit.
6. Detached ADUs remain capped at 1,200 square feet, while converted ADUs have no maximum size limit, per state law.
7. Affordable Housing and Ownership: The reforms implement Assembly Bill 1033, allowing ADUs to be converted into condominiums and sold separately from the primary residence, potentially increasing homeownership opportunities.

These reforms were a response to concerns raised by residents about over-densification, strained infrastructure, parking issues, and changes to neighborhood character due to the ADU bonus program.

While some residents expressed support for the changes, others, including developers and those concerned about housing affordability, expressed disappointment, fearing the reforms could slow down housing production.

The California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) also raised concerns that some of the proposed changes might violate state housing laws. City planners made adjustments to address these concerns and maintain San Diego's "pro-housing" designation.

The adopted reforms are expected to take effect by August 2025 after mayoral review.