City officials move to scale back ADU bonus program following community pushback over neighborhood impacts.
The San Diego City Council has initiated steps to roll back a policy that permitted property owners to construct multiple apartment units in the backyards of single-family homes. This policy, known as the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) bonus program, was implemented in 2020 to address the city’s housing shortage by allowing more flexible housing options.
Over the past few years, the ADU bonus program has significantly contributed to San Diego’s housing supply, enabling the construction of additional units on single-family lots. However, the program has faced substantial opposition from residents concerned about increased traffic, parking shortages, and alterations to neighborhood aesthetics.
In response to these concerns, the City Council voted 6-3 to direct city planners to propose a repeal of the program in areas with larger lot sizes. This decision indicates a potential shift from the previously dominant “Yes In My Backyard” (YIMBY) approach to housing development, which advocated for increased housing density to combat the housing crisis.
Despite this move, several other development-friendly policies remain active, suggesting that the city’s overall strategy may still focus on increasing housing density in various neighborhoods. Public commentary at the council meeting reflected a growing debate over San Diego’s housing policies, highlighting the challenges city officials face in balancing the need for more housing with preserving community character.
