San Diego has a growing need for more living space, but in some cases, it’s an opportunity to downsize. When Mayor Todd Gloria introduced “Homes For All of Us” in July of 2021, he made it clear that small solutions would make a big difference.
These little homes have the potential to reshape our city. Terms like accessory dwelling units (ADUs), moveable tiny homes (MTHs) + micro-unit apartments are becoming part of the conversation, and we’re ready to open the door for these housing alternatives.
A nearly completed ADU in San Diego. | Photo via @calljennyf
🏘️ Accessory dwelling units
Your new neighbors won’t be too far away — single-family homes can add additional units to their legal lots, creating homes for tenants on the same plots. Sometimes called “granny flats,” San Diego defines ADUs with these key features:
Up to 50% of the primary residence — not exceeding 1,200 sqft
Provide one parking space unless public transit is accessible within one-half mile
Must have a separate exterior entrance
Cannot be used as short-term rentals, designed to be a more permanent solution
Junior ADUs are under 500 sqft and do not have parking requirements
“Homes For All of Us” streamlined the application process + waived development impact fees for the first two ADUs, but instated requirements for tree canopies for lots exceeding 5,000 sqft.
🚐 Moveable tiny homes
In 2020, San Diego City Council approved a law allowing tiny, wheeled houses to reside on residential lots rather than just RV parks. These homes are similar to ADUs but they tend to be cheaper and smaller — generally 150-400 sqft.
This doesn’t make them RVs. MTHs are built like homes with open living spaces. They’re designed to be low cost, so tenants should pack lightly + get creative.
A look at Nook East Village. | Screenshot via Google Maps
🏢 Micro-unit apartments
In North Park, a new apartment complex is being built on Oregon Street that’s a little different. The compact, “micro-unit” complex features 406-sqft studios + 593-sqft 1 BD units. The whole building is six stories and 16,000 sqft, but will offer 94 units when it opens in summer 2023.
While the concept isn’t common yet, we’ve seen similar designs at Nook East Village + The Continental in Little Italy. Renters learn to pack a lot into their spaces and that sharing is caring by using public resources + integrating community spaces.
A little sharing makes a big difference. Send this story your homies, neighbors, and anyone else
Bike to Work Day 2022 | Thurs., May 19 | 6-9 a.m. | Locations vary | Free | SANDAG’s annual event hits the streets — and riders can enjoy freebies, snacks + encouragement at pit stops. 🚲
Nickelodeon Trivia Night | Thurs., May 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Little Miss Brewing in La Mesa, Lakeside, Normal Heights, Escondido or Poway | $10 | Test your cartoon + 90s TV knowledge with a team. 📺
Friday
Aurora | Fri., May 20 | 7 p.m. | The Observatory North Park | $118+ | Enjoy a night of live music with the Norwegian singer, songwriter, and producer. 🎵
Saturday
North Park Festival of the Arts | Sat., May 21 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | 30th St. + University Ave. | Free | A community celebration of music, art, dance, and local business. ☀️
Sal Vulcano | Sat., May 21 | 6 p.m. | The Magnolia in El Cajon | $45+ | The “Impractical Jokers” funnyman brings his stand-up act to the East County venue. 🎤
Sunday
Awesome 80s Run | Sun., May 22 | 6:30 a.m | $40+ | De Anza Cove in Mission Bay | Motor through this totally tubular 5K or 8K run, then look fly at a gnarly dance party. 🎱
Payare Conducts Ravel + Debussy | Sun., May 22 | 5 p.m. | Rady Shell at Jacobs Park | $25+ | Rafael Payare leads the San Diego Orchestra and plays masterpieces by two French composers. 🎼
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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San Diego City Council has voted to cap the number of short-term rentalsto ~1% of the city’s housing units — except Mission Beach, where 30% of units can be short-term rentals. The total number will be 6,500, a 48% reduction, and licenses will be served through a lottery system when regulations go into effect next spring. 🏨 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Biz
San Diego Gas & Electric filed its general rate case — the anticipated budget for 2024 to 2027 — with the California Public Utilities Commission. While it isn’t shocking to see increases, and there are ways to save, electric customers could see rates climb by 5.6%, while combined gas + electric customers could see a 8.7% rise. ⚡ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tech
Katya Echazarreta’s dreams have always beenout of this world, and she’s going to make them a reality on Fri., May 20. The San Diego City College alumna was selected from 7,000 applicants in the Space For Humanity project to travel on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Rocket — and will become the first Mexican-born woman in space. 🚀 (KPBS)
Cause
Angels Above Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping families with babies in the NICU, will host its charity golf tournamenttomorrow at 8 a.m. at Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course. All proceeds benefit Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego NICU + funding an Angel Eye Camera System to keep families connected. 👣
Community
The San Diego LGBTQ Community Center is proud to reopen its doors after being closed in 2020, though it continued to provide meal services + virtual appointments. The Center installed a new HVAC system and the next phase of reopening will begin on Wed., June 1, with the return of in-person services by appointment. 🏳️🌈 (KPBS)
Ranked
New grads are finding more than just photo opps in San Diego. The city ranked No. 8 on LinkedIn’s guide to kickstarting your career — experiencing 11% year-over-year hiring growth in 2021. Job-seekers are most likely to find success in the tech + information field, the top industry in our city. 💼 (LinkedIn)
Opening
Manzanita Meadow Disc Golf Course debuts in Julian this Saturday at Camp Stevens and will be dressed to a tee for its grand opening celebration from 1-4 p.m. The event will host clinics for adults + kids, a trick-shot contest, and a six-hole double shootout. 🥏
Coming Soon
Oceanside, get ready to veg out. Ben & Esther — a New York-style, vegan, Jewish deli — will open its second SoCal store this August. The Portland-based chain found success with its College Area location, but will bring its bagels + sandwiches to 1904 South Coast Highway, Unit 101, the location that once housed Tambo Cafe. 🥯 (VegOutMag)
Feel Good
We’re buzzing from excitement + caffeine. La Jolla coffee shop Pannikin closed after 53 years — but continues operating as a pop-up at The Lot movie theater. Recently, locals came together to raise $85,000 through GoFundMe, and the shop will reopen in a new location down the street with a new name: The Flower Pot Cafe & Bakery. ☕ (NBC 7)
Spring is fluttering on, but there’s still time to break out of your cocoon and try something different. Encinitas’ Butterfly Farms is now in season, letting families get up close to the winged critters until Tues., Nov. 15. Trips to the butterfly house are $6, but the education-focused habitat relies on donations to conduct its research + conserve species.
📍 441 Saxony Rd.
⏰ 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
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Editor’s pick:Good morning, San Diego. Recently, we talked about a San Marcos resident who built a viking ship in his yard, but I also discovered that Vista hosts an annual Viking Festival. It’s not until September, I feel I should start growing a beard now — just in case I attend + need to look the role.
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