Junior ADUs in Solana Beach
A JADU turns a bedroom wing into a small independent home within the house. It's the lightest-touch option, and Solana Beach's handout is clear about the paperwork it needs. Based on the Solana Beach ADU Submittal Process and Basic Plan Requirements (June 2025) and Gov. Code §66333.
The covenant
Before the building permit is issued, the owner records a covenant, in a form the city attorney prescribes, that runs with the land and provides:
- No separate ownership, sale or transfer of the JADU
- Size and attribute limits consistent with the code
- No rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days
- If the JADU shares sanitation facilities with the house, either the house or the JADU is the owner's bona fide principal residence (unless the owner is a government agency, land trust or housing organization)
Kitchen specs
| Item | Efficiency kitchen minimum |
|---|---|
| Counter | 30 in clear |
| Sink | 18 in, 1.5 in drain, garbage disposal |
| Refrigerator | 5 cu ft |
| Cooking | Two-burner stove, hard-wired gas or 220 V |
An efficiency kitchen is allowed in a studio JADU or ADU of up to 500 sq ft.
State limits
Under state law a JADU is up to 500 sq ft, inside the walls of the house (an attached garage counts), with a separate entrance (Gov. Code §66333).
JADU covenant
Before a JADU permit is issued, the owner records a covenant that runs with the land. It bars separate sale, limits size and attributes, bars rentals under 30 consecutive days, and, if the JADU shares sanitation facilities with the house, requires that the house or the JADU be the owner's principal residence (unless the owner is a government agency, land trust or housing organization).
Kitchen standards
A JADU needs at least an efficiency kitchen with cooking appliances, a prep counter and storage cabinets of reasonable size. Solana Beach spells out the specifics:
| Item | Efficiency kitchen (studio up to 500 sq ft) | Full ADU kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Counters | 30 in clear minimum | 10 ft total of counters and wall cabinets |
| Sink | 18 in, 1.5 in drain, disposal | 24 in, 1.5 in drain, disposal |
| Refrigerator | 5 cu ft minimum | 12 cu ft minimum |
| Cooking | Two-burner stove, hard-wired gas or 220 V | Two appliances (stove, range, oven, microwave), hard-wired gas or 220 V |
Source: Solana Beach ADU handout (June 2025).
Junior ADU vs ADU
| JADU | ADU | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Within the house | Detached, attached or converted |
| Owner residence | Required by covenant | Not required |
| Kitchen | Efficiency or ADU kitchen | ADU kitchen (efficiency if studio up to 500 sq ft) |
| Parking | None | None for conversions |
Also checked Oct 14, 2026: Solana Beach ADU Submittal Process and Basic Plan Requirements (June 2025).
Solana Beach moved its ADU rules to SBMC 17.60.210(A) through Ordinance 542 (2026), which repealed former 17.20.040(D). The June 2025 handout still cites the old section; the standards below follow the current code.
Code details
- 500 sq ft maximum, with at least an efficiency kitchen
- Access to sanitation facilities required
- No parking required
- Owner residence required only with shared sanitation
- No new utility connection or connection fee
Also checked Oct 14, 2026: SBMC §17.60.210(A) (Ord. 542, 2026).
Sources, checked Oct 14, 2026: Solana Beach ADU Submittal Process and Basic Plan Requirements (June 2025) · Gov. Code §66333.
FAQ
What must a JADU covenant say?
No separate sale, size and attribute limits, no rentals under 30 consecutive days, and owner residence in either the house or the JADU (with listed exceptions).
What kitchen does a JADU need?
At least an efficiency kitchen with cooking appliances, a food prep counter and storage. The city lists minimum specs for efficiency kitchens.
Does a JADU need its own utility connection?
Conversions within the existing house aren't required to install a new or separate connection.
Does a JADU need a deed covenant in Solana Beach?
Yes, recorded before the building permit, in a form set by the city attorney.