By Pamela Begeal / June 17, 2025
Final 5-4 Decision
Yes Votes: Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Henry L Foster III, Marni von Wilpert
Raul Campillo
No Votes: Stephen Whitburn, Kent Lee, Vivian Moreno, Sean Elo-Rivera
Number of ADUs permissible by lot size:
Lots under 8,000 sq. ft. – 4 ADUs
Lots 8,001 to 10,000 sq. ft. – 5 ADUs
Lots 10,001 sq. ft. or larger – 6 ADUs
Maximum size: ADUs are limited to 1,200 sq. ft. or less
Height limit: 2 stories
No ADUs on cul-de-sacs in High Fire Danger areas
https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/community-risk-reduction/fire-zone-map
Parking spaces required on ADU lots more than 1/2 mile from public transit. This no longer includes proposed transit stops, only existing stops.
ADUs may be sold rather than just rented out.
Junior ADUs can be made into short-term rentals.
What’s next: The City Council will have a re-read of the amendments to the Bonus ADU program in a couple weeks. The Council will then submit its decision to Mayor Gloria, who could reject it. If he does not reject it, it will become law sometime in August.
The outliers: It is still unclear if permits that have already been granted by the City, like the horrendous projects planned by Christian Spicer of SDRE, Pro-CAL Design and Engineering, and Vertical MVMT, will be allowed to go through.
Editor’s Note: Spicer has built some of the most egregious Bonus ADU apartment complexes in San Diego, including the winner of the OB Rag’s “Worst ADU in San Diego” contest.
Spicer was publicly vilified throughout the Council meeting, including by several Councilmembers. That won’t bother him. But the new Bonus ADU rules will severely curtail his predatory building practices and tank his profits. That will bother him a lot. Spicer has already taken down his entire investor portfolio website.
We give Spicer the same advice he has given to the innocent people who have lived next door to the sites of his massive overbuilding: “You’re going to go through the five stages of grief. Eventually, you will reach the acceptance stage.”
Pamela,
Your research and presentation were a hugely important part of our ability to limit the damage caused by these massively out-of-scale ADU projects.
More than one CouncilMember referred to the information you found about Christian Spicer’s deplorable tactics used to a mass wealth at the expense of our neighborhoods and our environment, especially on sensitive lands and space
You very much for all the work you did. And thanks toofor contributing this article.
Spicer will have more time to play water polo.
Something that doesn’t get discussed much is that the City is also profiting from the bonus ADU program. When a home is owned by a long time resident who is paying maybe $1,400 a year in property tax and it gets sold for close to a million and then ADUs are added, the City is now likely bringing well above $12,000 a year.
I found it frustrating watching people make reasoned and well researched arguments before the Council for eliminating the bonus ADU program, knowing they were in on the scam.
Pamela, your testimony was fantastic. Thanks for exposing this jerk.
My observations on council members who voted against ADU regulations.
Elo Rivera- hates the constituents in his district
Whitburn-Sycophant to the mayor
Moreno- can’t even be bothered to show interest
Lee-disappointed with his No vote. Thought he was better than the other losers who voted no.
Thank you Pamela for your very well done presentation, and your direct truth.
I do agree with your observations. It is astounding the great feats residents must go through just to be heard by most of these Council Reps. The majority don’t hide their disinterest in this (listening to their constituents) part of their job.
Vote Better San Diego.
CORRECTIONS – From NFABSD
Maximum size: ADUs a limited to 1,200 sq. ft. or less UNLESS THEY ARE CONVERTED FROM EXISTING SPACE, e.g. A BARN THAT EXCEEDS 1200 SF
Height limit: 2 stories ONLY FOR DETACHED ADUs
Parking spaces required on ADU lots more than 1/2 mile AS THE CROW FLIES from public transit. MAJOR TRANSIT STOPS – EXISTING OR PLANNED. This no longer includes proposed transit stops, only existing stops.
ADUs may be sold rather than just rented out. NOT ALL – NOT THOSE IN PROJECTS WITH DEED-RESTRICTED UNITS (SO NOT BONUS ADU PROJECTS UNTIL ALL DEED-RESTRICTIONS ON THE PARCEL EXPIRE) OR PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED FUNDING OR OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION –
Does anyone have a copy of the final Municipal Code with the approved changes? I hope there is a link somewhere. It got pretty confusing.
Thank you Pamela for helping to make this world a better place! Your journalism and relentless pursuit for the truth has paid off and helped all of us here in San Diego.
On my new website about everything housing-related in San Diego, on the “ADU” page I have a lot of photos and quotes by Christian Spicer and about his projects. https://wearesandiego.org
Website topics include: luxury housing, low income housing, Airbnb, ADUs, military, first responders, neighborhood groups, neighborhood planning, SD gov’t, CA gov’t, federal gov’t, YIMBY NIMBY, Real Estate Listings, U.S. Economy, SD Housing History, History, News sources, comments