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San Diego supervisors direct staff to develop expanded housing streamlining programs, including ADU ownership option
Summary
The board voted to direct staff to pursue a package of housing streamlining measures — expanded small‑lot subdivision, senior/assisted‑living incentives, an expanded buy‑right program, and a local ordinance to allow separate ADU sales — with staff to continue outreach and environmental review.
The Board of Supervisors on Oct. 9 directed county staff to develop a package of voluntary housing programs aimed at increasing affordable and attainable housing in unincorporated San Diego County.
Staff described four primary initiatives: an expanded small‑lot subdivision program (beyond state minimums), an overlay and density‑bonus incentives for senior housing and assisted living, an expanded BY‑RIGHT (buy‑right) process for additional RHNA sites in VMT‑efficient and infill areas, and a local ordinance to enable separate sale of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under recent state law (AB 1033).
Why it matters
The planning presentation said the package would reduce regulatory barriers and incentivize new building types — duplexes, triplexes, townhomes and small‑lot homes — and could expand eligibility for streamlined processing to an additional ~570 acres beyond state law in the unincorporated area. Staff estimated environmental review for programmatic documents could take about 18 months and predicted additional zoning updates by FY 2026–27 if directed.
Public comment and conditions
Speakers from housing advocates and industry groups generally supported the proposals while urging guardrails. The San Diego Housing Federation’s executive vice president said the package would help “ease the housing crisis” and supported incentives for senior housing, while several stakeholders asked that the county include measures to prioritize owner occupants and guard against speculative conversion. Rafael Perez of the Casita Coalition urged requiring any ADU condominium map to be offered first to owner occupants for a limited period (45–60 days).
Board action and implementation
Chairwoman Vargas moved the staff recommendation directing staff to proceed with program development; the motion passed with a recorded vote in which the clerk announced Supervisor Anderson voted no and other supervisors voted aye. Staff said they will continue community outreach, incorporate economic and environmental analyses where appropriate, and return with ordinance language and program details for future board consideration.
What’s next
If directed by the board, program development will proceed with further community outreach, drafting of environmental documents and proposed ordinances; staff estimated certain environmental reviews will take up to 18 months with additional time if scope or geography expands.
Source and provenance
This article is based on the county planning presentation and the public and board discussion recorded during the Oct. 9 meeting.
