Accessory Dwelling Units

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. ADUs must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as a single-family or multifamily dwelling.

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is a unit that is no more than 500 square feet and is contained entirely within a single-family residence. A JADU may include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing single-family home.

For information about the City's regulations and guidelines for ADUs/JADUs:

• For general information, review the City’s ADU Handout(PDF, 257KB)
• For detailed information, visit the SSF Zoning Code Chapter 20.350.003 Accessory Dwelling Units

To apply for an ADU or JADU, you must submit two applications - a Building Permit application, and a Deed Restriction application.

Building Permit Application

You can find the Building Permit Application on the City's Permitting Portal. Please submit this application to the Building Division. Building Division staff will review the plans within 60 days, once the application is deemed complete.

Deed Restriction Application

You can find the Deed Restriction Application below. Deed Restrictions are required for both ADUs and JADUs. Please check-in with Planning Division staff before notarizing and submitting the forms.

• ADU Deed Restriction - Steps to fulfill the deed restriction requirement(PDF, 887KB)
• JADU Deed Restriction - Steps to fulfill the deed restriction requirement(PDF, 481KB)

Have questions? Contact Planning Division staff at planning@ssf.net or by calling (650) 877-8535.

HelloADU is a service provided to residents of South San Francisco by Hello Housing, a nonprofit organization. Participating homeowners can receive:

• Free support - this program is no cost to you.
• Up to 100 hours of free support in designing, constructing, and renting out an ADU or JADU.
• Support from beginning to end, including:
  • Studying the feasibility of locating an ADU or JADU on your property
  • Helping you define your vision for your ADU or JADU
  • Helping with designing the ADU or JADU, and estimating the costs
  • Helping you to get the correct permits from the City
  • Support during the construction phase
  • If you would like to rent out your ADU or JADU, connecting you to landlord training and programs to find tenants

Apply for the HelloADU Program

For a quick summary of the program, check out the following handouts:

• Handout in English(PDF, 334KB)
• Handout in Spanish(PDF, 247KB)
• Handout in Tagalog(PDF, 446KB)

If you have questions, please contact HelloADU team members by calling (415) 863-3036 or sending a message through their website: Contact HelloADU

These designs are free and pre-reviewed by the City of South San Francisco. This can help you can save you time and money on preparing plans and construction drawings.

You can choose from four different designs:

• Studio (400 square foot)
• One-bedroom unit (575 square feet)
• One-bedroom unit (745 square feet)
• Two-bedroom unit (800 square feet)

You can find the designs here.

You can pair these designs with support from the HelloADU program. As a companion to the HelloADU program, these pre-reviewed designs may reduce project management and permitting costs for any HelloADU program participants.

For a quick summary of the program, check out the following handouts:

• Handout in Spanish(PDF, 258KB)
• Handout in Chinese(PDF, 223KB)
• Handout in Tagalog(PDF, 258KB)

If you have any questions, please contact the HEART team at (650) 204-5640 or via email at ADU@heartofsmc.org.