the sb 9 city guide for

unincorporated

Encinitas

San Diego County

Grade

very friendly

friendly

restrictive

very restrictive

We've given Encinitas a C for its restrictive approach to the implementation of SB 9, which includes many regulations.

Last Updated:

June 1, 2023

If you feel this grade was given incorrectly, please contact us.

What's SB 9?

SB 9 is a state bill that was created to address California's housing crisis. It allows Californians more flexibility with their urban property than they've ever had before.

What can I build?

You have three options for an SB 9 project

Option 1: Lot Split

Divide your lot into two parcels; building on the new lot is allowed

Your lot must be at least 2,400 sqft and can be divided 50/50 or 60/40

sb 9 standard

Option 2: Two-Units

Keep your parcel as is, and add

up to 4 units total

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Option 3: Lot Split & Two-Units

A mix of the above: divide your parcel, and add

as many units as allowed by zoning standards

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Building max size

Encinitas

, new units can be up to

sq ft. This is half the size of the median single family home in California.

very restrictive

California median home size

1,700 sq ft

Encinitas

SB 9 Limit

sq ft

Where can I build?

You can build in single-family residential zones

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Places where you can't build

Prime farmland

sb 9 standard

Hazardous waste sites

sb 9 standard

High & very high fire severity zones

sb 9 standard

Lands identified for conservation of protected species' habitat

sb 9 standard

Vacant Lots*

very restrictive

Historical Zones

sb 9 standard

SB 9 in Very High Fire Severity Areas

SB 9 in Conservation zones

May require additional permits

Earthquake fault lines

sb 9 standard

Areas of high landslide and liquefaction risk

sb 9 standard

FEMA 1% annual chance flood (100-year flood) zones and floodways

sb 9 standard

Coastal areas

sb 9 standard

very restrictive

SB 9 in Earthquake zones

SB 9 in Flood zones

Building that can't be demolished

Officially recognized low-income housing

sb 9 standard

Rent-controlled housing

sb 9 standard

Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last 3 years

sb 9 standard

SB 9 Occupancy requirements

Renting & Selling

For all development options, resulting units must be residential use only

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Renting Requirements

Minimum rental period is

days

sb 9 standard

One rented unit must be occupied by low income tenants

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

For Lot Splits, one unit must be owner occupied for three years

sb 9 standard

For Two-Unit Projects,

all units can be rented

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Selling Requirements

For Lot Splits, one unit must be owner occupied for three years

sb 9 standard

For Two-Unit Projects,

units can not be sold separately

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Additional Requirements

Here are a few more restrictions and requirements that you should keep in mind when pursuing an SB 9 project in

Encinitas

Parking req.

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Objective Design Review Standards

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Landscaping

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Fire Safety

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Utility req.

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Easements req.

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Height limits

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Bureaucracy

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Fees

very friendly

friendly

sb 9 standard

restrictive

very restrictive

Want to learn more about Homestead’s grading system? Read our methodology.

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City News

Legal Notices, December 24, 2021

The Coast News Group

Legal Notices, February 4, 2022

The Coast News

Encinitas begins preparations for urban lot splits under SB 9

The Coast News Group

Encinitas candidates discuss local control, character

The Coast News

Encinitas’ Rejection of High Density Apartments Next Target for AG Bonta’s Housing Strike Force

California Globe

Other cities in

San Diego County

More about

Encinitas

Encinitas is a beautiful suburban beach town with lots of art galleries, family-friendly parks, and great surfing. Locals and tourists alike locals enjoy walking along Moonlight Beach, exploring the San Diego Botanic Garden, and admiring the coastal wetlands at San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. We believe SB 9 can help make this idyllic slice of San Diego County even better by adding more homes without sacrificing open space.

Encinitas

San Diego County

Encinitas

What can I build?

Option 1: Lot Split

Option 2: Two-Units

Option 3: Lot Split & Two-Units

Where can I build?

Places where you can't build

May require additional permits

Building that can't be demolished

Renting & Selling

Renting Requirements

Selling Requirements

Additional Requirements

City News

Other cities in

San Diego County

More about

Encinitas

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