SB 1211 for Fourplex / 4-unit in San Diego
In San Diego, a 4-unit fourplex / 4-unit just became one of the highest-yield SB 1211 typologies — 5 new homes, ministerially approved. At San Diego's median rent of $2,300/mo, that's ~$138K in additional gross annual rent.
The San Diego scenario
The capital stack on a typical San Diego fourplex / 4-unit project: existing equity (the lot itself, owned outright in many cases), construction loan against the new ADU appraised value, refi at completion against the stabilized rent roll.
Local tip for San Diego: San Diego's ADU Bonus Program allows additional density in transit areas.
Small multifamily (2–4 unit) design playbook
Small multifamily lots are usually constrained on width before they're constrained on count. With a 4-unit existing footprint, the binding constraint becomes side-yard setbacks (4 ft min) and the 18-ft height limit. Two-story stacked-flat ADUs over surface parking are the highest-yield typology.
Pro-forma snapshot
| Existing units | 4 |
| Detached ADUs (SB 1211) | 4 |
| Interior conversions | 1 |
| Total new units | 5 |
| Median 1BR rent in San Diego | $2,300/mo |
| Est. additional gross rent | $138K/yr |
| Estimated total project cost | ~$1,344K |
| Year-1 NOI estimate | ~$104K |
| Stabilized cap rate at cost | 7.7% |
| Replacement parking required | No (§66313) |
| Approval pathway | Ministerial · §66314 |
| Typical permit timeline in San Diego | 75-110 days |
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