Public-record permit data only — not zoning, feasibility, or legal advice. Records may be incomplete, delayed, or mis-categorized. Check with your city planning department.
Across East County San Diego, public records show 1,224 ADU permits in the 4 cities listed below. The most active are La Mesa (531), El Cajon (378) and Lemon Grove (193).
| City | ADU permits |
|---|---|
| El Cajon | 378 |
| La Mesa | 531 |
| Lemon Grove | 193 |
| Santee | 122 |
Where the numbers come from
Counts come from the California Department of Housing and Community Development's annual progress reports, which every city files with the state. Each area's page shows its yearly counts and, where the source publishes them, permit times, ADU types and declared costs.