Mee Builders: ADU Contractor Services in San Diego
Mee Builders operates as an ADU contractor in San Diego, offering direct project oversight throughout the construction process. Their approach is structured to avoid the delays and miscommunications that can come with larger corporate remodeling teams. Every project is managed with attention to California Energy Code compliance and local permitting requirements.
Their services cover a range of accessory dwelling unit types, from detached backyard cottages to garage conversions and junior ADUs, each with its own engineering and regulatory considerations.
ADU Construction Types Offered by Mee Builders
Detached ADUs (Backyard Cottages)
For homeowners with larger lots, Mee Builders handles detached ADU construction as a freestanding structure separate from the primary residence. The engineering process accounts for San Diego's four-foot side and rear setback requirements. Privacy considerations such as window placement and acoustic fencing are incorporated into the design. Separate utility metering is established from the start, requiring independent trenching for water, electrical, and sewer laterals.
Attached ADUs and Home Additions
Attached ADUs share at least one wall with the primary residence, which generally makes them more cost-effective to build. Mee Builders focuses on structural integration, tying the new foundation and roof load paths into the existing dwelling. To address sound transmission between units, the shared wall assembly is engineered with resilient channels, high-density acoustic insulation, and mass-loaded vinyl.
Garage Conversion Contractor Services
Garage-to-ADU conversions are among the more common project types in San Diego. Mee Builders approaches these conversions with attention to structural integrity, often saw-cutting and reinforcing the existing concrete slab to accommodate new point loads and underground plumbing. The exterior envelope is upgraded with continuous high-density insulation to meet 2026 Title 24 thermal efficiency standards.
Above-Garage ADU Construction
Building above an existing garage requires advanced structural engineering. Mee Builders retrofits the ground-floor framing with lateral shear bracing and Laminated Veneer Lumber headers to safely transfer the load of the new upper-level structure into a stabilized foundation. This approach preserves ground-floor hardscape while adding livable space.
JADU Contractor Services
A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is a specific unit type limited to 500 square feet and must be contained entirely within the existing walls of a single-family residence. Unlike a standard ADU, a JADU is permitted to share sanitation facilities with the primary home and requires an efficiency kitchen. Mee Builders handles JADU projects as a capital-efficient option for homeowners looking to generate rental income from underutilized interior space.
San Diego ADU Regulations and Density Considerations
San Diego's regulatory environment for ADUs involves both state-level legislation and local zoning rules. Mee Builders works within the framework of San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14, Article 1, Division 3, as well as the California Building Standards Code and requirements set by the San Diego Development Services Department.
Density allowances on single-family lots are determined by lot size:
- Lots of 8,000 sq. ft. or less: maximum of 4 units
- Lots between 8,001 and 10,000 sq. ft.: maximum of 5 units
- Lots exceeding 10,000 sq. ft.: maximum of 6 units, inclusive of the primary dwelling
An ADU of 800 square feet or less is exempt from standard lot coverage limits, FAR restrictions, and open-space requirements under state law. Mee Builders uses these parameters during the design phase to maximize the allowable unit count on a given property.
For multi-family properties, state law allows as many detached ADUs as there are existing units on the lot, up to eight new detached units. For jurisdictions without a fully compliant local ADU ordinance, the state permits a maximum detached ADU size of 1,200 square feet regardless of the primary residence's size. Mee Builders applies this interpretation when engineering larger detached units on multi-family lots, subject to applicable height limits and the required four-foot side and rear setbacks.
San Diego's ADU Density Bonus Program allows property owners to build an additional market-rate ADU for each unit deed-restricted as affordable housing for a period of 10 to 15 years. This program applies in eligible RS-1-5, RS-1-6, and RS-1-7 zones, as well as designated multi-family zones.
Regarding Senate Bill 9 lot splits, while SB-9 permits urban lot splits on single-family zoned parcels, the process involves owner-occupancy requirements, significant infrastructure costs, and extended timelines. Mee Builders takes these factors into account when advising property owners on whether a high-density ADU strategy may be a more practical path than pursuing a formal lot split.
