Homeowners in San Diego County’s unincorporated areas — including parts of East County — could soon have a new option for their accessory dwelling units, after supervisors unanimously approved a rule change Wednesday allowing ADUs to be sold independently from the main home.

The ordinance amendment aligns county policy with Assembly Bill 1033, a California state law that took effect in 2024. The updated rules take effect in 30 days. County staff have also been directed to present options within 120 days that focus on supporting first-time homeowners and giving existing ADU tenants the first opportunity to purchase the unit they live in.

ADUs — also called granny flats, in-law units, or backyard cottages — have become an increasingly popular housing solution in San Diego County as home prices continue to climb. Allowing them to be sold as separate parcels gives homeowners more flexibility and could open a new pathway to homeownership for buyers priced out of traditional single-family homes.

"We need housing, and the ADUs make up a large portion of our new construction in San Diego County," said Supervisor Jim Desmond, who backed making the policy as flexible as possible.

Some supervisors raised concerns about investors purchasing ADUs in bulk and taking them off the rental market, and the county plans to address those scenarios in future policy discussions. For now, the move is seen as a step toward expanding housing supply and affordability across the region.