Frequently Asked Questions

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with another single-family residence (SFR) or multi-family residence (MFR).

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is an ADU which is attached to a SFR that does not exceed 500 square feet (sf) and has additional allowances and restrictions as described below.

To determine if your property permits either an ADU and/or a JADU please refer to the Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units: General Information handout.

SB 9 mandates jurisdictions, such as the City of Poway, to ministerially approve a housing SB 9 development containing no more than two (2) residential units on a single lot within a single-family residential zone, excluding certain areas (“units” is inclusive of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs)).  ADUs may be permissible after two (2) main single-family residences on a single lot are established.  Additionally, the City must ministerially process an Urban Lot Split in accordance with SB 9 and eligible development standards.

To determine if your property permits either a SB 9 development or an Urban Lot Split please refer to the ‘SB 9 Developments & Urban Lot Splits: General Information’ handout.

Go to PowGIS > click on "Search" > enter in your address > then click the search icon > then "Community Info" > then expand the "Planning Information" data. 

You can find information on commercial building setbacks in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.10.120.

Information on sports court requirements can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.30.

Information can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.08.240.

Additionally, when building a wall or fence, please maintain clear access to the water meter. There must be a minimum 2-foot clearance on all sides of the water meter box and no obstructions above or over the meter box. Please review PMC 13.11.130.A for more information.

Information on permitted uses in residential zones can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.08.100.

Information on permitted uses in commercial zones can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.10.060.

Information can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.32.010.

Information regarding the granting of a variance can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.50.070.

You can find information on residential building setbacks in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.08.160.