How can rethinking local zoning laws turn small residential lots into high-yield, multi-unit housing solutions?
In this episode, Jonathan Mitchell, founder of ADU Pals, a real estate developer specializing in scalable, affordable housing solutions in San Diego, shares his journey from growing up in Section 8 housing to launching a solar company and ultimately becoming a real estate developer focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). He breaks down how ADUs in San Diego have evolved from simple backyard structures to fully stacked multi-unit developments, and why that matters in a city with soaring housing costs. They discuss how city policy, construction know-how, and personal mission converge in Jonathan’s work, and what it takes to build profitably and responsibly in California.
[00:01 - 06:24] Origins and Intentions
- How growing up on welfare in San Diego shaped his views on housing
- Why personal definition of success centers on using time wisely
- The significance of being a positive influence on future generations
[06:25 - 12:43] From Solar to Structures
- How bootstrapping a solar company led to licenses in contracting
- Why learning on the job taught him about scaling and finance
- The importance of understanding margins over revenue
[12:44 - 18:19] Redefining the ADU Model
- Why San Diego allows stacked ADUs that resemble multifamily buildings
- How zoning bonuses are tied to affordability through AMI
- The need to balance profit with policy in high-demand regions
[18:20 - 24:00] Strategy, Risk, and Process
- How they rehab properties, develop in-house, and lease while building
- The importance of understanding entitlements, density, and financing
- What the “triple play” model means for equity, cash flow, and debt
[24:01 - 31:54] Challenges, Culture, and Perspective
- The significance of understanding local policy shifts
- How bad actors in the space affected legislation
- Why consulting with experienced developers mitigates risk
Connect with Jonathan:
Website: www.adupals.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mitchell-a1493410b
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmitchellre/
LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:
Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.
None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.
Tweetable Quotes:
“I don’t want to waste time, man. I want to utilize the time that God has given me to be a light, to be productive.” - Jonathan Mitchell
“You can build a 10-unit property under o
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.