484 licensed general building contractors list an address in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas or Rancho Santa Fe, plus 424 in Carlsbad. Source: the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) public list of currently renewed B (general building) licenses, pulled 2026-10-05. Median time licensed: 19 years.
| City | Licensed general contractors (B) |
|---|---|
| Solana Beach | 77 |
| Del Mar | 53 |
| Cardiff | 52 |
| Encinitas | 243 |
| Rancho Santa Fe | 59 |
| Carlsbad | 424 |
Text PJ the project and your neighborhood. He matches you with a licensed local. No fee.
What a B license covers
- Whole projects: an ADU, an addition, a remodel. A general building contractor takes jobs that need at least two unrelated trades, not counting framing or carpentry.
- One-trade jobs: just a roof, just the wiring, just the plumbing go to that specialty license, unless the general contractor also holds it or hires a licensed specialist. Roofers · electricians · plumbers.
Source: CSLB, B general building classification.
Building an ADU: what state law says
- 60 days: the city must approve or deny a complete ADU application within 60 days (Government Code section 66317), in the coastal zone too.
- Fees: no impact fees on an ADU under 750 square feet; larger ones are charged in proportion to the main house.
- Setbacks: a city can't require side or rear setbacks over 4 feet for a new ADU.
- Size: a city can't set a maximum below 850 square feet, or 1,000 with more than one bedroom.
- Parking: no more than one space per unit, none within a half mile of public transit, in a historic district, or for a conversion of existing space, and no replacement parking when a garage becomes the ADU.
- Coastal lots: where a certified Local Coastal Program conflicts with State ADU Law, the coastal rules win inside the coastal zone, except the 60-day clock. Ask the city which rules apply to your lot.
Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU fact sheet, April 2026. An overview, not legal advice.
Before you sign
The deposit is capped at 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less; pay only as the work is done; and get a lien release with every payment so an unpaid sub can't lien your house. The full checklist with a contract calculator: check a contractor before you sign.
Check any contractor's license yourself
- Ask for their CSLB license number.
- Look it up on CSLB's Check a License.
- For a whole project, look for an active license that includes the B general building classification.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
How many licensed general contractors are near Solana Beach?
484 general building contractors with a current CSLB B license list an address in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas or Rancho Santa Fe, plus 424 in Carlsbad (CSLB list pulled 2026-10-05).
Can a general contractor do just a roof or just electrical work?
Not on its own. CSLB says a B contractor can't take a prime contract for a single trade other than framing or carpentry unless it holds that specialty license or hires a licensed specialist.
How long does a city have to approve an ADU in California?
60 days to approve or deny a complete application, under Government Code section 66317, including in the coastal zone (HCD ADU fact sheet, April 2026).
Do I pay impact fees on an ADU?
Not on an ADU under 750 square feet. Larger ADUs can be charged, in proportion to the size of the main house.
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