Home / ADUs In San Jose
ADUs In San Jose
Last updated
San Jose runs a Preapproved ADU program with plans from city-approved vendors. The city says permits may be issued the same day as the scheduled plan review meeting if site documents are accurate and complete, for eligible residential lots outside geohazard, landslide, flood, and Wildland-Urban Interface areas.
The Local Program
San Jose runs a Preapproved ADU program with plans from city-approved vendors. The city says you still submit site-specific documents showing where the unit goes, along with utility connections and setbacks. It also says permits may be issued the same day as the scheduled plan review meeting if those documents are accurate and complete, for lots zoned residential with an existing single-family home or duplex that are not in a geohazard, landslide, flood, or Wildland-Urban Interface area.
What Costs Look Like In The Region
The Terner Center's Terner Center statewide ADU owner survey found the Bay Area had the highest regional median: $177,500, or $329 per square foot. That survey was published in 2021, so current prices may be higher. See ADU Cost In California for the full table and the caveats.
What To Check At Your Address
- Read the city page on which residential zones the preapproved plans allow, since not every zone is covered.
- Plans come through city-approved vendors, so ask each vendor what it charges and compare that with the cost of a custom design.
- Ask the city how long a permit stays valid once it is issued.
State Rules That Apply Here
- The review deadlines in Permits And Timeline: 15 business days for a completeness notice and 60 days to approve or deny a complete application.
- No impact fees for an ADU of 750 square feet or less (Government Code section 66311.5).
- No owner occupancy requirement for an ADU (Government Code section 66315).
Before You Hire Anyone
Call or visit the planning counter, and bring your address and a sketch of what you have in mind. Then read Questions To Ask An ADU Builder.
Common Questions
Does San Jose have preapproved ADU plans?
Yes. The city lists plans from city-approved vendors, and you still submit site-specific documents showing where the unit goes, along with utility connections and setbacks.
What did Bay Area ADUs cost in the Terner Center survey?
The Bay Area had the highest regional median, $177,500, or $329 per square foot. The survey was published in 2021, so current prices may be higher.
Tell Us About Your Project
Share a few details about your lot and your plans. We introduce you to one licensed builder in your area and tell you who it is before they contact you.
Tell Us About Your Project