San José, California

Backyard ADUs in San José, designed and built by one team

Plans, permits and construction for detached ADUs in San José, from an architect and a licensed general contractor who build here.

See your all-in price Book a free site evaluation

Up to 18 ftOne-story detached ADU height under San José standards

Up to 24 ftTwo-story detached ADU, with a 4 ft setback

Same dayPermit issuance possible on the City's Preapproved ADU track

$0State impact fees on ADUs under 750 sq ft

How San José's Preapproved ADU program works

The City reviews standard, non-site-specific ADU plans from approved vendors in advance. You still submit a site-specific plan showing where the ADU goes, utility connections and setbacks.

If that site plan is complete and accurate, the City can issue the permit the same day as the plan review meeting.

To qualify, the lot must be zoned residential with an existing single-family home or duplex, and must not be in a geohazard, landslide, flood or wildland-urban interface zone.

Changes to a preapproved plan move the project to the standard review process.

City of San José: Preapproved ADUs San José ADU Ally: adu.ally@sanjoseca.gov, 408-793-5302

Licensed and insured

An architect and a general contractor on one team.

CA Architect License C38161 and CA Contractors License #890185 (B, A, C36, C20, C10). We design, permit and build your ADU, so one team answers for the price and the schedule.

Meet the team

How an ADU gets built in San José

Check your lot

Look up your address on sjpermits.org. Lots in a geohazard, landslide, flood or wildland-urban interface zone take the standard review path.

Pick a plan and price it

Choose one of our five plans and configure siding, roof, windows and interior. You see an all-in number up front.

Site plan and permit

We prepare the site-specific plan (ADU location, utilities, setbacks) and pull the permit as your licensed contractor.

Build

Construction takes about 6 months after the contract is signed.

ADU plans for San José lots

The Mews 5321 bedroom · 1 bath · 532 sq ft · from $340,375

The Agrarian 7492 bedrooms · 2 baths · 749 sq ft · from $435,215

The Barnhouse 9002 bedrooms · 2 baths · 900 sq ft · from $497,245

The Homestead 12003 bedrooms · 2 baths · 1,200 sq ft · from $588,000

The Loft 360Studio with loft · 1 bath · 360 sq ft · from $325,000

ADU configurator

Price any plan for your San José lot in about three minutes.

Start configuring

ADU questions in San José

How tall can an ADU be in San José?

Under San José's ADU standards, a one-story detached ADU can be up to 18 ft and a two-story detached ADU up to 24 ft, with a 4 ft setback for the second story. We confirm the limits for your lot at the site evaluation.

How big can an ADU be in San José?

State law allows a detached ADU of at least 800 sq ft with 4 ft side and rear setbacks on a single-family lot. Our plans run from 360 to 1,200 sq ft, and we check which ones fit your lot.

Do I pay impact fees on an ADU in San José?

Under state law, ADUs under 750 sq ft don't pay impact fees. Larger ADUs can carry school and parkland fees, which our configurator includes for the 900 and 1,200 sq ft plans.

How long does it take to build an ADU in San José?

Our ADUs take about 6 months to build after the contract is signed. Permit time depends on whether your project qualifies for an expedited review.

Do I need to live on the property?

No. California no longer requires the owner to live on a property with an ADU.

Planning an ADU in San José?

Book a free site evaluation Call 408-582-4567