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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in San Jose, California

San Jose defines the unit broadly and permits three distinct forms. 'Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also called secondary units or granny flats, are small living units with a kitchen and bathroom.' They may sit on 'residentially zoned properties, including single-family, duplex, or multifamily properties.'

Verified 2026-09-11 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Check eligibility first - 'The ADU Universal Checklist will help you identify if your property qualifies for an ADU.'
  • A JADU is a separate, smaller category: 'Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are less than 500 square feet and located within the footprint of a single-family home.'
  • A JADU 'may be converted from the existing square footage of a single-family home and this can include an attached garage.'
  • Tiny homes on wheels are permitted here as an ADU type: 'Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are a type of ADU; they are allowed only on single-family properties and have different requirements and a simpler, lower-cost permit process.'

Required documents

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Fee schedule

ADU permit feesThe ADU page publishes process, categories and benefits rather than dollar figures. It does state that the THOW route is a 'simpler, lower-cost permit process' relative to a conventional ADU, without quantifying it.
NOT PUBLISHED on the ADU page

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit permit actually take in San Jose?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Inspections via the Permit Center

    Requested through San Jose's Development Services Permit Center after permit issuance.

Tips

  • SAN JOSE ALLOWS TINY HOMES ON WHEELS AS AN ADU. This is the opposite of several Oregon cities, where an ADU must be a permanently built structure and cannot be on wheels. Do not carry an assumption about THOWs across a state line.
  • ADU AND JADU ARE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES WITH DIFFERENT RULES - a JADU is under 500 square feet and inside the footprint of the house, and has its own zoning ordinance.
  • AN ADU IS NOT LIMITED TO SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS HERE - the City names single-family, duplex and multifamily properties. A THOW, by contrast, is single-family only.

Frequently asked questions

San Jose requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: Check eligibility first - 'The ADU Universal Checklist will help you identify if your property qualifies for an ADU.'; A JADU is a separate, smaller category: 'Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are less than 500 square feet and located within the footprint of a single-family home.'; A JADU 'may be converted from the existing square footage of a single-family home and this can include an attached garage.'; Tiny homes on wheels are permitted here as an ADU type: 'Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are a type of ADU; they are allowed only on single-family properties and have different requirements and a simpler, lower-cost permit process.'. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at 408-535-3555 before starting work.

In San Jose, the published ADU permit fees is: NOT PUBLISHED on the ADU page. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

San Jose does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at 408-535-3555 for current turnaround.

You'll need: ADU Universal Checklist. Depending on your project, San Jose may also ask for: Bulletin 291 - Tiny Home on Wheels Permit Checklist. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

San Jose requires 1 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Inspections via the Permit Center. Schedule each through City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center (408-535-3555).

Apply through City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95113. Phone: 408-535-3555. Office hours: Phone Hours: M-F, 7am-4pm. Permit Center visiting hours M-Tu-Th-F: 8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, W: 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, and the City states 'No tickets after 3pm'. Speak with a Planner: M 10:30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Tu-W 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Th-F 9am-12pm & 1pm-2:30pm. Parking is under City Hall Tower with validation available.. Official information: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/business/development-services-permit-center.

San Jose, California has adopted: California Building Standards Code, Title 24 California Code of Regulations, as adopted statewide. NOT ASSERTED FOR SAN JOSE SPECIFICALLY: this record does not state the City's own local amendment ordinance, so no edition or amendment is claimed here. The statewide 2025 edition took effect 1 January 2026 per the City of San Diego's adoption document; San Jose's own adoption is not asserted here and must not be inferred from it.. Local amendments apply — see the San Jose overview page for the full list.

Yes, and San Jose treats it as a kind of ADU rather than a vehicle: THOWs 'are allowed only on single-family properties and have different requirements and a simpler, lower-cost permit process.' Read Bulletin 291.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the San Jose building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Property Access

San Jose's permit history is searchable by address

87,559 permits on record for San Jose, 1967–2026 — searchable by street address, with permit type, status, issued date and valuation where the city publishes them.

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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in other cities

Fresno, CaliforniaLong Beach, CaliforniaOakland, CaliforniaSacramento, CaliforniaSan Diego, CaliforniaAult, ColoradoBennett, ColoradoBerthoud, Colorado

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