GetYourPermit

ADU permit process in San Jose, California

Last verified August 28, 2026

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San Jose's Planning, Building & Code Enforcement department reviews ADU/JADU permits, with a dedicated 'ADU Ally' contact at the Permit Center to help homeowners navigate the process. Applications and plan sets are submitted online: homeowners create an SJPermits.org account, then the designated 'ePlan Applicant' uploads plans and responds to review comments through SJePlans. Preapproved ADU vendor plans can be issued the same day as the scheduled plan review meeting; custom plans go through prescreen, plan review, and issuance review phases, subject to the state's 60-day ministerial review clock.

Typical timeline

Preapproved-vendor ADU plans can be issued the same day as the plan review meeting; custom plans go through prescreen, plan review, and issuance review, subject to the state's 60-day mandatory review timeframe for complete applications.

Where to apply

Department
San Jose Planning, Building & Code Enforcement (Development Services / Permit Center)
Permit portal
SJPermits.org / SJePlans
Contact
408-793-5302adu.ally@sanjoseca.gov

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the ADU Universal Checklist

    Review the ADU Universal Checklist to confirm property eligibility and key constraints before designing; optionally request planner feedback (phone or a paid preliminary meeting with the ADU Ally team).

  2. 2

    Prepare ADU plans

    Work with a designer/architect using Bulletin 211 (ADU Building Plan Requirements) and the ADU Inspection Checklist to prepare a complete, code-compliant plan set.

  3. 3

    Start the online application

    Use the Application Wizard to pick the right permit type, then create an SJPermits.org account, assign the ePlan Applicant, and provide the scope of work.

  4. 4

    Upload plans and documents to SJePlans

    The ePlan Applicant uploads the full submittal package (plans, Title 24/CalGreen forms, water-flow letter, Form 302 address request, Form 312 owner declaration or Form 313 JADU deed restriction).

  5. 5

    Prescreen and plan review

    A Permit Specialist confirms the submittal is ready and invoices initial plan-check fees; after payment, plan reviewers issue comments and the ePlan Applicant resubmits each cycle.

  6. 6

    Issuance review and fee payment

    After plan approval, pay residual plan review, inspection, building permit application, school, and parkland fees.

  7. 7

    Permit issuance

    The building permit is issued electronically, with notification sent to the ePlan Applicant via SJePlans.

  8. 8

    Construction, inspections, and final

    Schedule inspections through SJPermits.org, present the ADU Inspection Checklist to inspectors, complete the C&D diversion review, and pass the final building inspection.

What you need to submit

  • ADU Universal Checklist
  • Site/floor plans and elevations (per Bulletin 211)
  • Title 24 energy calculations and CalGreen checklist
  • Geotechnical report (as applicable)
  • Water company flow letter
  • Form 302 Address Assignment Request
  • Form 312 ADU Property Owner Declaration (or Form 313 JADU Deed Restriction Agreement for JADUs)

San Jose ADU rules at a glance

JADU
Must be within the existing single-family home footprint (including an attached garage), under 500 sq ft, and requires a wet-signed JADU Deed Restriction Agreement (Form 313) recorded with Santa Clara County
Max size
JADUs under 500 sq ft within the existing single-family footprint; general ADU maximum unit size must be at least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft for units with more than one bedroom) per state minimums referenced by the city
Setbacks
Governed by San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 20.80 Part 2.75; specific measurements not confirmed on official pages reviewed
Owner occupancy
Required for JADUs (owner must live in the remaining primary residence or the JADU)

Pre-approved ADU plans

San Jose publishes pre-approved plan sets, which can shorten plan check.

View pre-approved plans

Practical tips

  • Get the water company flow letter and hydrant map early -- it's a common cause of project delays.
  • Complete the ADU Universal Checklist first; it determines which requirements and process apply to your property.
  • Preapproved ADU vendor plans are the fastest path, potentially issuing a permit the same day as the plan review meeting.
  • JADU deed restrictions require a wet (physical) signature mailed to the county recorder -- DocuSign is not accepted for that specific form.

Sources for this guide

Additional city reference pages