Businesses » Development Services Permit Center » Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

ADU Project Process

Here are the main steps to getting a building permit and completing your project. 

First: 

  • Is your ADU project a tiny home on wheels? If yes, please refer to Bulletin 291 Tiny Home on Wheels Permit Checklist. *Please reach out to the ADU Ally team at ADU.Ally@sanjoseca.gov. 
  • Is your project a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) within the existing footprint of your home? If yes, this webpage applies to you. 
  • Is your ADU project part of the pre-approved program? If yes, please visit the Preapproved ADUs webpage to find out more about the process via a pre-approved ADU vendor.  
  • Is your ADU project part of a multifamily lot (not Single-family residential lot or duplex lot)? If yes, email our ADU Ally team at ADU.Ally@sanjoseca.gov.

Follow these steps to get ADU plans approved and have your ADU submittal and permit processing completed successfully.

STEP # 1: Review and complete the adu universal checklist 

The ADU Universal Checklist outlines project requirements according to the location and type of property. Please complete the checklist to see if you are eligible to have an ADU permitted on your property. Please also watch the video: Step 1 to Any ADU Project: Property Considerations. 

It is highly recommended that homeowners, designers, and construction professionals complete the ADU Universal Checklist to understand the key considerations that affect an ADU project.  

Get Free Basic Feedback from a City Planner

  • After completing the universal checklist and confirming eligibility, you can request basic feedback from a planner on your proposed project concept. Send an email to schedule a virtual appointment at ADU.ally@sanjoseca.gov with the following information: 
    • The completed ADU Universal Checklist 
    • Identify if you are choosing either the City allowance or State allowance option 
    • The project property address 
    • A list of your questions 
  • Reference Bulletin 211 ADU Building Plan Requirements 
    • Attach existing and proposed site sketch that shows measurements of the lot; location of all existing buildings and trees; and proposed location of the ADU (or if applicable, proposed JADU) 
    • Attach existing and proposed floor plans and elevations 
      • If a draft is incomplete, then we cannot schedule an appointment until we receive an adequate draft. 
      • Basic feedback appointments are not preliminary meetings and they are not in-depth plan check review meetings. 

STEP # 2: PREPARE The adu plans for formal submittal and review

We recommend working with an experienced professional to prepare your construction plans. ADU plans involve many technical codes and working with an experienced ADU professional will save you time in the long run.

Reading these documents can help you avoid the frustrating and costly experience of having to alter your design after you already invested in creating plans:

STEP # 3: Start your online application

Use the Application Wizard to determine the right permitting path. Once you have identified the necessary permitting applications, you can create your SJPermits.org account.

You will choose the project property address, provide a scope of work, and assign the “ePlan Applicant” who will be responsible for uploading all plans and documents and responding to all plan review comments. SJPermits will auto-email the ePlan Applicant with the steps to create an account in SJePlans so you can upload large files and documents.

STEP # 4: Upload plans & documents to SJePlans

Only the ePlan Applicant can upload documents to SJePlans and respond to plan review comments. View the SJePlan instructions, video tutorials, and file naming conventions on the Building Permits with Plan Review webpage. 

Before you upload, have your complete ADU Submittal Package ready. City staff will NOT process inaccurate or incomplete plans!

Your package must include the following documents:

  • Form 312 ADU Property Owner Declaration
    • Digitally signed by the property owner.
    • If your project is a Junior ADU, please instead use Form 313 JADU Deed Restriction Agreement. Per County of Santa Clara County Recorder's Office, the JADU Deed Restriction Agreement is required to have a wet signature. The responsible party should complete, print, and wet sign the form and mail it to the address on the Agreement with attention to your assigned City Supervising Planner.

To sign documents digitally, use DocuSign or follow our digital signature instructions.

STEP # 5: Submittal Process

The plan review process in SJePlans has three phases:

Prescreen Review

 After the ePlan Applicant has completed the Upload and Submit task, a City Permit Specialist will confirm that the application is ready for plan review and  issue an invoice for the initial plan review fees . Upon payment,, the project will be routed to a plan reviewer.

Plan Review 

The ePlan Applicant will respond to the Plan Reviewer's comments in SJePlans and, if needed, resubmit plans through SJePlans for each cycle of review.

All communication is via SJePlans and notifications will be sent to the ePlan applicant’s email.

Issuance Review

 After plans are approved, a permit issuance review will be conducted once the following final invoices are paid:

Upon completion of all outstanding review items and fee payment, the building permit will be issued. You will be notified via email that your permit card and approved plans are available through SJePlans.

STEP # 6: construction & inspections

Once the building permit is issued, construction can begin. Your contractor should schedule inspection appointments at the appropriate times.

For a successful inspection, present the completed  Bulletin #213 - Inspection Checklist for ADUs along with the approval plans and job permit card to the inspector.

Final Inspection

Be sure to complete the Construction and Demolition Diversion Review and sign-off application before scheduling a Building Final Inspection.

Once construction is complete and the final building inspection is approved, congratulations, your ADU is ready for moving in!