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

Preapproved ADU Vendor Application

HOW TO APPLY FOR PREAPPROVED PLANS and become a preapproved vendor

1. Prepare Master File Plans

Create ADU plans that are not site-specific and include architectural plans and structural drawings and calculations. Follow the instructions and requirements outlined in:

2. Schedule a preliminary preapproved ADU meeting

To schedule this meeting, email ADU.Ally@sanjoseca.gov with the Subject Line stating, "Preliminary preapproved ADU meeting request." During the meeting, you will discuss the plans with City staff. This is required for new vendors, but optional for existing vendors who have submitted plans that have been approved before.

3. Submit Plans & Pay the Initial Plan Review Fees

After meeting with City Staff and adopting the initial feedback into the plans,  put together the master plan submittal package.

Email your ADU.Ally@sanjoseca.gov when you are ready to submit the complete preapproved ADU submittal. The ADU Ally will provide upload instructions and next steps. 

The master plan submittal package should include the following:

  • Architectural information, plans, elevations, sections, and details
  • Structural information, plans, elevations, sections, and details
  • Structural calculations
  • Title 24 energy calculations
  • CalGreen Checklist
  • Truss plans and calculations, as applicable
  • Indication of Fire sprinklers: Provide a statement as to whether the standard construction plan layout proposes to be equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system.
  • For ADUs, you may use code minimum soil valuation for foundation design, or pre-scripted footing sizes if conventional construction is used or match existing foundation.
  • A standard site plan as reference is optional.

An incomplete package will not be accepted. If you must resubmit, another appointment will need to be scheduled.

Once the plans have been submitted to your ADU Ally, the master plan will go through three phases of review:

  • Prescreen Review  
    After we have checked for a complete ADU submittal, we will email  your Building/Fire Contact confirming that the application is ready for plan review.  We will also invoice you for the initial plan check fees. Upon payment , the project will be routed to a plan reviewer.
  • Plan Review
    Your Building/Fire contact will respond to the Plan Reviewer’s comments and, if needed, resubmit plans for each cycle of review.
    The Building/Fire Contact will respond to the Plan Reviewer’s comments by following specific instructions by each assigned reviewer. Email ADU.Ally@sanjoseca.gov for resubmittal questions.
  • Issuance Review
    Once the initial plan review is complete, we will invoice the applicant for the following fees:
    • Building fees. To understand more about the Building fees, please visit our Building Permit Fees webpage. This website features the most recent iteration of the Building and Structure Permits Fee Schedule.
    • Single-Family Residential fee section. For ADUs, use the addition/alteration table to determine the fee.
    • Other fees and taxes. Other fees such as Public Works clearance fees, Parkland fees, and School fees, and all applicable taxes, must be paid prior to permit issuance. These fees are linked on the Building Permit Fees webpage.

4. Get a listing on this webpage

Your business name, contact, information, and brief description of the size and type of approved ADU plan will be added to the Preapproved ADU Vendor list.

READY to bUILD A SITE-SPECIFIC PREAPPROVED ADU

Preapproved construction plans and a site-specific plan must be submitted as part of an ADU permit application. Read and complete the ADU Universal Checklist to identify if the project or site is subject to any special permits, clearances, or variances, and to make sure the project concept complies with the City's zoning codes.

Projects with no changes to the preapproved plans

For projects adhering to the preapproved master plan without any changes, prepare a complete and accurate Preapproved ADU Site-Specific Submittal Package in accordance with Bulletin #211-ADU Building Plan Requirements & Worksheet and Step # 2 on the ADU Plan Review & Permit Process webpage.

To submit:

  •  Request a Site-Specific Preapproved ADU Submittal Appointment. Email the complete submittal package including required documents to: adu.ally@sanjoseca.gov 
  • Enter Subject Line: Appointment Request - Preapproved ADU Submittal, Master File under XX-XXXXXX

Modifications to Preapproved ADU plans will not be accepted for the expedited process. If you have changes to the plan, the project will go through the regular permitting process at ADU Permit Service.

QUESTIONS?

Contact our ADU Ally:
Email: adu.ally@sanjoseca.gov
Phone: 408-793-5302