San Jose at a Glance
1.0M
Population
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Parcels
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Median Lot
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Median Assessed
Building Code Requirements
These are the key dimensions and limits that govern what you can build in San Jose. Every project — whether it's a new home, ADU, remodel, or addition — must comply with these requirements.
35'
Max Height
25'
Front Setback
5'
Side Setback
20'
Rear Setback
45%
Lot Coverage
2
Parking / Unit
Values shown are for standard single-family residential zones. Multi-family zones, commercial zones, and overlay districts have different requirements. View all San Jose zone tables →
What You Can Build in San Jose
California state law overrides many local zoning restrictions for housing development. Here's what's available to property owners in San Jose, regardless of what local ordinances say.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
State LawBuild a second home on your lot — detached, attached, or converted from a garage. California law (AB 68 / AB 881) guarantees ADU rights for all residential properties. No minimum lot size. Cities must approve ministerially within 60 days.
Junior ADU (JADU)
State LawConvert space within your existing home into a separate rental unit — up to 500 sf. Can be built in addition to an ADU, giving you two income-producing units on one lot. Owner occupancy required for either the JADU or primary home.
SB 9 — Duplex + Lot Split
State LawSplit your lot in two and build a duplex on each half — up to four units total on what was a single-family lot. No public hearing, no discretionary review, no environmental review (CEQA exempt). Ministerial approval required.
SB 1211 — Streamlined ADU
State LawEffective January 2025: two-story ADUs up to 1,000 sf are pre-approved statewide. No local design review, no discretionary process. Cities must approve compliant plans within 30 days.
AB 1033 — ADU Condo Conversion
Opt-InIf your city has adopted a local ordinance, ADUs can be sold as separate condominiums — independent from the primary home. This unlocks a new path to homeownership and lets ADU builders recoup their investment through sale rather than rental income only.
Housing News in San Jose
Sebastopol City Council approves ADU condo conversions, but that's just the beginning - sebastopoltimes.com
Jan 09 · sebastopoltimes.com
San Jose becomes first California city to allow sale of ADUs as condos - San Francisco Chronicle
Aug 15 · sfchronicle.com
NEWS RELEASE: San José Approves the First ADU Condominium in California - City of San Jose (.gov)
Aug 14 · sanjoseca.gov
A wavy roof tops this sophisticated take on a backyard cabin in California - wallpaper.com
Feb 08 · wallpaper.com
San Jose ADU law brings back starter homes - San José Spotlight
Aug 15 · sanjosespotlight.com
Bay Area embracing ADUs amid housing crisis - are they worth the investment? - ABC7 San Francisco
Jul 30 · abc7news.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in San Jose? +
Yes. California state law (AB 68/AB 881) allows at least one ADU on any residential lot in San Jose. ADUs up to 800 sf are approved ministerially within 60 days, regardless of local zoning.
What is SB 9 and does it apply in San Jose? +
SB 9 (California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency Act) allows duplexes and lot splits on single-family lots statewide. In San Jose, this means you can potentially build up to 4 units on what was a single-family lot — no public hearing required.
What are the setback requirements in San Jose? +
Setback requirements in San Jose vary by zone. Use LotCheck to check your specific property's setback requirements against San Jose County's zoning code. For ADUs, California state law allows reduced setbacks of 4 feet for rear and side yards.
How much does an ADU cost to build in San Jose County? +
ADU construction in San Jose County typically ranges from $150,000 to $400,000 depending on size, finishes, and whether it's a conversion or new construction. Garage conversions tend to be the most affordable option.