Preapproved ADU's

Created by Reem Kaddoura, Modified on Thu, 16 May 2024 at 11:00 AM by Reem Kaddoura

Are you looking for a faster, lower-cost way to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)?

Standardized construction plans that are preapproved by the City enable the fastest, lowest-cost permit process.

This webpage lists the ADU builders who have secured preapproved plans. There is still a need to submit a site-specific plan that shows the location of the preapproved ADU, which is something the ADU builder/contractor usually handles.

Same-day permit issuance! If the site-specific plan and related documents are accurate and complete, permits may be issued on the same day of the scheduled plan review meeting (see submittal process at bottom of page). Exception: For projects with a deferred site-specific structural submittal, same-day approval and permit issuance may not be possible.

To use preapproved plans, the project must meet all of the following criteria:

Lot must be zoned residential and have an existing single-family home or duplex.
Lot must NOT be located in a geohazard zone, landslide zone, flood zone or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area; see the ADU Universal Checklist to determine these designations.
The project must NOT require a Fire Variance.

HOMEOWNERS - HOW TO GET A PREAPPROVED ADU

I want to use preapproved ADU plans. How do I proceed?

Explore the Preapproved ADU Vendor List below. You may wish to contact several vendors and learn about their options, pricing, and installation approach. Be sure to confirm the vendor's role in submitting the plans and securing the building permit. It is highly advised that you have the vendor or contractor pull the permits. This keeps the liability for the work with the professional service.

PREAPPROVED ADU VENDOR LIST

Listed in alphabetical order, the following vendors offer ADU plans that the City of San Jose has preapproved:

Abodu
Website: https://abodu.com/
Contact: hello@abodu.com or 650-398-0158
What's Preapproved:

330 sq. ft. ADU foundation-only with State-approved factory-built housing
495 sq. ft. ADU foundation-only with State-approved factory-built housing
610 sq. ft. ADU foundation-only with State-approved factory-built housing

Acton ADU
Website: https://actonadu.com
Contact: info@actonadu.com or 408-369-1103
What's Preapproved:

748 sq. ft. 2 bedroom ADU

Adore Homes Inc.
Website: https://adore-homes.com/
Contact: info@adore-homes.com or 650-397-2405
What's Preapproved:

674 sq. ft. 2 bedroom ADU foundation-only with State-approved manufactured home

ADU4life, Inc.
Website: https://adu4life.com/
Contact: Greg Popovich gpop@adu4life.com or 925-788-6018
What's Preapproved:

Life Style 500, a 500 sq. ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom site-built cottage

Alto Housing, Inc.
Website: https://www.altohousinginc.com/models
Contact: office@altohousinginc.com or 650-599-9660
What's Preapproved:

966 sq. ft. 2 bedroom ADU foundation-only with State-approved manufactured home

APEX Homes
Website: https://www.apex-homes.us/
Contact: 408-831-1078
What's Preapproved:

495 Sq. Ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
749 Sq. Ft. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
991 Sq. Ft. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
1,194 Sq. Ft. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Breakthrough Builders
Website: www.sfbayadu.com
Contact: kamal@sfbayadu.com
What's Preapproved:

1,000 sq. ft. ADU with State-approved factory-built panels with site-specific structural submittal

Ca2Homes
Website: UniADU.com
Contact: 408-756-4221 (Andrew) Nghia Nguyen, AIA
Address: 1754 Technology Drive, Suite 133, San Jose, CA 95110
What's Preapproved:

Detached ADU 499 sq.ft. , 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Detached ADU 747 sq.ft. , 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

CityPaks
Website: https://citypaks.com/
Contact: lori@citypaks.com or 408-412-1154
What's Preapproved:

Detached ADU Studio 455 sq. ft.
Detached ADU 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom 589 sq. ft.
Detached ADU 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms 723 sq. ft.

Connect Homes
Website: https://connect-homes.com/san-jose-adu
Contact: hello@connect-homes.com or 888-959-2261
What's Preapproved:

460 sq. ft. 1 bedroom ADU
640 sq. ft. 1 bedroom ADU

Framework First
Website: https://frameworkfirst.com/san-jose-pre-approved-adus/
Contact: mail@frameworkfirst.com or (831) 596-5969
What's Preapproved:

660 sq.ft.1 bedroom, 1 bathroom

Inspired ADU
Website: https://inspiredadus.com
Contact: hello@inspiredadus.com or 800-503-5769
What's Preapproved:

747 sq. ft. 2 bedroom

J. Kretschmer Architect
Website: https://www.getadu.com/preapproved-adu
Contact: getadu@jkretschmer.com or 408-221-0771
What's Preapproved:

476 sq. ft. 1 bedroom ADU

Mayberry Workshop
Website: http://www.mayberryworkshop.com/adu
Contact: ADU@mayberryworkshop.com
What's Preapproved:

532 sq. ft.1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
749 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
900 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Modal
Website: http://www.livemodal.com
Contact: sales@livemodal.com or 855-584-2637
What's Preapproved:

357 sq. ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
417 sq. ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
567 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Next Stage Design
Website: https://www.nextstagedesign.com/case-study/adu-floor-plans-500-sq-ft/
Contact: office@nextstagedesign.com
What's Preapproved:

500 sq. ft. 1 bedroom ADU

Oak and Willow Construction, with Blaine Architects
Website: https://blainearchitects.com/oakandwillow
Contact: info@oakandwillowbuilds.com or 408-772-1095
Blaine@blainearchitects.com or 408-890-8800
What's Preapproved:

799 sq. ft. ADU

Open Remodel
Website:https://www.openremodel.com/
Contact: Contact@OpenRemodel.com or 408-357-3043
What's Preapproved:

748.5 sq. ft. 2 bedroom ADU

prefabADU
Website: https://www.prefabadu.com/
Contact: michelle@prefabadu.com & daniel@prefabadu.com or 707-429-3300
What's Preapproved:

390 sq. ft. 1 bedroom ADU
640 sq. ft. 2 bedroom ADU

SYMBiHOM
Website: https://www.symbihom.com/symbihom-san-jose-master-permit-adu
Contact: Info@symbihom.com
What's Preapproved:

Attached or Detached garage conversion to ADU Studio, 1 BR, or 2BR of 300-850 sq. ft. and with State-approved factory-built panels.*
Attached garage conversion to JADU up to 500 sq. ft. with State-approved factory-built panels.*
* A site-specific structural submittal will require plan review.

Valley Home Builders Inc.

Website: https://valleyhomebuilders.com/pre-approved-adus
Contact: npaolercio@valleyhomebuilders.com or yzayed@valleyhomebuilders.com
What's Preapproved:

650.8 sq. ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom detached ADU
748.8 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms detached ADU

Villa Homes
Website: https://villahomes.com/blog/fast-adu-sanjose/
Contact: hello@villahomes.com
What's Preapproved:

440 sq. ft. ADU foundation-only with State-approved manufactured home
569 sq. ft. ADU foundation-only with State-approved manufactured home
747 sq. ft. ADU foundation-only with State-approved manufactured home

West Peak Construction, with J. Kretschmer Architect
Website: https://www.getadu.com/west-peak-preapproved-adu
Contact: daniel@westpeak.biz or 415-966-6178
What's Preapproved:

748 sq. ft. 2 bedroom ADU

VENDORS - HOW TO APPLY FOR PREAPPROVED PLANS

1. Prepare 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.

3. Pay fees and submit plans

After the Preliminary Preapproved ADU meeting, plans will be reviewed by Building, Planning, Fire Prevention, and Public Works staff.

Plan Review Time: The Plan Review Approximate Time Frames handout shows the estimated time necessary for City staff to complete plan review. These time frames are based on submitting complete and accurate plans.

IMPORTANT: You will need to update and resubmit your plans when the City adopts new building codes, building policies, or zoning changes that apply to the plans.

Fees: At the Building Fees webpage, find fee information and view the Building Fee Schedule. Go to page 3 and refer to the Accessory Dwelling Unit “ADU” – New/Alteration section for fee information. Plans will be processed via regular plan review service at an hourly rate. If additional plan review time is required, fees will be billed accordingly.

4. Get a listing on this webpage

Upon approval of the plans, your business name, contact, information, and brief description of the size/type of approved ADU plan will be listed on this webpage.

VENDORS - SITE-SPECIFIC PROJECT SUBMITTAL

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. As stated above, the lot must not be located a geohazard, landslide, or flood zone or in a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area, and must not require a Fire Variance.

For 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:
- Email the complete submittal package to: adu.ally@sanjoseca.gov and request a Site-Specific Preapproved ADU Submittal Appointment. Enter in the email Subject Line: Appointment Request - Preapproved ADU Submittal
For projects with changes to the preapproved plans: Making changes to a preapproved master plan will disqualify it as a Preapproved ADU and expedited review cannot be provided. To submit the project, visit the ADU Permit Service webpage to schedule an appointment.

QUESTIONS?

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