ADU Impact Fees: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
No data available yet for Mountain View.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Under California Government Code Section 65852.2(f)(3) and San Jose Municipal Code Section 20.30.150, ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from all city impact fees including the Building and Structure Construction Tax, the Commercial-Residential-Mobile Park Tax, and park dedication fees. ADUs of 750 sq ft or larger pay impact fees prorated by floor area relative to the primary dwelling. Utility connection fees are capped for conversions of existing space.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Under 750 sq ft | - | All impact fees waived |
| Authority | - | Gov. Code 65852.2(f)(3) |
| 750 sq ft and Up | - | Prorated by floor area |
| Conversion ADUs | - | Most utility fees avoided |
| School Fees | - | District sets, often >500 sq ft only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
No FAQs available.
San Jose FAQ
Are San Jose ADU impact fees really $0 for a small unit?
Yes, for new-construction ADUs under 750 sq ft. State law preempts cities from charging impact fees on these units. Permit fees and plan check fees still apply, and the school district may charge separate fees depending on size.
What if my ADU is 800 sq ft - the city's detached cap?
Then it is no longer exempt under the 750 sq ft rule. The city collects impact fees prorated by the ADU's floor area relative to the main house. On a 2,000 sq ft house this works out to roughly 40 percent of the new-house fee schedule.
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