ADU Permits: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do adu permits 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
San Jose processes ADU applications ministerially under San Jose Municipal Code Section 20.30.150 with a 60-day decision deadline mandated by California Government Code Section 65852.2. Detached new-construction ADUs are capped at 800 sq ft with a 4-foot rear and side setback. Conversions of existing space (garage, basement) face no separate setback, and attached ADUs may reach 1,200 sq ft or 50 percent of the main dwelling, whichever is less. Submittal is through the Permit Center.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Section | - | SJMC 20.30.150 |
| Review Type | - | Ministerial, 60-day clock |
| Detached Max Size | - | 800 sq ft |
| Detached Setback | - | 4 ft rear and side |
| Pre-Approved Plans | - | Available |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
No FAQs available.
San Jose FAQ
How long does a San Jose ADU permit take?
By state law and SJMC 20.30.150 the city must act within 60 days of a complete application. Pre-Approved ADU plans typically issue faster because the design itself is already vetted.
Do I need design review for an ADU?
No. ADU permits in San Jose are ministerial under SJMC 20.30.150. Staff check objective standards only and there is no public hearing or discretionary design review for compliant ADUs.
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