A backyard home – more commonly known as an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU – is a small living unit, including a kitchen and bathroom, that is added to a property with an existing single family or multi-family home. ADUs can be built in backyards, as an addition to an existing home, or by converting a garage or existing living space inside of a home.
One of the most powerful innovations to address the housing crisis is literally right in our own backyards. By building ADUs for the rental market, we can create new housing supply in a dramatically faster and less expensive way. Plus, homeowners can generate additional income for their families.
Regardless of whether you are considering a custom ADU, garage conversion, or prefabricated unit, you should hire a designer or licensed professional architect or engineer who has experience with ADU projects in San Jose. The fastest and easiest way to add a backyard home is to contact a vendor that offers preapproved plans. These vendors have experience with the City’s ADU permit process and their products have been reviewed and approved by the City in advance.
Sign up, click on the buttons at the bottom of the page, read Start Your ADU Smart, and check out our NEW Smart Start ADU tool!
We can solve Silicon Valley’s housing crisis – using exactly the same culture of innovation that made our city and region boom.
By signing up, you help us determine how many San José homeowners are interested in building a backyard home so we can make sure to serve you well. We will send occasional notifications about programs, incentives and upcoming workshops. Our goal is to make sure you have all the information and support you need to make this process as fast and smooth as possible.