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Downtown San Jose

Home Remodeling in San Jose

As more professionals move to San Jose to pursue careers in Silicon Valley, property value is a significant consideration for many homeowners. Whether you’ve just purchased your home or want to update it before listing it on the market, a remodel can help you achieve your vision. Valley Home Builders can transform your house into the perfect home for your family or an enthusiastic buyer.

Valley Home Builders is a full-service design and build construction company in San Jose. We offer a range of services, including:

  • Architectural design and build services
  • Additions
  • Renovations, from whole-home renovations to kitchen and bathroom updates
  • Remodels
  • Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
  • New home construction

Download our Remodeling Guide

ADU Builders in San Jose

Valley Home Builders specializes in planning and building ADUs in San Jose. Accessory Dwelling Units are detached or attached independent dwellings. They make ideal sites for guests, in-laws, parents or a home office.

ADUs are very popular in San Jose because they add value to your home and provide added space and privacy. They can also be a space for you to create your next startup. Valley Home Builders has helped many homeowners in the area plan and execute ADUs. Our imaginative designs and exceptional service ensure a smooth build.

As the tenth-largest city in the country, San Jose has a densely packed population. This means home builders in San Jose often look for creative solutions to offer additional space to homeowners. ADUs are one creative solution for adding more space to an existing property.

ADU Zoning and Regulations in San Jose

Are you considering adding an accessory dwelling unit to your San Jose home? There are a few ordinances to keep in mind. San Jose applies the state of California’s ADU zoning ordinances within an ADU checklist that covers the following details.

Number of Units

A single-family property may include one ADU and one junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU). A lot may feature one of each or both at once.

Types of ADUs

San Jose allows attached and detached ADUs and JADUs.

Building Size

San Jose uses the state’s size limitations for ADUs and JADUs.

A detached ADU on a single-family lot with a primary residence under 9,000 square feet may reach 1,000 square feet. An attached ADU may measure 800 square feet or, without exceeding 1,000 feet, 50% of the primary residence’s floor space.

For homes over 9,000 square feet, a detached ADU may reach 1,200 square feet. An attached unit may be 800 square feet or 50% of the primary residence’s floor space up to 1,200 square feet.

If there is an existing JADU on the lot or one is proposed alongside another ADU or JADU, the new addition must stay under:

  • 500 square feet for JADUs
  • 800 square feet for detached ADUs
  • 800 square feet for attached ADUs

However, an attached ADU must be less than 50% of the primary dwelling area’s floor space.

Building Height

An attached ADU must follow the primary dwelling’s limitations. Detached ADUs must follow these height restrictions:

  • One story: 18 feet
  • Two stories: 24 feet
  • A JADU is on the property: 16 feet

Setbacks

Setback is the distance from the nearest property line. Single-family ADUs and JADUs must meet the following setback distance:

  • Side and rear setback for first-story attached ADU under 20 feet high: 4 feet
  • Side and rear setback for second-story attached ADU: 15 feet
  • Front property setback for detached ADU: 45 feet
  • Side and rear setback for a ground floor detached ADU: 3 feet
  • Side and rear setback for a second-story detached ADU: 4 feet
  • Side and rear setback for a detached ADU covering more than 40% of the rear yard: 4 feet

Parking

An ADU must include parking space unless it qualifies for exemption.

Owner Occupancy

San Jose requires owner occupancy of the main home.

Disclaimer

ADU zoning laws are subject to change with new legislation. We update our website to reflect current ordinances. If you have any questions, please contact us online to discuss your property.

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What to Know About Home Remodeling in San Jose

Home renovations in San Jose require some unique considerations. Regulations regarding additions, new construction and even some larger-scale renovations require permits. Changes to properties must meet relevant building codes and may also need to abide by specific city legislation.

Valley Home Builders stays up-to-date with changing city regulations and ensures your project abides by all relevant rules. We even secure permits for you.

Homes in San Jose tend to be under-insulated. If you are renovating or building new, you will want to ensure you have adequate insulation so you can stay comfortable in hot or cool weather. In this city, space is at a premium since the population has grown rapidly. Adding more space or creative solutions to offer greater functionality are renovations that add value by making your property more appealing to buyers.

Contact Us For Home Remodeling in San Jose

If you are considering building a home in San Jose, adding an ADU or addition to your home, or you have plans for renovations, contact the team at Valley Home Builders. Our award-winning team has been honored by Angie’s List, Remodeling Magazine’s Top 50 Building Contractors List, and by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for our innovative solutions.

Your first consultation with us comes at no cost and with no obligation, meaning you can get expert insight into your home renovation project with no risk to you.