Zoning Guide

San Jose Zoning & Land Use Guide

Sources checked· 2026-05-24
Last updated: Verified:

Key Zoning Facts

Local Zoning / Building Office
City of San Jose Planning Division(408) 535-3555
Building Code Edition
2022 San Jose Building Code (based on 2022 CBC / 2021 IBC)
ADU / Accessory Apartment
Yes
Example District
R-1-8 — Single-Family Residence
Max Height
35 ft

Regulatory Layers That Apply in San Jose

Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.

Federal

  • FEMA flood mapping: check parcel-specific flood-zone status
  • View FEMA Flood Map
  • Wetlands: Wetland areas along Coyote Creek and Guadalupe River corridors.

State — California

  • Building Code: 2022 California Building Code (Title 24)
  • Energy Code: 2022 California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6)
  • Seismic Zone: Seismic Design Category D
  • Fire Zone: Wildland-Urban Interface areas in eastern foothills
  • State ADU Override: Yes (Government Code Sections 65852.2, 65852.22 (AB 68, SB 13, AB 881, AB 2221))
View California zoning overview

County — Santa Clara County

  • Role: Manages unincorporated areas; city handles its own planning and permitting.
  • Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development governs unincorporated areas.
County website

City / Municipal

The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.

Overlay Districts

  • Urban Village Plans — Designated growth areas with specific development standards promoting mixed-use, transit-oriented development.
  • Historic Landmarks and Districts — Designated historic properties and districts requiring additional design review.

Private Restrictions

  • Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
  • Many San Jose neighborhoods, particularly newer subdivisions, have HOAs with CC&Rs that may impose additional restrictions.

Primary Zoning Districts

R-1-8Single-Family Residence
Min Lot
8,000 sq ft
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
25 ft
Side Setback
5 ft (one story) / 7 ft (two story)
Rear Setback
20 ft
FAR
0.45
R-2Two-Family Residence
Min Lot
6,000 sq ft
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
20 ft
Side Setback
5 ft
Rear Setback
20 ft
FAR
0.55
R-MMultiple Residence
Min Lot
6,000 sq ft
Max Height
45 ft
Front Setback
15 ft
Side Setback
10 ft
Rear Setback
15 ft
FAR
1.0

ADU Rules in San Jose

ADUs:Allowed
Max Size
1,200 sq ft
Max Height
16 ft
Rear Setback
4 ft
Side Setback
4 ft
Parking
No additional parking required
Owner Occupancy
Not required (per state law)
Permit Timeline
60 days (ministerial review)
Est. Permit Cost
$3,000 - $15,000
Full ADU rules for San Jose →

Permit Costs & Timelines

Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines

Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.

Check current San Jose permit information →

Official Sources

City-specific

City of San Jose Planning Divisionsanjoseca.govOfficial sourceSan Jose Municipal Codelibrary.municode.comOfficial source

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU in San Jose?
Yes. San Jose permits ADUs on all residentially zoned lots under California state law and the San Jose Municipal Code. You can build a detached ADU up to 1,200 square feet and a Junior ADU up to 500 square feet on a single-family lot.
What are Urban Village areas in San Jose?
Urban Villages are designated growth areas where the city encourages higher-density, mixed-use, transit-oriented development. These areas have specific plans with tailored development standards that differ from standard zoning.