Compact
600 sq ft
One-bedroom planning footprint for smaller programs.
San Jose ADU models · 2026
San Jose ADU Models and Floor-Plan Starting Points
A model is most useful as a defined starting footprint. San Jose rules, lot size, setbacks, rear-yard coverage, building separation, utilities, access and owner priorities determine whether that footprint should stay intact or be adapted.
Quick answers
What matters first
Flexible
750–850 sq ft
Two-bedroom options that balance capacity and footprint.
Full-size
1,000 sq ft
Two-bedroom residence-scale concept.
Largest standard model
1,200 sq ft
Only appropriate where the chosen San Jose path and property support the size.
San Jose model starting points
Compare footprints, then test the address.
600 sq ftView details California cottage
Cottage 600
A true one-bedroom home with clear separation between living, sleeping, and service spaces.
11 bath20 × 30
Best for: Long-term rental or independent family housing
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750 sq ftView details Flexible contemporary
Flex 750
A flexible two-room layout that adds capacity without requiring a full-size backyard residence.
21 bath25 × 30
Best for: Small families, shared office, or higher rental flexibility
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850 sq ftView details Warm contemporary
Courtyard 850
A comfortable two-bedroom plan with added privacy for residents and overnight guests.
22 bath25 × 34
Best for: Multigenerational living or premium rental use
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1,000 sq ftView details Modern backyard home
Residence 1000
A full-size backyard residence with generous shared space and everyday storage.
22 bath25 × 40
Best for: Primary-quality family living or long-term rental
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1,200 sq ftView details Premium modern residence
Grand 1200
The largest standardized model, designed for properties where local rules and site conditions support it.
32 bath30 × 40
Best for: Larger families and high-capacity multigenerational living
Configure this modelDetailed San Jose guide
Use the local process, not a generic California assumption.
01
Start with the smallest model that satisfies the use case
The best model is not automatically the largest one. A smaller footprint can preserve yard space, simplify placement, reduce building area and sometimes reduce site work while still meeting rental, family or guest-space goals.
Compare bedrooms, bathrooms and daily use first. Then test the footprint against the property before selecting architectural details.
02
San Jose rules determine which model sizes make sense
The City detached path uses a 9,000-square-foot lot threshold for the 1,000- versus 1,200-square-foot maximum shown in the current checklist. The State new-ADU path uses a different 800-square-foot maximum.
Those numbers are only part of the decision. Siting, rear-yard coverage, building separation, setbacks, access and hazards can constrain the actual buildable rectangle.
03
A floor plan should respond to privacy, orientation and utilities
Once a footprint fits, room arrangement should respond to the main house, neighbor privacy, outdoor space, daylight, utility entry points and the intended residents.
That is why ADU.zone treats published plans as planning concepts rather than permit-ready promises for every parcel.
04
Use model pages and the property checker together
The model catalog gives a stable dimension and room-count reference. The property workflow adds address context and identifies what still needs survey, utility, agency or professional verification.
Together they make a better first conversation than a generic “what size ADU do you want?” sales form.
Primary sources
Verify against San José.
These City resources are the primary references for the local claims on this page. Recheck them before submitting or relying on a specific rule.
San Jose ADU FAQ
Questions homeowners ask next
What ADU model size is most popular in San Jose?
There is no single best size. One-bedroom 600 sq ft and two-bedroom 750–1,000 sq ft concepts cover common use cases, while the property and chosen development-standard path control what is appropriate.
Can I build a 1,200 sq ft ADU in San Jose?
Potentially under the applicable City path and property conditions. The current City checklist shows 1,200 sq ft for a detached ADU on lots above 9,000 sq ft under City Standards, but all other site and code requirements still apply.
Are ADU.zone models permit-ready San Jose plans?
No. They are planning footprints and design concepts. Final architecture, engineering and permit documents are property-specific.
Can I test a model against my property?
Yes. The ADU.zone property workflow lets a homeowner start with an address and a defined model footprint, then identify the remaining verification steps.
San Jose topic cluster
Continue planning
San Jose ADU Cost in 2026
Read guideSan Jose ADU Permit Guide for 2026
Read guideSan Jose ADU Requirements in 2026
Read guideSan Jose Pre-Approved ADU Plans
Read guideSan Jose Garage Conversion ADU Guide
Read guideSan Jose ADU Projects and Construction Examples
Read guideSan Jose ADU Financing and Budget Planning
Read guideProperty-specific next step
Turn the San Jose research into a property decision.
Start with the address, identify the unknowns, compare the closest model, and then define the design, permit and construction scope.