Accessory Dwelling Unit Information

Image of an accessory dwelling structure.

An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a detached or attached residential dwelling unit that is located on the same parcel as a proposed or existing primary dwelling.  ADUs must include living and sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a full bathroom.   ADUs also include efficiency units and manufactured homes.  A junior accessory dwelling unit, or JADU, is a dwelling unit that does not exceed 500 square feet and is entirely contained within the space of a proposed or existing single-family residence, including attached garages.   

ADUs and JADUs are subject to the development standards and requirements found in Division 7 of Chapter 29 of the Town Code: www.losgatosca.gov/ADUregulations.  A summary handout that includes many of the requirements and common ADU questions is available here.  Additionally, a suite of resources to help homeowners navigate the process of developing an ADU on their property is now available on a new website, www.aduscc.org, developed by the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative, a joint initiative of all 16 jurisdictions in the county.

Streamlined ADU permitting process

As part of the Town’s ongoing efforts to increase efficiency for permit reviews, the Planning and Building Divisions have developed a new Building Permit application form and process.  Residents who wish to build a new ADU or JADU can now submit a single application form and proceed through a single plan review process in order to obtain their Building Permit.  New guidelines and application forms are available in the ADU and JADU Application and through both the Planning and Building Division webpages.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Planning Division at (408) 354-6874 or Send the Town a Message.   For questions regarding Building Code requirements or the Building Permit process, please contact the Building Division at Building@LosGatosCA.gov or (408) 354-6876.

ADU Plans Gallery (Assembly Bill 1332) 

The Town’s ADU Plans Gallery pursuant to Assembly Bill 1332 is now available, offering several pre-approved ADU plans by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Please be aware that modifications or customizations to pre-approved ADU plans are not allowed, regardless of how minor the changes are. There will be several more plans added to the program in the coming months which are designed by licensed professionals, providing additional options to residents. The Town’s ADU Plans Gallery can be viewed at:  http://townoflosgatos.aduaccelerator.org. Note that work on the Town’s ADU Calculator is still underway and not ready for use by the public at this time.   

Architects and designers interested in submitting plans for inclusion in the Town’s ADU Plans Gallery can do so by taking the following steps:

STEP 1: Register for a designer account

Go to designer.aduaccelerator.org/registration24 and fill out the relevant information, then validate your email to access your account. If you already have an account, please login at designer.aduaccelerator.org/login and continue.

Need help? 
 Step-by-step instructions for account registration

STEP 2: Complete your profile and accept terms of use
 Log in at designer.aduaccelerator.org/login. The first time you log in, you will complete your profile and accept the terms. You can edit your profile anytime.

Need help? 
Step-by-step instructions for creating your profile

STEP 3: Add your ADU plan listing
 Use the Create New Plan button to add a listing for your pre-approved plan.* 
If you already have this exact listing in your account, proceed to Step 4. 

Need help? 
Step-by-step instructions for adding listings

STEP 4: Add this location to your pre-approvals list
 While creating or editing your listing, you can add local pre-approvals within Section 2 - Pre-Approval. Please add your application or permit number and the date the plan was pre-approved to help staff confirm pre-approval. 

Need help? See details           Note: Do not add a location until local pre-approval is complete. 

STEP 5: Wait for pre-approval confirmation
 When you activate your plan, jurisdiction staff will be notified to confirm pre-approval. 

STEP 6: Market your pre-approved plan and work with homeowners
 If approved for inclusion by staff, your plan will now appear as pre-approved in the Town’s Gallery. Homeowners may contact you to get details, purchase/get access to the plans, and inquire about help with site planning and permitting (if you indicated you might be available).