The answers to the Silicon valley housing shortage are as diverse as the factors which caused it, and today we wanted to update you on one such solution that has implications for every San Jose homeowner: accessory dwelling units (ADU’s). We first covered this topic last summer, when we introduced our ‘Accessory Dwelling Unit Resource Center’, then followed up on the issue when we shared the implications of renting one out as a short-term vs. long-term rental. This week, we are excited to introduce to you a concept that has the potential to be a long-awaited gamechanger to the still headache-filled permit process; the first pre-approved ADU design for San Jose.

While changes in recent years have made the addition of an ADU more attainable, anyone who has been through the process has never called it easy. That all could change with the backyard apartment model from Redwood City housing start-up Abodu. While the traditional ADO process involves lengthy permitting and construction timeframes, the Abodu unit is built offsite and pre-approved by the City of San Jose. Curbed reports that this initiative would reduce the permit process to a mere two weeks, while the Silicon Valley Business Journal projects that timeframe could be as little as a few days! Abodu officials declare that the process from order to install is about 3 months.

ABODU PRE-APPROVED DESIGN SPECS:

| 495 square feet.

| Built off-site; delivered and installed as a fully completed dwelling.

| Characterized by modern, minimalist architecture (adapted from a Scandinavian-style cabin from the UK’s Koto brand).

| Unit includes: galley kitchen, living & dining area, one bedroom, built-in closets, 12 foot ceilings, heating and A/C and a smart thermostat.

| Base cost is $199,000 with optional, additional cost upgrades of appliances, interior and exterior finishes, built-in furniture, landscaping and solar panels.

| Includes a 10-year structural warranty.

WHAT’S NEXT:

| Last month, the City of San Jose rolled out an ‘express lane’ approach that further speeds up the ADU approval process if homeowners agree to certain rent level restrictions.

| San Jose’s City Council is exploring a city-funded loan program which provides $20,000 loans to qualifying homeowners for ADU’s which are forgivable after 6 years if certain conditions are met.

Keep following the Homes of Silicon Valley blog right here for updates on this hot topic and many others!

All our best,

Mark & Sarah

RESOURCES USED

Take a look at San Jose's first pre-approved backyard apartment design

Sleek prefab cabins adapted into pre-approved ADUs

First pre-approved granny flat unveiled for San Jose program