Planning and Building Permit Rules for a Garage Conversion + Addition of an Accessory Dwelling in San Jose, CA
At New Avenue we have acquired over 30 different types of permits for “normal” residential projects such as additions, remodels, restorations, accessory dwellings, accessory structures, and custom homes.
One of New Avenue’s partner designers recently completed in-depth research regarding the permits required for a new accessory dwelling in Santa Cruz, CA. While every project is different, this information is a great place to start your own research. Here are the designer’s findings:
Q: What is the zoning district?
A: R1-5
Q: What is the allowable coverage? How is it measured?
A: 40%: ratio building footprint to lot size
Q: Is there a floor-area ratio (FAR) between the main home and the second unit? What is it?
A: 50%
Q: What is the maximum allowed size for the second unit?
A: 640 square feet.
Q: Do chimneys, window boxes, and/or bay windows count toward the square footage of the second unit?
A: Chimneys do. Window boxes and bay windows do not.
Q: Do other structures count toward the existing footprint? What are they?
A: Sheds count toward the existing footprint.
Q: Does the basement and/or attic count toward the floor area of the main home?
A: Attics smaller than 7.5 square feet do not count.
Q: Can the second unit have two floors?
A: No.
Q: Can the second unit have a loft, mezzanine, open storage, closed storage, and/or attic?
A: Yes, if these space are non-habitable.
Q: Can the loft be a habitable space?
A: No.
Q: Can the second unit have a basement, workspace, or other area? Do they count toward the square footage?
A: Yes, and these spaces do count toward the square footage.
Q: What landscaping requirements and exceptions are there?
A: Our designer discovered no special requirements.
Q: Is this a liquefaction zone?
A: The county GIS soil type is 133. Additions or new construction larger than 500 square feet will trigger a soils report, and the conversion of a garage from non-habitable to habitable may trigger a soils report.
Q: Is this a fire zone?
A: No.
Q: Is this a flood zone?
A: This question is not applicable to this project.
Q: Is this an environmental zone?
A: No.
Setbacks and Dimensions
Q: What is the front setback?
A: 20′
Q: What are the side setbacks?
A: 5′
Q: What is the rear setback?
A: 15′
Q: What are the required setbacks to the main home?
A: 10′
Q: Are there any other required setbacks? (Special setbacks may be needed for creeks, power lines, key or corner lots, etc.)
A: No.
Q: Are there any setback exceptions?
A: The required 10 feet between structures may be reduced if there is a breezeway.
Q: Can the second unit be connected to the main home? If not, how far apart do they have to be?
A: See the above question.
Q: Can we continue a wall of an existing structure within a setback? Is there a maximum length for walls?
A: No. Analysis is required for limit on conversion of non-conforming walls.
Q: What is the maximum height limit? Is there a max average height limit? Can we match the height of the existing house?
A: 17′
Parking
Q: Do we measure from the sidewalk, the property line, or from somewhere else?
A: This question is not applicable to this project.
Q: How many parking spaces are required for the main home? Sizes? Do they need to be covered? What configuration or access must they have?
A: Three spaces are required for a 2-3 bedroom main house. They do not need to be covered. They may have up to two-deep tandem configuration.
Q: How many more new spaces are required for the property? Sizes? Do they need to be covered? What configuration or access must they have? Do they require a border around them?
A: One space, 8.5×18, not covered. A three-foot border is generally applied.
Q: Is there a turning radius or other parking rule to test?
A: Yes. This seems to be applied in a discretionary and variable way, however.
For a detailed budget of this project, floor plans or to use the free New Avenue project management system you can contact us here: Get Started