Compare · checked Oct 18, 2026

Sacramento vs San José ADU fees: Sacramento $11,208–$16,972 vs San José $14,045–$29,202 in modeled fees for 1,000 sq ft

Modeled from each place’s official fee schedules for a detached ADU next to a 2,000 sq ft main home (example assumption), law in force today. Ranges count fees that always apply (low) and fees that may apply (high). Not like for like: Sacramento: Totals leave out County sewer fees and sacramento transportation authority mitigation fee.

Modeled fee totals by ADU size

	Sacramento	San José	Lower
499 sq ft	$4,077–$4,426	$7,030–$9,608	Sacramento by $5,181
750 sq ft	$4,854–$9,255	$8,785–$15,397	Sacramento by $6,142
1,000 sq ft	$11,208–$16,972	$14,045–$29,202	Sacramento by $12,231
1,200 sq ft	$12,939–$19,792	$15,443–$31,676	Sacramento by $11,885

Where the money goes at 1,000 sq ft

	Sacramento	San José
Planning & zoning	$1,234	$0–$449
Building permit & plan check	$3,187	$5,103–$6,372
Public works & encroachment	$410	–
Construction taxes	$788–$1,171	$7,242–$7,321
Impact fees	Needs valuation	$1,700–$8,900
School district fee	$0–$5,380	$0–$5,380
Utility connections	–	$0–$780
Impact fees under SB 1117 (from 2027)	$1,398	$2,225
ADU permits issued, 2025	378	502

Line-by-line figures with the quoted source text: Sacramento · San José. Permits: HCD Annual Progress Report data.

Rules side by side

	Sacramento	San José
Maximum size	State floor: cities must allow at least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with 2+ bedrooms); detached ADUs can be capped at 1,200 sq ft.	Detached ADU: 1,000 sq ft on lots under 9,000 sq ft; 1,200 sq ft on lots over 9,000 sq ft. JADU: 500 sq ft.
Height	State floor: 16 ft detached (18 ft near transit or on a multifamily lot, +2 ft for roof pitch); 25 ft attached.	Detached ADU: 18 ft for one story, 25 ft for a second story; up to 2 stories.
Setbacks	State limit: no more than 4 ft side and rear.	Side and rear: 4 ft. Front: the zoning district's setback (Table 20-60). Behind the main home or 45 ft from the front; max 40% rear-yard coverage; 6 ft between buildings.
Parking	State limit: at most 1 space per ADU or bedroom, and none within ½ mile of transit and in other cases.	None required.
Owner occupancy	State law: cities can't require the owner to live on site for an ADU (JADUs: owner on site if sanitation is shared).	Not required for an ADU. Owner-occupancy of the main home is required for a JADU that shares sanitation.
Pre-approved plans	State law: every city must run a program to pre-approve ADU plans (Gov. Code 65852.27).	San José runs a Preapproved ADU program of plans already reviewed by the City.

Grey text is the state floor where we haven’t captured the local rule yet.

Itemize Sacramento Itemize San José All places

FAQ

Sacramento vs San José: questions

Are ADU fees higher in Sacramento or San José?

For a detached 1,000 sq ft ADU with a 2,000 sq ft main home, our model of the official schedules gives Sacramento $11,208–$16,972 and San José $14,045–$29,202. Sacramento: Totals leave out County sewer fees and sacramento transportation authority mitigation fee.

Which charges more impact fees on an ADU, Sacramento or San José?

At 1,000 sq ft: Sacramento $5,590, San José $8,900 (proportional to a 2,000 sq ft house). Neither can charge impact fees at 750 sq ft or less. From 2027, SB 1117 limits them to the area over 750 sq ft: $1,398 and $2,225 in our model.

What does a 750 sq ft ADU cost in fees in each?

Sacramento: $4,854–$9,255. San José: $8,785–$15,397. At 750 sq ft or less, state law bars impact fees in both.

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