San Jose Amnesty & Legalization Services

Bring Your Existing property into Compliance — Without Starting Over

Have an existing ADU, garage conversion, guest house, or unpermitted living space?
We help homeowners navigate the process of legalizing existing units and obtaining permits with a practical, step-by-step approach.

Whether you inherited unpermitted work, converted space years ago, or discovered permit issues during a sale or refinance, we help you understand your options and move toward compliance.

We Help:

✓ Existing ADU legalization
✓ Garage conversion permits
✓ As-built plans and documentation
✓ Permit recovery and plan preparation
✓ Building and zoning review coordination
✓ Code upgrade recommendations
✓ Interior reconfiguration when required
✓ City permit submission support

Common Reasons Homeowners Call Us

“We bought the house and didn’t know the unit wasn’t permitted.”
“We want to sell and escrow found permit issues.”
“We need permits for an existing garage conversion.”
“We’re refinancing and need documentation.”
“We want to rent the unit legally.”

You are not alone—and many projects can move forward with the right plan.

Legalizing Process

Helping San José homeowners legalize ADUs and unpermitted spaces.

Initial Consultation

We review your existing structure, goals, available plans, photos, and permit history.

Existing Conditions Documentation

We measure and document your unit to create accurate as-built drawings.

Feasibility & Compliance Review

The City of San Jose has done a physical inspection and requested that you legalize your unpermitted space. We identify code requirements and create scale drawings to submit for compliance.

Permit Preparation

We prepare permit-ready drawings and coordinate with consultants as needed.

City Review and Approval

We support you through submittal, plan check, and the approval process.

Cover of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook, March 2026, with a collage of four houses on a blue background.]

Types of ADUs

Detached ADUs

A backyard cottage, a guest house, or any detached ADU provides a complete living facility. This includes a kitchen and bathroom and is completely separate from the primary home. Such an ADU can either be new construction or a conversion from an existing detached garage. Must be a mazimum of 800 square-foot interior livable space.

Attached ADUs

Addition is connected to a primary home. Examples include a basement conversion, a garage conversion, an apartment, and an in-law unit connected to the primary home. This unit will have its own kitchen and bathroom, independent from the main part of the house.

Junior ADUs

Located entirely within the existing walls of an established single-family home, the maximum size allowed is 500 square feet. Normally, this type of ADU will have an efficient kitchen. A private bathroom is not required, provided that the Junior ADU has full access to a shared bathroom. The maximum square foot interior allowed is 500. Must include a separate exterior entrance. No extra parking is required.