Santa Clara County ADU
Initiated by the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative and the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, Santa Clara ADU launched in 2023 to deliver resources on building ADUs in California’s Silicon Valley region. Santa Clara County encompasses sixteen cities, all of which face a growing housing crisis and ongoing community displacement. With new California laws expanding building options, ADUs are an opportunity to create new homes for young families and the workforce that keeps the region running.
Community Planning Collaborative partnered with the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative to do a deep dive on local ADU rules, trends, and opportunities, talking with city staff and local homeowners to design resources that make the ADU process accessible. An ADU Guidebook and Website walk homeowners through every step of building an ADU, and a Cost Calculator helps homeowners explore realistic financing options. A Process Handout and Local Rules Sheets help city staff share up to date information on the permitting process, and local ADU Spotlights inspire Santa Clara County communities with stories from local homeowners using ADUs to house family and friends.
By partnering with the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative, Community Planning Collaborative is able to provide long term support for these ADU resources. As local housing trends shift and city staff tackle new challenges, Community Planning Collaborative is working closely with jurisdictions to build on Santa Clara County ADU and keep these tools accessible and relevant for communities.
