If you’ve ever looked into building on your property, you know how frustrating it can get—strict zoning, endless hearings, and slow approvals.
What is SB9—and why does it matter?
SB9, short for Senate Bill 9, is a California law that allows homeowners to split their single-family residential lot and build up to four units, even in areas previously zoned for one home only.
In December 2021, the San Jose City Council approved the SB9 Ordinance to align with state law and support its implementation.
SB9 gives you the ability to:
- Divide your lot into two parcels
- Build two units per parcel (up to 4 total)
- Skip restrictive zoning and public hearings
- Rent or sell your units (depending on local rules)
- Increase your property’s long-term value
How is SB9 different from an ADU?
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) add units to your existing lot, while SB9 lets you split the lot itself—potentially doubling your buildable area.
Even better, SB9 and ADUs work together. With the right conditions, you could:
- Split your lot using SB9
- Build a primary unit and an ADU on each parcel
- Create up to 4 units, all without changing your zoning designation
What’s happening in San Jose right now?
Since adopting the ordinance, San Jose has approved over 1,400 ADUs and SB9 units.
To support this growth, the San Jose City Council has:
- Extended SB9 implementation to R-2 Two-Family Zoning
- Updated zoning standards to encourage affordable, multi-unit housing
- Allowed SB9-type projects in historic areas and on pre-1950 structures (pending historic review)
This means more homeowners than ever can qualify—even those in historic neighborhoods or traditionally restricted zones.
What does this mean to you?
If you’re in San Jose, or anywhere in the Bay Area, SB 9 is opening up powerful new opportunities for expanding your property. With California’s ongoing housing shortage and a statewide push for more infill development, it’s never been easier to unlock the full potential of your lot.
That’s where Apex Homes comes in. We guide homeowners through the entire journey—from zoning and site analysis to design, permitting, and construction. Whether you’re planning to build an ADU, take advantage of SB 9 lot splits, or explore both options together, we’re here to help you make it happen.
It all starts with understanding what’s possible for your property. That’s why we conduct a customized feasibility study to determine how large of an ADU you can build in San Jose—based on your lot size, zoning, setbacks, and local regulations.
And here’s the good news for San Jose homeowners: our 6 pre-approved ADU designs are officially recognized by the city—meaning you can move faster, with less paperwork, quicker permits, and fewer delays.
These streamlined ADU pre-approved models are also accepted in eight more California cities: Antioch, Campbell, Chino, Cupertino, Gilroy, Mountain View, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, and Saratoga.
That’s nine cities where building with Apex is not only easier—it’s faster, more predictable, and designed to help you build with confidence.
Why go with Apex for your ADU?
Apex ADU was created to simplify the building process for homeowners. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned from over 300 completed projects across California and turned it into a smart, streamlined, modular ADU system that works.
Here’s what sets Apex apart:
- Pre-approved plans in multiple cities = faster approvals
- Customizable layouts to fit your lot and lifestyle
- Affordable construction backed by reliable timelines and an expert team
- Everything in-house – design, engineering, permits, build
- Real support from real people, every step of the way
Whether you want to build for family, rental income, resale value—or all three—we’re here to help make that happen with less stress and more confidence.
See what our pre-approved ADU looks like and start visualizing what’s possible on your property.
