In San José, an owner seeking to convey a permitted accessory dwelling unit separately from the primary residence must use the City’s condominium-conversion route. The City describes this as its local implementation of California’s AB 1033 process. It is a specific municipal pathway; AB 1033’s existence alone does not mean another California city offers the same route.
The City’s stated sequence
Begin with the City’s ADU Condominium Checklist and assemble the supporting material it requires. The next major step is an AB 1033 Parcel Map application through Public Works. The completed Planning checklist must accompany the map application, and the City says only projects meeting the checklist conditions and documentation may proceed. Review the current checklist and application instructions before preparing a project: the City’s overview is not a complete eligibility list.
After the map and condominium documents are approved and recorded, the owner requests a new address for the ADU. The City says the unit can no longer be designated as “Unit X” after this process. Map approval, recordation, and address assignment are separate steps; starting an application does not establish that a particular ADU qualifies or will be recorded.
Check the property and documents
Confirm that the property is in San José and that the ADU has the required permit and approval history. Read the current ordinance and checklist for zoning conformance, map requirements, and required documents. Resolve lienholder, HOA, declaration, CC&R, and other title questions with the relevant parties, and confirm the map and recordation requirements with the City. The conversion process does not add dwelling units to the lot or establish building, fire, utility, or occupancy compliance.
The City’s public overview supplies the main sequence but refers applicants to linked materials for complete conditions. It cannot answer whether an individual property meets them. Verify current City instructions and obtain project-specific planning and land-registration advice before relying on a separate-sale route.