Frequently Asked Questions

Abandoned Shopping Carts
If you would like to report an abandoned shopping cart in your neighborhood, please call (408) 535-3500.

Airport Noise
In order to report airport noise in your area, please call the Airport Noise Hotline at (408) 452-0707.

Animals
In order to report stray or injured animals or to report a barking dog, please call 408 578 PAWS (7297).

San Jose Animal Care Center, 2750 Monterey Rd., San Jose, CA 95111
Website:  www.sanjoseanimals.com

Blight
Stricter regulations dealing with blighted property have recently been added to the city code. Property can be considered blighted if it has an unsecured building or structure, is in a state of disrepair, has dangerous or overgrown vegetation, or fails to meet the numerous other definitions of blight presented in the ordinance.

To report a blighted property or to learn more about the Blight Ordinance, visit the Code Enforcement site at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/codeEnforcement or

call Code Enforcement at (408) 277-4528.

To quickly file a complaint about a blighted property, please visit the Code Enforcement form at: https://secure.sanjoseca.gov/codeEnforcement/blightReport.htm .

Buildings

Please call the Building Division to find out information about building permits.

Building Division, 200 E. Santa Clara St., Floors 1, 2, 3, San Jose, CA  95113

Telephone:  408 535-3555

Website:     http://www.sanjoseca.gov/building/

Code Enforcement, 170 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, CA  95113

Telephone:  408 277-4528

Website:     http://www.sanjoseca.gov/codeEnforcement/

Please call Code Enforcement (all reports are confidential).

Find out about or report Building Code violations (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc.), including construction or change of occupancy without permits.

• Report the conditions of an existing structure that constitute a clear and present danger to the public.
• Learn more about the San Jose Municipal Housing Code (minimum standards for safe and sanitary housing), Zoning Ordinance requirements for structures (such as use, location, configuration and size), and land use requirements. To find out more information about how to prevent housing code violations, please visit http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/ts.asp .
• Report a vacated building.

Business Tax Certificates

For Business License, please call 408 535-7055.

Business Tax, 200 E. Santa Clara St., lst Floor Tower, San Jose, CA  95113
Telephone:  (408) 535-7055.

Phone Options:
#2: Business Tax accounts/ inquiry pertaining to hardship exemption program
#3: Unpaid invoice due to the City
#4: Liens
#5: Delinquent fire permit/ unpaid administrative citation/ request a hearing
#0: General information
Repeat options by hitting the # sign

If you need assistance, just wait on the line for an attendant

Website:  http://www2.csjfinance.org/

City Council
The Mayor and City Council are helpful contacts to call for answers to general questions and concerns about your area or the city in general.

Mayor Chuck Reed can be reached at (408) 535-4800 or email at mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov

Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio, represents the District 6 area of San José (Note: you can check the district map to see what district you live in) or call

(408) 535-4906 or by email at District6@sanjoseca.gov.

City Council Website:  http://www.sanjoseca.gov/council.html

City Hall Call Center (24 hrs / 7 days)
If you would like City Hall information, please call the City of San Jose's Call Center at (408) 535-3500.

Construction Noise
According to San José Municipal Code, the legal hours of construction within 500 feet of a residential unit are limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. This time restriction is limited to construction activity that requires a Development Permit or other Planning approval.
If this ordinance is violated, please call Code Enforcement at (408) 277-4528.

County Jurisdiction
If you are concerned about any of the following issues, please contact the Santa Clara County Government at the following numbers:

• Adult Protective Services - (408) 928-3860
• Animal Control - (408) 654-5875
• Birth/Death Certificates (Clerk Recorder) - (408) 299-2481
• Environment Health - (408) 918-3400
• Foster Care Recruitment - (408) 299-KIDS
• Health Services - (408) 423-0700
• Marriage Licenses - (408) 299-5664
• Pet Licensing - (408) 501-2134
• Registering to Vote - (408) 299-8302
• Reporting Child Abuse - (408) 299-2071

The previous services are not a part of the City of San Jose's jurisdiction and need to be addressed by the County Government.

Fire
Fire Administration (408) 277-4444.

Please use 911 (or (408) 277-8911 on cell phones) for emergency situations.

Graffiti

Anti Graffiti Program, 501 Vine S., San Jose, CA  95110

Anti-graffiti hotline at (408) 277-2758. Be prepared to describe the location and the extent of the graffiti in question.

Website:  http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/antiGRAFFITIprogram/antiGraffitiINDEX.asp

Homelessness
If you are concerned about issues dealing with the homeless, please call the San José Police Department at (408) 277-8900 to report the problem.

If you wish to learn about shelter availability, contact the Shelter Hotline at 1-800-774-3583.

For more information on homeless services, contact the Department of Housing at (408) 535-3860.

Homeless Encampment:  408 297-4937, San Jose Police Department, Metro Unit - handles drug sales, drug houses, prostitution and homeless encampments.

Illegal homeless encampments, call 277-4044

Neighborhood Clean-ups
The City of San Jose is currently funded to hold five cleanups per year in each council district.

Each one of these clean-ups services one of our clean-up zones, each consisting of approximately 1,000 homes.

If you would like to learn more about when and where clean-ups will occur, please call the councilmember's office that serves your district.

If you live in District 6, please contact Denelle Fedor, Director for Councilmember Oliverio at 408 535-4952 or by email at denelle.fedor@sanjoseca.gov.

Parks

Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 9th Floor Tower, San Jose, CA  95113
If you have information or concerns about a neighborhood park, please call (408) 535-3570.
Parks Reservation & Special Events:  408 277-2757

Website:  http://www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/prns/index.htm

   Willow Glen Children's Theatre  

Police
San Jose Police Department:  408 277-8911 - Emergency or 911 or 408 277-8911 when calling from a cell phone.
                                            408 277-8900 - Non-Emergency

Website:  http://www.sjpd.org/dispatch.html


Rental Disputes
If you would like to report a rental dispute that you are experiencing, please call the hotline at (408) 975-4480.

Sidewalks, Parkstrips, and Curbs
According to local ordinance and state law, the owner of the fronting property is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, the curb, the gutter, and the park strip area (the area of the street lying between the face of the curb and the sidewalk). Maintenance responsibility includes, but is not limited to, repair or replacement of damaged or displaced concrete, abatement of weeds or debris, and the trimming of trees and shrubs. If a problem (such as raised or lowered portions that cause water to pond) on the street is next to the curb and gutter, the property owner must first repair the curb and gutter, then afterwards the City will repair the pavement. For information on the repair of curb and gutter, please call the Sidewalk Inspection Section at (408) 277-2572. If you wish to report a clogged storm drain, please call (408) 277-4373.

The City of San Jose has a grant program to reimburse eligible property owners for the cost of sidewalk repairs. In order to be an eligible property owner, your property must be an owner-occupied, single-family residential unit. Grant amounts are based upon an inspection and estimated repair costs. All grants are subject to available funding. To report a sidewalk problem or request an inspection, please call (408) 277-2572.

Signs & Markings
In order to report sign violations, including signs in the public right-of-way, failure to have required permits, illegal inflatable displays, balloons and pennants,

call Code Enforcement at (408) 277-4528.

Streetlights
If a streetlight is not working, then take the following steps in order to accurately report the problem:

1. Obtain Information
   1. Street light pole number, located on streetlight pole at eye level facing the street (an alphabet letter is located in the middle of the number).
   2. Street name and address where streetlight is located. Indicate if pole is in front of, across from, or in-between the address given.
   3. Nearest cross street.
   4. Your name, spelling (if calling) and daytime phone number.
   
   Report Information to any one of the following:
   1. Street Light Recording Phone #: (408) 277-5517
   2. Operator / Voice Mail: (408) 277-5571. Speak slowly and clearly and give all necessary information.
   3. E-mail: street.lights@sanjoseca.gov
   4. Fax: (408) 277-3164 (include your daytime phone #)

Street Hazards
If you would like to report an immediate street hazard (such as a fallen tree or street sign), call the immediate hazard number at (408) 277-4373.

Street Maintenance
If the problem is away from the gutter and in the main street area where vehicles travel, then the City is responsible for maintenance and will fix the problem.

If there is a pothole in the street, you may call (408) 277-4373 to report it. Dispatchers will take the information and pass it on to the appropriate staff for scheduling of repair work.

Street Sweeping
San Jose's street sweeping is currently scheduled for once a month.

In order to find out the schedule in your neighborhood, please contact the Department of Transportation at (408) 277-3621.

Strong Neighborhood Initiative (SNI)
The Strong Neighborhoods Initiative is a commitment made by the Mayor and the City Council to unite with San Jose communities to strengthen City neighborhoods.

For more information about joining the SNI in your area, please call the Neighborhood Development Center at (408) 723-4114

SNI website: http://www.strongneighborhoods.org/.

Towed Vehicles
In order to find out information about a towed vehicle, call the Auto Desk at (408) 277-4263.

Website:  http://www.sjpd.org/

Traffic Calming
Traffic Calming is a way to manage traffic so that its negative impacts on residents, pedestrians and schools are minimized.

Traffic calming solutions can range from the installation of a crosswalk near an elementary school to the installation of traffic islands to slow or restrict traffic movements.

If you have a concern dealing with traffic problems in your neighborhood, please call (408) 535-3850 (ask for Traffic Engineering) or email traffic.calming@sanjoseca.gov.

If you would like increased traffic enforcement in your neighborhood, call the San José Police Traffic Enforcement Unit at (408) 277-4341.

Trash / Recycling

Garbage Bill Information     408 535-3500
Garbage Missed Pickups   408 535-3500

Recycling Computers      1-888 887-3372   Website:  http://www.crc.org/

Recycling Info & Locations 408 924-5359   Website:  http://www.recyclestuff.org/CDR.asp

Recycling Old Appliances  408 924-5453

Recycle Plus                    408 535-3500

Recycle Plus On Line Bill Payment:          Website:  http://www.sjrecycles.org/aps.html

Website: http://www.sjrecycles.org/ 

In order to dispose of household hazardous waste (such as cleaners, paints, halogen lights, and pesticides), please call (408) 299-7300.

Yard waste should be placed in the street for collection no more than 24 hours before your collection day.

If you would like to report a violation of this law, please call Code Enforcement at (408) 277-4528.

.
Tree Removal
For street trees (trees that are between the sidewalk and the street) that need pruning or removal, call the City Arborist's Office at (408) 277-2756.

For trees on private property, a tree removal permit from the Planning Department is required for the removal of any tree over 18 inches in diameter.

These applications are available by calling the Planning office at (408) 535-3555 or downloading the permit in PDF format at: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/sjplan/dev_review/dev_tr.htm.

Vehicle Abatement
Vehicles that are parked on the street and are unused for 72 hours (3 days), unregistered for over 6 months, or inoperable (missing essential parts like engine, transmission, wheels, windshield) are considered illegal. Also, vehicles on private property that are either parked on an unpaved surface (like the lawn) or have been inoperable for over 72 hours (missing essential parts like engine, transmission, wheels, windshield) are considered in violation of the city law. If you wish to report a vehicle that has broken the vehicle abatement laws, call (408) 277-5305 or fax the vehicle abatement form: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/codeEnforcement/vehabateform.htm
Be prepared to provide the following information (all reports and information are confidential):

• Your name, address and telephone number
• The license plate number
• The address
• The closest cross street
• The color of the vehicle
• A description of the vehicle

Water Waste
In order to report water waste problems (such as leaky sprinklers or illegal water run-off) or have questions about water waste laws, please call Code Enforcement at (408) 277-4528.

If your question is not answered here, go to: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/ts.asp or call the Neighborhood Development Center at (408) 723-4144 in order to receive a copy of the San Jose Neighborhood Troubleshooter Guide. This guide contains a large listing of numbers and a more detailed list of common concerns and problems. If you have trouble finding a particular service, please contact the City's Customer Service Call Center at (408) 535-3500. If you'd like to receive periodic District 6 reports from Councilmember Oliverio, please email him at District6@sanjoseca.gov or call his office at (408) 535-4906.

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