City of San José
Home MenuPopular Searches
CONTACTS
Permit CenterSan José City Hall
200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor
San José, CA 95113
Take the bus or park under City Hall Tower; validation available.
Call us
☎ 408-535-3555
Phone Hours: M-F, 7am-4pm
Speak with a Planner - Hours
Visit us
Come to the round counter or take a ticket to be called to a specific counter.
Hours: M-Tu-Th-F:
8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm
W: 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm
No tickets after 3pm
Email us
Submit a Help Ticket to Building, Planning, or Fire — the right staff will respond to your questions.
PWGeneralinfo@sanjoseca.gov for info about grading, flood zones, geologic hazards, or
the public right-of-way.
About Building Permits
Updated 04/10/2026
Where to begin?
If you are new to the world of building permits, these pages will help you:
When is a building permit required?
Who can apply?
How to complete a permit application form
Get a building permit/ start your project - For obtaining a building permit for your type of project.
Jump to the building permit information you need
- Adopted building codes
- Building bulletins, forms and plan instructions
- Building permit application - instructions
- Design considerations before you create plans
- Find the status of your permit
- Find inspection notices
- Help for SJPermits & SJePlans
- Online building permits
- Permit fees & fee estimator
- Plans that require an architect or engineer
- Residential Construction Guide
- Small business coach for permit assistance
- Start Your Project for all types of projects that require a building permit.
Questions?
See the Contacts sidebar if you need further assistance.
