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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.
Over-the-Counter Service
Only for qualifying projects on single-family or duplex properties. The permit is issued during your visit if plans and documents are accurate. No appointment is needed.
If you cannot apply in person, instead use the Standard Plan Review Service. Or, if the project is a qualifying addition, remodel, or accessory structure, for a higher fee you may obtain a virtual meeting using the Residential Express Service.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
The property:
- Cannot be in a Planned Development Zoning District; check Zoning Map.
- Cannot be in Flood Zone A, AE, AH, or AO; check Flood Hazard Zone Map or call 408-535-7803 or email floodzoneinfo@sanjoseca.gov.
- Cannot be in a Geohazard or Seismic Hazard Landslide Zone; view property information at www.SJPermits.org.
- Cannot be in a Wildland Urban Interface area (WUI Policy, page 3)
- Cannot have code violations or a code enforcement case.
- For properties on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory:
- Additions - Must use Standard Plan Review Service.
- Remodel-only projects - Obtain a clearance from the Planning Division before using the Over-the-Counter Service. A building permit will not be issued without this clearance.
This service does not issue tree removal permits. If needed, obtain the tree removal permit separately.
If the project does not meet each criterion, use the Standard Plan Review Service.
QUALIFYING PROJECTS
On a single-family or duplex property:
PREPARE YOUR PERMIT APPLICATION PACKAGE
See links in the project descriptions above for a complete outline of submittal requirements. The submittal must be complete and accurate for a permit to be issued.
At minimum, the required items include:
- Building Permit Application - See instructions and Who can apply for a building permit. We recommend that the contractor sign and submit the building permit application.
- Owner-Builder Acknowledgement & Verification of Information Form - Submit only if the property owner or agent representing the owner is the permit applicant.
- Single-Family & Duplex Projects Submittal Checklist - This required checklist ensures you submit a complete package.
- Plans and/or Drawings - Include scope of work, square footage of area, site plans, floor plans and construction details as applicable. Also see Who can create project plans and Single-Family & Duplex Projects - Plan Set Instructions.
HOW TO APPLY
Come to the Permit Center. No appointment is needed. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Skip printing out the plans and forms and instead Upload Your Project Files any time before you visit the Permit Center. This is preferred as it enables faster review.
OR bring 2 (two) copies of the plans and forms to the Permit Center.
Step 2. Allow at least one hour for this visit and arrive before 3:00 p.m. as counter tickets are not issued thereafter. Upon arrival, go to the self-serve ticket kiosk by the round reception desk and select "Building Walk-In Service." Take the ticket. You will be called to a numbered counter.
City Hall Permit Center Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. & 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00a.m.- 12:00 p.m. & 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Counter tickets are not issued after 3:00 p.m.
We look forward to serving you!