City of San José
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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.
Simple Projects Service
Only for qualifying projects on residential properties. The permit is issued during your visit if documents are accurate. No appointment is needed.
This service is for certain residential projects that do not involve structural changes, but they require that we verify information. Use this faster, lower-cost service if your project qualifies. If you cannot apply in person, following the project instructions at Start Your Project and use the Standard Plan Review Service option.
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.
This service does not issue tree removal permits. If one is needed, obtain the tree removal permit separately.
If the project does not meet each criterion, use the Standard Plan Review Service.
QUALIFYING PROJECTS
Single-family or duplex properties - Use this service for any project listed below.
Multifamily properties - Use this service for window replacements or a reroof of a historical property. For other types of projects, see Start Your Project.
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 a licensed 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.
Other items, such as plans, may be required for some projects; see above project descriptions.
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!