Skylights | City of San José

For single-family, duplex & townhouse properties
For other properties, see Start Your Project
Updated: 04/15/2026

A new or replacement skylight requires submitting a roof plan to obtain a building permit. For qualifying properties, a permit for a replacement skylight can be obtained during a quick visit to the Permit Center.

Other permits may also be required:

Lighting - If lights are being added or relocated, then an electrical permit is also required.*

Vent relocations – If a vent is relocated to accommodate the skylight, a plumbing or mechanical permit is required.*

Historical properties - If the property is on the City's Historic Resources Inventory, a clearance from Planning is required before a building permit can be issued.**

Townhouses and planned communities – For some townhouses or properties in a planned development zone, a Planning clearance or permit may be required before a building permit can be issued.**

* Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits may be included on one single building permit application.

** For assistance, submit a Help Ticket to Planning or speak with a Planner by calling 408-535-3555 during Planning Division Phone Hours.

Why a permit is vital - To protect your safety and property, it is vital that skylight installations comply with current California building codes. A City inspector will check for code compliance. Note: Insurance companies may deny claims related to unpermitted work.

Permit Process

Get Ready to Apply

Who can apply? We recommend that the applicant be a licensed contractor. See Who Can Apply for a Building Permit for others who may apply. Whoever signs the building permit application is responsible and potentially liable for all activity under the permit. See Owner-Builders Beware!

SJPermits can help. At SJPermits.org, you can pay fees, schedule inspections, check the status of a permit, and find permit records and property information. An SJPermits account is required only if you are applying for an online permit or for projects that require Standard Plan Review.

Permit Fees

Find fee information and payment methods at Building Fees.

Prepare the Permit Application Package

Who can prepare plans? While some plans may be prepared by anyone, we recommend working with professionals. Inaccurate plans will require resubmittals and more fees. Accurate plans save time and money. See Plans That Require an Architect or Engineer.

Forms may require digital signatures. See Digital Forms & Signatures for help.

REQUIRED

> Building Permit Application - See instructions.

> Single-Family & Duplex Projects Submittal Checklist - Not required is using Simple Plan Service but is required for Standard Plan Review.

> Roof Plan – Show the following:

Location and size of each skylight and label as fixed or openable.
Show location of all adjacent vents.
Openable skylights must meet these requirements:
- 10 feet from or 3 feet below a plumbing vent
- 4 feet from or 1 foot below a gas flue
- 3 feet from and 1 foot below an air exhaust duct
- If unable to meet these requirements, the skylight must be a fixed type.
List the slope of the roof.
List the size and spacing of rafters.
Show a framing detail with roof and ceiling plan and cross-section of the openings.
Skylight roof openings cannot be located within 5 feet of a fire-rated party wall.

SKYLIGHT DETAIL

Complex illustration of skylight opening through rafters

REFERENCED CODES
CRC R308.6.8: 4” min. above roof (or pre manufacturer’s specifications).
CRC R802.9: If span exceeds 4’, use double trimmer and headers at opening; if span exceeds 6' use hangers.
CPC 906.2: Plumbing vents shall terminate at least 10’ from or 3’ above any opening.

IF APPLICABLE

> Owner-Builder Acknowledgement and Verification of Information Form - Submit if the property owner is the permit applicant.

How to Apply

For skylight replacements, no changes to the roof - Use the Simple Projects Service; if unable to meet service criteria, then use Standard Plan Review.

For new skylights or skylight replacements that entail changes to the roof - Use the Standard Plan Review Service.

Simple Projects Service

The permit is issued during your visit if documents are accurate.

TO QUALIFY

The property:

Must be a single-family or duplex property.
Cannot be in a Planned Development Zoning District (check zoning map)
Cannot be in Flood Zone A, AE, AH, or AO. See 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 the property information at www.SJPermits.org.
Cannot be in a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area (WUI Policy, page3)
Cannot have code violations or a code enforcement case
For properties on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory - Obtain a clearance from the Planning Division before using this service. A building permit will not be issued without this clearance.

If the project does not meet each criterion, use the Standard Plan Review Service.

TO APPLY

Come to the Permit Center at City Hall. No appointment is needed.

Allow at least 30 minutes 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.

Be ready to pay the fees for Simple Permit Service; see Building Fees.

Bring:

See "Prepare the Permit Application Package"

We look forward to serving you.

Standard Plan Review Service

For the submittal, see “Prepare the Permit Application Package.”

This service uses online platforms. You will first apply at SJPermits and then upload documents through SJePlans. A City plan reviewer will review the plans and send comments to the ePlan Applicant through SJePlans. After the plans are approved and final fees are paid, then the building permit will be issued. Follow these instructions:

* Standard Plan Review Service *

We look forward to serving you.

Inspections

You will be issued a Permit Card that lists required inspections. Schedule inspections at SJPermits.org or call 408-535-3555 for assistance.

Be ready — read Inspection Success.

The Permit Card must always be on-site and available to the inspector.
Have plans and manufacturer instructions, if any, available.
Ensure there is access to all areas of the project work; provide a ladder if one is needed.

Skylight project inspection requirements:

At minimum, a rough and final inspection are required.
Adhere to all relevant adopted building codes.
Verify proper smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Have the approved City-stamped roof plan available to the Inspector.
At frame inspection, provide manufacturer’s installation specifications and ICC-ES report, if applicable.
Follow the Skylight Glazing & Framing Requirements:

Skylight Glazing & Framing Requirements

Glazing Requirements

The skylights must be dual glazed and have a U-value meeting the requirements of the current energy standard.
Plastic skylights must comply with CBC Chapter 26 and the ICCC-ES Listing number provided.
Glass skylights must comply with CBC Chapter 24, which details laminated, wired, heat-strengthened, and tempered glazing in skylights as well as screening requirements. The type of glazing must be listed by an approved agency.

Framing Requirements

Conventional framing must comply with the following:
Roof slope must be 3:12 or greater.
Rafters must comply with allowable spans.
If existing roof spans were met by purlins being installed, support struts that extend to bearing walls must be re-installed at the mid span of the rafters and trimmers.
Double trimmers and headers when the span of the header exceeds 4 feet.
The ends of header rafters more than 6 feet long shall be supported by adequate framing anchors (Simpson A35/eq) or joist hangers (LU26/btr).
Truss roofs: If trusses are cut, the plans must be stamped by an engineer, with calculations and details of any repairs provided.
If conventional framing is installed around the opening, engineering is not required.
Curb requirements:

Plastic skylights - Mount on curbs at least 4 inches above the surface of the roof. Curbs may be omitted on ICC-ES Listed self-flashing skylights when installed on roofs with a minimum slope of 3:12.

Glass skylights - Mount on curbs at least 4 inches above the roof plane when installed on roofs that are less than a 12:12 slope.

Skylights and curb are to be flashed and securely fastened per the manufacturer’s recommendations
Residential skylight sheetrock nail typically does not require inspection, but do NOT use greenboard on ceilings.

Questions?

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