Standby Generator

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

To provide backup power from a generator for emergency-related purposes, you must obtain a building permit and a planning permit, whether for a permanent hard-wired generator or for a portable generator with a transfer switch/isolation device.

If power provided by a generator is temporarily and urgently needed, such as in the case of powering medically-needed equipment during an electrical shut-down, we provide a fast "safety assessment" process for issuing the building permit; no planning permit is required. See "How to Apply."

For this project:

Hire a licensed contractor with experience in generator installations -Homeowners or inexperienced contractors should not attempt this complex installation.

Safety first! Follow the manufacturer's instructions for operating the generator. Never bring a generator of any kind indoors.

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

For a Safety Assessment, see what is needed under Simple Projects Service at "How to Apply." The electrical plan as described here will be reviewed by the City inspector in the field.

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

> Plans - Follow the general instructions for creating plans at Single-Family & Duplex Projects - Plan Set Instructions. For this project, create an electrical plan that shows:

> Site plan - Show:

Generator location and, if used, transfer switch
Main electrical service and sub-panels
Minimum working clearances at electrical equipment and gas meter

> Single-line diagram - Show:

Main service and rating
Transfer switch
Generator connection point,
Generator kW/kVA rating
Panels served by the generator
Wiring methods and conductor sizing
Rating and location of overcurrent devices
Grounding and bonding details
Load calculations

> Gas pipe sizing and calculation for generator demand at full load

> Anchorage details stamped by a licensed structural or civil engineer as included in the manufacturer installation instructions. Or, provide a concrete pad and anchorage as described in the Standby Generator Installation Requirements on this page.

> Provide generator specifications and reference the manufacturer installation instructions.

IF APPLICABLE per Design Considerations

> Geologic Hazard Clearance

> Historic Property Clearance or Permit

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

> Special Use Permit - Obtain from Planning. This is for generator installations that do not qualify as Safety Assessment projects through the Simple Projects Service.

How to Apply

For urgently needed power from a generator on qualifying properties, use the Simple Projects Service to request a Safety Assessment. Otherwise, use the Standard Plan Review Service.

NOTE: If the project does not qualify for a safety assessment, to proceed, you must use the Standard Plan Review Service and you must obtain a Special Use Permit or Planned Development Permit from the Planning Division. This entails a public hearing process.

Simple Projects Service - Request Safety Assessment

A permit is issued during your visit if forms are accurate.

TO QUALIFY

The property:

Must be a single-family or duplex residence.
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, page 3)
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 fee; see Building Fees.

BRING

Completed Building Permit Application - See instructions.
Owner-Builder Acknowledgement and Verification of Information Form - Bring only if the property owner is the permit applicant.
Single-Family & Duplex Projects Submittal Checklist
IMPORTANT - While not needed at the Simple Projects Service counter for requesting the Safety Assessment, note that during inspection of the generator installation, you are required to provide the City inspector with the electrical plan. 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.

Standby generator inspection requirements:

The installer of the generator must be present for the inspection.
Be ready to provide an electrical plan and manufacturer installation instructions.
Adhere to all relevant adopted building codes.
Verify proper smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Follow the Standby Generator Installation and PG&E Requirements outlined below.

Standby Generator Installation Requirements

The City Inspector will review the electrical plan at the property site. The equipment and installation must meet all of the following criteria:

For all installations

Generator or transfer switch/isolation device must be installed per the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Installation instructions must be available at time of inspection.
Transfer switch/isolation device, if used, must be a listed (certified) device.
Standby electrical load shall not exceed the generator kW rating.
Never connect any generator (permanently installed or portable) to another power source, including PG&E power supply lines.

For hard-wired generators only

Natural gas pipe sizing calculations must be provided to the City inspector.
Generator cannot use diesel fuel.
Generator sound level not to exceed 67 decibels at 23 feet from front of generator. If this requirement is exceeded, a Safety Assessment cannot be issued and both a Planning Permit and Building Permit will be required.
Generator placement must be in the rear or side yard, set back a minimum of 5 feet from both rear and side property lines.
Generator must be installed on a 2500 PSI concrete pad: 4” thick with #3 rebar 18” O.C. At minimum the concrete pad must extend 6” beyond the sides of the generator.
Generator must be attached to the concrete pad at each corner with 3/8” Stainless Steel ICC approved expansion anchors 2-5/16” nominal embedment.

PG&E Requirements

To view PG&E's rules for generators, go to:
https://www.pge.com/ backupgeneration

PG&E’s rules include these items:

Ensure that electricity from the generator does not flow or “backfeed” into PG&E’s power lines.
After installing the backup system, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to inform them of the backup system installation. PG&E workers will then be aware of your generator when working on an outage in your area.

Questions?

We are here to help — visit, call, or email us. See Contacts sidebar.

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ONLY FOR USE AS BACKUP POWER DURING POWER OUTAGES OR EMERGENCY CONDITIONS