Development Services

A group photo of SJFD's Bureau of Fire Prevention.

As a Development Services partner, the San José Fire Department reviews construction projects and provides deficiency comments and approvals in coordination with the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement and Public Works departments.

We also provide plan check directives for project approvals. These directives indicate the required Fire or Hazardous Materials System Permits for new construction, alterations, and repairs. Please see the project workflow process below for fire protection system types that require a permit.

Project Workflow

Electronic Submittal

The process starts with the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Division Department. As architectural plans are routed through the application process, they are reviewed by SJFD. Learn more: Building Permit Services & Appointments

During the review process, SJFD's fire and hazardous materials staff evaluate if project designs comply with local and state codes, standards, and policy requirements. This review determines the need for systems permits and inspections, such as:

Fire Alarms
Fire Sprinklers
Hazardous Materials
Fire Life Safety Inspections

Note: Documents outlining equipment, construction modifications, designs, and other alternative materials may be required.

Resubmittals

Plan Approval

As-Built Plan Revisions

This process identifies actions for contractors who need to submit documents or plans that were not previously approved during the initial plan review, but are required for the final fire inspection to be completed.

Steps for Submitting As-Built Plan Revisions:

The contractor emails their request to sjfdpermitspecialist@sanjoseca.gov prior to the scheduled final inspection and requests an "As-Built Revision" process. The contractor should submit close-out documents, testing reports, or any documents or plans that were not previously approved during the initial plan review.
The contractor can track their revision review status at www.sjpermits.org.
Upon approval, the contractor will receive an automated email stating approved revised plans are ready to download. The contractor can then schedule a final inspection.

Fire & Hazmat Systems Permits

SJFD's Bureau of Fire Prevention issues and inspects Fire Protection and Hazardous Materials Systems Permits. Appointments are available for first-time users and for customers who need assistance or have specific questions.

Hazardous Materials Systems: Customers should schedule a submittal appointment to initiate this system permit. See appointment link below.
Fire Protection Systems: Customers should self-start their permit online at www.sjpermits.org. After completing the online submittal, you will receive a link to upload required documents through SJePlans.

Schedule an appointment: Fire Development Appointments

Getting an online permit Started

Please be ready with accurate plans, applications, and documents that are formatted and named according to the SJePlans standards.

Register or sign into www.sjpermits.org.
- New users will need to register to open an account.
- Active users can log in to apply for a fire permit.
- Provide your correct Contractor's License type. This will determine which permits you can apply for.
Select "Apply for new permit."
- Add the application group “Fire Prevention”. The application type is “Fire Protection”.
- Select a “Fire Permit Sub Type".
- Your Contractor's License type will determine which permits you can apply for.
- Do not select and apply for the wrong permit type.
Add a location.
- A project property address is required to start a fire permit.
Confirm the applicant.
- A qualified contractor with an active City and State license will automatically be added as an applicant when they log in to apply for the new permit.
Review your information to proceed with payment.
- Payment is required in order to initiate SJePlans.
- Review your application carefully because the permit type will determine your permit fees.
Register for SJePlans.
- Once the application is completed, you’ll receive an email asking you to sign up for SJePlans. This service is required for uploading plans and documents to complete the fire permit process.

For more information about SJFD's SJPermits submission process, please see our SJePermits User Guide. If you have any other questions about online fire permit applications, please email us at SJFDPermitSpecialist@sanjoseca.gov.

additional workflow information

System Permit Approval

Inspections

Applicants are encouraged to schedule inspections online at www.sjpermits.org.
Scheduled inspection time includes 15 minutes travel time.

Cancelled inspections. Missed inspections are treated as cancelled inspections.

Cancellations made 5 or more business days, with a cutoff time of 2:00 PM, prior to the scheduled inspection date, will result in no inspection time being charged. All scheduled inspection time will be credited back to available inspection time.
Cancellations made less than 5, but 2 or more business days, with a cutoff time of 2:00 PM, prior to the scheduled inspection date, will result in one-half hour of inspection time being charged. Remaining scheduled inspection time will be credited back to available inspection time.
Cancellations made less than 2 business days, with a cutoff time of 2:00 PM, prior to the scheduled inspection date, will result in the entire scheduled inspection time being forfeited and counted as used inspection time.

Expirations and Extensions

Construction permits expire after 180 days when there is no significant activity unless a request is made for extending the application period, which must include a justifiable cause. This request should confirm no changes have been made or will be made to the original construction documents.

A permit extension request can be emailed to sjfdpermitspecialist@sanjoseca.gov. All requests for extensions will be reviewed by the fire code official, and if approved, permits will be extended for a minimum of 90 days. Permit extensions will not be granted after one year of suspension or inactivity.

Reminder: The building or structure may not be occupied until the fire code official issues a permit and conducts associated inspections to indicate that the applicable provisions of this code have been met.

Cancellations

A written cancellation for a permit can be provided by the authorized contractor. Cancellation requests can be made to sjfdpermitspecialist@sanjoseca.gov.

Notice: If there is a change of contractors, a new system permit application is required. The former permittee can transfer documentation to the new contractor. However, permits are not transferable with any changes in occupancy, operation, tenancy or ownership. These changes require a new permit.

Dashboards

Days to Next Available Inspection Dashboard: Measures the number of days between the date a customer initiates an inspection request and the earliest date that the inspection can actually be scheduled based upon the availability.
Inspection Utilization Dashboard: Measures how inspection resources are being managed on a weekly basis (overbooked or underbooked).

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Getting an online permit Started

additional workflow information

Dashboards