Your Government » Departments & Offices » Planning, Building & Code Enforcement

Building Division

Welcome to the Building Division. We work to ensure the safety of buildings on private property as we apply the state of California's current building codes and laws to our review and inspection of projects.  We also oversee the Development Services Permit Center and online permitting at www.SJPermits.org.

  • Get started. View building permit services for all kinds of projects to get started on your project.  

  • For 56 types of simple projects, you can quickly download the permit at SJPermits.org.
     
  •  Inspection Scheduling: Self-schedule an inspection at www.SJPermits.org. 
  • Plan Review is taking a little longer. Due to a high volume of applications and staff vacancies, the time frame for an initial, and all subsequent plan reviews are currently longer than normal.
    • See average plan review time frames here and please add 2 to 3 weeks to these time frames for your project planning purposes. We appreciate your patience as we seek additional staff support. 

NEWS & announcements

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the 2025 Building Codes will replace the 2022 codes.

 Applicants seeking to use the 2022 codes must self-start your application at SJPermits.org and upload your complete construction submittal set (including plans, calculations where applicable, and all required documents) to SJePlans  by Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at midnight. Any physical documents (plans, calculations, additional documentation) must be submitted before City Hall closes for the year at 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 23. 

The 2022 and 2025 building codes can be viewed at the Building Standards Commission webpage.

EcoHome Rebates: You may qualify for rebates on replacing your gas water heaters and HVAC systems with heat pump systems, or adding battery storage to your solar system. Apply with San José Clean Energy today.

Attention Building Professionals! Enroll in our new Best Prepared Designer Program and you'll get building permits in as little as 3-5 days for your projects. Learn about who can apply and how the program works at www.bit.ly/SJ-BPDProgram. 

connect with us

 Service  Contact
Accessory
Dwelling Units
(ADUs) 

Visit www.sanjoseca.gov/ADUs for the ADU Universal Checklist that helps you prepare your project. You can also learn about the speedy Preapproved ADU program.

 

Visit ADU Permit Service when you are ready to submit your ADU plans. 

 

Email ZoningQuestions@sanjoseca.gov for a brief, no-cost consultation on how your ADU concept complies with zoning rules (you must have site and ADU dimensions ready). 

 

Submit A Question

Building Permits
Plan Review, and 
Online Building
Permits

A first step is to visit Building Permit Services which will guide you to the right process for your project.  

 

If you have challenges with computer processes and your project is a single-family home or duplex, call 408-535-3555 for an in-person appointment at the City Hall Permit Center. 

 

Find information and forms for types of projects that are subject to a building permit at Building Bulletins & Forms.

 

For many simple projects, it's fastest to download the building permit from SJPermits and save $49. Find instructions at Online Permits.

 

For help with an online permit, submit a question,

 

For general questions about building permits or plan review, email BuildingPermits@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-535-3555.


To check on the status of your permit; pay fees; find property info; or schedule an inspection, go to SJPermits.org.

Building Permits
for Restaurants
and Food/Beverage
Services

Restaurants and food/beverage service businesses may use our award-winning Streamlined Restaurant Permit Program. Email either of the small business allies:  Juan.Borrelli@sanjoseca.gov 

Building
Inspections
& Building
Codes

Schedule an inspection at www.SJPermits.org or call 408-535-3555 for assistance with scheduling an inspection.

 

For questions about building codes and inspections, email: InfoInspector@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-535-3555  

Building
Fee Payment

For fees & methods of payment, visit our Building Fees webpage.

For permits from Planning, Public Works or Fire, start at the Permit Center webpage. 

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