The San José City Council has adopted guidelines prepared by the Planning Division to assist with the design, construction, review and approval of development in San José.

These guidelines provide the minimum design standards to be applied to various developments and land uses, and serve to facilitate a consistent and efficient review process of proposed developments.

Downtown/Historic

• Downtown Design Guidelines, October 2022
• San José Downtown Historic Design Guidelines, Draft May 2004
• Downtown San José Historic District Design Guidelines, November 2003
• Saint James Square Historic District Design Guidelines, October 1989

North San José

• North San José Design Guidelines, September 2010

Residential

• Single-Family Design Guidelines, December 1999
• Your Old House: Guide for Preserving San José Homes, August 2003

Citywide

• San Jose Citywide Design Standards and Guidelines, October 2022

The following standards and guidelines are applicable to Planning permit applications and permit amendment applications submitted before March 24, 2021.

• Commercial Design Guidelines, May 1990
• Industrial Design Guidelines, August 1992
• Residential Design Guidelines, February 1997

Specific Elements

• Fences & Retaining Walls
• Parking
• Trash Enclosures
• Lighting