Building permits are required approvals from the city to ensure that new developments fall under city regulations and keep residents safe. The permitting process varies greatly depending on what project you’re taking on. To determine which category your project falls under, take a look at the city’s categorization table here. The different categories are detailed below: 

 

ADU Permit Service 

ADUs, or Accessory Dwelling Units, are quite complex structures to build, and thus require a couple more steps. Here’s the progression: 

  1. Understand the ADU Universal Checklist. San Jose’s PBCE department offers a free consultation to understand the ADU Universal Checklist. Email ZoningQuestions@sanjoseca.gov to request an ADU consultation. 
  2. Schedule your virtual appointment once you’ve decided to go through with the project. Since appointments usually must be scheduled a month or two in advance, it’s better to have the appointment scheduled. You can schedule appointments here. 
  3. Before the appointment, prepare the necessary document indicated on this page under “ADU Submittal Checklist.” 
  4. Complete your meeting and receive your permit! 
  5. Your contractor will schedule appointments with PBCE to ensure necessary inspections take place. To view inspection criteria, reference this document. 

 

Simple Projects Permit Service 

These projects don’t involve structural change and are usually centered around reroofing, appliance installations, and electrical/plumbing work. To determine if your project falls under this category, look at these guidelines. Here’s the progression for simple projects permit service: 

  1. Schedule your virtual appointment once you’ve decided to go through with the project. Since appointments usually must be scheduled a month or two in advance, it’s better to have the appointment scheduled. You can schedule appointments here. 
  2. Before the appointment, prepare the necessary documents indicated on this page under “Appointment Checklist.” 
  3. Complete your meeting and receive your permit! 

 

Over-the-Counter (OTC) 

Projects that might fall under this category are putting a stucco on a house, putting a pool in, repairing fire damage, or other similar projects. Here’s the progression for OTC permits (similar to the Simple Projects Permit Service): 

  1. Schedule your virtual appointment once you’ve decided to go through with the project. Since appointments usually must be scheduled a month or two in advance, it’s better to have the appointment scheduled. You can schedule appointments here. 
  2. Before the appointment, prepare the necessary documents depending on your project. You’ll be expected to upload your documents as a PDF file according to Electronic Plan Review guidelines during the meeting, so be prepared to so do. You can find the document checklist here. 
  3. NOTE: These plans must be sketched accurately, but they don’t have to be professionally drawn! You can draw them, just ensure they’re made to scale. 
  4. Complete your meeting and receive your permit! 

 

Plan Review 

These projects usually involve new construction, remodels that require structural changes, and damage repairs that require structural changes. Thus, many different departments, such as housing and fire. Here’s the progression: 

  1.  Schedule your virtual appointment once you’ve decided to go through with the project. Since appointments usually must be scheduled a month or two in advance, it’s better to have the appointment scheduled. You can schedule appointments here. 
  2. NOTE: If you’re seeking Plan Review for a multifamily building project, please follow these instructions to schedule your appointment in lieu of using the online registration service:  
  3. Before the appointment, prepare the necessary documents depending on your project. You’ll be expected to upload your documents during the meeting, so be prepared to so do. You can find the necessary documents here under “Submittal Checklist.” 
  4. NOTE: These plans must be professionally drawn 
  5. During your meeting, City staff will receive your documents, fee payment, and provide an estimate for when the plan will be approved. 
  6. Once City staff have reviewed your plans, you’ll receive your permit! 

 

Expedited Plan Review (EPR) 

Projects that qualify for Plan Review also qualify for Expedited Plan Review. The difference lies in fee and response time: for a 1.5x fee increase, all the City departments (Housing, Fire, etc.) will convene in one meeting to cover your application. Here’s the progression: 

  1. Schedule your virtual appointment once you’ve decided to go through with the project. Since appointments usually must be scheduled a month or two in advance, it’s better to have the appointment scheduled. You can schedule appointments by emailing BuildingPermits@sanjoseca.gov and putting “Requesting Expedited Plan Review” in the subject line. 
  2. Before the appointment, prepare the necessary documents depending on your project. You’ll be expected to upload your documents during the meeting, so be prepared to so do. You can find the necessary documents here under “Submittal Checklist.” 
  3. During your meeting, City staff will receive your documents, fee payment, and provide an estimate for when the plan will be approved. 
  4. Once City staff have reviewed your plans, you’ll receive your permit! 

 

Does my project require a community meeting? 

Hearings are only required if the project is a proposed construction of a building that isn’t a single family home, such as an apartment building. Community meetings are also required to change the uses of a non-single family home building.