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Online Building Permit (SJPermits.org) in San Jose, California

San Jose issues a large class of simple permits online without plan review. 'You can download a building permit for 56 types of simple projects at SJPermits.org .' and 'Most of these projects do not require plans.'

Verified 2026-09-11 · Source

When you need this permit

  • 'Only property owners and qualified contractors may apply for an online building permit.'
  • 'Contractors must be licensed and have a valid City of San José Tax Certificate ; contractors are restricted to applying for building permits that align with their California Contractor's License classification type.' Contractor
  • Some online permits still get a field review: 'Some, such as solar installations and earthquake retrofits, require plans that the City Inspector will review in the field during inspection of the project.'
  • Stay inside the permit you pulled - 'Do not attempt more work than is allowed under a specific online permit. Work must be limited to the type of permit that is pulled.'

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Online building permit feesThe page covers eligibility and scope rather than dollar figures.
NOT PUBLISHED on the online permits page

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Online Building Permit (SJPermits.org) permit actually take in San Jose?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Field inspection

    For solar installations and earthquake retrofits the City Inspector reviews the plans in the field during inspection.

Tips

  • SCOPE CREEP IS ENFORCED AT INSPECTION. San Jose states that if the City inspector finds any "scope creep," you will be required to pull the additional permit/s. An online permit is a narrow authorisation, not a general one.
  • A CONTRACTOR'S LICENCE CLASS LIMITS WHICH ONLINE PERMITS THEY MAY PULL, and a City of San Jose Tax Certificate is required on top of the state licence. Contractor

Frequently asked questions

San Jose requires an online building permit (sjpermits.org) for: 'Only property owners and qualified contractors may apply for an online building permit.'; 'Contractors must be licensed and have a valid City of San José Tax Certificate ; contractors are restricted to applying for building permits that align with their California Contractor's License classification type.'; Some online permits still get a field review: 'Some, such as solar installations and earthquake retrofits, require plans that the City Inspector will review in the field during inspection of the project.'; Stay inside the permit you pulled - 'Do not attempt more work than is allowed under a specific online permit. Work must be limited to the type of permit that is pulled.'. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at 408-535-3555 before starting work.

In San Jose, the published Online building permit fees is: NOT PUBLISHED on the online permits page. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

San Jose does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at 408-535-3555 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Online application at SJPermits.org. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

San Jose requires 1 inspection(s) for an online building permit (sjpermits.org), in order: Field inspection. Schedule each through City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center (408-535-3555).

Apply through City of San Jose - Development Services Permit Center at San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95113. Phone: 408-535-3555. Office hours: Phone Hours: M-F, 7am-4pm. Permit Center visiting hours M-Tu-Th-F: 8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, W: 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, and the City states 'No tickets after 3pm'. Speak with a Planner: M 10:30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Tu-W 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Th-F 9am-12pm & 1pm-2:30pm. Parking is under City Hall Tower with validation available.. Official information: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/business/development-services-permit-center.

San Jose, California has adopted: California Building Standards Code, Title 24 California Code of Regulations, as adopted statewide. NOT ASSERTED FOR SAN JOSE SPECIFICALLY: this record does not state the City's own local amendment ordinance, so no edition or amendment is claimed here. The statewide 2025 edition took effect 1 January 2026 per the City of San Diego's adoption document; San Jose's own adoption is not asserted here and must not be inferred from it.. Local amendments apply — see the San Jose overview page for the full list.

Often, yes. 56 types of simple project can be downloaded from SJPermits.org and most do not require plans - but only a property owner or a qualified, licensed contractor with a City Tax Certificate may apply.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-11.

Online permit portal

Department & other records

Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the San Jose building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Property Access

San Jose's permit history is searchable by address

87,559 permits on record for San Jose, 1967–2026 — searchable by street address, with permit type, status, issued date and valuation where the city publishes them.

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Other permits in San Jose

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