Virtual appointments continue as in-person appointments become an option for customers
City Hall will reopen to the public on August 2, 2021 and the first floor Permit Center will reopen by appointment-only, following the practices outlined in the County Public Health Order. Currently, all visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask and unvaccinated visitors are required to wear a mask. City employees will wear masks and work behind plexiglass to provide further protection for the public and employees alike.
Before the pandemic, the throng of customers in the Permit Center and Cashier areas at City Hall was a common sight. But even then, we were working to provide paperless, convenient digital services for permits and financial transactions. Now, as City Hall reopens, we encourage the continued use of our expanded online and virtual services — for efficiency, to protect everyone’s health, and to support our Climate Smart San Jose goals for reducing pollution and emissions.
If you wish to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment for permit or cashier services, please see the following information:
Building Permits - In-person appointments are scheduled by calling 408-535-3555and are for customers who have challenges with the digital permit process; these appointments are limited to single-family/duplex properties where the project is a Simple or Over-the-Counter project, or inspection questions and inspection plan review. Applicants of other types of building permit projects can self-book virtual appointments at sanjoseca.gov/BuildingPermitServices.
Planning Permits - Self-book either virtual or in-person appointments at sanjoseca.gov/PlanningAppointmentsor email ZoningQuestions@sanjoseca.gov. In-person service is focused on customers seeking help with a permit for signs, tree removal, a single-family house, or an outdoor vending facility, or for customers needing a permit adjustment or zoning verification letter. Virtual service is available for all other types of projects.
Fire Permits - You can self-book either virtual or in-person appointments at sanjoseca.gov/FirePermits or request an appointment by email at SJFDPermitSpecialist@sanjoseca.gov. The Fire Prevention Bureau provides all types of fire permit service virtually or in-person.
Public Works Permits - Self-book either virtual or in-personappointments at sanjoseca.gov/PWDev or request by email at PWGeneralInfo@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-535-7802. In-person service is limited to driveway permits, geologic hazard clearances, grading exemptions, private utility trench permits, sewer lateral permits, and revocable permits for storage pods.
Cashier/Finance Services - All types of finance services are available in-person or online. Find scheduling information at sanjoseca.gov/Finance or call 408-535-7055 or email Finance@sanjoseca.gov. Services include paying utility bills or fees and registering your business or paying the business tax.
