April 17, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

* Join us on April 20 for Community Workshop #2 - Five Wounds Urban Village Plan Update.

* Does my single-family property qualify for a duplex or subdivision under SB 9? 

* Permits for properties with a historical designation.

* Meet your new ADU Ally, María Arteaga-Carrasco.

* San José's Chu Chang honored by CALBO as Building Official of the Year.

* PBCE is a great place to work — view our job openings!

Join us! April 20, 2023

Five Wounds Urban Village Plan Update - Workshop #2



You’re invited to Community Workshop #2 (virtual) for the Five Wounds Urban Village Plan Update, hosted by the City of San José and VTA. The goal of the Update is to address future development in the vicinity of the future 28th Street/Little Portugal BART Station and consolidate the Council-approved four small urban village plans in that area. Workshop #2 will focus on anti-displacement strategies to protect residents and businesses as future development unfolds. 

Date/Time:  April 20, 2023 at 6:00 – 7:45 p.m. 

Registration: http://bit.ly/3U7zSEb (not required but it helps us prepare)

Zoom Link: kearnswest.zoom.us/j/89285713788 

Meeting ID: 892 8571 3788 

 +1 669 444 9171 

Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be provided.

Thông dịch viên tiếng việt sẽ được cung cấp.

Se proporcionará un intérprete de español.

Learn more: www.sanjoseca.gov/FiveWoundsUVP

Does my single-family property qualify for a duplex or subdivision under SB 9?

Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) allows for densification of existing single-family properties throughout California. In alignment with this state law, effective Jan. 1, 2022, San José enables these two types of SB 9 projects:  

• Building a duplex on a single-family lot. While generally allowed, there are a number of considerations that affect how you proceed with such a project, such as if you're in a flood zone or geohazard zone. Please view Bulletin 235-SB 9 Duplex Project - Building Permit Checklist to learn more. 

• Subdividing a single-family zoned lot. On a lot that is subdivided under SB 9, you may build no more than two units on each of the lots resulting from the subdivision. To learn more or to proceed with such a project, please read Bulletin 236-SB 9 Duplex Subdivision Checklist.

In addition, state law and the City's zoning code allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be constructed on properties with an SB 9 project, subject to zoning code setbacks and other development regulations.

Learn more: www.bit.ly/SJ-SB9Projects

Permits for Properties with a Historical Designation



Are you undertaking an improvement on or near a building or site that is a historic resource? Is your single-family home on the Historic Resources Inventory? If yes to either, be sure to understand the permit process for your project.

• If you are considering exterior alterations to a property that is either a City Historic Landmark or within a City Historic District, you will need to obtain a Historic Preservation (HP) Permit and the project must conform with The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
• If you already have a Historic Permit and are proposing modifications or new minor work, depending on the project scope, you will need to either adjust or amend your Historic Permit. For minor exterior modifications, you'll use the HP Permit Adjustment process. Find details on what qualifies and the proper form on our webpage link below.
• Note that all work must be done in accordance with the applicable design guidelines and in a manner so as not to affect the historic significance, use, general character, architectural style, circulation, or other site function of the property.

Learn more: www.sanjoseca.gov/HistoricResources

Meet your new ADU Ally,

María Arteaga-Carrasco

María Arteaga-Carrasco is the new ADU Ally who will gladly help you with the permit process for your accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project. María has worked in the Building Division for more than six years, and well understands the ins and outs of the permit process for ADUs, and she loves to help customers! ¡Y ella habla español!

"We have helpful information online, such as the Universal ADU Checklist and the ADU FAQs. These are right at your fingertips on your computer and will help you with the basic information, so be sure to read these first. If there's something you don't understand, you can reach me at 408-793-5302 or ADU.Ally@sanjoseca.gov."

Learn more: www.sanjoseca.gov/ADUs

PBCE is a Great Place to Work!

Grow professionally while

serving the San José community

We showcased our department's career opportunities on April 6 at a City-hosted career fair for San José State University students. We want to remind all of you readers, too, that the City of San José is a great employer and there are wonderful career opportunities in the Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement (PBCE). There are career paths as a Planner, Building Inspector, Engineer/Plan Reviewer, Code Enforcement Inspector, and more.

Watch for your next job opportunity at www.sanjoseca.gov/jobs.

Also see PBCE job openings at www.sanjoseca.gov/PBCE

or follow us @buildingsanjose!