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Do you need a demolition permit in San José?

Usually, yes. The City of San José requires a building permit for full or partial demolition of a building, and for removing a shed, detached garage or similar structure over 120 square feet. A structure of 120 square feet or less does not need one.1

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The short version

Full or partial demolition: permit

A building permit is required for full or partial demolition of a building.1

Small shed, 120 sq ft or less: no permit

Removing a shed, gazebo, detached garage or playhouse needs a permit only if its floor area is over 120 square feet.1

Historic home: Planning approves first

If the house or site is on the City's Historic Resources Inventory, the Planning Division must approve the demolition before a building permit is issued.1

How the demolition permit works

The City's own steps, in order.1

  1. Get the air district job number

    Every demolition needs a job number from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), whether or not asbestos is involved. The City asks for it with the permit application.

  2. Complete the PCBs screening form

    A PCBs Screening Assessment Form goes in with every demolition application. Wood-framed buildings and single-family homes are exempt from PCB testing, but the signed form is still required.

  3. Check for clearances

    Fire Department clearance if fire alarms or sprinklers in adjacent spaces are affected. A Planning clearance if the demolition is not part of a new development, unless an exemption applies. Planning approval if the property is historic.

  4. Apply

    Use Standard Plan Review: apply at SJPermits, then upload plans through SJePlans. Include the Building Permit Application, the submittal checklist for your property type, and a plot plan showing the extent of the demolition. If the owner applies, add the Owner-Builder form. The City lists a refundable Construction and Demolition Diversion Deposit, collected when the permit is issued.

  5. Inspect

    The City issues a permit card that lists the inspections. Schedule them at SJPermits.org or call 408-535-3555. See our inspection scheduling guide.

What catches people out

Utility disconnects
For a full building demolition, the City says to contact PG&E at least 30 days before the scheduled demolition, once you have an approved permit, to disconnect and remove the gas service.1
Debris box on the street
A demolition or debris box placed on a sidewalk, street or parking strip needs a Revocable Encroachment Permit. The City says only a City-approved hauler may haul temporary waste bins, and the hauler typically secures that permit.1
Whole-building demolition
The plot plan must show distances to property lines and to other structures, including pools and septic tanks. For any future buildable area, the City requires a licensed engineer's wet-stamped demolition, drainage and compaction plan.1

Planning a demolition? We handle the permit and the work.

Tell us about the property and what is coming down. We walk the job, prepare the application, pull the permit and schedule the inspections through final.

  • The city and the age of the house
  • What is being demolished, and how big it is
  • Whether new construction will follow

Prefer to talk? Call (408) 667-4946 or send a text. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 7 am to 3 pm.

David and Tristan, the owners, stay involved from the first walkthrough to the final check. We reply the same business day, Monday to Friday.

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Demolition permits: common questions
Do I need a demolition permit in San Jose?
Usually, yes. The City of San José requires a building permit for full or partial demolition of a building. Removing a shed, gazebo, detached garage or similar structure needs one only if its floor area is over 120 square feet.
What do I need before I apply?
A job number from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which is required whether or not the project involves asbestos, and a completed PCBs Screening Assessment Form. Wood-framed buildings and single-family homes are exempt from PCB testing, but the form is still required. Depending on the project you may also need Fire Department clearance, a Planning clearance, or a Public Works permit for a debris box in the street.
Is there a deposit?
The City lists a refundable Construction and Demolition Diversion Deposit for demolition projects. It is collected when the permit is issued.
What if the house is historic?
If the house or site is on the City's Historic Resources Inventory, the Planning Division must approve the demolition before the City issues a building permit. Even a shed or detached garage needs Planning clearance if the property is on that inventory.
Who pulls the permit, and who handles the utilities?
The City recommends a licensed contractor as the applicant. Whoever signs the application is responsible, and potentially liable, for everything done under the permit. For a full building demolition the City says to coordinate gas service removal with PG&E at least 30 days ahead. We can pull the permit and do the work as the licensed contractor.

Sources

This page explains the City's published rules for demolition permits. The City decides what applies to your property. Check the City page for current details.