101 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113 | sjchamber.com | 408-291-5250 | [email protected]
May 9, 2025
City of San Jose City Council
200 E. Santa Clara St.
San José, CA 95113
RE: Support of Item 7.2: Code Enforcement Operational Assessment Report.
Dear Mayor Mahan and Honorable Councilmembers,
On behalf of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, I would like to express our appreciation for the great work that the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement (PBCE) Department performs. The recommendations provided by Guidehouse Consulting will strengthen city services, improve neighborhood conditions, and enhance San Jose’s ability to attract investment.
We are encouraged by the following near- and mid-term recommendations outlined in the memorandum:
• Workforce Development & Retention: Recommendations to streamline onboarding, invest in professional development, and attract skilled candidates will strengthen the department and support the retention of existing staff. The proposed flexibility to deploy full-time staff where most needed is especially valuable in ensuring timely service delivery and reducing delays.
• Addressing Blight & Public Nuisances: Item 2.3.1: “Establish Escalated Intervention Program" is an important step to reducing case backlog and preventing properties from becoming chronic public nuisances. We are pleased to see this recommendation as blighted properties hinder neighborhood stability and economic development. • Strategic Fines: In addition to the recommendations, the memorandum lists an initiative to increase the maximum administrative fine for prominent historic properties to $500,000.
These fines will support ongoing operations, new headcount for the department, and potentially new service technologies that will improve enforcement efficiency. • Pilot Programs: Item 2.3: “Expand pilot programs” in the mid-term recommendations section proposes proactive blight management, a key principle for San Jose’s business vitality. This program, amongst others listed, will help the city address issues before they escalate, protecting property values and supporting vibrant commercial corridors.
In addition to the recommendations provided, we would encourage the Department to further examine additional penalties and fees for blighted properties that have become a public nuisance, modifying the requirement for demolition permits of derelict buildings and structures, and utilizing technologies like AI to automate systems.
The San Jose Chamber of Commerce appreciates the efforts made by Guidehouse Consulting and PBCE to prioritize efficiency, retention, and customer service within the department. Thank you for the consideration of our comments.