Memorandum — Joint Meeting for the Rules and Open Government Committee and Committee of the Whole, March 18, 2026

TO: RULES AND OPEN

GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: Chris Burton
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: March 10, 2026
Approved Date:
3/12/26
SUBJECT: From Ideation to Occupancy: A Guide to Building in San José, Permitting, Timelines, and Coordination

RECOMMENDATION
Set a City Council Study Session entitled From Ideation to Occupancy: A Guide to Building in San José, Permitting, Timelines, and Coordination for Monday, April 20, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and approve the Study Session agenda.

PURPOSE
This Study Session is intended to provide City Council a clear foundation for how the permitting system works today and the factors that influence variability in timelines and outcomes.

OUTCOME
Staff will provide an overview of development services responsibilities and volume of activity across partner departments, then use multifamily new construction as a primary example to illustrate the coordinated and interdependent nature of the permitting continuum.

BACKGROUND
San José’s development services system, encompassing the Planning and Building Divisions of the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, as well as the Development Services Division of the Public Works Department and the Bureau of Fire RULES COMMITTEE: 3/18/26
ITEM: B.3

RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
March 10, 2026
Subject: From Ideation to Occupancy: A Guide to Building in San José, Permitting, Timelines, and Coordination

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Prevention in the Fire Department, supports a broad range of customers and project types, from simple homeowner permits through complex commercial and housing development. The process requires coordination across multiple City departments and external partners to ensure projects are safe, code-compliant, and aligned with adopted requirements.

In recent years, the development environment has become more complex due to evolving state law requirements, updated codes and technical standards, and increasing expectations for coordination and customer transparency. This Study Session is intended to provide the City Council with a clear foundation for how the system works today and the factors that influence variability in timelines and outcomes.

ANALYSIS
Staff will provide an overview of development services responsibilities and the volume of activity across partner departments, then use multifamily new construction as a primary example to illustrate the coordinated and interdependent nature of the permitting continuum.

The Study Session will cover the following topics:

1. Development Services at a Glance

2. The Development Permitting Continuum: City Perspective and Development Community Perspective

3. Case Study: Enhanced Coordination on Priority Affordable Housing

4. What Drives Time to Completion: Where Time is Added and Where Time is Reduced

5. Fees and Requirements: Understanding Cost Recovery and Project Obligations

6. Tools and Technology Supporting the Work

7. Continuous Improvement: What’s Underway and What’s Next

COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the Public Works Department and the Fire Department.
/s/

CHRIS BURTON
Director, Planning, Building, and Code
Enforcement Department

RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
March 10, 2026
Subject: From Ideation to Occupancy: A Guide to Building in San José, Permitting, Timelines, and Coordination

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For questions, please contact Alex Powell, Program Manager, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, at [email protected] or (408) 535-1258.

ATTACHMENT
Study Session Agenda
City Council Meeting Agenda
Study Session
From Ideation to Occupancy: A Guide to
Building in San José, Permitting,
Timelines, and Coordination
Monday, April 20, 2026
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION:

Council Chambers, City Hall
City Council Study Session Agenda April 20, 2026
• Call to Order and Roll Call
1:30 p.m. Study Session – From Application to Approval: A Guide to Building in San José, Permitting, Timelines, and Coordination
Council Chambers, City Hall

STUDY SESSION
Purpose:

This Study Session is intended to provide City Council a clear foundation for how the permitting system works today and the factors that influence variability in timelines and outcomes.

Outcome:

Staff will provide an overview of development services responsibilities and volume of activity across partner departments, then use multifamily new construction as a primary example to illustrate the coordinated and interdependent nature of the permitting continuum.

A. Introduction
B. The Study Session will cover the following topics: