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SAN~~ _____ M_e_m_o_ri_a_nd_u_m_
CAP ITAL OF SIUCON VALLEY
STUDY SESSION AGENDA: 4/20/2026
FILE: 26-496
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Christopher Burton
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: April 8, 2026
Approved Date:
4/16/2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
SUBJECT: From Ideation to Occupancy: A Guide to Building in San José, Permitting, Timelines, and Coordination
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 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.
BACKGROUND
San José’s development services system, encompassing the Planning and Building Divisions of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, as well as the Development Services Division of the Public Works Department, and the Bureau of Fire 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.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 8, 2025
Subject: From Ideation to Occupancy: A Guide to Building in San José, Permitting, Timelines, and Coordination
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 presentation 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
The preparation of this memorandum has been coordinated with the Fire Department and Public Works Department.
/s/
Christopher Burton
Director, Planning, Building, and Code
Enforcement Department
For questions, please contact Alex Powell, Program Manager, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, at [email protected] or (408) 535-1258.