Do you need a permit for a shed in San Jose?
It depends on the project. San Jose exempts some sheds from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 120 square feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
San Jose's rule“If the accessory building or structure is 120 sq. ft. or less, no permit is required unless it includes electricity or plumbing.”1
City of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE), Accessory Buildings & Structures (intro)
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Larger than 120 sq ft | If the size is greater than 120 sq. ft. (as measured from exterior walls).1 |
| Building permit | Includes electricity or plumbing, any size | If it includes electricity or plumbing, no matter the size.1 |
| Zoning permit or review | Over 650 sq ft: special use permit | If over 650 sq. ft., both a building permit and special use permit are required.1 |
Limits and conditions in San Jose's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this area | 120 square feet | One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m2).2 |
Zoning rules: separate from the building permit
A project can be exempt from one and still need the other (zoning vs building permits).
| Zoning rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height | 12 feet | Maximum height: 12 feet…1 |
| Side and rear setback | 0 feet | Side Setback: 0 feet unless…1 |
| Lot coverage | 40% | Maximum coverage of rear yard without a built-in pool: 40% of which accessory buildings may not exceed 30%…1 |
| Maximum size | 650 square feet | Maximum size: 650 sq. ft. unless an approved special use permit allows greater…1 |
| Distance from other buildings | 6 feet | Minimum distance to any other building: 6 feet (measured wall to wall; eaves may be closer than 6 feet but must meet applicable building codes)…1 |
What to submit
- Plans on min. 18x24 sheet at 1/4 inch per foot: site, foundation, floor, framing plans and elevations1
Who can apply
- Licensed contractor recommended; owner-builders may apply1
Shed permit fees in San Jose
Fee lines as San Jose's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Express premium fee | Expedited review | 1.5 x plan review fee1 |
All of San Jose's fee lines are on the San Jose permit page.
Inspections
Special areas and extra reviews
- Over-the-Counter not available in Flood Zone A/AE/AH/AO, Geohazard/landslide zones, WUI areas, PD zones1
California law that applies
- State rules on which work needs a permit in California
- Homeowners doing their own work in California
- Contractor licensing in California
Who to ask
City of San José Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, Building Division3
Building permits
- Website
- sanjoseca.gov3
- Apply online
- sjpermits.org3
- Phone
- (408) 535-35553
- [email protected]3
- Address
- Development Services Permit Center, San José City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor, San José, CA 951134
- Hours
- Counter: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-5 p.m.; Wed 9 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-5 p.m.; phone M-F 7am-4pm4
- Inspections
- SJPermits.org or 408-535-35553
Shed permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare San Jose with 18 other cities on the national shed permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Accessory Buildings & StructuresCity of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE)Last updated April 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Draft Ordinance amending Title 24 (Technical Codes) of the San José Municipal Code (Council Agenda 10/28/2025, Item…City of San José, City Council (Legistar)Published October 16, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Building DivisionCity of San José, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement (PBCE), Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Development Services Permit CenterCity of San José, Development Services Permit Center (PBCE)Checked November 7, 2026