As outlined in the staff report, the settled agreement saves taxpayers over $1.7 billion over the next 30 years, primarily in four ways:

• reducing the pensions for future hires and for employees hired since July 2012, relative to pre-Measure B pensions ($1.15 billion savings over 30 years).
• closing the retiree healthcare plan, ensuring that taxpayers will not contribute to the retiree medical plans of future hires ($244 million savings over 35 years)
• eliminating the “bonus check” that retirees received when market returns exceeded expectations ($270 million savings over 30 years)
• constraining costs of disability programs by implementing an independent board of medical experts to make disability determinations, and by offsetting disability with prior workers’ compensation payments.

For calculations of those savings, see the actuary’s letters in the Council report (Attachment B, pages 31-40).

Most of the savings come from reducing the pension benefit offered to employees prior to the passage of Measure B. Since Measure B’s passage in 2012, new employees have seen a much lower pension benefit. The settlement strikes a balance between two extremes, but will solidify the savings from the elimination of the SRBR through Measure B while achieving significant long-term savings through revisions to the retiree healthcare plans and Tier 2 pension.

Importantly, the agreement ensures that we can offer benefits that are competitive with other California cities’ police and fire departments. The standard benefit in California, known as “PEPRA,” provides police officers and firefighters with a benefit that pays 2.7% of total final salary for every year worked for that agency. The City’s benefit mirrors the PEPRA formula, but costs taxpayers less money in two key ways: by setting an 80% cap on the total pension and by back-loading the 2.7% accrual rate in the latter years of the employee’s service. This way, San Jose taxpayers can save money while long-serving police and firefighters receive a benefit competitive with that of other cities.

A full description of the benefits of this settlement agreement can be viewed in this op-ed authored by Mayor Sam Liccardo and Former Mayor Chuck Reed.

The City of San Jose currently faces over $3 billion of unfunded liabilities in its retirement accounts. Those burdens are split roughly equally between our retiree healthcare debt and our unfunded pension obligations. Let’s discuss each in turn:

Retiree medical liabilities: This agreement sharply reduces the likelihood of saddling future generations with additional unfunded debt by halting any future commitment of defined retiree medical benefits. That is, the agreement “closes the plan,” meaning that it forecloses the creation of new liabilities by ensuring that new employees will not enter the plan. Instead, new employees will pay 4% of their pay into a tax-favored defined-contribution account. That account, similar to an IRA, will accrue with investment savings to pay for retiree healthcare in their retirement, until the employee qualifies for Medicare at 65. The City and its taxpayers will have no obligation to contribute to that benefit. Current employees can dramatically reduce their costs by opting into that same defined-contribution account, but still take their past contributions with them into the account. By making that choice, employees waive the City’s obligation to pay.

Pensions: The agreement also reduces the risk and magnitude of long-term liabilities in a couple of ways. First, the deal prohibits retroactive enhancement of benefits. Second, it commits both police and firefighter union support a Charter measure that will require voter approval for any future increases in pension benefits and that the pension plan be actuarially sound. Third, it requires that future liabilities that are “unfunded” (i.e., not covered by City and employee contributions) be split 50/50 between employees and the City, creating a disincentive for irresponsible behavior as seen in the past.

Many police officers left San Jose for better pay and benefits in other Bay Area cities. Chief among the articulated concerns were the disability protections that officers perceived as inadequate since Measure B. That is, a more narrow definition of “disability” that prevailed in San Jose since Measure B would have allowed fewer officers and firefighters to avail themselves of disability payments.

By restoring the language from the pre-Measure B law, the settlement agreement’s disability benefits will assure public safety officers financial security without breaking the bank. At the same time, the agreement will protect taxpayers from abuse by creating an independent panel of medical experts to evaluate whether an employee’s injury suffices in severity to qualifies for disability benefits, and by limiting double-payments for workers’ compensation.

Salaries also constitute a key focus of concern for many departing officers. Prior to this agreement, the median take-home pay of comparably-sized Bay Area police departments exceeded San Jose’s by about 14%.

With an 8% pay increase, our current officers will take a significant step toward pay parity. Half of that pay increase is given in a “non-pensionable” form, meaning that it is not used for calculating the employee’s retirement benefits. That detail is important because it saves the City about $3.6 million and enables officers to keep more of their take-home-pay in their pockets. Finally, the deal also calls for a one-time 5% retention bonus, which contains a “clawback” provision if any recipient leaves before the expiration of the contract.

Ending the litigation with our public safety unions enables us to better rely on our unions as partners in expanding our police and firefighter forces. Our objectives and actions had not been aligned in recent years, severely hampering our ability to recruit and retain officers.

Furthermore, police wages and benefits did not appear sufficiently competitive to attract full classes of qualified applicants in our police academies; classes with a capacity of 45 recruits have averaged less than 20 academy graduates per class over the past couple of years. Obviously, 8% pay increases help improve the pay profile of SJPD significantly.

The 5% one-time bonus plays a role here as well, because the contract explicitly calls for the City to expand eligibility to any former SJPD officer returning from another city’s police force. By offering officers interested in “returning home” this bonus, City residents will benefit enormously with the service of an experienced, SJPD-trained veteran. In purely financial terms, the agreement grants our community the service of a veteran returning officer for about $5,000, compared to a rookie officer bearing some $170,000 in recruiting, educating, and training costs.

No. With the resources available, we will increase pay without reducing any city services, without increasing taxes, without cutting active police officers, without adding pension debt on future generations, and without affecting our general fund balance in the years ahead.

How so? In the June 2015 budget, the Council explicitly authorized $11.4 million in a Police Department Staffing/Operations Reserve for SJPD to use for retention and attraction of officers. This agreement will commit about $9 million of those funds in 2015-2016. The pay increases require another $14 million in ongoing funding for future annual budgets, this exceeds the amounts set aside in reserves and the assumed General Fund Forecast by about $3.3 million. We anticipate that savings generated from sworn Police staff entering the Tier 2 retirement system will close most, if not all, of this funding gap. Any remaining costs can be covered by eliminating vacant positions in the SJPD, positions not likely fill in two years of rapid hiring anyway. In short, the budget will cover the increased costs, and we won’t miss a beat as a result.

This agreement represents an opportunity for San José to rebuild its department to a more nimble, modern, effective police force, and with SJPD’s longstanding commitment to “community policing” in several ways.

First, for the first time in decades, patrol officers in 18 of the highest-crime neighborhoods will remain in place for an entire year, rather than rotating their shift every 6 months. Many community leaders have blamed short shift rotations on officers’ inability to develop meaningful working relationships with key neighborhood leaders, teachers, business owners, and parents. Those relationships form the core of the “community policing” model.

Second, a boost in what’s known as “bilingual pay” will provide a meaningful enticement for more diverse, bilingual officers to work in San Jose. It will also reward those officers who work to improve their fluency in Spanish, Vietnamese, or other frequently-spoken languages.

Finally, the agreement assures the Chief of Police much-needed flexibility to effectively deploy officers on overtime shifts during this period of serious shortfalls in staffing, ensuring better response to fast-shifting circumstances in neighborhoods.

Yes. We’ll ask for the voters’ approval of a set of charter amendments that will formally and irrevocably supplant Measure B in November of 2016. The language of that ballot measure is still being negotiated, but will include, at a minimum, prohibitions on retroactive pension benefit enhancements, a requirement to seek voter approval of any pension hike, and a requirement of actuarial soundness in retirement benefit accounts.

In the meantime, the agreement calls for the parties to collectively seek a judicial ruling that will invalidate Measure B. Assuming that all of the unions and retirees agree to do so, the settlement would rely upon a court process known as “quo warranto” which assures employees will receive the benefit of their bargain with certainty and immediacy, rather than waiting for the uncertain outcome at the ballot box a year from now. Given the uncertainty of the outcome of that court process, or any other, a ballot measure will be supported by all parties to finally lay Measure B to rest.

You can contact either the Independent Police Auditor’s Office (IPA) or the Internal Affairs Unit (IA) and submit a complaint. You can submit a complaint in writing (email, mail, or fax) or by talking to IPA or IA staff by phone or in person.

The complaint process may take some time. Generally the investigation must be completed within one year. If you have questions about the status of your complaint, please contact the IA investigator assigned to your complaint or the IPA Office.

The Internal Affairs Unit (IA) classifies and investigates complaints. Closed IA investigations are forwarded to the Independent Police Auditor's Office (IPA) for audit. The IPA audit focuses on whether the IA investigation was thorough, objective, and fair. When the process is complete, you will receive a letter informing you of the findings.

CityCareers is the name for the City of San José’s recruitment and job application system. CityCareers is a cloud-based talent management system that uses Oracle Taleo Cloud Service to meet most of the City’s recruitment needs, including job postings, job application, applicant screening, and applicant hiring.

Oracle Taleo Recruiting is used by hundreds of companies throughout the world. It contains state-of-the-art technology to ensure that users can only access their own information. To further support security, you may be prompted to change your password every 365 days. Please remember to keep your password confidential.

To see a listing of current open-competitive job postings, click on the link below. Once you are on the Career Section page, you can use a job number or a key word to navigate through all open jobs within our organization. Also you can search jobs by selecting relevant criteria in the drop down menu of the “Job Field” and “Organization”. You may also search for a job by using Basic or Advanced search tab. Click on the posting title hyperlink to see a detailed description.

• List of Open-Competitive Job Postings

Yes, all classified open positions are posted. Unclassified open positions such as executive recruitments may not always be posted on the City of San José website.

Please note that “internal-only” positions, which are only available to current City of San José employees, can be viewed if you click on the link for Internal Recruitments, but you will be unable to log in and apply unless you are a current City of San José employee.

Prospective Employees: If you are not currently employed by the City of San José, please follow this simple three-step process to register and apply for jobs:

• Step 1. Create your account
  • Click the Sign In link on the right side of the recruiting home page. On the Login page, you can create your own login account (user name and password) by clicking the New User button. Once you have successfully created your user account, you will have a unique login with which you can proceed to step 2 of this process.
  • If you already have an account, enter your unique login information when you click the Sign In link on the right side of the recruiting home page to begin your search for opportunities. Proceed to step 3.
• Step 2. Create your CityCareers recruiting candidate profile
  • Once you login, you can create your candidate profile where you will be able to provide your personal information, education, and employment history. There are three options for entering education and employment history.
    • Option 1. Click on the LinkedIn logo to enter your LinkedIn profile. Review for correctness before continuing. Please note that the LinkedIn profile feature is only a convenient tool for your application process and it’s your responsibility to check the completeness of your resume before final submission.
    • Option 2. Upload a resume; if you select the option of resume parsing, the system will “parse” data from your resume into the education and employment history fields. For best results parsing from your resume, use a simple file format with a common font such as Arial or Times New Roman; tables, graphics and advanced formatting and styles may interrupt the parsing process. The simpler the file, the better the parsing feature will work, and the more information will load into the Job History. Please note that resume parsing feature is only a convenient tool for your application process and it’s your responsibility to check the completeness of your resume before final submission.
    • Option 3. Enter data into the education and employment history fields manually.
      Please note that Options 1 and 2 are only available when you first create your profile. If you continue without loading your LinkedIn profile or a resume, you can only add or edit education and employment history manually.
  • Once you have successfully created your candidate profile you will be able to apply for jobs.
• Step 3. Apply for jobs
  • You can search and apply for jobs from the recruiting home page. You can gain access to this page by using your login account after you have successfully completed steps 1 and 2. You can search for jobs using the search criteria provided. Click the job title to review more details regarding the position. Click the Apply Online button to complete your application process. If you have not already registered, you will be asked to do so. Be sure to review your application on the review page for correctness before you submit your application.

Current City of San José Employees: Please see the next question.

• Prospective Employee Reference Guide

No. The minimum wage is an obligation of the employer and cannot be waived by agreement except collective bargaining agreements. To the extent required by federal law, all or any portion of the applicable requirements of the City of San José Minimum Wage Ordinance may be waived in a bona fide collective bargaining agreement provided that such waiver is explicitly set forth in such agreement in clear and unambiguous terms.

You may either file a wage claim with the City of San Jose Office of Equality Assurance or file a lawsuit in court against your employer. If an employee chooses to file a claim alleging the non-payment of the San José minimum wage by her/his employer, the employee must file the claim either by mail or in person.

Under the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance, it is unlawful for an employer to retaliate against employees who assert their right to receive minimum wage. There is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if any adverse action is taken against a person within ninety (90) days of the person exercising their rights protected under the law. If you are subjected to retaliation, you may either file a claim with the City of San José Office of Equality Assurance or file a lawsuit in court against your employer.

The San José Minimum Wage applies to most employers. Employers that maintain a facility in San José or employers that are subject to the San José Business Tax are required to comply with the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance.

In addition to payment of the minimum wage, covered employers are required to:

1. Post a notice at the workplace of the current and prospective minimum wage rates and the employees’ rights under the Ordinance;
2. Maintain payroll records for a period of four (4) years; and
3. Provide in writing to each employee at time of hire with employer’s name, address and telephone number

The Minimum Wage Ordinance prohibits retaliation or discrimination against any person seeking to enforce the rights provided by the Ordinance.

If you are currently employed by the City, you are required to access internal-only jobs by signing in via the “Internal Recruitments” link on the Employment web page; current employees can reference the Current Employee Reference Guide for information regarding the login process. Jobs that are open-competitive can be viewed on this page without signing in.

Please be aware that some current City of San José employees may not be qualified to apply for internal-only positions. In order to qualify, you must be a permanent City of San José employee, meeting the criteria below. If you have questions about your eligibility for internal-only positions, contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 535-1285.

• “Permanent” means full-time or part-time benefited employees who have passed their initial probation (i.e. candidates who have passed probation in any class may apply for an internal recruitment while they are on probation for a promotion or lateral transfer). Part-time unbenefited employees who have worked at least 1040 hours will be considered internal candidates.
• Employees in the unclassified service that have six months of service are considered internal candidates with the exception of Temporary Unclassified, Rehired Retirees, and (Graduate) Student Interns.
• For internal promotional recruitments, candidates must be current employees at the time of selection for the position (i.e., an internal candidate cannot separate from City service during the course of an internal recruitment and still be considered an “internal” candidate). If the recruitment is later posted externally (meaning open to all candidates and not just current City of San José employees), candidates who separated are welcome to reapply at that time.
• Temporary Classified employees must have six months of service with the City of San José to apply for internal promotional recruitments.

Internal Recruitments Web Page

Employers that maintain a facility in the City of San José or employers that are subject to the San José Business Tax must pay a minimum hourly wage to each employee who performs work in San José for two (2) or more hours per week.

Yes. Any person who performs at least two (2) hours of work in a particular week for an employer who is covered by the Ordinance.

Yes. The minimum wage rate is the same for adult and minor employees.

The San José Business License Tax, Business Tax or License Tax is an annual obligation of businesses engaging in business in San José.

Yes. Any person who performs at least two (2) hours of work in a particular week for an employer who maintains a facility in City of San José or is required to pay the San José Business Tax is entitled to be paid the San José minimum wage rate.

All persons or companies conducting business in the City of San José are required to pay the Business Tax. Included are: commercial landlords; residential landlords (renting three (3) or more units); retail outlets; wholesalers; manufacturers; service companies; self-employed professionals; independent contractors; and home-based businesses. The San José Business Tax applies to home-based businesses and part-time operations.

No. An employer may not use an employee’s tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay the San José minimum wage rate.

For step-by step instructions regarding how to apply for jobs in CityCareers, please see the Prospective Employee Reference Guide or Current Employee Reference Guide linked from the Employment web page.

• Employment Web Page

Yes, but an employer may be entitled to an apportioned tax rate. The rate is pro-rated in accordance to the number of days you or your employees conduct business activities in San José. Any employer who is required to pay the San José business license tax is required to pay the minimum wage under the ordinance.

No. An employer may not use an employee’s fringe benefits as a credit towards its obligation to pay the San José minimum wage rate.

Under San José Municipal Code Section 4.76.050, a business includes all activities engaged in or caused to be engaged in within the City including any commercial or industrial enterprise, trade, profession, occupation, vocation, calling or livelihood including rental or lease of residential or nonresidential real estate and mobile home parks or independent contractors whether or not carried on for gain or profit but shall not include the services rendered by an employee to his employer.

No. The San José Minimum Wage Ordinance requires that employers pay the San José minimum wage rate to employees who are entitled to receive the California minimum wage. Certain categories of workers including independent contractors, learners and certain disabled workers are not entitled to the California minimum wage. For further information on these categories of exempted workers, please consult the Industrial Welfare Commission here.

Under San José Municipal Code Section 4.76.060, an employee includes each and every person engaged in the operation or conduct of any business whether as owner, member of owner’s family, partner, associate, agent, manager or solicitor, and each and every person employed or working in such business for a wage, salary, commission, or room and board.

Please go to the City of San José Career Section login page and click on the “Forgot your user name” or “Forgot your password” link. You will be prompted to enter either your email address or your user name. Your password will be emailed to you. Please note that you will be requested to change your password every 365 days.

Yes. The San José Minimum Wage Ordinance is a minimum labor standard and a law of general application that applies to all employees covered by the Ordinance whether or not represented by a bargaining unit or union. However, under Ordinance Section 4.100.050, the provisions of the Minimum Wage Ordinance may be waived by a collective bargaining agreement. The Ordinance requires that the waiver must be in a bona fide collective bargaining agreement and must be in clear and unambiguous terms.

The parties to a collective bargaining agreement are free to negotiate any language they desire and the City of San José will not interfere with or participate in the negotiation of such language.

There may be many different ways to accomplish an effective waiver in a collective bargaining agreement. An example of an effective waiver the City of San José Office of Equality Assurance would recognize for purposes of enforcement is as follows: “Waiver of San José Minimum Wage Ordinance: To the fullest extent permitted, this agreement shall operate to waive any provisions of the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance and shall supersede and be considered to have fulfilled all requirements of said Ordinance as presently written, and or amended during the life of this agreement.”

You can update your contact information by clicking on “Access My Profile” link on the Career Section page. If you have a change in contact information while you are in the selection process, it is also recommended that you contact the Human Resources Department so we can notify the hiring department immediately.

Under San José Municipal Code Section 4.76.070, engaged in business means the commencing, conducting, operating, managing or carrying on of a business and the exercise of corporate or franchise powers whether done as an owner or be means of an officer, agent, manager, employee, servant or otherwise whether operating from a fixed location in the City or coming into the City from an outside location to engage in such activities.

Yes. Commissions may be counted toward payment of the San José minimum wage when the commissions are earned and paid together with other compensation paid to an employee and are equal to or greater than the current San José minimum wage. For each pay period, employers must pay the employee an amount that equals or exceeds the hours that the employee worked multiplied by the current San José minimum wage. If the employee’s commissions for the pay period together with other compensation earned are less than that amount, the employer must pay the difference. Whether the employer may thereafter recover any amounts based on commissions that the employee earns in a later pay period or which are paid at a later date depends on whether the employer and employee have an enforceable written agreement.

Under San José Municipal Code Section 4.76.075, whenever any person shall by use of signs, circulars, cards or any other advertising media including the use of telephone solicitation, hold herself/himself out as or represent that she/he is doing business in the City then these facts may be used as evidence that such person in doing business in the City.

If you have questions or encounter any difficulties completing your online application, please email Human Resources at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 535-1285 during regular business hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PST) Monday through Friday.

No. Consistent with California Labor Code Section 3352(a), individuals who are the parents, spouses or children of the employers are not covered by the San José minimum wage. Domestic partners are also excluded under the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance. However, an employer must pay the required San José minimum wage rate to any other person who performs more than two (2) hours of work in a week and qualifies as an employee entitled to payment of the minimum wage from any employer under the California Minimum Wage law as provided under Section 1197 of the California Labor Code and wage orders published by the California Industrial Welfare Commission.

Your information is treated confidentially and will not be shared with anyone. We use the information provided for the sole purpose of determining qualifications for employment. Only authorized Human Resources and hiring personnel have access to your information.

Yes. Even though the company does not maintain a facility in San José, it is conducting business in San José and is required to pay San José business tax. The Ordinance requires employers who maintain a facility in San José or employers that are subject to the San José Business Tax to comply with the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance.

Yes. Pursuant to federal law, banks including national banking associations and insurance companies and associations are excluded from the San José Business Tax.

Having a valid email address allows the Human Resources Department to send you notifications, new positions of interest, and correspondence from hiring departments and/or managers. It will also allow you to receive timely notification when new jobs are posted.

Various organizations provide email accounts free of charge. Visit www.yahoo.com, www.hotmail.com, www.gmail.com, or your internet service provider for more details. The City of San José is not affiliated with these sites nor does the City of San José guarantee their service.

Yes. Even though the company does not maintain a facility in San José, it is conducting business in San José and is required to pay San José business tax. The Ordinance requires employers who maintain a facility in San José or employers that are subject to the San José Business Tax to comply with the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance.

Yes. A person can claim exemption from the payment of the San José Business Tax for the following common exemptions: honorable discharged disabled veteran; non-profit/charitable organization; farmers/poultry/horticulturist; interstate commerce (motor carrier permit); minor (16 years of age or younger); sale of hand-produced goods; senior citizen (65+ years of age); teachers; transient marketers at the Flea Market; family day care and family caregiver. For a complete listing of exemptions, please refer to Title 4, Revenue, Finance and Business Taxes of San José Municipal Code. To apply for an exemption, complete the Business Tax Exemption Request form.

Additionally, a Business Tax Hardship Exemption Program is available to sole proprietorships and corporations that are owned by one person, husband/wife or domestic partner ownership structures that have: no employees and annual gross receipts at or below less than twice the poverty level which changes year to year. The term “poverty level” means the income amount established by the US Department of Health and Human Services as the poverty guideline for a single person multiplied by two (2) for the calendar year in the business tax is due.

The form can be downloaded here.

Yes. Although state law exempts residential care facilities for six or fewer elderly persons from the City's business license tax, all residential care facilities, regardless of number or type of occupant, are required to pay local minimum wage to employees when located in San José.

No. Because the work is performed outside of San José, the agency is not required to pay the San José minimum wage.

Yes. The non-San José based non-profit is conducting business in San José and is subject to the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance. The non-profit can request and be granted a business tax exemption because it is a non-profit organization.

State and federal agencies, including school districts, are not required to pay minimum wage when the work performed is related to their governmental function. However, for work that is not related to their governmental function (for example, booster or gift shops, non-K-12 cafeterias, on-campus pubs, and the like), minimum wage is required to be paid. Minimum wage is also required to be paid by lessees or renters of facilities or space from the government agency.

No. The City of San José only accepts applications for posted job openings.

Yes. In order to be considered for a position at the City, you should apply for each job you are interested in.

The default session limit is set to 60 minutes (1 hour), but the draft will be saved each time you move forward into another step in the application. If a step in the application is taking longer due to volume of data entry, you may wish to “Save as Draft” periodically to be safe.

Yes. Incomplete or improperly completed online applications may be rejected even if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. Likewise, it is your responsibility to be sure that your online application reflects your work experience and education needed to meet the requirements for the position(s) you are applying for. Although your resume may have all your experience and education details, please make sure to complete each section of the online application to ensure that your information is accurately screened. (Note: You must enter your Application Information during the online application process if you want your Information to be considered during the selection process. Include any relevant Work Experience, Educational History, Job Training, Licenses and Certificates and Languages. If you do not enter your Application Information, your application may be screened out. Attaching a resume alone is not sufficient.)

Regional Location is the closest major city to your location on the provided list.

If you are unable to find your school or major in the education look up list, you can manually type the name of the school you attended in the “School” field. To enter more than one school or degree program, click “Add Education”. A new section including blank fields will appear to enter.

If the job requires a specific license or certification, it will be listed as a job specific question for candidates to answer as part of the application process. If you wish to include additional licenses and/or certifications, please include them in your resume.

Yes. Employees’ applications are evaluated based on the information provided on their applications. Omission of current position and/or duties may result in the rejection of your application. (Note: You must enter your Application Information during the online application process if you want your information to be considered during the selection process. Include any relevant Work Experience, Educational History, Job Training, Licenses and Certificates and Languages. If you do not enter your Application Information, your application may be screened out. Attaching a resume alone is not sufficient.)

No, the City’s review is primarily based on the education and employment history sections of the application. Although your resume may have all your experience and education details, please make sure to complete each section of the online application to ensure that your information is accurately processed during our screening process.

In the “File Attachments” section of your application workflow, be sure to upload and name any attachments that you wish to include in the consideration of your application. This is also where you will attach certification documentation. You are limited to 10 file attachments. Please indicate:

• Whether the file is relevant to your application
• Whether it is a resume
• Any comments you have regarding the file.

You may have your pop-up blocker on. Try holding down the "Shift" key while you click on the hyperlink.

The City’s Office of Equality Assurance is responsible for implementation and enforcement of the Minimum Wage Ordinance. Their phone number is (408) 535-8430. Their minimum wage email address is: SJMWO@sanjoseca.gov.

The City’s Office of Equality Assurance is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Minimum Wage Ordinance. The Office of Equality Assurance will accept reports of suspected violations and investigate suspected violations where there appears to be a reasonable basis for the complaint.

As appropriate, the Office of Equality Assurance may:

1. Issue administrative citations and compliance orders;
2. File a lawsuit in court; and
3. Seek reimbursement of City’s administrative costs of enforcement.

Remedies available to persons harmed by a violation of the Minimum Wage Ordinance include:

1. Right to sue in court to enforce the wage requirement;
2. Award of back wages;
3. Civil penalties in the amount of $50.00 per day to each employee harmed; and
4. Recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

The "Save as Draft" can be done many times to save a draft of your work, but "Submit” means that application is submitted. You will have a chance to review your application before submission, and you can also edit your submission as long as the application period is still open.

If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. If you do not receive the confirmation, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. Another way to confirm that your application was accepted is to log in to your CityCareers account through the “Sign In” link on the top right side of the Career Section portal, click the “My Jobpage” tab, and verify your submission was completed under the “Completed Submissions” heading.

Yard waste, such as fallen leaves, grass clippings, weeds, the remains of garden plants, and kitchen scraps make excellent compost. However, care must be taken when composting kitchen scraps. Meat, bones, and fatty foods (such as cheese, salad dressing, and leftover cooking oil) don't belong in the bin and must be put in the garbage.

Composting can be practiced in any home, apartment, or townhouse. While you need some space to backyard compost, anyone can compost with a worm bin.

For backyard composting to take place, you will need four basic ingredients: nitrogen (such as lawn clippings), carbon (like fallen leaves), water, and air.

For worm composting, you just need a comfortable place for worms, the worms themselves, and kitchen scraps. Learn more about compost bin sales.

If the posting is still active, you can access your submission by logging in to your CityCareers account through the “Sign In” link on the top right side of the Career Section portal. Click the “My Jobpage” tab, then your completed, draft, or withdrawn submissions are listed for your view or edit. Click the “View/Edit Submission” link for the job application you want to correct your error.

As long as the posting is still active, you can click the “Edit” button in your application, and update. Please note that for ongoing (posted until filled) recruitments, you will need to contact the representative listed in the Posting to let the person know that you have updated your application.

To find saved drafts of applications, log in to your CityCareers account through the “Sign In” link on the top right side of the Career Section portal, click the “My Jobpage” tab, and find the job title under the “Draft Submissions” heading. To continue editing, you must first confirm that the Job Status in the posting is still “Active” and “Posted,” and then click the ”Finish Draft Submission” link at the bottom of the requisition title to continue your application process.

Once you apply for an open position, you will receive an email that your application has been submitted. The City of San José will attempt to send notifications to every candidate regarding the status of their applications. However certain jobs such as extremely high volume of applications or ongoing job posting may only send notifications to who are moving on in the selection process. If you have questions regarding the status of your application, please contact the person listed in the job announcement or Human Resources Department at (408) 535-1285 during regular business hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PST) Monday through Friday.

You can see which position(s) you have applied for by logging in to your CityCareers account through the “Sign In” link on the top right side of the Career Section portal. Click the “My Jobpage” tab to verify the positions for which you have applied under the “My Submissions” heading.

Compost can be purchased from garden centers at most hardware and home improvement stores. To buy bulk compost at competitive prices, please call Allied at (408) 262-1401 (select option 1, "Material Recovery Facility") or Zanker Road Resource Management at (408) 313-0444.

New job postings are typically posted on Mondays. However, you should check the job listing site regularly to stay informed about the City of San José’s current job opportunities.

Worm composting, or vermicomposting, uses red wiggler worms to break down kitchen scraps into a super-rich fertilizer.

Grasscycling is the natural recycling of grass by leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. They decompose quickly and release valuable nutrients back into the soil. Click here for more information on grasscycling.

Yard trimmings are collected by Green Waste Recovery to be recycled into high-quality soil amendments, compost, mulch, or wood chips. Some of compost is used in our City parks and community gardens while the balance is sold for agricultural use and to local nurseries and soil yards.

Residents should use the online reporting form to report nuisances and fireworks. If there's a life-threatening emergency or active fire, call 9-1-1.

Starting December 16, 2019, the online reporting form will be available year-round.

Using the online reporting tool will not result in enforcement officers being immediately dispatched to the scene.

The police department prioritizes all 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls based on the severity of the calls. During the holidays when fireworks are prevalent, the police department receives a high volume of firework-related calls requiring our dispatch center to prioritize the calls. Therefore, the police department may not be able to respond to every firework-related call unless fires or injuries are involved.

By providing accurate and complete information, the City may be able to issue administrative citations or warning letters to users of illegal fireworks. Partial information will be accepted and may be helpful in mapping the locations of fireworks use for outreach purposes, but likely will not result in a citation or other enforcement action. You will need to provide the following information:

For fireworks use on private property (yards or driveways)

• Photo/video evidence showing use or possession of fireworks on the property;
• The exact address where the incident occurred; and
• Your contact information (“Reporting Party” contact information on the form).

The San José Minimum Wage Ordinance was passed by City of San José voters on November 6, 2012. It requires employers covered by the Ordinance to pay a minimum hourly wage beginning March 11, 2013 to each employee who performs at least two (2) hours or more per week of work in San José. Additional Information...

Your contact information will be kept confidential. Please note that a citation issued based on your report can be contested. If a cited party appeals the citation and a hearing is held, the City may ask you to either appear as a witness or provide sufficient evidence. If you do not want your information to be disclosed, you may choose not to appear as a witness. Choosing not to appear may affect the City’s ability to uphold the citation.

March 11, 2013 is the effective date of the San José Minimum Wage Ordinance.

The minimum wage rate is currently $10.50 per hour.

Yes, you can submit information anonymously or provide only an approximate address. However, no citation will be issued from such reports. This information will be used only to map where fireworks use is generally occurring—this information may be helpful for future outreach and enforcement patrol purposes.

Beginning January 1, 2014, and on every January 1 thereafter, the minimum wage will increase by an amount corresponding to the prior year’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban wage earners and clerical workers for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CA metropolitan statistical area as reported by the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This information will be used to determine if there is a violation of San José Municipal Code. The data will also be used to map where fireworks use is generally occurring—this information may be helpful for future outreach and enforcement patrol purposes.

If you received a citation, that means the City of San José received an online report with sufficient evidence indicating the illegal use, possession, sale or storage of fireworks.

“Wages” include compensation that is received in the form of salary, hourly pay, piece rate, commissions and non-discretionary performance bonuses. Wages do not include tips. In addition, San José permits employers to offset a portion of the minimum wage for housing and meal costs. The City offsets for housing and meal costs are the same as those offsets available under the California minimum wage law. The offsets are only recognized if there is a prior voluntary agreement between the employer and employee.

If you received a citation and believe there is an error, you may contest the citation by completing a Hearing Request Application. Forms must be returned to the City of San José within 30 days of receiving the citation, along with an advance deposit of the fine or within 15 days when applying for the advance deposit hardship waiver.

Yes. All workers in San José, whether or not they are legally authorized to work in the United States, are protected. The City’s Office of Equality Assurance will process and investigate a wage claim without regard to a worker’s immigration status. Workers filing a claim with the City’s Office of Equality Assurance will not be questioned about their immigration status.

San José employers are subject to Federal, State and San Jose minimum wage laws. When there are conflicting requirements in the laws, the employer must follow the strictest standard; that is, the one that is most favorable to the employee. Since the City's current law requires a higher minimum wage rate than does the state and federal law, covered employers are required to pay the City’s minimum wage rate.

Information regarding the Minimum Wage Ordinance can be found on the following page. You can also call the Office of Equality Assurance (OEA) at (408) 535-8430 or email OEA at SJMWO@sanjoseca.gov. Minimum Wage Ordinance

Yes, you can sign up to receive news releases, the City Manager’s Weekly Report, and Information Memos. You may subscribe online.

Zoning and General Plan information can be obtained in any one of the following four ways:

• Access our Online Permits website and enter either the property address or Assessor's Parcel Number (APN).
• View the Zoning Maps or Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan on this website in a PDF file format.
• Visit us at the Development Services Center on the first floor of City Hall or contact us at 408-535-3555.

Note: If the zoning of the property is "A(PD)" (i.e., a Planned Development Zoning District), we recommend visiting or contacting the Planning Division to learn about permitted uses and any specific development standards that may be applicable to the property.

If you are contesting the citation and are unable to pay the advance deposit, you may request an advance deposit hardship waiver within 15 calendar days of the citation date. Please see hardship qualifications for required documentation.

For information about obtaining a fireworks display permit, please call our Bureau of Fire Prevention at 408-535-7750. Celebrations using fireworks must have a licensed pyro-technician onsite with appropriate credentials and permits.

In the City of San José, unused consumer-grade fireworks can be dropped off at any one of our 33 fire stations. See our Fire Stations Map to find a station near you.

A single-family residence is allowed to be up to 30 feet in height in residential zoning districts without requiring a Single Family House Permit. Any proposed new single-family residence that is greater than 30 feet in height (not to exceed 35 feet) will require the submitting of a Single-Family House Permit application and will also require Building Permit.

For specific information on how height is measured, please see our Height Calculation Diagram.

For all inspection or occupancy requests, please contact the Bureau of Fire Prevention at (408) 535-7750.

Additions resulting in up to a 45% floor area ratio (FAR) is allowed by right, and only requires the obtainment of building permit. FAR is the amount of living space (not including the garage or basement) divided by the size of the lot. Floor area for the calculation of FAR is measured to the exterior wall surfaces and includes stairwells.

Any new single-family residence that results in a FAR of more than 45% will require a Single-Family House Permit application submittal. For more information on the Single Family House Permit and floor area ratio, please visit our Single-Family House Permit page.

Any person engaged in a marijuana business in the City of San José shall pay a Marijuana Business Tax. Payment of the tax does not authorize unlawful business.

If you are conducting business in San Jose, you are required to pay a business tax, unless you are exempt. Refer to Municipal Code 4.76 for details.

A Single Family House Permit is a development permit that may include various levels of approval involving either the Director of Planning or the Planning Commission, depending on the size and scope of work involved. The permit can be approved at an administrative level by the Director of Planning or go through a public hearing process. Additional information, including the criteria for public hearing, is identified in our Single-Family House Permit brochure.

Look at the City's current job opportunities.

If there is a park strip (landscaped strip), the front property line is generally located six (6) inches from the interior edge of the sidewalk. If there is no park strip, the front property line is generally located three (3) feet from the interior edge of the sidewalk.

For corner lots, the narrowest street frontage of the lot is the front property line, and the longest street frontage of the lot is the side property line, regardless of location of the entrance into the house or orientation of the house to either street. These definitions are found in Section 20.200.700 of the Zoning Ordinance. For reference, also see our lot lines diagram.

Development standards for accessory buildings and structures are found in Section 20.30.500 of the Zoning Ordinance. Also see our illustrative guide to accessory structures as it relates to limitations on rear yard coverage.

Secondary Units are generally allowed in R-1 Single-Family Residence Zoning Districts only, but may also be allowed in certain Planned Development Zoning Districts (i.e., those with R-1 Zoning District standards and allowed uses).

Secondary units are not allowed in R-2 Two-Family and R-M Multi-Family Zoning Districts.

Other applicable regulations are described in Section 20.30.200 of the Zoning Ordinance.

For single-family residential properties, fences are generally limited to three feet in height in the front yard and seven feet in height in the side and rear yards. However, corner lots, unusually shaped lots, and Planned Development (PD) zones have different requirements. For more information, please refer to the fence regulations diagram or contact the Planning Division at (408) 535-3555.

For multi-family residential or commercial/industrial properties, fences must not only comply with City regulations but are also subject to design review by the Planning Division as a part of a Development Permit or Permit Adjustment application. For more information, please contact the Planning Division at (408) 535-3555.

A building permit from the Building Division is generally not required for fences six feet or less in height. However, please note that different requirements apply to retaining walls and swimming pool/spa enclosures. For more information, please refer to the Building Division’s Informational Handout on fencing and Swimming Pool and Spa Setback and Safety Requirements, or contact the Building Division at (408) 535-3555.

On single-family properties, a permit is required to remove any ordinance sized tree, which is a tree with a trunk circumference of 38 inches or greater measured at 4 feet, 6 inches above grade. On multifamily, commercial or industrial properties, a permit is required to remove any tree. For more information, please visit our Tree Removal page.

A "home occupation" is a business or commercial activity which is conducted from a single-family home, duplex, apartment, or mobilehome and is clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling. A Planning permit is not required for a home occupation. However, all home occupations must conform to criteria set forth in Part 9 of Chapter 20.80 of the San Jose Municipal Code.

Home Occupation Criteria: To ensure that residential neighborhoods are not adversely affected by home occupations, every home occupation must meet the following criteria:

• Clients: Only two clients are permitted in the dwelling at one time.
• Employees: Only occupants of the dwelling may be employees or unpaid volunteers of the home occupation.
• Environment: Obnoxious odors, vibrations, glare, fumes, dust, electrical interference or noise shall not be detectable outside the dwelling or through the vertical or horizontal common walls of an attached dwelling.
• Hours: Clients are permitted at the residence only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Vehicles: A maximum of one business vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds is permitted to be kept, garaged, or stored at the residence.
• Signage: Signage must conform to the residential signage requirements set forth in the Municipal Code.
• Location: Home occupations, including storage, are permitted in the dwelling unit. They are also permitted in an attached garage, provided that the required number of covered parking spaces is not displaced. In a detached garage or accessory building, only 100 square feet floor area may be devoted to a home occupation, and the required number of covered parking spaces may not be displaced. Home occupations, including storage, are not permitted in carports or the yard areas.
• Manufacture: No manufacture or assembly, other than hand-crafted products, is permitted.
• Sales: An order may be filled on the premises if it is placed earlier by a customer using telephone, mail order, or through attendance at a sales party. Although not part of a home occupation, twice-yearly special sales may be held at the residence for the purpose of selling hand-produced goods to invited guests. Such sales are allowed provided that (i) no more than two such sales are allowed in any calendar year; (ii) no such sale is conducted for more than four consecutive days; and (iii) such sales are conducted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Other Restrictions: Certain home businesses are not compatible with a residential neighborhood because of their potential for either hazard or nuisance. The following activities are prohibited as home occupations by the Municipal Code:

• Animal breeding.
• Appliance repair, other than the repair of small household appliances.
• Firearm sales and services.
• Motorized garden tool repair, such as, but not limited to, lawnmowers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers.
• Massage parlors and the business of arranging massages at an off-site location.
• Pest control.
• Upholstery and furniture repair.
• Food catering.
• Vehicle-related uses such as, but not limited to, the cleaning, dismantling, embellishment, installation, manufacture, repair or service, sale, lease or rental, and towing of vehicles. The dispatching of vehicles such as limousines, taxicabs and ambulances is allowed as a home occupation.
• Welding.
• Any use which requires a Hazardous Materials Permit from the Fire Department.

Is Payment of the Business License Tax Required for a Home Occupation? Yes, a signed and completed business tax registration form and tax payment are required by the City Treasury Division. The Treasury Division is located in the Development Services Center (first floor of City Hall), and can be reached at (408) 535-7055.

The City has information specific to each union, which can be found here.

The City's pay plan can be accessed on the Human Resources' page here.

Planning permits are not required for rooftop solar panels installed on residential, commercial or industrial buildings. However, the PV system must meet the minimum development standards prescribed in Title 20 of the City's Municipal Code. Planning Division permits are required for PV system installed in locations other than a rooftop. See the Solar Photovoltaic Installation handout for additional information.

Information regarding employee benefits can be found on the Human Resources page here.

You may discuss your proposal with a Planner in the Permit Center, located on the first floor of the City Hall Tower. You may also call the Planning Division at (408) 535-3555 to discuss the project with a Planner by phone.

You may go through Preliminary Review process by submitting a Preliminary Review application at the Planning Counter to receive feedback from planning staff on your proposal.

Information related to job specifications can be found on the Human Resources' page here.

See our Building Permit Fees page and the Planning Application Filing Fee Schedule. Note that building permit fee estimates are provided by the Building Division for a nominal fee.

Union contracts/compensation summaries cover a wide range of provisions, which may include:

• Salary Ranges/Increases
• Special Pays
• Overtime/Compensatory Time
• Vacation & Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Breaks
• Medical & Dental Benefits
• Probationary Period Extensions 
• Performance Appraisal Appeals
• Management Rights
• Union Rights
• Grievance Procedure

Information regarding special pays can be found in the City's union tentative agreements and/or contracts. All current union tentative agreements and/or contracts can be found in the bargaining unit pages located here.

See our Site Plans, Elevations and Floor Plans illustrative diagram.

Information regarding City holiday closures are featured in the City's Homepage Calendar.

Information regarding upcoming City Council and Boards & Commissions meetings are featured in the City's Master Calendar.

The City of San José has a responsibility to conduct its affairs ethically and in compliance with the law, and we are very proud of our employees and the high-quality services we provide to the community. In order to ensure that we maintain and improve on the quality and integrity of our services, it is important that we provide employees and the public with various methods to express concerns.

Information regarding the City's Whistleblower Hotline can be found here.

See Legal Nonconforming Use brochure.

Please refer to the Development Permit document itself, and specifically the section entitled, "conditions", "permit expiration", "time limit", or "term".

If the required conditions of an approved Development Permit are met, the Zoning Ordinance allows extension with approval of a Permit Adjustment Application, which is typically processed "over the counter".

Be advised that, given the recent economic downturn, the City Council has adopted several ordinances to allow certain additional Development Permit extensions.

Residents can watch meetings as well as view agenda online here.

The City's Charter can be found here.

The City's Municipal Code can be found here.

Information regarding City Initiatives can be found here.

Yes, but with some exceptions. See Reactivations and Special Extensions (Section 20.100.500.A.3) of the Zoning Ordinance.

Planning in San Jose: A Community Guide.

San Jose City Hall is located at 200 East Santa Clara Street (see map link below). Please note that public parking is available in the City Hall underground parking garage accessible from the North Sixth Street, and that complimentary validation is routinely provided for our customers.

Location Map

AlertSCC is a free, easy and confidential way for anyone who lives or works in Santa Clara County to get emergency warnings sent directly to their cell phone, mobile device, email or landline. Sign up for AlertSCC by visiting the website.

If your residence is listed on the Historic Resources Inventory, or located in a historic district or conservation area, or a designated City Landmark, then special requirements will apply.

Specifically, either a Single-Family House Permit or an Historic Preservation Permit will be required. For more information, please see our Single-Family House Permit brochure and/or our Historic Preservation section.

Get sandbags from Valley Water.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that a basic emergency supply kit include the following items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

For street trees, the answer is yes. A permit is required to plant, prune or remove street trees. Street trees in most residential and commercial areas are maintained by the adjacent property owner.

• Request a street tree permit

The City of San Jose’s General Plan, Envision San Jose 2040, was adopted in November 2011. This new General Plan established the Urban Village concept to create a policy framework to direct most of San Jose’s new job and housing growth to occur within walkable and bike friendly Urban Villages that have good access to transit and other existing infrastructure and facilities. Creating complete Urban Villages is how the City will plan for that new growth. Preparation of a written document or Urban Village Plan for each Urban Village area will provide for continued community involvement in the implementation of the 2040 General Plan and for land use and urban design issues to be addressed at a finer level of detail.

Urban Village areas were selected specifically as the best areas of the City for new growth to occur. We deliberately left out most of the areas already developed as single-family neighborhoods. By concentrating new development in these newly designated areas it will help the City meet its environmental, fiscal, economic, and transportation goals, including but not limited to:

• Support and encourage increased transit use.
• Protect open spaces and hillsides.
• Reduce greenhouse gases.
• Promote economic development.
• Build more healthy communities.

An Emergency Operations Center or EOC is located in a central, secure facility where the City can provide interagency coordination, allocate resources, and support management of the incident.

The Urban Village land use designation is applied within the Urban Village areas that are planned in the current Horizon (see Horizon section below for a description of planning Horizons) to accommodate higher density housing growth along with a significant amount of job growth. This designation supports a wide variety of commercial, residential, institutional or other land uses with an emphasis on establishing an attractive urban form in keeping with the Urban Village concept. Development within the Urban Village designation should conform to land use and design standards established with an adopted Urban Village Plan.

Prior to preparation of an Urban Village Plan, this designation supports uses consistent with those of the Neighborhood Community Commercial designation, as well as development of “Signature” Projects (see “Signature” Projects section below for a description of this type of project). Following preparation of an Urban Village Plan, the appropriate use for a site will be commercial, residential, mixed-use, public facility or other use as indicated within the Urban Village plan as well as those uses supported by the Neighborhood/Community Commercial designation

When local officials tell you to shelter-in-place, the intention is to keep you safe while remaining indoors. It means to find a a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and take refuge there.

Typically, the instructions to shelter-in-place means to shelter for a few hours, not days or weeks at a time. Keep listening to your radio or TV until you are told it's safe.

The Urban Village Area Boundary delineates the areas of the City identified as having the potential to support growth through redevelopment and intensification to implement the General Plan’s Focused Growth Major Strategy. The Urban Village Area Boundary may be adjusted through the Urban Village planning process. Properties within an Urban Village Area Boundary may have an Urban Village designation or an underlying General Plan designation that is not Urban Village (e.g. a commercial or residential designation). New development must conform to the underlying designation for the property. Most sites within areas designated as within the Urban Village Area Boundary are planned for full redevelopment in a later General Plan Horizon. (See the Horizon section below for a description of Horizons)

Residential development under the Envision General Plan is planned to occur in phases, referred to as Horizons, in order to carefully manage San José’s expected housing growth. Generally Urban Village Growth Areas included in the first Horizon are designated on the Land Use / Transportation Diagram with the Urban Village land use designation (orange color on the map) and will be available for residential and mixed use development up to their entire planned capacity following preparation of an Urban Village plan.

Future Horizons are designated as being within an Urban Village Boundary, but typically not yet designated with the Urban Village land use designation (orange color on the map). Commercial and mixed use non-residential development is allowed in any horizon.

Those properties within the current Horizon may be able to develop a residential project consistent with the Urban Village Plan versus a property within a future Horizon that may not be developed yet with for residential use.

The City Council will consider whether the jobs/ housing balance, fiscal sustainability, and infrastructure are sufficiently strong to move into each subsequent Plan Horizon. Once another Horizon is opened, additional geographic areas will be available to possibly develop residential.

• A Signature Project allows non-residential development to proceed within Urban Village areas in advance of the preparation of an Urban Village Plan.
• A residential, mixed-use Signature Project may also proceed ahead of preparation of an Urban Village Plan.
• A Signature Project clearly advances and can serve as a catalyst for the full implementation of the Envision General Plan Urban Village strategy.
• A Signature project may be developed within an Urban Village designated as part of the current Plan Horizon, or in a future Horizon Urban Village area by making use of the residential pool capacity.
• A residential, mixed-use Signature Project may proceed within Urban Village areas in advance of the preparation of an Urban Village Plan if it fully meets the following requirements:
1. Conforms to the Land Use / Transportation Diagram. Within the Urban Village areas, Signature projects are appropriate on sites with an Urban Village, residential, or commercial Land Use / Transportation Diagram designation.
2. Incorporates job growth capacity above the average density of jobs/acre planned for the developable portions of the entire Village Planning area and, for portions of a Signature project that include housing, those portions incorporate housing density at or above the average density of dwelling units per acre planned for the entire Village Planning area.
3. Is located at a visible, prominent location within the Village so that it can be an example for, but not impose obstacles to, subsequent other development within the Village area.

Additionally, a proposed Signature project will be reviewed for substantial conformance with the following objectives:

1. Includes public parklands and/or privately maintained, publicly-accessible plazas or open space areas. Achieves the pedestrian friendly design guideline objectives identified within this General Plan.
2. Is planned and designed through a process that provided a substantive opportunity for input by interested community members.
3. Demonstrates high-quality architectural, landscape and site design features.
4. Is consistent with the recommendations of the City’s Architectural Review Committee or equivalent recommending body if the project is subject to review by such body.

The permitting process for a Signature Project will depend on the proposed use or mix of uses and the site’s zoning designation. A project may require a rezoning followed by a development permit or it may just require a development permit. It is suggested that potential applicants file a Preliminary Review Application before applying for a permit.

LEAP is Local Energy Assurance Plan.

A Local Energy Assurance Plan (LEAP) is a plan to strengthen local planning, resiliency and hazard impact mitigation efforts in the event of an energy emergency. The City of San José’s LEAP will compile and update existing information into an operational energy assurance plan for critical facilities.

The Plan will provide an understanding of:

• City response actions in the event of a major energy disruption
• Investments needed to make energy systems more resilient and less vulnerable
• City critical facility energy demands and actions necessary to extend resources through the use of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency

What is energy assurance? Energy assurance is the ability to supply energy when and where it is needed. There are three basic categories of energy assurance: planning, response and education. What is mitigation? Mitigation is an action plan that will lessen the impact in the event of a disaster or energy disruption. What is resiliency? Resiliency is a community's ability to effectively manage disasters and energy disruptions and to recover from an emergency quickly. All energy systems have vulnerabilities and are prone to periodic outages or supply disruptions. Identifying the vulnerabilities and working to strengthen them builds resiliency into the energy supply chain system and will minimize the duration of outages and disruptions. What is vulnerability? Vulnerability is a point of weakness in the energy supply chain. Why do we need a LEAP in San José?

The City of San José is subject to various potential disasters (e.g. floods, storms, earthquakes and fires) that could threaten the energy supply chain. A LEAP organizes the City of San Jose’s response so that in the event of a disaster or energy disruption steps will be taken to minimize the negative impact on the community.

What is critical infrastructure? Critical infrastructure is comprised of the energy systems, people and resources that are responsible for the delivery of energy. When the critical infrastructure is damaged by a disaster it can have a cascading effect on the entire community. Protecting and strengthening the critical infrastructure is a primary goal of LEAP. What agencies are involved with the City of San José’s LEAP? The City of San José Environmental Services Department leads an interdepartmental LEAP working group and works collaboratively with the Public Technology Institute with the intent of identifying vulnerabilities and strengths and developing plans to build a more reliable and robust energy delivery system. Who is funding the San José’s LEAP? In April 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded the City of San José with a grant to develop a LEAP under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). San José, along with 42 other cities and towns in 25 states, received money to develop new LEAPs or improve existing LEAPs. When will the LEAP be complete? The City of San José LEAP is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2012.

Who can I contact for more information about LEAP? For general information about local energy assurance planning please visit this website.

For information about the City of San José’s LEAP, call Julie Benabente, Energy Officer, at (408) 975-2537 or contact via email.

The General Plan includes a “Pool” of residential unit capacity which may be allocated to allow entitlement of residential projects within Urban Village Areas not included within the current Plan Horizon. This pool is initially established as 5,000 units, and may be replenished as part of a General Plan Major Review. Projects receiving allocation must conform to the Land Use / Transportation Diagram. Preparation of an Urban Village Plan for the subject Urban Village is necessary prior to allocation of these units unless the project qualifies as a Signature Project.

The permitting process for a Pool Project will depend on the proposed use or mix of uses and the site’s zoning designation. A project may require a rezoning followed by a development permit or it may just require a development permit. It is suggested that potential applicants file a Preliminary Review Application before applying for a permit.

If a new development project is located within a Specific Plan area, the project is required to be in conformance with the San Jose 2040 General Plan land use designation for the site, as well as, the subject Specific Plan’s goals and polices and urban design guidelines.

The Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan has a series of designations that identify targeted locations for growth intensification, which include Urban Village Areas, as well as, Downtown, Transit Employment Centers, and Specific Plan Areas. The General Plan incorporated six (6) of the nine (9) Specific Plans or Planned Residential Communities that were contained within the San Jose 2020 General Plan. Three (3) Specific Plans/Planned Residential Communities were retired.

The following are the remaining nine (9) Specific Plan areas with their growth assignments:

• Midtown (Assigned additional job and housing growth capacity.)
• Tamien (Assigned additional job and housing growth capacity.)
• Alviso (Assigned additional job growth capacity.)
• Communications Hill (Incorporated without change in growth capacity.)
• Jackson-Taylor (Incorporated without change in growth capacity.)
• Martha Gardens (Incorporated without change in growth capacity.)
• Rincon South (Retired, but maintained as an Urban Village Plan to fulfill the Urban Village Planning requirements.)

• It is within an Urban Village Boundary and has a residential General Plan land use designation.
  A residential project consistent with the property’s residential land use designation and applicable General Plan goals and policies may be developed.
• It is within an Urban Village Boundary and has a commercial General Plan land use designation.
  A commercial project consistent with the property’s commercial land use designation and applicable General Plan goals and policies may be developed.
• It is within an Urban Village Boundary and has an Urban Village General Plan land use designation.
  A project with uses consistent with those uses of the Neighborhood Community Commercial designation, as well as, development of a Signature Project or a new employment development project with incidental residential could be developed.
• It is within an Urban Village Boundary and has a residential General Plan land use designation and a residential zoning designation.
  A residential project consistent with the property’s residential land use designation and applicable General Plan goals and policies may be developed.
• It is within an Urban Village Boundary and has a residential General Plan land use designation and a commercial zoning designation.
  Any new development/redevelopment would need to rezone the property consistent with the residential General Plan land use designation and develop a residential project consistent with the property’s residential land use designation and applicable General Plan goals and policies may be developed.
• It is within an Urban Village Boundary and has a commercial General Plan land use designation and a commercial zoning designation.
  A commercial project consistent with the property’s commercial land use designation and applicable General Plan goals and policies may be developed.
• It is within an Urban Village Boundary and has a commercial General Plan land use designation and a residential zoning designation.
  Any new development/redevelopment would need to rezone the property consistent with the commercial General Plan land use designation and develop a commercial project consistent with the property’s commercial land use designation and applicable General Plan goals and policies may be developed.

All persons or companies conducting business in San José must pay the business tax, whether or not they have offices located in San José. The payment of business tax is required prior to the commencement of business in San Jose and is renewed annually.

The City of San José's Finance Department is responsible for collecting the business tax. The business tax form is located on the Finance Department website or may be picked up at:

City of San José - Finance Department
200 E. Santa Clara St.
Tower First Floor, Windows 1,2
San José, CA 95113

You can conduct your office space research using our site selection tools.

Yes. The Urban Village land use designation conforms to the CP – Commercial Pedestrian, CN – Commercial Neighborhood, or CG – Commercial General Zoning Designations.

If the property is within an Urban Village Boundary, you may also rezone consistent with the underlying General Plan land use designation. (See Title 20 Zoning Ordinance Chapter 20.1420.110 – Conformance with the General Plan, for other General Plan land use designations conforming zoning districts)

It is possible to find conformance with the General Plan Land Use / Transportation Diagram for a residential-mixed use development project on sites with a commercial land use or other designation, provided that those projects meet the Signature Project or incidental residential project criteria established within the General Plan Implementation chapter policies (IP-5.10 (Page 18 of Chapter 7 of the General Plan)).

The work2future organization has training programs to benefit companies by educating employees in the latest skills, and employees benefit from being able to offer a wider range of valued skills to their employers. Additionally, by using work2future's employment service network, employers can take advantage of:

• Job fairs
• Job training, retraining and up-training
• Labor market and wage survey information
• Online job postings
• Prescreened applicants
• Recruitment for specific employment needs
• Tax credits
• Wage subsidies
• Workforce reduction assistance

A wholly residential project may only be developed once there is an Urban Village Plan in place. The only way any residential units can be developed without an Urban Village Plan in place is for the project to be considered:

1. A “Signature” project;
2. An employment development with incidental residential (e.g., 3 or fewer residential units); or
3. If the underlying General Plan land use designation is residential.

If the use of the property is permitted in the property’s zoning district and there is no new construction and a planning permit is not required, the use may be implemented.

Example #1: A site is zoned R-M Multiple Residence, has an Urban Village land use designation, and there is an existing single-family house that wants to convert to a residential care facility of 6 or fewer persons. The use is permitted in the R-M District and requires no new construction or planning permit, therefore the use may be implemented.

Example #2: A site is zoned R-M Multiple Residence and has an Urban Village land use designation, a new construction residential development would not be in conformance with the General Plan (unless it was a signature project or incidental residential) and therefore could not be implemented.

The San Jose Office of Economic Development meets frequently with business and government officials from throughout the world. To schedule a meeting, please send a list of the officials participating in the meeting, issues of interest, and the date of the visit to San Jose. Schedule permitting, we will attempt to accommodate meeting requests.

If you require more information, please contact Economic Development at (408) 535-8181.

If the proposed use is conditional in a property’s zoning district, a Conditional Use Permit can be approved as long as the use conforms to the sites General Plan land use designation.

Example #1: A site is zoned R-M Multiple Residence and has an Urban Village land use designation, a new construction sorority house is proposed. This use would not be in conformance with the General Plan (unless it was a signature project or incidental residential) and therefore could not be implemented.

Example #2: A site is zoned CP Commercial Pedestrian and has an Urban Village land use designation, a daycare center, which is a conditional use in the CP District, is proposed. Prior to an Urban Village Plan, the Urban Village land use designation supports uses consistent with those of the Neighborhood Community Commercial land use designation, of which a daycare is consistent. Therefore, a Conditional Use Permit for a daycare can be found consistent with the General Plan and be approved subject to conformance with all other applicable General plan goals and policies and other City policies.

The Valley Transit Authority(VTA) is responsible for certifying Women and Minority Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for certain federally funded projects. If you are interested in becoming certified, please contact them at (408) 321-5962 for a certification application. You can also find information here.

If the proposed use is a special use in a property’s zoning district, a Special Use Permit can be approved as long as the use conforms to the sites General Plan land use designation.

Example #1: A site is zoned CG Commercial General and has an Urban Village land use designation, a wireless communication antenna (slimline monopole), which is a special use in the CG District, is proposed. Prior to an Urban Village Plan, the Urban Village land use designation supports uses consistent with those of the Neighborhood Community Commercial land use designation, of which a slimline monopole is consistent. Therefore, a Special Use Permit for slimline monopole can be found consistent with the General Plan and be approved subject to conformance with all other applicable General plan goals and policies and other City policies.

Use Residential Services Lookup to find out who provides water service at your home or business. Click here for water retailers lookup.

• Incorporated Area: 179.2 square miles.
• Population: 1,023,083. San Jose is the third largest city in California, following Los Angeles and San Diego. It is the 10th largest city in the U.S.

All persons or companies conducting business in San Jose must pay the business tax whether or not they have offices located in San Jose. The City of San Jose's Finance Department can provide you with a list of all registered business at a nominal fee.

The special request business tax form is located on the Finance Department website or may be picked up at:

City of San Jose-Finance Department
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 1st Floor, Windows 1,2
San Jose, CA 95113

All drinking water naturally contains some fluoride. Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the naturally occurring fluoride level to the optimum level for preventing tooth decay. The Evergreen, North San José, and Alviso communities all receive fluoridated water supplies, in which the fluoride levels are maintained within a range of approximately 0.7 to 1.3 parts per million (ppm). For further information on the specific levels of fluoride in your area, please refer to the most recent Water Quality Report.

• Water Quality Report

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) prescribe regular monitoring requirements for all public water systems. San Jose Municipal Water System performs this testing within our service areas on a routine basis, and will inform you if the water ever fails to meet drinking water standards.

For any additional testing that you may want done on the quality of your water, please contact a private laboratory to assist in taking and analyzing a sample. The USEPA or the SWRCB can provide further guidance on testing your water or selecting a private laboratory.

The City of San Jose welcomes your business to our City. We will provide you with information regarding certain federal, state, county, and city requirements. However, this is provided as an information and referral service and does not constitute final or complete interpretation of legal requirements which must be obtained from the appropriate administering agency. In addition, you may wish to consult with an attorney to insure that your business meets all legal requirements.

The City of San Jose's Finance Department can provide a comprehensive list of agencies you should contact before starting your business.

In the Evergreen, Alviso, and North San José communities, water is disinfected using chloramine. Except for a slight chlorinous taste or odor, chloramine is not harmful to the general public, and is necessary to destroy disease-causing organisms for the protection of public health. To remove the chloramines and the associated odor, fill a pitcher with water and let it sit on the counter or in the refrigerator to allow the chloramine to dissipate.

For other odors or for further guidance, please call the San Jose Municipal Water System’s Engineering section at (408) 277-3671.

All persons or companies conducting business in San Jose must pay the business tax whether or not they have offices located in San Jose. This tax is required prior to the commencement of business in San Jose.

The City of San Jose's Finance Department is responsible for collecting the business tax. The business tax form is located on the Finance Department website or may be picked up at:

City of San Jose-Finance Department
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 1st Floor, Windows 1,2
San Jose, CA 95113

One way to determine where the problem is originating is by observing the water at the hose bib closest to your water meter. If the water coming from this location is clear, this indicates that the problem is occurring with the interior plumbing, possibly due to sediment in the pipes or an aging plumbing system. To flush your lines, remove any aerators on your faucets and let the cold water flow until the water is clear again. If the problem persists, a plumber will be able to inspect your plumbing and determine what may be causing the problem.

If the water coming from your hose bib is colored, please call the San Jose Municipal Water System’s Engineering section at (408) 277-3671.

Hardness consists mainly of calcium and magnesium salts. Although it does not pose a health risk, it may be considered undesirable for other reasons. The level of hardness in the water supply varies by service area. For information on the specific hardness levels in your area, please refer to the Water Quality Report. To convert hardness from ppm to grains per gallon, divide by 17.1.

• Water Quality Report

Located in Northern California, San Jose is the largest City in the San Francisco Bay Area, third largest city in California, and the 10th largest city in the United States.

San Jose is the world's center of innovation, a global crossroads of talent. The City is committed to remaining a top ranked place to do business, to work, and to live. The community offers what innovative people and companies need today in order to succeed.

The City of San Jose has the nation's best public safety record of any metropolitan area, is rich in ethnic diversity and enjoys a beautiful climate. With temperatures varying from an average of 50 degrees in January to an average of 70 degrees in July, the City of San Jose boasts an average of more than 300 sunny days per year.

City of San Jose properties listed for sale can be found at Real Estate's home page.

Please call the appropriate water retailer which serves the area where the problem occurs. If the water retailer is known, you can call the following phone numbers:

• San Jose Municipal Water System (408) 535-3500
• San Jose Water Company (408) 279-7900
• Great Oaks Water Company (408) 879-8246

If you don't know the water retailer for the area where the problem occurs, call (408) 535-3500.

Most buildings have a "house valve" which allows the water to the building to be shut off. The house valve is normally located at the front of the building usually near a hose bib. Look for a pipe coming out of the ground and going into the building with a shutoff valve on it. If you cannot find a house valve or the house valve does not work, the water retailer has a valve which it can shut off. You will need to call the water retailer for this. In San Jose Municipal Water System's service area, call (408) 535-3500.

There are several options available to pay your water bill:

• Payment Online with E-Bill Express
• Payment over the phone to a Customer Service Representative
• Payment By Mail
• Payment In Person At The Customer Contact Center, First Floor, City Hall
• Payment Via A Drop Box At City Hall

Click here for more billing information.

Refer to the maps and descriptions resource on the special landscape districts section.

• For trees along the street, contact the Tree and Sidewalk Section at (408) 794-1901.
• For trees on private property, call Planning / Development Services at (408) 535-3555.
• To report problems with trees in one of the city’s parks, call Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services at (408) 793-5510.

Yes. The San José Municipal Code Section 13.28.400 places responsibility for tree care and maintenance on the adjacent property owner.

Visit the Heritage tree page for a list of Heritage trees and a map showing the locations.

Responsibility for your street tree belongs to you. The street trees in the public right of way may be located in a planting strip between the sidewalk and the curb. Where there is no planting strip (the sidewalk is directly adjacent to the curb), a street tree may be located behind the sidewalk.

Call the Department of Transportation at (408) 794-1900 to report a fallen limb or tree that is blocking a street or sidewalk presenting an immediate hazard.

Typically, the property owner is responsible for the maintenance of water pipes inside the building and any pipes outside the building down to the meter box by the street. The meter box and meter inside are owned and maintained by the water retailer. If a leak or other problem occurs on the property owner's side of the meter, it is the responsibility of the property owner. If the leak or problem occurs in the meter box or on the street side of the meter, the water retailer is responsible. To report leaks in the meter box or street, call the water retailer serving the area. In San Jose Municipal Water System's area, call (408) 535-3500.

No. The budget situation for the City of San José currently does not provide funding for street tree maintenance unless the work is associated with other projects such as minor pruning for equipment clearance for pavement repair projects. Some special landscape districts include street tree pruning.

Residents with limited income may qualify for assistance from the city with street tree maintenance. Funding for this program is very limited and property owners must provide documentation (federal or state income tax returns, Social Security statements, etc...) to verify income.

Yes. Request a permit by calling (408) 794-1901 or by submitting a permit request.

Catalog Choice is a nonprofit organization that provides residents and businesses with a convenient junk mail opt-out service. It is the nation's largest preference and privacy portal, serving more than 1.3 million members and 8,000 direct marketing companies.

No. Fees are not charged for any street tree permits.

Catalog Choice is supported by grants and tax-deductible donations.

Return the signed permit when the work is complete, but before the permit expiration date. A final inspection is made to approve the work.

It takes approximately 30 days to review and process the application. Refer to the Tree Policy Manual and Recommended Best Practices for the details of the street tree removal process.

Consumers have better environmentally friendly options to reach businesses, including:

• Registering for businesses’ email updates/newsletters
• Visiting businesses’ websites and social media sites
• Downloading businesses’ mobile apps

Yes, if required under the conditions of the permit.

There is no charge for a Catalog Choice account. Any person can sign up for a free Catalog Choice Account.

Yes, if your request is approved.

Catalog Choice asks for the person’s:

• Full name
• Mailing address(es)
• Email address

For street trees contact the Tree and Sidewalks Section at (408) 794-1901.

For trees on private property, call Code Enforcement at (408) 535-7770.

For trees in city parks, call Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services at (408) 793-5510.

Visit the website: www.CatalogChoice.org.

Call (408) 794-1900.

Street trees are available at local nurseries or through the local nonprofit group, Our City Forest at (408) 998-7337.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District offers rebates to all residents and businesses in Santa Clara County.

Call the Tree and Sidewalk Section at (408) 794-1901 for a free street tree planting permit.

Contact your water provider by calling the phone number on your water bill. Or call the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 265-2607, ext. 2554.

Chapter 15.10 of the San José Municipal Code stipulates that no person shall waste water from any source nor shall any person allow such water waste. Click here to report water waste.

Neighborhood support is key to keeping our streets safe. Educating all roadway users to share the road and to respect the rights of other users will increase the safety of our neighborhoods.

• If you are a driver, respect the right of a pedestrian who is crossing at a marked or unmarked crossing.
• If you are a pedestrian, do not insist on your right of way and don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. Cross at intersections and use controlled crossings, where possible, on busy streets.
• If you are a bicyclist, remember to wear your helmet and obey all traffic laws.
• As a parent, educate your children about the need for safety when crossing streets or riding a bicycle.
• Pay attention to your driving habits and do not exceed the speed limit.

Stop signs are installed to establish right-of-way, enhance safety for all roadway users, and to reduce vehicle delays. The process and criteria established by City Council Policy 8-1 is used to determine whether a location meets the minimum criteria required for one-way, two-way or all-way stop installation. This policy is based on Caltrans standards tat local agencies are required to follow for roadway traffic control devices.

The major criteria include consideration of: crash history (specifically crashes that may have been prevented by the stop control), right-of-way conflicts, proximity to schools, and any unusual conditions (such as proximity to high pedestrian generators, unique roadway geometry).

Unwarranted stop signs should not be installed as they can result in inappropriate driver behavior. Unwarranted stop signs tend to be disrespected by some drivers who do not fully stop and who may even speed up between stops to make up for perceived “lost time” at the stop sign. Additionally, Federal and State guidelines recommend against installing stop signs for speed control. If you have a speeding concern, please contact the Police Department via their on-line process to request enforcement.

If you would like to request a stop sign installation, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850.

Click here to visit the plan checks page for more information.

Crosswalks exist at all intersections whether they are marked or unmarked, unless prohibited by signs. At any crosswalk, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Marked crosswalks are installed to guide pedestrians to a preferred crossing location. To determine if a marked crosswalk would be beneficial, the City conducts a crosswalk study. The major criteria include consideration of: pedestrian activity, proximity to major generator of pedestrian travel (such as a school, park or transit stop), and the volume of vehicular traffic during peak pedestrian crossing times.

If you would like to request a crosswalk, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850. Please include in your request the recommended best time for the City to observe pedestrian crossing activity.

State law, through the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), provide direction to local agencies on establishing posted speed limits. Generally, unless a prima facie speed limit has been identified in the CVC, local agencies are required to conduct an Engineering and Traffic Survey to justify the posted speed limit. For example, the CVC provides for a prima facie speed limit of 25 mph on local residential streets, and when approaching or passing school zones, without the need for an Engineering and Traffic Survey.

On all other roadways, factors considered in the Engineering and Traffic Survey include: prevailing speed of traffic (85th percentile speeds), accident records, and highway traffic and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver, residential density and pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

A common misconception is that lowering a speed limit will slow the speed of traffic. However, most drivers travel at a speed that they consider to be safe and comfortable, regardless of the posted speed limit. Unreasonable speed limits (speed traps) may not be established; and by State law, such speed limits are not radar enforceable. Citations are typically dismissed in traffic court if a traffic commissioner determines that the posted speed limit is a speed trap.

If you have questions regarding the establishment of speed limits or would like to request installation of a speed limit sign, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850.

No, there are no permits or fees involved. There are no fees for the inspections or for the plan check.

Due to prior program reductions, the focus of traffic engineering resources in the Department of Transportation is on traffic safety related concerns. As a result, the City currently has limited resources to implement time restricted parking zones, loading zones, or other parking related requests, as these types of zones frequently impact multiple properties, require extensive outreach and staff resources. However, we do recognize that businesses have special parking needs, and that these may change over time. Please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850 if you have a business related request for parking restrictions. We will attempt to address your request as resources permit. The level of traffic safety related concerns staff is addressing at any given time, and the scope of your business related request, may impact the timing of when the City can implement your request.

Currently, the City does not have resources for the creation of new, or expansion of existing, residential permit parking (RPP) zones. If you reside in an existing RPP zone and would like to apply for, renew or replace a parking permit, please email dotpermits@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850 for more information.

You can find Best Practices for Restaurants here.

On-street parking spaces may be signed and marked with blue curb for use by residents with disabilities who need accessible parking provided within close proximity to their residence. Please note that any on-street accessible parking space is available for any person with a valid disabled placard or license plate. It is not restricted for use by the adjacent property.

Factors taken into consideration when determining if an on-street accessible parking space is appropriate include:

• Availability and condition of off-street parking, such as a relatively flat (non-sloped) driveway and/or garage. Parking off-street is the preferred location for access to a vehicle.
• The condition of the park strip, sidewalk area and street pavement that will be used by a person with a disability accessing a parked vehicle.
• On-street parking demand in the neighborhood.
• Support of the adjacent property owner, if the property is rented.

Possession of a current Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued placard or license plate denoting a disability is required, with a registration form that shows the requestor’s name and address.

If you would like to request for a location to be evaluated for an on-street disabled parking space, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850.

Your inspection report should have the name of your Environmental Inspector at the bottom. You can call our main number, (408) 945-3000 to reach them.

You should try and confine the spill so it does not go into any storm drains. Contact your property management or a plumber to correct the spill. Spills should be put back into the sanitary sewer. If your spill reaches a storm drain or the street, you should contact your city collection system or call us at (408) 945-3000 and indicate you would like to report a spill or illegal discharge.

Traffic signals are installed to improve overall safety of roadway users, establish right-of-way, and reduce travel delay at an intersection. The process and criteria established by City Council Policy 2-2 is used to determine whether an intersection meets the minimum warrant criteria required for installation of a traffic signal. This policy is based on Caltrans guidelines that local agencies are required to follow for roadway traffic control devices. The policy includes consideration of peak vehicle volumes, pedestrian activity, proximity to schools, and crash history; among other factors.

The City has limited resources to conduct the necessary traffic signal warrant studies and to install new traffic signals. The installation of a traffic signal is a significant investment (approximately $450,000 - 500,000).

If you would like to request that an intersection be considered for a new traffic signal, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850. Traffic engineers can assist with making an initial evaluation to determine if the intersection is a good candidate for further studies, or if there are other improvements that may enhance traffic safety or operations of the intersection.

The City does not have a current program for installing speed bumps on residential streets. If you have a speeding concern, please contact the Police Department via their on-line process to request enforcement.

• Remove all vehicles from the street on your sweep day.
• Remove all trash, yard waste, garbage cans, and dumpsters from the street on your sweep day.
• Keep your trees trimmed up 14 feet from the street.
• Remind your neighbors to follow these same guidelines.

No, there are private streets as well as some county and state pockets within the boundaries of San Jose that are not swept by the City.

To look-up your street sweeping day enter your house number and zip on our Collection Day Look-Up Page.

No, It is the properties owners’ responsibility to sweep up all yard waste residues and remove it from the street after it has been collected. Sweepers will not sweep up yard waste and trash as these kinds of items can cause damage to the sweeper.

Prohibitive parking signs are restricted to streets where parked vehicles on street sweeping days have the greatest negative impacts to street sweeping operations. The program is also limited to available funding to install and enforce signs, and to pay for the additional costs of sweeping signed areas. You may contact the Street Sweeping Section to request an inspection of your street to see if the street qualifies for street sweeping signs.

Don’t pour grease down the drain; instead, pour cooled grease into disposable containers and place them into the garbage once it has hardened.

Don’t use your garbage disposal to grind up fibrous foods such as corn husks and cobs, onion peels, artichoke leaves, banana peels, celery; or greasy foods such as meat, etc.

Don’t put anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. This includes baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, Q-tips, etc.

Don’t plant trees that will grow up later and clog your lateral lines (for more information visit the Baykeeper website).

Sewage spills do not all look the same.

• Learn how to identify sewer spills

A sanitary sewer lateral or private service lateral is the pipeline between the City’s main sewer line and a building.

The sanitary sewer lateral or private service lateral is owned and maintained by the property owner. It is the sole responsibility of the property owner to clear any blockages within their lateral not caused by the City’s main sewer line.

Sanitary sewers collect and convey sewage to a treatment plant where the sewage can be treated. Storm drains transport rain water and irrigation runoff to streams, bays, and rivers with little or no treatment. Storm drainage flows are generally not treated and therefore should not contain any pollutants that could affect our streams and ocean.

Because both storm sewer and sanitary sewers are commonplace throughout the city, overflows from the sanitary sewer can readily reach the storm system. Therefore, it is extremely important to report a sewer overflow by calling (408) 794-1900 or (408) 277-8956 immediately so that we can contain the spill and prevent the sewage from reaching the storm drain.

Garbage, debris, and oil should not be thrown down sewers or storm drains. Sewers can handle sewage as well as certain types and limited amounts of toxic materials such as household cleaners. If you see someone dumping something into a catch basin call immediately (408) 945-3000.

A city-approved wye cleanout is a four inch minimum diameter pipe that connects the lateral to an open access point at the surface of the ground. The wye cleanout provides access to the sewer lateral and should be located within five feet of the sidewalk. The cleanout must sweep toward the city’s main in the street, providing access to the portion of the lateral away from the building.

Property owners of a single-family residence can install a city-approved wye cleanout themselves by first acquiring a permit from the City of San José's Building Department (408) 535-3555 where you will be provided diagrams of a wye cleanout and instructions for proper installation. Once the wye cleanout is inspected and signed off, backfilling of the excavation can be completed.

Property owners may hire a contractor to install the approved wye cleanout. Permits are required and work must be inspected at the time of installation.

The City of San José can install a city-approved wye cleanout for property owners. Call (408) 794-1900 for the current wye installation fee. City crews will install the approved cleanout and perform all necessary repairs to the lateral from the approved wye cleanout to the sanitary main. Any sidewalk, driveways, or curb and gutter concrete will be replaced by the city concrete crews at the City's expense. The City of San José is not responsible for replacement of decorative concrete removed during the installation of the approved wye cleanout or repairs to the sanitary lateral between the house and cleanout. The City of San José does not guarantee that any landscaping will survive when replanted at the completion of the project.

Owners of multi-unit residences, including duplexes, triplexes, and apartment houses, must have a license with the City of San José to install the approved wye cleanout.

Traffic signals are installed to improve overall safety of roadway users, establish right-of-way, and reduce travel delay at an intersection. The process and criteria established by City Council Policy 2-2 is used to determine whether an intersection meets the minimum warrant criteria required for installation of a traffic signal. This policy is based on Caltrans guidelines that local agencies are required to follow for roadway traffic control devices. The policy includes consideration of peak vehicle volumes, pedestrian activity, proximity to schools, and crash history; among other factors.

The City has limited resources to conduct the necessary traffic signal warrant studies and to install new traffic signals. The installation of a traffic signal is a significant investment (approximately $450,000 - 500,000).

If you would like to request that an intersection be considered for a new traffic signal, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850. Traffic engineers can assist with making an initial evaluation to determine if the intersection is a good candidate for further studies, or if there are other improvements that may enhance traffic safety or operations of the intersection.

Per San José’s Municipal Code (Sections 14.16.2200 – 14.16.2270), all property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, parkstrip area, and curb and gutter adjacent their property.

You have 60 days from the date of notification to complete all repairs.

The city will grant an extension of time (up to 30 days) as long as progress is being made in completing the repairs.

Yes, permits are required for repair or replacement of the sidewalk, curb and gutter, driveway approaches, or curb ramp.

Permits fees are charged as a means to partially recover the cost of the sidewalk program.

You will receive an invoice for permit fees after all of the work is complete and has passed a final inspection by the city. Permit fees should be paid to:

City of San Jose
Finance Department
200 E Santa Clara St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 535-3570

Do not send in a payment until you have received an invoice.

The City may be able perform the required sidewalk and/or tree work for qualifying low-income owner-occupied properties if the property owner’s income is at or less than three times the National Poverty level.

You are still responsible for the repairs and failure to complete the repairs in a timely manner will result in the work being assigned to a City of San Jose contractor and an invoice being sent to the property owner.

In some cases the Finance Department will allow you to set up a payment plan. However, failure to pay for services rendered will result in a lien being placed on the property and the balance paid on the following year’s property taxes.

Yes, an inspection is required to help identify the sidewalk, curb, and gutter or parkstrip areas deficiencies, after the curb and gutter or driveway forms are installed, and after all work has been completed.

Forms inspections require 24 hour notification.

No, The inspector will leave a door hanger on your door with the inspection results.

The city inspector will leave a door hanger on your door with the inspection results.

The parkstrip is the area between the sidewalk and the curb and gutter.

You may perform the work yourself, hire a licensed contractor, or authorize the City of San Jose to arrange and make any needed repairs.

You can authorize the City of San Jose to make the required repairs by returning the signed property owner authorization form which was included with your original notice.

Typically the asphalt will be repaired within 30 days from the date of the final inspection.

Call 408-794-6463, email CurbRamp.Request@sanjoseca.gov, or fill out the curb ramp request form.

The bumps are truncated domes that are warning devices for the visually impaired indicating that they are about to enter a motorized travel way.

Grease traps need to be serviced at least monthly (every 30 days) and grease interceptors need to be serviced at least quarterly (every 90 days). If your business generates heavy loadings of grease then these devices will need to be serviced more frequently.

The ramps are designed to meet all ADA slope requirements.

Fats, Oils, and Grease do not mix with water and have a tendency to separate from water solutions. They stick to sewer pipe walls, creating layers of buildup that restrict and/or block the wastewater flow. This problem requires pipes to be cleaned more frequently and can cause blockages.

The City uses the Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Pavement Management System which stores current and historical street condition data. This system uses a computer model to predict the proper timing and most cost effective treatment for each street based on available funding resources. In addition, streets that are within the city’s Priority Street Network are given a higher priority than other streets.

FOG can solidify in the sewer pipes and cling to the inner walls. Over time the inside diameter of the pipes gets smaller and smaller and eventually causing a blockage. Sometimes chunks of grease will come loose, from an area and then lodge further downstream. This can also cause a blockage.

View a list of 2015 projects.

A blockage will not allow wastewater to leave your facility. The wastewater then will backup into your facility or house and cause an overflow. Backups into your facility are a health risk. Your business may have to close down until the backup is corrected and the spill area is cleaned up. Backups are costly to repair and can occur at inconvenient times. Blockages can also cause sewage to back up on streets and enter storm drains, endangering public health and the health of our creeks and Bay.

Fats, Oils, and Grease are a normal byproduct of cooking and food preparation processes. Common sources include food scraps, meat fats, cooking oils, lard, baked goods, salad dressings, sauces, marinades, dairy products, shortening, butter, and margarine.

Never pour Fats, Oils and Grease down the sewer. Scrape and wipe food off of dishes and cooking utensils prior to washing, and use strainers in your kitchen sinks and floor drains.

Please report sewer blockages, spills or bad odors to the City immediately. Call (408) 794-1900 weekdays, between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and (408) 277-8956 all other times, including weekends and holidays. If a blockage exists in the plumbing on private property you must call your property manager or plumber to fix the problem.

No, Family Camp is open to anyone who is interested in the camping experience.

Camp is located just off Highway 120 near the west gate of Yosemite National Park. The camp address is 11401 Cherry Lake Road, Groveland, CA 95321.

The Priority Street Network is a network of approximately 400 miles of City streets that have been identified as streets that have priority for maintenance resources. These streets carry 95% of the traffic and are typically high-volume arterial and neighborhood collector streets as well as streets that are considered multimodal transportation routes.

There are 65 wood-framed, canvas tent cabins scattered among the pines and oaks throughout camp. Each tent cabin can sleep up to six (6) individuals and has a deck, small table, two small benches, cots with mattresses and a bookcase. No personal tents are permitted.

Under state law, these are called "motorized scooters." They generally have two small wheels, a platform to stand on, and a small electric motor. (California Vehicle Code 407.5)

Yes, there are a limited number of wheelchair-accessible tents that can be reserved. Advance reservations for these are recommended.

Yes, there are a limited number of tents with electricity. They are available for an additional fee per tent, per night.

The City of San José does not own or operate these scooters or programs. They are owned and operated by private companies offering shared scooter programs. Users can check out a scooter from any location, use it for a short period of time, and park it at their destination where other users can then check them out. Scooters are meant for short trips and are meant to be used among many different people per day. For more information, go to the company websites listed below.

No recreational vehicles (RVs) are permitted.

Under state law, motorized scooters may not be ridden on sidewalks. They may be ridden on city streets. If the city street has a posted speed limit greater than 25 mph, they must be ridden in a bike lane. Scooters may currently be parked on sidewalks, so long as they do not block driveways, building entrances, curb ramps, or utilities such as fire hydrants.

Camp has a store that offers a variety of amenities, such as ice, ice cream, cold drinks, snacks, fishing supplies, sundries and souvenirs.

The weather at Family Camp will be great! You and any guests can look forward to many clear days and fair skies. That being said, be sure to check the Yosemite area forecast before you leave for camp. Early mornings and evenings can be cool. It’s a good idea to bring an assortment of clothes you can 'layer'.

Under state law, to use a motorized scooter, you must have a California Drivers License or instruction permit. Riders under 18 must wear a helmet. Only one person may use a motorized scooter at a time, and you can't carry packages while using a motorized scooter (California Vehicle Code 21235). In addition to these state law requirements, the City of San José recently passed an ordinance and approved Administrative Regulations governing deployment of shared micro-mobility systems in the City.

In the State of California, anyone over the age of 16 is required to have a valid fishing license. All California fishing regulations must be followed. The California Department of Fish and Game regularly stocks the river in and near Camp according to current river conditions.

No, Family Camp does not sell fishing licenses. You can purchase a fishing license before arriving to camp at a variety of sporting goods stores. Groveland, 10-minute drive from camp, is the nearest town where a fishing license can be purchased.

Storm drain stenciling is a great way to remind people that storm drains are for clean rain water only. It’s a visual reminder that pollution prevention is important. It also provides a phone number to call to report violations, allowing the City to stop violations as quickly as possible.

Go to the owner/operator's website to learn their requirements:

• LimeBike
• Bird

Water that flows down driveways and streets into a gutter goes into a storm drain which flows directly to a creek and then to the South San Francisco Bay.

Trout bait. The Tuolumne River is stocked with both brown and rainbow.

Its purpose is to prevent flooding of streets and highways by quickly and efficiently transferring rain water into creeks, and eventually the South San Francisco Bay.

Check in is 2 pm, check out is 10 am.

There are two types of storm drain system fees: the Storm Drain Connection Fee and the Storm Sewer Service Charge.

The Storm Drainage Connection Fee is essentially a one time fee that is assessed when a piece of property is first developed and is based on the type of usage planned for the property. If the property is subsequently redeveloped to a significantly different usage, an additional fee may be assessed. Storm Drainage Connection Fees are calculated and collected by the Department of Public Works.

The Storm Sewer Service Charge is an annual fee paid by owners of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties and is based on the relative quality and quantity of storm water runoff contributed to the storm drain system by their properties.

Questions and concerns should go directly to the customer service of each company.

• LimeBike: support@limebike.com, or 1 (888) LIME-345
• Bird: hello@bird.com, 1 (866) 205-2442

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally sensitive approach to long-term pest and weed management to prevent damage to homes, gardens, or landscapes. It is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. A major goal of IPM is to reduce or eliminate the amount of chemicals, such as pesticides, that are used in pest prevention and control.

• Biological: using predators to suppress pests, such as lady bugs. When lady bugs are released, they will not harm the landscape, but will eat the other pests/insects that do.
• Mechanical: using traps, tools, or hand removal, such as weed pulling.
• Cultural: adjusting planting location or timing; or other planting techniques which can expose pests to predators, destroy their food supply, shelter or breeding habitats.

The annual Storm Sewer Service Charge pays for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the storm drain system, which includes the pipelines that convey rainfall away from your property as well as associated pump stations and outfalls into the creeks. It also supports environmental protection programs required to meet federal and state water quality permits for protection of the South San Francisco Bay and local streams.

The Parks Division is implementing IPM to reduce the use of chemicals in Parks. Minimizing chemical runoff is important everywhere, but especially in parks because they are often close to creeks. Through the reduction of chemicals, there is less exposure to the public, City employees, the ecosystem, and to local waterways.

Local ordinances prohibit anything other than uncontaminated rain water from entering the storm drain system. Never pour anything into a gutter, street or storm drain.

Yes. Staff and/or volunteers are mechanically and manually removing weeds rather than applying chemicals. This method can sometimes take longer, and involves coordination of man-power, tools and materials. It may include the recruiting and scheduling of volunteer help. To follow IPM recommendations, chemicals will only be used as a last resort.

Please report localized flooding or clogged storm drains to the City immediately. Call (408) 794-1900 weekdays, between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and (408) 277-8956 all other times, including weekends and holidays.

A chemical-free liquid, called compost tea, is extracted from compost that contains plant growth compounds and beneficial microorganisms. These organisms can help prevent or attack plant diseases when sprayed on leaf surfaces or soil. It is also commonly used as a lawn spray, and can be highly beneficial for creating healthy turf.

When natural materials, such as yard trimmings, break down, oxygen is drawn from the water. In a natural setting the amount of this debris would be limited to the leaves of those plants and trees bordering creeks. However, in our urban setting, leaves and dirt on paved areas throughout the entire City are washed into creeks. A lot of natural debris can ruin the natural balance of the creeks, and harm fish.

In addition, rainwater carries pesticides, car oil and other pollutants from all the paved surfaces directly into the San Francisco Bay. Click here for yard trimmings collection.

Currently the pilot program is taking place in Park Maintenance District 3, which includes 65 municipal parks and civic grounds that total 245 acres, and includes parts of Council Districts 1, 3, 6, 7, and 9. The program will run through March 2015, and then be evaluated for expansion to the rest of the City park system.

Only parks in Park Maintenance District 3 are involved in the IPM pilot project. Parks in all other Maintenance Districts are still using traditional chemical pest controls, but on a very limited basis. Chemicals currently used at parks have a very low toxicity risk to the environment, people, and pets. Chemicals are most toxic during the mixing and loading of a spray tank. Once the chemical is applied, it poses very low risk to the public and the environment.

The Utilities section is responsible for the review of utility company plans and the issuance of permits for construction of utility infrastructure in City Streets. Underground Service Alert (USA) locating of city facilities and construction inspection of Utility Permits is performed by the Construction Management Services (CMS) Section of the Engineering Services Division of Public Works.

Storm water is not collected into one location where it can be cleaned. Instead, it flows through hundreds of separate pipe systems, each emptying into the nearest creek. Preventing pollution at the source is a much more effective and less costly way to prevent storm water pollution.

If there is an emergency (power line down, gas leak, etc. ) CALL 9-1-1! For a complaint or concern connected to ongoing work in the City Right of Way, call our office (408) 975-7455 and you will be directed to the utility company or the inspector assigned to the project.

Call the number on the curb. (408) 945-3000.

Fill out a grading permit application being careful to read the separate information page and checklist to assure your application is complete. Then schedule an appointment with your Public Works Project Engineer. If you have not yet been assigned a Public Works Project Engineer please fax a copy of your completed Application for Grading Permit with a map to (408) 292-6054.

• Grading Permit Application & Instructions

• Weeds, such as, Bermuda Grass, Crab Grass and Dandelions
• Gophers/squirrels
• Algae

Over-population of certain pests, such as gophers and squirrels, can be controlled with the inert gas, Carbon Dioxide (CO2). CO2 is the same gas that is used for carbonated beverages and the same air that we exhale. Using a specially designed tool, CO2 is injected into specific underground tunnel systems. The heavy gas will sink to the bottom of the tunnel system to restrict breathable air within the tunnels. Using CO2 to control pests is very humane and is safe when used in our parks. There is no residual chemical that is harmful to the environment, children or pets.

You can download all Best Practices for Dental Offices (zipped file).

You can call the flood zone message line at (408) 535-7803 and leave a message with your property information. You will receive a return call with Flood Zone Information specific to your property within 2 business days or you can send an email if you prefer.

Additional information and links to other resources is available at the Flood Hazard Zone Webpage.

Yes. To learn how you can reduce or eliminate chemicals while gardening and landscaping at home, please visit the link below. Reduce chemicals while gardening.

The Geologic Hazard Review site has the application form, fee schedule and instructions you will need to apply for a Geologic Hazard Clearance and describes why such a clearance may be necessary for your project.

• Geologic Hazard Clearance

Yes! Many of the IPM practices are labor intensive. San José residents can help the success of this program by volunteering their time. To learn more, please visit our site. Learn More

Under Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act, states are required to develop a list of water bodies with water quality impairments. The water bodies on the list do not meet water quality standards. San Francisco Bay is listed with 12 toxic pollutants including mercury. Because of mercury impairment, fish consumption advisories have been issued for San Francisco Bay.

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (Regional Board) issues the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES Permit) for wastewater treatment plants. The NPDES Permit requires compliance with wastewater discharge limitations for pollutants, including mercury.

The San Francisco Bay Mercury TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load), which was recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Regional Board, requires the Plant to develop and implement an aggressive source control and pollution prevention program to comply with new mercury limits and to maximize the Plant’s control over mercury sources impairing the San Francisco Bay. Studies have shown that approximately 61% of the mercury entering the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility is from dental practices.

In addition, U.S. EPA's Section 503 Sludge Regulations and state and local biosolids regulations require the Plant to meet concentration limits for heavy metals, including mercury. These regulations ensure that biosolids can be safely reused for land application and landfill cover.

Call 911 from a telephone or 408-277-8911 from a cell phone.

If no immediate danger or hazard, you may call 311 to reach the Police Department, or contact Park Concerns add park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov and 408 793 5510.

Wastewater treatment plants are designed to treat wastewater containing conventional pollutants such as human and food waste. Heavy metals, including mercury, are not completely removed by the treatment process. As a result, some mercury remains in the treated wastewater discharged to the South San Francisco Bay or in the biosolids, which are used for landfill cover.

To report graffiti on the trails or in parks, call 1-408-975-7233, or email photos and location to antigraffiti@sanjoseca.gov. Be prepared to describe the location and the extent of the graffiti in question.

For vandalism, call the Park Concern Hot Line at 408-793-5510 or via email at park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.

Sampling will not be required. Installation and maintenance of an amalgam separator and adherence to the proposed Best Management Practices is intended to determine compliance with the permit. If an inspector finds that an individual dental practice is improperly maintaining the amalgam separator, sampling may be performed to document the condition.

We may initiate a program to sample sewer lines outside dental offices to determine overall effectiveness of the dental program to reduce mercury in the sanitary sewer system. And we continue to sample the Plant’s influent, effluent, and biosolids for mercury.

You may not perceive the issue to be an emergency, but it is appropriate to call 911 so that operators and the Police can make an assessment and take appropriate action.

Under the proposed program, submittal of self-certifications that an amalgam separator has been installed and is being properly maintained will determine initial compliance. Scheduled inspections will take place at each dental practice no less than once during the five-year permit. Inspectors will review waste records, compliance with BMPs, amalgam separator maintenance, waste storage and disposal practices, etc., in order to determine compliance with the dental permit conditions.

Call the Homeless Concerns Hotline at (408) 975-1440 or email homelessconcerns@sanjoseca.gov. This hotline is for residents, business owners, and other community members to report issues related to homelessness. Housing Department staff will respond to callers and emails within three business days to acknowledge receipt of concern and collect any additional details needed. An outreach team will then be deployed to assess the situation, offer services to homeless individuals in the area and determine the next steps to resolve the reported problem.

You can report encampments that may just be taking shape to the Park Ranger and Park Concerns staff at (408) 793-5510 or park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.

A fine may be assessed if non-compliance is not corrected after a process of verbal warnings and written warnings has been concluded.

You should proceed with extreme caution during rainy weather and not travel through any standing water. Many trail under-crossings may be beneath water during and after a storm event and may also be impacted by submerged debris. Maintenance staff monitors these facilities and seek to have them cleared as quickly as possible after a storm.

Visit the Additional Resources page for information about neighboring agency and regional trail organizations.

Additional Resources Page

Red bag waste may require incineration. Incinerated mercury volatilizes and becomes an air pollutant. Through air deposition, it also may eventually end up in surface water. If the amalgam is disposed of with other garbage, the mercury may end up in the landfill leachate, which may eventually contaminate groundwater or surface water.

Not all of the scrap amalgam and particulates are captured by the chair-side traps and vacuum filters. Grinding, drilling, and polishing of amalgam fillings may result in the production of fine particulate matter that passes through the chair-side traps and vacuum filters. The residual particulates remain in the wastewater discharged to the sanitary sewer. Additionally, mercury may enter the wastewater from instrument washing, and chair-side trap and vacuum filter cleaning. Amalgam separators are designed to capture this form of amalgam from wastewater prior to discharging to the sanitary sewer.

Call the Park & Trail Concern Hotline at 408-793-5510 or via email; park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov.

No. San Jose's reported trail mileage is based entirely on off-street trails. Gaps in the system that require travel on a sidewalk or street do not contribute to mileage. Minor walking paths through parks or plaza spaces are also not counted.

San Francisco Bay has a legacy of mercury contamination from historical mercury mining in the Coast Ranges and gold extraction in the Sierra Nevada. During these mining activities, roughly 10 to 30 percent of all the mercury used was lost to the surrounding watersheds and has since been making its way, attached to sediment particles, into the San Francisco Bay-Delta.

In October of 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the Final Almaden Quicksilver Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment report detailing five restoration projects within Santa Clara County. These projects, being implemented by the County of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department, include the removal of remnant mining waste material, grading to create stable creek banks, stabilizing and hydro-seeding all disturbed areas, and re-vegetation of the creek banks.

Please contact the Volunteer Management Unit at ParkVolunteer@sanjoseca.gov for volunteer opportunities.

The program has close to 100% participation.

The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy champions expansion, maintenance and programming of the park. Visit the conservancy's volunteer page to learn how you can participate.

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy's Volunteer Page

No, there is currently no permit fee proposed for the Dental Amalgam Program.

Please contact the City's Department of Transportation dispatch office at 408-277-4373 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri except holidays. Dispatchers can either take care of an issue or direct the call appropriately.

Units that are approved ISO 11143 certified Amalgam Separators.

There is no cost to apply for a Dental Wastewater Discharge Permit.

The cost of amalgam separators varies, but the most popular model currently costs $600-$700 installed. Some amalgam separators can cost more than $2,000. Only one separator will be required per vacuum system, so that cost may be shared among dental practices with a shared vacuum line. If significant plumbing modifications are required to complete the installation of a separator, then the installation cost may be higher.

The estimated cost of additional disposal of amalgam and other wastes is about $200 per year.

Contact the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s via their Access Valley Water website. Once there, follow the instructions below:

1. Point your mouse over "Adopt-A-Creek Program"
2. Select "Request a pickup or sign installation - Lower Peninsula/West Valley Watershed"
3. Scroll down a bit to "BOX 2" and next to "Request type" select "Service Request"
4. Enter details in the "your request" window (permit number, name of group, creek name, cleanup time, trash location, your contact info etc.,).
5. If it's a specific trash location, enter the address in the next area OR if no address provide details about the location
6. Last step: "BOX 3" - Login, Register to create an account or send a message.

Access Valley Water Web Site

Sampling will not be required. Installation and maintenance of an amalgam separator and adherence to the proposed Best Management Practices is intended to determine compliance with the permit.

Call 911 immediately for the following conditions: immediate threat to humans, acting aggressively, sick or injured. If you see a mountain lion near a park or trail, call 408-793-5510 or send an email to the Park Concern Hotline. Park Operations staff can post warning signage as appropriate and take any other necessary actions. For more information on Mountain Lions, go to the California Department of Fish and Game web site.

Join the San José Parks Foundation. Contact your local, state and federal government officials to express support for trail funding programs. We can always use Letters of Support when submitting grants – getting them from companies that see the trails as an important commute option makes the grant application far more compelling. Please introduce us to your employer's lobbying or advocacy group.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is happy to offer assistance in planning your special event. To learn more about special conditions and to secure a permit, please contact the Special Park Use Unit at 408-794-6500 or via email at spuapplications@sanjoseca.gov.

The Guadalupe River Park's meandering trails are fun to explore but either lead to points of interest or dead ends. A center line yellow stripe has been added to the trail to designated the "through" route. Follow the line to find the quickest route through the park (between Highways 280 and 880).

San Jose's Trail Program does not have authority or influence regarding the scheduling of Union Pacific railway operations, but the railroad does accept reports on blocked crossings at 1-888-877-7267.

At this time, the Regional Wastewater Facility does not have the capacity to offer special group tours.

Call the VTA customer service support at 408-321-2300.

At this time, the Regional Wastewater Facility does not have the capacity to offer special group tours.

School groups are also encouraged to contact the Regional Wastewater Facility’s neighbor, the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge by phone (408-262-5513, extension 102) or email (livingwetlands@sfbws.com) to schedule a field trip.

Please follow the City's Trail Closure Policy and email the Trail Program Manager at Elizabeth.Sewell@sanjoseca.gov as soon as possible for review, input and public notification. City of San José Trail Closure Policy

At this time, we are not able to offer group tours due to lack of program funding and staff capacity.

Yes, you can use an EPAMD (Electric personal assistive mobility device) on San Jose trails. Be aware that the definition of EPAMD does not include motorcycles (internal combustion, electric or other means of propulsion).

Related State Language is provided below:

Section 313 of The CVC reads:

The term "electric personal assistive mobility device" or "EPAMD" means a self-balancing, nontandem two-wheeled device, that is not greater than 20 inches deep and 25 inches wide and can turn in place, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system averaging less than 750 watts (1 horsepower), the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 12.5 miles per hour

Section 467. (a) of the CVC defines a pedestrian as

(a) A "pedestrian" is a person who is afoot or who is using any of the following:

(1) A means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle.

(2) An electric personal assistive mobility device.

(b) "Pedestrian" includes a person who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian, as specified in subdivision.

Email questions to the Trail Manager at elizabeth.sewell@sanjoseca.gov.

Visit San Jose Recycles to learn what's recyclable.

In San José, it is illegal to leave a vehicle parked for more than 72 consecutive hours on a public street without it being driven at least 1/10th of a mile. When a vehicle is reported or observed to be abandoned or stored, a courtesy tow warning notice is typically placed on it, so that the vehicle owner has the opportunity to correct the violation. While the goal is for the vehicle to be moved through voluntary compliance, vehicles remaining in violation may be subject to a citation and/or towed.

In order to report abandoned vehicles, please go to the San José 311 main page:

• Click on the abandoned vehicle icon to begin.
• Please note: You will need to set up an account in order to report abandoned vehicles using our website.

You can also report an abandoned vehicle by calling 408-535-3500.

Residents in homes and mobile home parks can have large items/junk (such as mattresses, sofas, refrigerators, tires, and more) collected curbside for free by their recycling collection company. Residents can schedule unlimited junk pickups for free. Schedule a pickup by calling your recycling collection company directly. To find your recycling collection company, use the Residential Services Lookup. Apartment and condominium residents can contact their property managers or GreenTeam of San Jose at (408) 282-4400 to arrange for free pickups. Click here to learn more about our free junk pickup service.

Encampment clean up operations will be coordinated by the agency of jurisdiction:

• City of San Jose Homeless Helpline (408) 975-1440
• Santa Clara Valley Water District (creek areas) Water Shed hotline (408) 265-2600 x2378
• Cal Trans (overpasses / underpasses / freeways) (408) 436-0930
• Union Pacific Railroad Property (near rail road tracks) (888) 877-7267
• City Parks (408) 535-3570
• Private Property (contact the owner)

For more information on how to report a concern for a homeless individual or homeless encampment in San Jose please check out the City web page entitled Ending Homelessness.

• Ending Homelessness

Find your garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings collection day, street sweeping schedule, neighborhood cleanup event, or service provider contact information by calling (408) 535-3500 or simply by entering your street number and zip code into the Residential Services Lookup.

All the garbage collected in San José is sent to a mixed waste materials recovery facility to recover organic materials for composting. That means food waste and organic materials that are put in the garbage are composted without being separated by residents, and none of this material goes straight to the landfill. Compost made from recovered organic material in residential garbage is used for landscape and median projects.

Even though food waste is composted in San José, it’s still important to avoid wasting food in the first place. Click here to get food waste reduction tips and tricks.

Appeals Options. Requestors who believe that records have been inappropriately withheld from disclosure by a City department may resort to the City’s appeal process for public records requests. A requestor has a number of options available as follows:

• The requestor may appeal to the City Public Records Manager.
• The requestor may appeal to the City Council Rules and Open Government Committee either before or after an appeal to the City Public Records Manager by contacting the Office of the City Clerk.
• Should the response of the Rules and Open Government Committee be unacceptable to the requestor, he or she may appeal to the Elections and Open Government Committee or directly to the City Council by contacting the Office of the City Clerk.
• Should the response of the Elections and Open Government Commission be unacceptable to the requestor, he or she may appeal to the City Council by contacting the Office of the City Clerk
• The requestor may file an appeal with the Santa Clara County Superior Court at any time before, during, or after resorting to any other option listed here.

Contact Information. Contact information for the Open Government Manager and the Office of the City Clerk is as follows:

Open Government Manager
Office of the City Manager
200 E. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Tamara.Becker@sanjoseca.gov
(408) 535-8120

Office of the City Clerk
200 E. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
cityclerk@sanjoseca.gov
(408) 535-1260

These records are available by contacting the Santa County Clerk's Office.

Click here to visit our Rates & Billing page.

If you see a dead animal that needs to be picked up, please call one of the following numbers for assistance:

• Numbers to report dead animals

Property records are managed by the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office.

The application contains a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section to assist you in navigating through our many city services.

• Full list of FAQs

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) requires state and local government agencies to give the public access to information found in public records. City Policy 0-33 establishes additional requirements and provides guidance in responding to CPRA requests.

Collection occurs on all holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If these holidays occur Monday through Friday, collection will be one day later throughout the rest of that week.

Please report sewer spills or bad odors immediately by calling our 24/7 Dispatch: (408) 794-1900.

If you have an approved wye-type cleanout located between the curb and five feet back of the sidewalk, the City will clear blockages and repair the lateral as needed, from the cleanout to the main line, at no cost to the property owner.

If the lateral blockage is between the wye cleanout and the building, it is the property owner's responsibility to repair it.

If there is no wye cleanout, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the lateral from the building to the main line.

Four companies help the City to collect your garbage, recycling, and yard trimmings. Find your service provider contact information by calling (408) 535-3500 or by simply entering your street number and zip code into the Residential Services Lookup.

Locate all information surrounding current bids open for consideration at the BidSync website.

Click here to visit our Motor Oil page for more information.

Contact your collection company directly to change the size of your cart. Click here to visit our Cart Order page for more information.

Contact the Department of Transportation at (408) 794-1903 to report a streetlight that is out. Please report exposed wires or a damaged streetlight pole immediately. Call (408) 794-1900 weekdays, between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and (408) 277-8956 all other times, including weekends and holidays.

The Department of Transportation has a 24-Hour Emergency Dispatch Center for urgent items such as: sewer back-ups, missing or damaged traffic signs, major potholes, malfunctioning traffic signals, broken or fallen tree limbs, and other non-life threatening emergencies. Call (408) 794-1900 weekdays, between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and (408) 277-8956 all other times, including weekends and holidays.

Contact your collection company directly to repair or replace a broken, damaged or stolen cart. Look up your collection company and find contact information with the Residential Services Lookup.

Collection times are 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on your collection day. If your garbage, recycling or yard trimmings aren’t picked up by 6:00 p.m., contact the specific collection company directly.

If you put your garbage and recycling out after collection has occurred, you will have to wait until the following week for pick up on your next collection day. Click here to learn how to handle extra garbage and recyclables.

For your collection company contact information, use the Residential Services Lookup.

To assist in directing you to the correct City service or department, please call the Customer Contact Center at (408) 535-3500. You can also contact us by fax at (408) 292-6731, by telephone (TTY for the hearing impaired) at (408) 294-9337.

The Purchasing Department awards contracts for products, related services, equipment and Information Technology. The following contracting activity is decentralized:

• Construction/Capital Contracts – The Department of Public Works is responsible for construction and capital projects procurement.
• Consultant Contracts/Professional Services – Each City department is responsible for consultant and professional services procurement.
• P-Card/Direct Pay – Authorized city personnel can make small dollar purchases for supplies, materials, equipment and services utilizing the City’s P-card and/or Direct Pay.

Visit the Staff Directory to find department and staff contact information.

You may buy extra garbage stickers for $6.25 at all San José libraries, Lucky, and Safeway stores in San José or at the Customer Service Center on the first floor of San José City Hall. A portion of the sales from stickers sold at San José libraries supports library programs. Remember to place extra garbage in a 32-gallon plastic garbage bag labeled with an extra garbage sticker on the curb near the garbage cart.

Yes. The City has adopted an “Environmentally Preferable Procurement” (EPP) program. The goal is to encourage the procurement of products and services that help to minimize environmental impact resulting from use and disposal of these products. For more information please see this document.

California has mandated, through the At-Store Recycling Program, that plastic carryout bag recycling drop-off bins be made available at all regulated supermarkets and large retail stores with a pharmacy.

Many grocery stores and retailers accept clean plastic bags for recycling in San José, including:

• Supermarkets: Lucky, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Nob Hill, Lunardi’s
• Retail stores: Target, Wal Mart, Lowe’s, Best Buy
• Drug store/pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid

City Hall is located at 200 East Santa Clara Street between Fourth and Sixth Streets in downtown San José.

• View map

For those labor classifications as determined by the City’s Office of Equality Assurance (“OEA”), Prevailing Wages and/or Living Wages may apply.

• Vendor shall pay no less than the applicable prevailing wages specified.
• Current Living Wage rates, the City’s policy and additional information, can be found on the Living / Prevailing Wage information page.

Visit our Recycling & Garbage page for information on large items, household hazardous waste, motor oil, electronics, and medicines.

San José residents can call the Recycle Hotline at (408) 924-5453 to find out where to take unusual or hard to recycle items not accepted in recycling or garbage containers, or use the online search tool by city and zip code at www.recyclestuff.us. It’s always recommended that residents call the companies listed in advance to ensure that the information is current.

It is the City’s practice to not meet with vendors requesting a meeting for two reasons: 1) We do not have the resources to meet with every vendor who wishes to schedule a sales presentation with us, and 2) Equal and fair treatment would require us to meet with every competitor vying for the City’s business in order to provide the same opportunity. Therefore, the best process for the City is the public competitive solicitation process which is open to all interested parties.

City Departments do not have authority to make purchase commitments, and Departments are instructed to forward all sales calls to Purchasing. Purchasing in turn, suggests that Vendors register on BidSync.

Yes. Whenever feasible, the City prefers to purchase and use products with recycled content and/or products that are recyclable. The City has adopted an “Environmentally Preferable Procurement” (EPP) policy. The goal is to encourage the procurement of products and services that help to minimize the environmental impact resulting from the product’s use and disposal.

These products include, but are not limited to, those that contain recycled content, conserve energy or water, minimize waste or reduce the amount of toxic material used and disposed. Computers and other electronics are a growing focus of environmentally preferable purchasing activities due to their high prominence in the waste stream, their numerous hazardous chemical constituents, and their significant energy use. Moreover, when these products are improperly disposed of they can release hazardous substances that pollute the environment.

Please refer to the Policy to learn more.

For more information about the City of San José’s environmentally preferable procurement Programs, please visit our Environmentally Preferable Procurement page.

All residential yard trimmings are composted in San José. They are collected and processed through a separate system from other waste. Compost made from yard trimmings is commonly used for local agriculture.

Most San José residents subscribe to loose-in-the-street yard trimmings collection. It’s important to keep food scraps out of this pile to avoid attracting rodents. Additionally, compost created from yard trimmings has different applications than that from food scraps so it’s best to keep them separate.

The Santa Clara County Composting Education Program offers free composting workshops.

Most transactions require the consultant/contractor or vendor to provide proof of insurance (i.e., Certificate of Insurance) with the required coverages and limits as specified in the solicitation. Insurance is required when a vendor is awarded a bid/contract and employee(s) are on City property, are transporting City clients, or are in possession of City data. Refer to the specific solicitation or contract for specific insurance requirements or contact the Risk Insurance group at 408-975-1438 for additional information. Proof of insurance is provided to the City before any work is started.

Generally, the City requires General Liability, Auto Liability, and Workers’ Compensation insurance on all service contracts and purchase orders. In addition, the City may require additional coverage as determined by the City’s Risk Manager depending on the services being provided. Refer to the specific solicitation for specific insurance program requirements. Proof of insurance must be provided to the City before any work is started.

Title 4.12 of the City’s Municipal Code provides extensive information on the laws governing the Procurement of Goods and Services. Our online portal also provides a fast and easy to use Search function for specific information.

The City’s Council Policy Manual also addresses procurement related topics. Council Policy # 0-29, Public Private Competition outlines the goals and guiding principles for the public-private competition process and guidelines for conducting a competition process.

Council Policy # 0-35, Procurement and Contract Process Integrity and Conflict of Interest defines and details the processes followed to provide a fair opportunity to participants in competitive processes and awards of City contracts. Other Council Policies can be viewed online at the Council Policy Manual.

Additionally, the City Administrative Policy Manual lists 13 policies related to purchasing products and services. These policies can be viewed on our website at the City Administrative Policy Manual.

• Junk and other debris on private property
• Illegal dumping of garbage on private property
• Overgrown weeds and hazardous vegetation
• Work conducted without Building permits
• Unsecured / Non-Maintained Vacant Buildings
• Fences and structures in violation of City codes
• Illegal auto repairs/dismantling
• Unsightly buildings in disrepair
• Illegal dumping of garbage on private property.
• Inoperable, disassembled or abandoned vehicles on private property.
• Zoning requirement violations for structures and land use requirements, including the use of the structure, location, configuration and size.
• Illegal signs, including garage sale signs placed on public property
• Parking violations on unimproved surfaces. Unimproved surfaces can include but are not limited to: lawn dirt, gravel and plywood.
• Illegal and disruptive businesses in residential neighborhoods
• Graffiti on private property.
• Substandard housing conditions

Issues that are not code violations:

• Civil disputes between private parties
• Evictions
• Personal grievances
• Vehicles or RVs abandoned or illegally parked on the street

The payment process in the City is decentralized. Please contact the Billing/Accounts Payable person of the department you are providing the product or service to expedite late invoice payments. Always indicate purchase order/contract number on all invoices, shipping tags, and other correspondence relevant to the order/deliverable.

Contact information can be found on each purchase order or contract. Follow the invoicing requirements on your purchase order or contract for submission of complete, accurate, and timely invoices.

The City issues payment approximately thirty (30) days after acceptance of the merchandise/service and, receipt of the complete and accurate original invoice, whichever is later.

The City does not pay late charges.

First determine the what zoning your property is in by viewing the San José Land Use Zoning map.

Once you have determined the zoning of your property, review the zoning ordinance in the San José Municipal Code to see what uses are allowed in zoning of your property.

• Residential Zoning Districts (20.30)
• Commercial Zoning Districts and Public/Quasi-Public Zoning District (20.40)
• Industrial Zoning Districts (20.50)

For planning, zoning, and sign questions, request to speak with a planner at (408) 535-3555.

Find out the zoning of the property where you wish to advertise your business. Refer to the San José Land Use Map.

After you have determined the zoning, please refer to the Sign Ordinance (Title 23) to see the sign regulations of your zoning.

For planning, zoning, and sign questions, request to speak with a planner at (408) 535-3555. Visit the Planning division's Sign Ordinance page.

On January 1, 2012 all grocery, pharmacy, and retail stores were no longer be allowed to provide single-use plastic carry-out bags at checkout. Retailers may provide a paper bag made of 40% post-consumer recycled content for a minimum of 10 cents each upon checkout.

Start shopping with a reusable bag now. Keep reusable bags by your door, in your car, or near your keys. Keep foldable bags in pockets, backpacks, or your purse.

Grocery stores and other retailers in the United States annually provide 38 billion single-use paper and plastic carryout bags to their customers. While many of the bags do get recycled, many more are disposed of as trash and many find their way into creeks, rivers, oceans, and highways as unsightly litter. These bags represent an unnecessary waste of resources that can easily be avoided through the use of reusable bags.

You must submit a Planning permit application and pay for the filing fees in order to have Planning staff review and approve your changes. Visit the Planning Division's Application webpage to download a permit application and to learn more about the submission process.

For interior changes and tenant improvement, you may need to apply for a Building Permit. Please see the Building Division's Commercial/Industrial Buildings webpage for more information.

In San José, the Guadalupe River, Coyote Creek and Silver Creek will likely be declared ‘impaired by trash’, and thereby in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. San José and other Bay Area cities will be required to reduce litter in waterways in order to comply with state and federal regulations. Plastic bags are one source of plastic litter with a simple alternative – a reusable bag.

Banning plastic bags alone has the direct effect of encouraging the use of paper bags. Paper bags are not necessarily better, they require much more energy and water to produce and require the cutting of trees to manufacture.

The change order process for purchase orders and contracts are specific to each individual purchase order or contract and originate from requesting Department’s requirements. All change notices and amendments must be in writing (i.e., PO or Contract Amendment). All change notices and amendments must be approved by an authorized agent of the City of San José.

All grocery, pharmacy and retail stores, large and small, have to comply with the ordinance.

Most grocery stores currently offer an incentive. While admirable, these programs have not significantly reduced the number of plastic bags consumed.

The City’s standard payment terms are Net 30 from receipt date of a correct and proper invoice. Invoice must contain the purchase order number, product/service description, quantity received, unit price and extended price.

The City shall make best efforts to ensure timely payments. In the event invoices become overdue, the City shall promptly notify vendor of the nature of the delay and both parties shall make reasonable effort to reconcile and resolve the source of the delay concerning the payment in question. The liability of the City at any time shall be limited to the amount remaining under this agreement.

California law currently requires all large stores to provide in-store opportunities for bag recycling. However, only a small fraction of the plastic bags are recycled, many more end up in landfills.

Yes. To learn more about the City’s recycling programs and policies, see Recycling & Garbage.

San José is no longer accepting plastic bags in curbside recycling. They jam sorting equipment causing costly shutdowns to machinery. Instead San José is encouraging residents to take plastic bags back to the stores for recycling.

You can search your property's permit history on the City of San José's Online Permits website.

Biodegradable plastic bags still encourage the use of disposable bags.

Yes. This ordinance does not affect the sale and purchase of plastic garbage bag liners.

You can get information about about tenant improvements on the Building Division's Commercial/Industrial Buildings webpage.

To become a supplier/vendor with the City of San José, please register with Biddingo to receive automatic notifications for City of San José Bids solicitations that match your line of business and to download solicitations and associated bid documents. There is no cost to Vendors to register for and participate in City of San José Bids. For assistance, please contact Biddingo support by email info@biddingo.com or by phone 1-800-208-1290 (toll free). You may also view current and past solicitations on the City’s website at Bid Opportunities.

San José’s Foam Food Container Ordinance aims to reduce a pervasive and persistent type of litter by banning food service ware made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. EPS foam is uniquely problematic when littered because it does not degrade. It breaks easily into tiny pieces, making it difficult to clean up. Those small pieces are often mistaken as food by fish and wildlife and are harmful to their health.

Litter impacts our communities and threatens water quality and wildlife in our local creeks and Bay. In 2009, 26 creeks in the Bay Area, including Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek in San José, were declared as impaired by trash by the State Water Resources Control Board. Since the ban was fully implemented, a 2015-2016 study by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program suggests that the EPS ban has significantly reduced the volume of foam food service ware in the stormwater system.

• Foam Food Container Ordinance

Yes. A bid or proposal can be submitted without a San José Business Tax License. However, if awarded a contract, the selected vendor providing services that require on-site work and/or presence is required to obtain a City of San Jose Business Tax License prior to starting work. For more information, please refer to the City’s Business Tax & Regulations page.

This ordinance aims to reduce a pervasive and persistent type of litter by banning food service ware made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. EPS foam is uniquely problematic when littered because it does not degrade. It breaks easily into tiny pieces, making it difficult to clean up. Those small pieces are often mistaken as food by fish and wildlife and are harmful to their health.

Paper, other natural fibers, and rigid plastic do not present the same kind of litter problem for our creeks. Paper and natural fibers degrade and, thus, are not persistent in the environment. Rigid plastic is recyclable and highly durable but does not break apart the way EPS does.

Reducing the use of EPS foam food service ware will decrease the amount of this pollutant in our environment.

In San José, all food service establishments are prohibited from using foam food service ware. This includes restaurants, delis, cafes, cafeterias, caterers, bars, pubs, supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, mobile and street food vendors, and food kiosks.

Yes. Effective June 18, 2004, the City adopted Ordinance 27136 which established a Local and Small Business Preference Policy for the procurement of supplies, materials, equipment, and services. In order to receive the Local and Small business preference, suppliers must meet the eligibility requirements and complete the Qualifications for this Agency as may be applicable for on-line registration and electronic submission. For hardcopy submission, a completed and signed Local and Small Business Preference form must be included in the bid package. If these forms are not properly completed and submitted with bid, the preference will not be granted, even if your business qualifies. More information is available under Local & Small Business on our website.

Note: For some grants and federal funded solicitation, no local or small preference are awarded.

To register for a Business Tax License, suppliers can complete and submit an application online using this form, or fill out the hardcopy application and mail or deliver in person as specified on the form.

All EPS food service ware is banned for both dine-in and takeout. This includes: cups, bowls, plates, boxes, deli containers, clam shells, and trays.

The first phase of the ordinance went into effect for multi-state restaurant chains on January 1, 2014. The second and final phase went into effect for all food service establishments on January 1, 2015.

The ordinance does not apply to non-profits, public schools, and other State and Federal agencies. The ordinance allows San José restaurants with gross incomes under $300,000 to apply for a financial hardship exemption. Additionally, if a restaurant requires a type of packaging that is unavailable in any other kind of material they may apply for a unique packaging exemption.

• Exemption Form

There are many alternatives to EPS. Some are paper or rigid plastic, and others are made of organic materials such as corn, potato or sugar cane fiber. Restaurant supply stores and common retail stores carry alternative products. As a courtesy, the City has developed a list of alternatives and vendors.

Restaurants can reduce waste and cut costs by using reusable food service ware, such as metal cutlery for dine-in.

Generally, Request for Quotations (RFQ) and Request for Bids (RFB) are awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

Request for Proposals (RFP) are generally awarded based on best value and evaluated based on a variety of factors. Please refer to each solicitation for specific information under the section entitled Basis of Award.

The thresholds used for solicitations are:

• Request for Quotes (RFQs) are informal bids used primarily for the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment and services between $10,000 and $110,000.
• Request for Bid (RFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP) are formal bids used for purchases of supplies, materials, equipment and services that exceed $110,000. RFBs are awarded based on the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.
• RFPs are used when the City is seeking a solution or qualified vendors. Awards are based on best value using a variety of evaluative factors.

Costs will depend on location, type of product, and volume of your purchase. Most products are competitively priced. In some cases, paper and rigid plastic can be less expensive than EPS.

To cut costs, restaurants can switch to a cheaper type of food container. For example, a paper plate may work in place of a more expensive clam shell for dine-in. Restaurants can also reduce waste and cut costs by using reusable food service ware, such as metal cutlery for dine-in.

Additionally, restaurants can join cooperative organizations to purchase in bulk, which can decrease costs.

• Foam Food Container Alternatives and Pricing

For those labor classifications as determined by the City’s Office of Equality Assurance (“OEA”), Prevailing Wages and/or Living Wages may apply.

• Vendor shall pay no less than the applicable prevailing wages specified. 
• Current Living Wage rates, the City’s policy and additional information, can be found at our Living / Prevailing Wage page.

City inspectors are currently enforcing City ordinances related to trash management, littering, and illegal dumping. We will continue to enforce litter laws and trash management requirements by working with residents, businesses, and trash haulers to ensure that everyone is subscribing to an appropriate level of recycling and garbage service and that trash is properly stored, collected, and transported to recycling centers or landfills.

Yes. Current and past City of San José solicitations can be viewed via a BidSync portal under Bid Opportunities. Unregistered users may view short descriptions and related line items of the solicitations but will not have access to download the bid package or to submit a bid.

In order to download solicitations which include the Bid Packet, amendments and related documentation in order to participate in bids, you must be a registered BidSync user.

Bid results of recently awarded bids and/or solicitation are posted on BidSync. If you downloaded a copy of the specific bid and/or solicitation, you will be notified electronically via the registered email address when bid results are posted on BidSync.

The City has a comprehensive plan to reduce trash and litter. The plan includes: preventing trash before it becomes litter, intercepting litter before it reaches our creeks, and cleaning our creeks. Reducing litter at the source, such as with product bans, prevents trash from becoming litter. Large Trash Capture Device Video.

In the event a City solicitation requires a pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting, interested parties may attend if optional, or mandatory attendance is so specified in the solicitation. The pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting is used to discuss the specifications/statement of work and bid/proposal requirements for a specific bid/solicitation. This provides suppliers/vendors an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification. The City will typically respond to all questions in writing and will provide clarification to all suppliers/vendors who received the bid/solicitation through an Addendum. Not all bids/solicitations will have a pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting and attendance is not mandatory, unless specified. Mandatory meetings may be required when it is critical to conduct a site visit or walk-thru of facilities where work is to be provided.

Purchasing does not handle Construction bids where the majority of the bid/performance bonds are required. For Purchasing projects, bid and performance bonds may be required when it is necessary to protect the City’s interests. For example:

• In general, facility or equipment improvement projects will require a payment bond if the specific project is greater than $25,000.
• Also, large, highly complex information technology systems contracts may require bid and/or performance bonds.
• Grant funded purchases may require a bid, payment and/or performance bond. Refer to the specific solicitation for specific bond requirements. Bond certificate must be provided to the City before any work begins.

San José is nationally recognized for having one of the most innovative recycling programs. The City and its partner recycling companies have made several attempts to include EPS recycling in the City’s recycling program; however, there are no effective and efficient ways to recycle EPS. This is due to the low market value of the material and the high rate of food contamination, which makes it difficult to recycle.

In addition to San José, 110 California cities, counties, and local agencies have adopted EPS bans according to Californians Against Waste. Californians Against Waste.

• Blighted and unmaintained properties
• Hazardous and overgrown vegetation
• Unsecured vacant buildings
• Building Code violations (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc.), including construction or change of occupancy without permits.
• Visible storage of junk and debris in the front of residential properties
• Disruptive and illegal businesses in neighborhoods
• Early set-out of garbage and recycling
• Overflowing garbage containers
• Signs, including signs in the public right-of-way or failure to have required permits
• Inoperable or abandoned vehicles on private property.
• Illegal dumping of garbage on private property.
• Zoning requirement violations for structures and land use requirements, including the use of the structure, location, configuration and size.
• Parking violations on unimproved surfaces. Unimproved surfaces can include but are not limited to: lawn dirt, gravel and plywood.
• Graffiti on private property.
• Substandard housing conditions.
• Smoking in bars and restaurant
• Smoking in unapproved outdoor areas

Issues that are not code violations:

• Civil disputes between private parties
• Evictions
• Personal grievances
• Vehicles or RVs abandoned or illegally parked on the street (To submit a concern about an abandoned vehicle, report the abandoned vehicle through San José 311)

Request Code Enforcement Service

The City of San José received a complaint that the vehicle has been abandoned on a public street. We investigate every complaint that provides photographic evidence of a vehicle that is inoperable or poses a health, safety, or extreme blight risk. As a first step in investigating a vehicle, we place a warning notice on it. If a follow-up inspection confirms that the vehicle is in fact abandoned, it may be ticketed and/or towed.

No – you DO NOT need to call, write, or email the City in response to the warning. However, please make sure the vehicle has current registration and is in drivable condition.

No, vehicles may not be parked on the public street with an expired registration. The vehicle may be ticketed or towed.

The data is collected in a csv file.

If you are going to park on a public street, make sure the vehicle does not violate any posted parking rules, has current registration on file with the DMV, and is in drivable condition.

None.

No, the warning notice is not required by law and is placed on vehicles as a courtesy.

No.

Contact the San José Police Department's Vehicle Records Unit at 408-277-4156 and be prepared to provide your vehicle license plate number.

The City of San José operates under the council-manager form of government, a system that combines the policy leadership of elected officials in the form of a city council, with the managerial expertise of an appointed city manager.

You can find the 2017-2018 Adopted Budget here.

The City’s fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

The City’s annual budget is $3.5 billion (as of the 2017-2018 Adopted City Budget).

The City has 6,250 positions (as of the 2017-2018 Adopted City Budget).

Almost half of the revenue in the General Fund is generated from property and sales taxes. Other sources of General Fund revenue include utility taxes; franchise fees; departmental fees, licenses, and permits; funding from other agencies (local, state, federal); transfers and reimbursements; and other revenue.

The City’s special and capital funds (e.g., Airport, garbage collection and recycling, water pollution control plant and sewer system operations) are generally supported by revenues specified for those purposes, such as user fees, designated taxes, and grants.

The General Fund accounts for approximately 31% of the City’s budget with 69% associated with the City’s special and capital funds. You can read more about the breakdowns in the Summary of General Fund Uses section of the 2017-2018 Adopted Operating Budget, and below.

In the General Fund, the budget is broken down as follows in the 2017-2018 Adopted Budget:

• Public Safety: 46% 
  (Police and Fire)
• Community Services: 12%
  (Library, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, and Planning, Building and Code Enforcement)
• Capital Maintenance: 6% 
  (Public Works and Transportation)
• General Government: 8% 
  (Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Auditor, Economic Development, and Mayor and City Council)
• Non-Departmental Expenses: 28% 
  (reserves, city-wide expenses that support multiple departments, capital expenditures, transfers to other funds, debt service)

For the City’s special and capital funds, the largest expenditures are associated with the operation and capital improvements for the Mineta San José International Airport, the water pollution control plant and sanitary sewer system, the storm sewer system, the municipal water system, and the convention and cultural facilities, as well as the delivery of housing services, and capital investments to maintain the City’s roads, parks, community centers, libraries, and fire stations.

There are several ways to provide input in the development of the City’s budget:

• City Councilmembers: input into the City’s budget can provide to the City’s elected officials. Following are the contact numbers for the Mayor and City Councilmembers: View Councilmember contact info
• Community Budget Meetings: meetings are held annually in each Council District in the April-May timeframe to discuss the Proposed Budget for the upcoming fiscal year and to gain feedback.
• City Council Budget Study Sessions: a series of Budget Study Sessions are held annually in May to discuss the Proposed Budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Public Hearings on the Budget: two public hearings are held annually on the Proposed Budget (one in May and one in June) to gain feedback from the community.
• Neighborhood Association/Youth Commission Priority Setting Session: The Mayor’s Office sponsors an annual meeting on budget priorities with the City’s many neighborhood associations and the City’s Youth Commission.
• Community Budget Survey: The Mayor’s Office conducts an annual Community Budget Survey to gain feedback on the community budget priorities.

Yes, the City of San Jose requires 1 million in general liability, automobile, liquor (if alcohol is serves) and Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability.

• See Insurance Requirements

No. Currently San José has no suitable swimming course.

The City of San Jose requires 1 million in general liability insurance listing the City of San Jose as additionally insured for all receptions, weddings and ceremonies.

Individuals may obtain General liability insurance through their provider or through Wedsafe. Individuals may apply online and insurance certificates are generated within 48 hours. Average cost for event insurance is $180.00 pending provider and specifications of the insurance.

• See Insurance Requirements

Only an approved insured caterer and/or beverage provider may serve alcohol at City Hall for receptions, weddings and ceremonies. City Hall does not permit the self-service of alcohol and does not permit bottles of alcohol on tables.

Please inquire with the Event Services office at 408.535.12478 for further details.

All events are required to choose from the extensive approved and insured catering list at City Hall.

• Request more information

Yes, the City of San Jose requires 1 million in general liability, automobile, liquor (if alcohol is serves) and Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability.

• See Insurance Requirements

A procession is comprised of people only, no vehicles or equipment.

Yes, the City of San Jose requires 1 million in general liability, automobile, liquor (if alcohol is serves) and Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability.

• See Insurance Requirements

Yes, the City of San Jose requires 1 million in general liability, automobile, liquor (if alcohol is served) and Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability.

• See Insurance Requirements

Yes, the City of San Jose requires 1 million in general liability, automobile, liquor (if alcohol is serves) and Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability.

• See Insurance Requirements

City Hall permits the service of alcohol for private events. Only an approved insured caterer and/or beverage provider may serve alcohol at City Hall for a private event. City Hall does not permit the self-service of alcohol.

Please inquire with the Event Services office at 408.535.12478 for further details.

All events are required to choose from the extensive approved and insured catering list at City Hall.

• Request more information

A person may meet the description of one or more of three types of lobbyists depending on the circumstances.

1. A “Contract Lobbyist” is a person (either an entity or an individual) with a client who compensates the person to engage in lobbying activity on their behalf. The compensation must be $1,000 or more in any consecutive three months and can be for any services as long as one of those services is lobbying activity.
2. An “In-House Lobbyist” is an entity including a sole proprietorship whose owners, officers, and employees are compensated by the entity to engage in lobbying activity on its behalf and whose collective time totals ten (10) hours or more in any consecutive twelve (12) month period. An owner is deemed to be compensated based on his or her financial interest in the entity.
   The time an officer or employee spends on lobbying activity for his or her employer and/or personal initiative which is not compensated would not be attributed to the 10 hour threshold.
3. An “Expenditure Lobbyist” is any person that pays or incurs a cost in the amount of $5,000 or more in a calendar year for a public relations campaign, advertising or similar activity to solicit and urge others to lobby. All payments or expenditures in the calendar year from the person should be aggregated to determine whether the collective amount is $5,000 or more. This form of indirect lobbying excludes compensation paid to Contract Lobbyists or In-House Lobbyists for lobbying activity and dues and donations paid to an organization.

If you meet the descriptions for any of the three types of lobbyists listed above, you are required to register with the City of San Jose as a lobbyist.

San Jose Municipal Code Section 12.12.020 exempts individuals from nonprofit organizations in two situations:

1. Compensated officers or employees of a nonprofit organization with tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code whose attempts to influence governmental action are on behalf of the organization.
2. Uncompensated members or uncompensated members of the board of directors of nonprofit organizations. For the purpose of this exemption, the term “nonprofit organization” has been interpreted to be any entity which would qualify under the Federal Internal Revenue Code as a nonprofit

The list of City Officials may be subject to change. Any questions regarding specific individuals not on the list should be directed to the Office of the City Clerk. Pursuant to Section 12.12.120,

“City Officials” are:

1. The Mayor and Councilmembers;
2. The Chair and Members of the Successor Agency Board;
3. Council Appointees;
4. The Mayor and Councilmembers’ staff (except administrative staff);
5. Members of the Planning Commission, Appeals Hearing Board, and Civil Service Commission;
6. City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Managers;
7. Successor Agency Executive Director and his or her Assistants and Deputies;
8. City Department Heads; and
9. City representative to any joint powers authority to which the City is a party.

Under Section 12.12.700, City Officials are prohibited from suggesting, advising or recommending that a person obtain the services of a lobbyist or recommend the name of a particular lobbyist to facilitate favorable legislative or administrative action by the City or Successor Agency with regard to such person's matter pending before the City or Successor Agency.

Under Section 12.12.800, before taking any legislative or administrative action, the Mayor, each member of the City Council, the Chair and each member of the Board of Directors of the Successor Agency to the San José Redevelopment Agency, and each member of the Planning Commission, Civil Service Commission, or Appeals Hearing Board must disclose all scheduled meetings and all scheduled telephone conversations with a registered lobbyist that involves lobbying activity about the action. The disclosure may be made orally at the meeting before discussion of the action on the meeting agenda. The oral disclosure must identify the registered lobbyists, the date(s) of the scheduled meetings and the scheduled telephone conversations, and the substance of the communication. This section does not limit any disclosure obligations that may be required by the San Jose Municipal Code or City policy.

Section 12.12.170 defines “lobbying activity” as influencing or attempting to influence a City Official or City Official Elect with regard to a legislative or administrative action of the City or Successor Agency.

1. In order to “influence”, the individual must “contact,” directly or indirectly, a City Official or City Official Elect. These are select high ranking officials under Section 12.12.120 and on a list posted by the Office of the City Clerk.
2. A “contact” can be a meeting with a City Official or City Official Elect (either in person or by teleconference), or sending (either personally or through an agent) a direct communication. A direct communication may be an email, letter, tape, or video.
3. The purpose of the “contact” must be to promote, support, modify, oppose, cause the delay or abandonment of conduct, or otherwise affect an official action in any way. This includes any campaign contributions; independent expenditures; fundraising activity; donations; payments received for consultant and other services; and activity expenses that a lobbyist may make in a calendar week for or on behalf of a City Official or City Official Elect.
4. The method of influencing may also be by any means including, but not limited to providing, preparing, processing, or submitting information, incentives, statistics, studies or analyses.

No. Under Section 12.12.430.A, all lobbyists must file a weekly report for every calendar week during which they retain that status as a lobbyist with the City Clerk, AND have conducted any lobbying activities during that period.

No, the purpose of the “contact” must be to “promote, support, modify, oppose, cause the delay or abandonment of conduct, or otherwise affect an official action” per Section 12.12.170. Calling to schedule a meeting, without engaging in the above purposes during the call is not a “contact” that is required to be reported.

Section 12.12.170 defines “lobbying activity” as influencing or attempting to influence a City Official or City Official Elect with regard to a legislative or administrative action of the City or Successor Agency.

Under this definition of “lobbying activity”, the time spent on researching or preparing a report to use at the meeting with the City Official would not be counted as “lobbying activity”. The time, however, preparing the email or letter (including drafts), should be counted because the email or letter is being used to urge an official action in the stead of meeting face to face.

The time spent by any individual to submit a completed application is not generally considered “lobbying activity”. For example, submitting plans or reports for a permit as part of the application, meeting with City staff that are not City Officials, or submitting other information in response to a request by City staff is not “lobbying activity”. Similarly, time interacting with a Department Head at a public hearing, such as a Director’s Hearing, would not be considered “lobbying activity”. On the other hand, if the individual initiates contact with a Department Head outside of a public hearing, for the purpose of influencing his or her decision, that contact time, unless otherwise exempt under Section 12.12.020, is “lobbying activity”.

If a Lobbyist is hosting a 2 hour picnic for Members of the City Council and there is no specific discussion regarding an official action by the City but the Lobbyist engages in a 15 minute conversation about a governmental action he is trying to influence, what time should be considered “engaging in lobbying activity?” What if the 15 minute conversation was regarding each other’s families?

Although one of the purposes of the picnic may be to build a better relationship with Members of the City Council in order to lobby more effectively in the future, the Lobbyist is only required to account for the 15 minute conversation discussing the governmental action as “lobbying activity”. The cost of the picnic which directly benefits each Member of the City Council and his or her immediate family including spouse or domestic partner, must be reported as an activity expense under Section 12.12.420.H.

Registered lobbyists must disclose “contacts” made with City Officials or City Officials-Elect during the preceding calendar week for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence legislative or administrative action. “Contacts” include direct communication, oral or written, in informal or social settings if those communications are to influence a governmental decision. A contact is what a lobbyist must count toward their hourly threshold and this may occur during informal or social settings for as brief a period as a five to ten minute conversation. It may be a spontaneous interaction, or a more formal or scheduled gathering.

Contact information disclosed on the registration and weekly reports must include a brief description of the item(s) of legislative or administrative action the lobbyist is seeking to influence and the number of contacts.

In the above scenario, these will be reported as three (3) contacts.

Pursuant to Section 12.12.020, the following persons are exempt from the Lobbying Ordinance:

1. Uncompensated members or uncompensated members of the board of directors of nonprofit organizations;
2. Members of neighborhood associations, Neighborhood Advisory Committees or Project Area Committees;
3. Compensated officers or employees of Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organizations; and
4. Business owners who meet the criteria under Section 12.12.020.D.

The following activities are exempt from the Lobbying Ordinance:

1. Public officials acting in their official capacity;
2. A person engaged solely in publication or broadcasting of news items, editorials, or commentary which directly or indirectly urges governmental action;
3. A person hired by and performing work on behalf of the City or Successor Agency;
4. Preparing environmental review documents for approval by the City;
5. Giving testimony or attending a meeting such as a task force or department committee to provide information or assistance pursuant to an invitation from the City or Successor Agency;
6. Appearing at a public meeting or preparing documents for use at a public meeting or other official proceeding;
7. Participating in a competitive bid process;
8. Lodging a complaint relating to improper governmental activity (“whistleblower”);
9. Meeting with the City Clerk or City Attorney regarding a claim or litigation matter, negotiation of any agreements where the City is a party or the requirements or interpretations of the lobbyist ordinance;
10. A person whose communications relate solely to collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of agreement between the City and a recognized employee organization or proceedings before the Civil Service Commission; and
11. A person whose communications are solely related to the administration of an existing agreement between the person and the City or Successor Agency.

To the extent that time is spent on any of the above activity, that time should not be counted as “lobbying activity.”

No later than ten (10) days after qualifying as a lobbyist, a person must register with the Office of the City Clerk by filing a City of San Jose Lobbyist Reporting Form. A person that meets the threshold requirements of one or more categories (i.e., Contract Lobbyist, In-House Lobbyist, or Expenditure Lobbyist) is only required to register once.

Once you are registered, each calendar week, you are required to report each time you engage in lobbying activity in the online Weekly Reporting Portal. A “calendar week” begins at 12:00 a.m. on Monday and ends at 11:59 p.m. on the following Sunday. Weekly reports must be filed with the City Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on Monday for the prior calendar week. If Monday is a holiday, the weekly report must be filed by 5:00 p.m. the next business day.

The registration must be renewed by January 15 of each year unless a termination of lobbying activity on the City of San Jose Lobbyist Reporting Form, along with a Notice of Client Termination if a Contract Lobbyist, is filed with the Office of the City Clerk by January 15. Please see Lobbyist webpage for the most current form updates.  

Whenever engaging in any qualifying lobbying activity in a calendar week, you must file, as required under Section 12.12.420, a Schedule A (Campaign Contributions, Independent Expenditure, donation), Schedule B (Payment for Consultant or Other Services), and Schedule C (Activity Expenses), whichever is applicable. Qualifying activity may include, but not be limited to, contributions, independent expenditures, fundraising, donations, or activity expenditures.

Additional forms are available on the Office of the City Clerk’s website for adding and terminating clients, registration renewal, and disclosure of contingent compensation.

Section 12.12.440.B provides: “All lobbyists are required to register…and pay an annual registration fee at the time of registration or registration renewal.” This requires a lobbyist, even if it falls into more than one category such as in-house and contract lobbyist, to register once and pay one fee with that registration.

A lobbyist who meets the thresholds for one or more categories need only file one registration and weekly reports but should provide information for all application categories. Thus, when a lobbyist is both a contract lobbyist and an in-house lobbyist for themselves, the lobbyist will file only 1 lobbyist registration form and file only 1 registration fee, but will complete both the contract and in-house lobbyist portions of the clerk’s forms. The lobbyist will pay for the additional client fees for their external clients (as a contract lobbyist), but will not pay any client fee for itself (as an in-house lobbyist).

A Contract Lobbyist added a new client on September 21, 2017 and engaged in lobbying activity on behalf of that new client. A Contract Lobbyist is required to file a weekly report for that week (due Monday, September 25, 2017), and the annual registration report (due January 15, 2018). Does he have to pay a new client fee with the September 25, 2017 weekly report and a client fee for that client for the annual registration?

Yes. Section 12.12.440.C provides that after the registration or registration renewal, the new client fee must be paid with the weekly report immediately following the week when the lobbyist is compensated and the compensation is greater than $500. In addition, the fee for each client must be paid on an annual basis with the registration or registration renewal.

The Contract Lobbyist must disclose lobbying done for a current client in a calendar week, even if no compensation has been received in that week. Each weekly report must disclose the total compensation promised as well as received from each client during the reporting period within the following ranges: ($0.00 - $500), ($501 - $1,000), ($1,001 - $10,000), ($10,001 - $100,000), ($100,001 - $200,000), ($200,001 - $300,000), ($300,001 - $400,000), and (Over $400,001). If no compensation has been received, the Lobbyist Reporting Form, on the page “Contract Clients” allows checking a box for $0 for the total compensation promised or received from the client.

When the Contract Lobbyist actually receives compensation, that compensation must be disclosed in the online Weekly Reporting Portal for the week compensation was received, even if the Contract Lobbyist had no lobbying activity during that week.

Either lobbying activity or compensation will trigger the filing of a weekly report. Please go to the online Weekly Reporting Portal to submit a weekly report. Contract Lobbyists should report any promised client compensation as well as any client compensation received for any lobbying activity performed in a calendar week. If a client pays on a retainer fee or on a monthly basis regardless of whether lobbying activity occurs, Contract Lobbyists should report the compensation received to date since the last weekly report was filed.

Lobbyists need to report a campaign contribution on the weekly report filed on the Monday following the date of the campaign contribution.

Lobbyists need to report lobbyist fundraising activity, as defined by Section 12.12.190, on the weekly report filed on the Monday following the date of the fundraising activity. Section 12.12.420.D and E require reporting of fundraising activity and donations that actually resulted on Schedule A, Contributions, Expenditures, Fundraising and Donations. There are no disclosure requirements if no donations or contributions actually resulted.

Section 12.12.420.D and E require reporting of fundraising activity and donations that actually resulted on Schedule A, Contributions, Expenditures, Fundraising and Donations. There are no disclosure requirements if no donations or contributions actually resulted.

A Contract Lobbyist renews his registration on January 15 anticipating that he will have clients but engages in no lobbying activity in the weeks that follow and decides to submit a Notice of Termination on March 1 to the Office of the City Clerk. What is the Contract Lobbyist’s report obligation after submitting the Notice of Termination?
Section 12.12.400 provides that if a Lobbyist has terminated all lobbying activities then an annual registration renewal is not required. On the second page of the Lobbyist Reporting Form, the Lobbyist should check the box “Termination of Registration” and specify the effective date when all lobbying activity ceased.

What is the Contract Lobbyist threshold requirement if he resumes lobbying activities on August 1?
If the Contract Lobbyist resumes lobbying activity on August 1, he must re-register if or once he is compensated by a client, $1,000 or more in any three consecutive months for services that include lobbying activity. The lobbying activity on August 1 will also need to be reported in the registration report. Any subsequent lobbying activity will also need to be reported in a weekly report.

The threshold requirement for registering as an In-House Lobbyist is whether the owner, or paid officers and employees of the business or organizations have collectively engaged in 10 hours or more of lobbying activity on behalf of the business or organization in the preceding 12 consecutive months. These 12 consecutive months are rolling and the In-House Lobbyist would only start with a new 10 hour threshold if it had no activity for the last 12 months.

Contingent Compensation for Services other than Lobbying Activity

Section 12.12.310 requires disclosure of contingent compensation arrangements for nonlobbying services. In situations where the lobbyist is not specifically compensated to engage in lobbying activity but lobbying for a certain legislative or administrative result is crucial to realizing compensation for other services rendered or potential future income, the lobbyist is required to disclose the compensation arrangement.

Specifically, the disclosure would require the person engaged in lobbying activity to identify the name and address of the source of the compensation, and include a brief description of the legislative or administrative action the person is seeking to influence. In many instances, the precise compensation may be difficult to determine because it may be based on the final sale price of a development, specific legislative or administrative actions, and/or future conditions (e.g. financing or acquisition). As such, disclosure would require either (1) a range of the known compensation up to and over $400,000, or (2) a brief description of how compensation will be calculated and other conditions that would need to be met before the lobbyist is entitle to payment.

Contingent Compensation for Lobbying Activity

Compensation for lobbying activity is prohibited when the compensation is directly dependent on the result of legislative or administrative actions that are the subject of the lobbying activity.

The prohibition and disclosure requirements do not apply to contingent compensation to a lobbyist for non-lobbying activity such as the practice of law or compensation completely independent of the governmental action.

Examples of when Section 12.12.300 would apply are set forth in the following:

Section 12.12.300.A: “A person may not accept compensation for lobbying activity when the compensation is directly dependent on the result of legislative or administrative action(s) that are the subject of the lobbying activity.”

• Lobbyist A enters into an agreement where he or she is paid $100,000 for lobbying services on approval of PD Zoning for a development project. This compensation would be prohibited.

Section 12.12.300.B: “A person may not accept compensation for engaging in lobbying activity when the compensation depends on both:

1. The result of legislative or administrative action(s) that are the subject of the lobbying activity, and
2. Additional condition(s) or event(s) which are not the subject of the lobbying activity.”

• Lobbyist B enters into an agreement where he or she is paid $200,000 for lobbying services after approval of PD Zoning for a residential development project and sale of the first house. This compensation would be prohibited.

Section 12.12.300.C: “A person engaged in lobbying activity may accept compensation for services, other than lobbying activity, when the compensation directly depends on the result of legislative or administrative action(s) that are the subject of the lobbying activity.”

• Lobbyist C is a civil engineering firm that engages in lobbying activity. Lobbyist C prepares surveys for a proposed project and payment for the survey work is on approval of the project. This compensation must be disclosed.
• Lobbyist C is a civil engineering firm that engages in lobbying activity. Lobbyist C will not secure an agreement to provide engineering services for the build out of the project unless the project is approved. This compensation must be disclosed.

Section 12.12.300.D: “A person engaged in lobbying activity may accept compensation for services, other than lobbying activity, when the compensation depends on both:

1. The result of legislative or administrative actions that are the subject of the
   lobbying activity, and
2. Additional condition(s) or event(s) which are not the subject of the lobbying activity.”
   Lobbyist D is a real estate broker who engages in lobbying activity. Lobbyist D provides brokerage services and will not be paid for the brokerage services until after the project is approved and the real estate transaction closes. This compensation must be disclosed.

The terms “contingent compensation,” “success fees” and “commissions” are synonymous for purposes of the City’s Lobbying Ordinance. “Commissions” for lobbying activities when the commission is directly dependent on the result of legislative or administrative action(s) that are the subject of the lobbying activity are prohibited.

The June 8, 2007 Council memo and the June 18, 2007 Council memo explain more in detail Section 12.12.300 regarding contingent compensation.

The Clerk's Office provides access to any forms or online processes at the Lobbyist Information page. For further information please email city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-535-1260. 

Fees and penalties in effect are set forth in the City of San Jose’s Schedule of Fees as may be amended. Late filing fines for failure to file a weekly report or filing a weekly report late will be assessed beginning July 1, 2018.

The City’s Lobbying Ordinance may be enforced in the following ways:

1. The City Attorney may investigate complaints of violations and seek judicial or injunctive relief from the courts;
2. The City Attorney or City Clerk may put lobbyist on notice of a potential violation; or
3. Any person may file a complaint with the City Clerk alleging a violation of this Chapter with the Elections Commission.
4. A City Official may request that the City Clerk issue an order to show cause to any unregistered person. The person will have an opportunity to be heard before the Elections Commission. If the Commission finds that the person must register and the person fails to do so within 7 days, he or she may be temporarily barred from appearing before the City Council or Successor Agency Board

A violation of the City’s Lobbying Ordinance may also result in civil penalties of up to $5,000 or the amount of the compensation received for the lobbying activity.

Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by the County of Santa Clara. Please see their website for more information about obtaining a certificate.

Yes, business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and we do remain open between the hours of noon and 1:00 p.m.

The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council.

No. The City Attorney cannot provide legal advice to private citizens on personal legal matters. The following organizations may be helpful to individuals seeking legal assistance:

• Bay Area Legal Aid: 408-283-3700
• Santa Clara County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: 408-971-6822
• State Bar of California Lawyer Referral Service: 866-442-2529
• Bay Area Legal Aid for Santa Clara County

The Municipal Code may viewed online or at the Office of the City Clerk, 200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113

• San Jose Municipal Code

You may contact the Code Enforcement Division of the Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement at (408) 535-7770 or file a report online.

• City of San Jose Code Enforcement Division

The Department of Transportation handles all of these issues. They may be contacted at (408) 535-3850.

• City of San Jose Department of Transportation

The San Jose Office of the City Clerk maintains records of official City documents. You may contact the office at (408) 535-1260.

• City of San Jose Office of the City Clerk

The City of San Jose has a standard claim form that will assist you in providing information needed for a claim. Completed claim forms must be filed with the Office of the City Clerk. The Office of the City Clerk is at 200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113.

• City of San Jose Claim Form

In addition to clicking on the link below, you can pick up a blank claim form at the Office of the City Clerk or at the Office of the City Attorney. You can also call (408) 535-1260 or (408) 535-1900 for a mailed copy.

• City of San Jose Claim Form

The Torts Claim Act (California Government Code Section 911.2) establishes the time limits for filing a claim for money or damages. Generally, a claim relating to death or injury to a person or to personal property should be filed within six (6) months from the date of occurrence.

• CA Government Code Section 911.2

In order to investigate a claim, you should state how you computed the amount of the claim. You should attach copies of repair estimates, photographs, receipts, wage loss verification, and other documents that support the claim.

The claim will be forwarded to the Office of the City Attorney for investigation and resolution. You may call the Office at (408) 535-1900 if you have questions regarding your claim.

Applicants must be law school graduates or enrolled in an accredited law school to participate in the City Attorney’s Law Student Intern Program.

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to cao.internships@sanjoseca.gov. Include in your cover letter whether you are interested in a litigation or transactional internship.

Minimum Coursework
For those applying for either a litigation or transactional position, it is preferred that candidates are in their second or third year.

In addition to the above, for litigation positions, it is preferred that candidates have completed Evidence and Civil Procedure and are eligible for certification with the State Bar under its “Practical Training of Law Students” program. For those applying for transactional positions, completion of constitutional law coursework is preferred.

Minimum Hours
Interns must be willing to work a minimum 20 hours per week. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work schedules are flexible based on an intern’s class schedule as well as the operational needs of the office. Once a schedule has been agreed upon, interns are expected to maintain the schedule on a consistent basis.

The City Attorney’s Office offers internship positions in our litigation and transactional services divisions. Description of these divisions can be found in the Divisions pages.

No. These are voluntary positions and no compensation is offered by the City for services rendered by the interns (with the exception of reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses). The office participates in externship programs offered by law schools.

Litigation interns have the opportunity to perform legal research; draft pleadings, motions and research memoranda; assist with discovery; participate in Office litigation meetings; and attend mediations, depositions, arbitrations and trials. Certified law students are provided with a variety of opportunities to appear with Attorneys at administrative hearings and in Court on pretrial calendars (San Jose Municipal Code violations), Pitchess hearings, criminal trials and various civil proceedings.

Transactional interns perform legal research on a wide variety of issues; draft ordinances, resolutions, and research memoranda; analyze pending State legislation; participate in meetings with client departments; and attend internal meetings to review the City Council agenda.

1. Download & complete the Registration Form online using the City’s website (www.csjfinance.org). The Finance Department will mail you a bill and you can choose to pay online, mail in a payment or pay in-person.
2. Print a Copy of the Registration form, complete it, make check payable to the City of San José for the appropriate tax amount due, and mail it to:
   City of San José Finance Department
   Attn: Business Tax
   200 E. Santa Clara Street, 13th Floor
   San José, CA 95113-1905
3. Visit us at City Hall:
   • The Office is located in San Jose City Hall at:
     200 E. Santa Clara Street, 1st Floor
     San José, CA 95113
   • Application will be processed while you wait.
   • If you submit payment of the total tax amount due, you can pick up a temporary Business Tax Certificate immediately (the official certificate will be mailed to you).

Anyone who is in business, whether providing a service or selling a product, is required to register, and pay for the tax prior to commencement of the business. Effective July 1, 2017, if the first time the business tax is due, the taxpayer pays the tax in full within ninety (90) days of the due date, the City will waive all penalties and interest accruing to the date of payment. This waiver only applies to the first time that the business tax is due for a new business.

Rates can be found on our Business Tax Rates page.

You can find your account number on a recent paper bill or on the City website.

A written request is required. Requests must include business tax account number, business name, address, signature, phone number and date the business closed. The request can be submitted the following ways:

1. Mail in a written request (preferred method) to the office at:
   City of San José
   Attn: Business Tax
   200 East Santa Clara Street, 13th Floor
   San José, CA 95113-1905
2. Fax written request to (408) 292-6480.
3. Come into the office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
   The office is located in San José City Hall at:
   200 E. Santa Clara Street, 1st Floor
   San José, CA 95113

• Come into the office at: 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 1st Floor, San José, CA 95113 or,
• Mail a written request to City of San José, Finance Department, Attn: Business Tax, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 13th Floor, San José, CA 95113.
  or,
• Fax a written request to the office at (408) 292-6480. Requests must include business tax account number, business name, address, signature, and phone number, and a $25 check. A new certificate will be issued in approximately three weeks.
  or,
• Email the City at: businesstax@sanjoseca.gov

The new Business Tax structure is effective July 1, 2017.

The City’s Business Tax was first adopted in 1963. The current tax structure has not been increased since 1986, three decades ago. ¹More than 65% of San José voters approved the Business Tax Modernization Measure, Measure G, and new tax structure at the November 2016 election.

Business Tax receipts help fund “essential services such as police, emergency services, and pothole repairs.

The voters approved the tax structure application to begin at the first rental unit rather than the third unit. The City is granting a “grace period” for residential landlords of one or two rental units who will pay the San José Business Tax for the first time as of July 1, 2017. The City Council established a grace period until December 15, 2017, so that these residential landlords can apply for and secure a valid Business Tax Certificate from the City and pay the business tax without incurring penalties and interest. If the payment of the business tax is made after December 15, 2017, then interest and penalties will accrue retroactive to July 1, 2017.

Each year, businesses need to complete the Business Tax Exemption Form and provide information from their tax returns (Form 1040, Form 1120S, Schedule C, and/or Schedule E).

Please refer to the City’s Business Tax Ordinance ³(Chapter 4.76) at www.csjfinance.org for a complete listing.

Yes, voters approved removing the exemption for minors and for transient marketers (flea market-type vendors). These businesses will be treated like other small businesses, many of which may be able to qualify for a tax exemption under the income thresholds. For example, you may be able to qualify for a tax exemption under the financial hardship exemption for (1) low revenue generating small businesses or (2) small business owners with limited household incomes, as discussed below.

Yes, Financial Hardship Exemption for Small Business Owners with Limited Household Income. Voters approved adding an additional exemption category – financial hardship exemption for small business owners with limited household incomes. A small business shall be exempt where the adjusted gross income of the small business owner does not exceed four times (4x) the annual poverty level established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Based on the current poverty level, the threshold would be based on household adjusted gross income of $48,240. This exemption will allow a more generous exemption for low income households and maintains the current financial hardship exemption program based on business income.

1. Change of Address: (no cost)
   You can either:
   • Come into the office at: 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 1st Floor, San José, CA 95113 or,
   • Mail a written request to City of San José, Finance Department, Attn: Business Tax, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 13th Floor, San José, CA 95113.
     or,
   • Email request to the City at: businesstax@sanjoseca.gov
     or,
   • Fax a written request to the office at (408) 292-6480. Requests must include business tax account number, business name, address, signature, and phone number
2. Change of Business Name: ($10.00)
   Either
   • Come into the office at 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 1st Floor, San José, CA 95113; or,
   • Mail a written request to City of San José, Finance Department, Attn: Business Tax, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 13th Floor, San José, CA 95113. Must be a written request along with a $10.00 payment. Written request must include business tax account number, business name, address, signature, and phone number.
3. Change of Owner Name:
   Business tax is not transferable. The previous owner’s account must be closed, and the new owner must apply for the new business tax account.

Customers can look up the information at www.csjfinance.org.

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to compare actual revenues and expenditures to the budget at the budgeted appropriation level.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

This report allows users to drill down actual revenue/expenditure data at a more detailed level than budgeted appropriations.

• View report

A Candidate must file nomination papers pursuant to San Jose Municipal Code (SJMC) 12.05.060 with the City Clerk no later than twelve noon on the eighty-eighth day before the city municipal election. SJMC provides that voters may nominate candidates for election by signing a nomination paper not earlier than the one hundred thirteenth day nor later than twelve noon on the eighty-eighth day before a city municipal election.

Nomination papers are issued by the City Clerk and include several forms and must be filed at the same time. The list includes but may not be limited to: (1) Nomination Papers (also known as the “petition”), (2) Certificate of Residency, (3) Ballot Designation Worksheet and Form, (4) Statement of Economic Interests – Form 700, (5) Candidate Statement of Qualifications Form, (6) Code of Fair Campaign Practices, (7) Form 503 Declaration by Candidate or Committee Treasurer, and (8) other forms, as required by the County of Registrar of Voters.

The San Jose Municipal Code prohibits the solicitation and/or acceptance of campaign contributions prior to 180 days before an election. For the 2020 March primary election, this date is September 5, 2019. The FPPC requires that candidates file a statement of intention and establish a campaign bank account before making any expenditure from personal funds pursuant to Government Code Section 85201. Furthermore, 85201(c) of that section requires all contributions or loans made to the candidate be deposited in the account. Therefore, as long as you track expenditures of your own funds through the campaign bank account, you may spend personal funds prior to September 5, 2020. Municipal Code Section 12.06.295 provides additional detail regarding personal funds including restrictions regarding personal loans.

You may hold and promote meet and greets and house parties that are not for the purpose of raising campaign funds as long as you follow the rules of the FPPC and City of San José Municipal Code. Such events cannot be held by a lobbyist or lobbying firm. Soliciting individuals to serve on a campaign fundraising committee prior to the campaign contribution period is allowed as it is merely a planning and coordinating stage for soliciting and accepting contributions to a campaign. However, lining up financial or in-kind pledges or contributions prior to the campaign contribution period would indicate that some degree of solicitation was made and is therefore prohibited except during the campaign contribution period.

You can apply for a web grant through the web grant portal.

If the animal is not acting aggressively or is not in danger or in traffic, you can submit an online report. Call (408) 794-7297 when:

• There is a stray animal that is acting in an aggressive manner. Please note type of dog, color of dog, if it is wearing a collar or not, if you have seen the same dog in the past running loose, and the direction of flight of the dog. If you know the name or address of the owner, please provide it to the animal services dispatcher.
• You have confined a stray dog, it is acting aggressively, and/or you are unable to transport it to the San José Animal Care Center.

A stray animal report remains in our system for seven days. An animal services officer will try to locate the dog as time permits according to their daily schedule of calls. If we are unable to locate the dog within the seven days, or are unable to get to the stray / roaming dog call within the seven days, the call drops out of our system. If you see the dog roaming again after the seven days have lapsed since your initial call, you will need to call again and initiate another call for service.

The wrong diet and not enough exercise is how pets gain weight.

Not really. The surgery is done under anesthesia so there's no pain.

One un-neutered male can impregnate hundreds of females who then give birth.

If you make an online report or contact animal services dispatch directly by calling (408) 794-7297, they will assign an animal services officer to investigate the call.

You can begin your report anonymously, but if the results of the investigation of the call lead to citation and arrest of the animal owner, we no longer can protect your anonymity. This is due to laws about disclosure of information and because the accused has a right to face his / her accuser. In the event of a criminal case, we will need the reporting party to be able to testify. It is very important that you report animal abuse. You may be the only person who speaks up for this animal.

Animal Services takes animal abuse very seriously. We will prosecute animal abusers to the full extent of the law. The punishment for animal abuse varies with the nature and severity of the crime. Animal abuse can be charged as a municipal infraction or criminally, as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the nature and the severity of the crime.

Call 9-1-1 immediately and report the incident. The police can usually get to the scene quicker than Animal Services. The Police Department will in turn notify Animal Services to respond as well. Animal Services will follow up on the incident as best we can.

This is something that you might witness in passing and Animal Services and the Police Department may not have any other way to locate the dog owner later. It is important to get a description of the dog owner, the dog, and the direction of travel. Take note if there are any other people or dogs with the person who kicked the dog. Get descriptions of them as well. If you can follow the person at a safe distance while waiting for the police to arrive, do so.

Call 9-1-1 immediately and report the incident. The police can usually get to the scene quicker than Animal Services. The Police Department will in turn notify Animal Services to respond as well. Animal Services will follow up on the incident as best we can.

If you feel like it is safe for you to approach the person who you feel is not taking adequate care of their animal, tell them about your concerns yourself. Some people are approachable and are open to suggestions and will change the way they care for their animal once they are educated on a better way. Do not put yourself in jeopardy. If in doubt, or if you feel unsafe about making contact with the animal owner, call animal services dispatch at (408) 794-7297 and an animal services officer will investigate the issue.

No, tying or staking out a dog is not legal. Dogs can not be tied outside to stationary objects. It is legal to create a pulley system and have a dog on a runner-line where the dog has access to water and shelter.

A bite is a bite injury by an animal that causes a break in the skin or a puncture in the skin.

Many people living in countries without rabies control die each year from contracting this disease. Rabies is almost always fatal. Every state in the union requires their counties and cities to protect their citizens from contracting rabies by mandating that every owned dog and cat be given a rabies vaccination. The only way for cities to avoid being in violation of this state mandate is to require their citizens to vaccinate their pets.

Cities have no way of obtaining proof that their residents have complied with the law unless they have a record. In order to obtain a record, cities must require residents to license their pets with the caveat being they cannot license their pet without first supplying proof of rabies. The City of San José can then ensure that all dogs and cats licensed in their jurisdiction have proof of rabies and are in compliance with the State Rabies Mandate. (SJMC Sections 7.08.610, 7.08.615, 7.08.620, 7.08.625, 7.08.630, 7.08.635, 7.08.640, 7.08.645)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a statute that requires State and local agencies to identify significant environmental impacts of their projects and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.

The City of San José is required to establish a standard for measuring traffic impacts of proposed developments. For decades, the standard San José used to measure these impacts was transportation Level of Service (LOS). The City of San José adopted this measure in Council Policy 5-3, Transportation Impact Policy. On February 27, 2018, City Council voted to adopt a Council Policy 5-1 that establishes Vehicle Miles Traveled as the new standard to measure transportation impacts for CEQA analysis.

Transportation Level of Service (LOS) is a measure of traffic delay at signalized intersections or roadway segments. Level of Service uses a letter-grade system ranging from LOS A, or free-flow conditions with little or no delay, to LOS F, or jammed conditions with excessive delays.

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) measures the distance a motorized vehicle will travel to a destination, divided by the number of passengers (i.e., per capita). Typically, development located farther from retail, office, and other uses and with poor access to transit, generates more driving than development situated close to complementary uses and transit. Cities use VMT to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and some transportation impacts.

The State in 2013 passed SB 743 (Steinberg), which required the establishment of a new method to determine the significance of transportation impacts of a project under CEQA. The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) has recommended that VMT replace LOS as the primary measure of transportation impacts. The OPR guidance generally recommends that the threshold for residential and office projects be 15% below the existing per capita VMT. As of November 2017, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research has prepared proposed updates to the CEQA Guidelines. The proposal and related materials are available here: http://opr.ca.gov/ceqa/updates/guidelines/.

The Natural Resources Agency will soon commence a formal rulemaking process to adopt the proposed changes.

SB 743 (Steinberg) states that “New methodologies under the California Environmental Quality Act are needed for evaluating transportation impacts that are better able to promote the State’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic-related air pollution, promoting the development of a multimodal transportation system, and providing clean, efficient access to destinations.”

This new metric aligns with the Envision San José 2040 General Plan (General Plan) goals for smart and focused growth, accessibility, affordability, great places and public life, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This shift to VMT furthers implementation of the General Plan in the following ways:

• Reducing the need to drive to destinations
• Removing key barriers to more sustainable growth
• Streamlining transit and active transportation projects
• Taking advantage of an existing metric, that addresses several General Plan goals
• Reducing infrastructure capital and maintenance costs
• Improving health and wellness

Please refer to the VMT Public Meetings Schedule for an updated timeline.

No. The process for weighing in on land use changes and transportation projects will remain the same. Citizens will still be able to provide comments, speak at public hearings, and contact elected representatives on new development. The City Council still has the authority to make land use and transportation decisions.

For certain types of transportation projects (e.g. bike lanes and sidewalk gap closures) and certain types of development projects in General Plan growth areas (e.g., some Urban Villages), a transportation analysis under CEQA may not be required. This change to VMT only affects the transportation section under CEQA. Analysis of other CEQA subject areas such as biological and cultural resources, noise, and air quality remain the same.

Neighborhood traffic and mobility is very important to the City. Developers will still be required to improve operations to the transportation network and to address neighborhood traffic.

Every development project is unique and will be evaluated according to its specific attributes and context However, in general, development proposed in General Plan designated growth areas with good access to transit and a mix of uses (e.g. residential, office and retail) could achieve a streamlined CEQA process if General Plan amendments are not required for the project. Developments in places where it is hard to get around without a car will likely have to mitigate the impacts of VMT.

The CEQA process will not change, but some projects currently not exempt from CEQA transportation analysis may be exempt from CEQA transportation analysis under VMT.

New development projects that are required to analyze VMT will still be required to have a traffic impact analysis. Generally, new development proposals will be required to have project impacts measured using new City transportation policies based on the VMT metric. Mixed-use development in General Plan growth areas, located near transit, may be more likely to meet VMT reduction thresholds more easily. Proposed developments not in growth areas and transit corridors will likely need to provide mitigation to reduce VMT impacts. Beyond the CEQA VMT metric, projects will continue to be required to analyze local intersection operations and other potential impacts.

Transportation projects that inherently help reduce VMT such as bicycle lanes, transit facilities, and sidewalk improvements may no longer have to go through a CEQA analysis for transportation environmental impacts. These projects may still be subject to city analysis on overall transportation system and operations impacts. Transportation projects that may increase VMT would be required to analyze VMT impacts and potentially mitigate those impacts.

The new Transportation Analysis Policy will be in effect 30 days after City Council approval. New development projects that submit complete development applications after that date must comply with the new Policy; before that date, projects that wish to also study VMT per the new Policy may do so with approval from the Director of Public Works. Projects and plans (including Area Development Plans) that already have completed environmental review under the previous City Council Policy 5-3 that analyzed LOS remain subject to the existing Policy 5-3, and can carry out minor amendments under Policy 5-3.

The City will require annual monitoring of the approved TDM measures and reporting to the City’s environmental review section for approval. These requirements will be included in the planning permit.

The City will use the neighboring city’s transportation analysis metrics and impact criteria. If a neighboring city is using a LOS-based metric, the City of San José would require an analysis of LOS in the neighboring jurisdiction.

Retail developments smaller than 100,000 square feet or less and are not drive-through operations are presumed to be local-serving and have a less than significant impact under CEQA. Retail developments greater than 100,000 square feet will be analyzed by the net change in total VMT.

Each development is unique and will be considered on an individual basis. Proposed very high-density housing developments that are consistent with the General Plan and support transit use – and are located in areas with high-quality transit and amenities – may not have to analyze transportation impacts under CEQA, which may streamline the CEQA process.

According to the Association of Bay Area Governments’ report on Transit Oriented Development and Affordable Housing, lower-income households have lower car ownership rates than moderate-income households. Although each development is unique and will be individually analyzed, very high-density affordable housing developments tend to generate lower VMT than market-rate housing at comparable densities. The City of San José’s Transportation Analysis Policy provides screening criteria for transportation review under CEQA for 100% affordable housing constructed near a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor in Planned Growth Areas. The policy also allows 100% affordable housing to be built in conformance with the General Plan even if the site is located where VMT impact is not mitigatable.

When LOS was used as the transportation impact screening criterion, greenfield development generated fewer transportation impacts under CEQA; in contrast, LOS impacts in infill locations were high. VMT is a more holistic approach to analyzing the transportation impacts of new development and generally aligns the type of development encouraged in the General Plan (infill near transit and services) with CEQA.

In general, businesses that are developing land uses at certain intensities that conform to the General Plan and that are in growth areas with high-quality transit may not have to analyze transportation impacts under CEQA, which may streamline the environmental review process.

The proposed Transportation Analysis Policy and shift to VMT is intended to streamline residential development overall, particularly affordable housing, infill housing, and homes in low-VMT areas. This streamlining should allow for greater supply and lower housing costs. Importantly, it will also lower transportation costs as new development is concentrated in areas with a variety of affordable transportation options. This is a key argument made by the state in support of the VMT policy.

The City of San José has a responsibility to conduct its affairs ethically and in compliance with the law, and we are very proud of our employees and the high-quality services we provide to the community. In order to ensure that we maintain and improve on the quality and integrity of our services, it is important that we provide employees and the public with various methods to express concerns.

The City of San José created the Whistleblower Hotline to provide the public and employees with an opportunity to express concerns such as:

• Theft or misuse of City resources (e.g., cash, equipment, supplies, or materials)
• Using one's position with the City for personal gain
• Use of City equipment or property for non-City business
• Falsifying financial records to cover up theft
• Falsifying payroll information
• Submitting false vouchers for reimbursement
• Conducting personal business on City time
• Abusing the system of travel reimbursement
• Intentionally misrepresenting the costs of goods and services provided
• Receiving favors for awarding contracts to certain vendors
• Soliciting or accepting a bribe or kickback
• Purchase of unneeded supplies or equipment
• Abusing the workers' compensation system

• Call the Whistleblower Hotline at (408) 535-8200. Callers may leave a voicemail after hours.
• Fax the Whistleblower Hotline at (408) 292-6436.
• Email the Whistleblower Hotline at hotline@sanjoseca.gov.
• Submit a concern through the Whistleblower Hotline - Online Complaint Form.
• Send a letter to:

City of San Jose
Whistleblower Hotline
200 E. Santa Clara Street, 3rd FL. Wing
San Jose, CA 95113-1905

In order for a thorough investigation to be completed, the following information should be included, if applicable:

• Date and Time Incident Occurred
• Suspected Person(s) Involved
• Description of Complaint (What, where, when, how and who else may be aware of the incident) Your Full Name, Phone Number or Email Address (if you wish you remain anonymous, please see Frequently Asked Question titled "Can I submit an anonymous complaint?")

Additionally, you should state the facts with as much specific information as possible so that your complaint can be investigated. You should not speculate or draw conclusions, and should be prepared to answer any questions an investigator may have.

The Whistleblower Hotline will gather sufficient information from the caller/complainant in order to determine the appropriate action needed. Callers/Complainants may remain anonymous, but we ask that they keep in contact with the Whistleblower Hotline if additional questions arise.

Yes you can submit an anonymous complaint to the Whistleblower Hotline. Caller ID has been disabled for the Whistleblower Hotline. However, we ask that anonymous callers contact the Whistleblower Hotline back within a couple of weeks, so that any follow-up questions may be asked. Additionally, you could also set up an anonymous email address so that we may be able to contact you at any time.

Also, if you wish to remain anonymous you can choose to send a letter by mail, submit a complaint online or send an email. If no future way of contact is established, we will not be able to contact you to request additional information or to follow-up with you when the investigation is complete. If you choose to email hotline@sanjoseca.gov, send the email from a non-City computer.

An online complaint may be submitted through the Whistleblower Hotline - Online Complaint Form.

If your complaint was not made anonymously, your confidentiality will be honored to the extent permitted by law. Your identity will, of course, be known to those investigating the complaint with a legitimate need to know in order to carry out an investigation. Release of your identity may be required pursuant to a subpoena or in other circumstances where the City is required by law to release information. In addition, you should also be aware that your public testimony might be needed to prove the case against the accused.

Emergencies happen every day, and the community calls 9-1-1 to get Fire Department, Police Department or Ambulance services. The city has immediate resources to support you on a daily basis.

There are other times when response won't be as quick, such as when a major earthquake strikes the Silicon Valley. The role of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is to help the Fire Chief, Police Chief, Mayor, and City Manager, along with all City staff to organize response and recovery efforts. To lessen the impact of the potential disaster, OEM also works with community members, including you and your family, to be prepared. OEM provides information and training on how to build an emergency kit, create an emergency communications plan and identify how to stay informed so you know what to do next.

Here is a great video that explains the basics of Emergency Management.

The Office of Emergency Management leads efforts to protect life, property and the environment by developing, coordinating and managing programs that prevent, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate natural and man-made disasters and emergencies. More specifically, the OEM manages the following functions:

• Hazard identification, risk assessment and impact analysis
• Hazard mitigation
• Planning
• Direction, control and coordination
• Communications and warning
• Operations and procedures
• Logistics and facilities
• Resource management
• Mutual aid
• Training
• Exercises, evaluations and corrective actions
• Crisis communications and public information
• Finance and administration
• Laws and authorities

Find out more about our CERT program here.

There are many lists out there, here are a couple we like and recommend from FEMA and Red Cross.

Sign up for AlertSCC here with a cell phone, email address, or home phone, and we will make sure you stay informed.

Review the Ready.gov planning steps and share the plan with your family, friends, co-workers.

Sure, no problem. Here you go...

• Family Emergency Communications Plan from FEMA
• Basic Emergency Supply List (For everyone!)

Ask and you shall receive!

• https://www.ready.gov/business
• https://www.ready.gov/business-continuity-plan
• https://www.ready.gov/business-continuity-planning-suite

An emergency supply kit does not change for a business, it just scales up or down according to the number of employees you have on staff.

Places of worship are playing a greater role in disaster management so we recommend the following resources for you and your faith-based community.

• http://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/Churches-Playing-Growing-Role-Emergency-Management.html
• https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/individuals-communities/faith

The last document referenced above is filled with links to great resources. While it’s from 2013 and things do change fast in our technologically advanced society, the themes are still relevant.

An emergency supply kit does not change for a faith based organization, it just scales up according to the number of people in your congregation and others affected by a disaster who you wish to serve.

The Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort (CADRE) is a network of organizations that provide community services that are essential in times of disaster. They also coordinate organizational preparedness planning in non-disaster times and are a great resource for your faith-based group.

Here are some great resources for you to help your family member with special medical needs or access and functional needs be disaster resilient!

• http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/disaster-safety-for-people-with-disabilities#Plan-Ahead
• http://www.disastersrus.org/mydisasters/disability/disability.pdf
• https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs

Thanks for being prepared for your special community. We have some great resources for you

• Residential care evacuation training video from our friends at the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District.
• Emergency preparedness information from the American Health Care Association.
• Emergency preparedness for assisted living communities from the California Assisted Living Association.
• California Association of Health Facilities Disaster Preparedness Program.
• Community Planning Framework for Healthcare Preparedness from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Programs and services for those with access and functional needs from the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center.

We get it. Pets are family too. So much so that after Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Government directed FEMA to recognize the need to plan for pets in a large scale disaster. So here in San José our Animal Care Center works with us during disasters to help take care of pets. We try and locate pet shelters along with or very close to the people shelters. We also work with the County Office of Emergency Services and Animal Care for large pets like horses. Here is some basic information for you to help make sure your pet has its own go bag in case your family has to evacuate:

• https://www.ready.gov/animals
• https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/ARCPetsandSheltering_3pg.pdf
• https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/ready_pet-preparedness-flyer.pdf

When local officials tell you to shelter-in-place, the intention is to keep you safe while remaining indoors. It means to find a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and take refuge there. Typically, the instructions to shelter-in-place means to shelter for a few hours, not days or weeks at a time. Keep listening to your radio or TV until you are told it's safe.

• https://www.ready.gov/shelter
• https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Terrorism/shelterinplace.pdf
• https://emergency.cdc.gov/shelterinplace.asp

Yes, and here is the current version for you to read. And if you want a deeper dive into more information, here are the plans for the County, the Bay Area, and the State:

• City of San José Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
• Santa Clara County EOP
• San Francisco Bay Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
• State of California Emergency Plan

The only type of disaster that we don’t see here in the Golden State is Hurricanes. What we try to prepare for are the more frequent and expected types of disasters. And for all of us here in the Northern California Bay Area, that means earthquakes, fires and floods. We take an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness, so if you have an emergency Kit, an emergency communications Plan, and are ready to Stay Informed via smart phone, radio, or TV, then you are ready for whatever comes your way!

The best way is whatever works for you and your family. Not everyone has or likes smart phones, and not everyone likes to send text messages. But that is a really good way to stay in contact during an emergency because text messages will go through when phone calls might not. Radio is a proven technology that has been helping us in emergency response for almost 100 years. And remember, you probably still have a radio charged and ready to go if you own a car. TV is great if it’s still working. Same goes for the internet. We will push messages out to the public in any way we can after a disaster including emergency phone, radio and TV messages. We will also send Police and Fire units out to your neighborhood with public address systems, longer range loud speakers, and to knock on your door if we have to. Stay alert, stay tuned and stay informed!

We no longer have nuclear fallout shelters in San José. However, you can get information on preparing for this horrific, and hopefully, unlikely event via the videos below, which have some great emergency planning and preparedness tips.

• https://www.ready.gov/nuclear-explosion
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sq7wbLVAVk
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPx2DT49yMg

Opioids are a family of drugs that are generally prescribed to relieve moderate-to-severe pain. A health care professional may prescribe them as part of a treatment plan following an injury or surgery. While some opioids can be legally prescribed (such as oxycontin and morphine), other types of opioids are made for the illegal drug market (such as heroin and non-prescribed fentanyl). Opioids can make people feel very relaxed, which is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. This can be dangerous because opioids can be highly addictive, and opioid-related overdoses and fatalities are common.