You can apply for a grant from the City of San José to support your ongoing responsibility to comply with the federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the California Building Code. Compliance is good for business! It ensures that people with disabilities can access your space.

This grant program requires that you hire a private Certified Access Specialist (CASp) to analyze your property. A CASp has been certified by the State of California to have specialized knowledge of the state and federal construction standards relating to providing access to and through buildings for persons with disabilities.

In addition to the information below, please also read our FAQs for greater understanding of this program. Grants are available in two phases:

• PHASE 1 - Up to $8,000 for:
  • You will pay for a CASp report and the cost will be credited back to you. A CASp report typically costs between $200 - $1,000.
  • The city will provide a credit up to $8,000 for any fees relating to review of building plans, permits, and inspections if the CASp report indicates that these are required. 
    
    
• PHASE 2 - Up to $25,000 and may cover:
  • Professional design services to remove ADA barriers.
  • Construction and labor costs to remove ADA barriers.
  • Purchase and installation of certain accessible furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
  • Initial CASp inspection and report if the recommended remedial work does not require City permits or does not qualify for Phase 1.
  • Final CASp inspection after completion of corrective work.

WHO CAN APPLY?

To qualify, you must meet all of the following criteria: 

1. Must have no more than 50 employees.
2. The property must be one of the following:
   • A commercial business;
   • A nonresidential property; OR
   • A nonprofit that is current with the state's Registry of Charitable Trusts.
3. Must have a valid City business tax certificate.
4. Must be open for business and tenants must have at least one year remaining on their lease agreement.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PHASE 1 GRANT (CASP INSPECTION) 

Follow these steps:

1. Contact the City’s Small Business Ally. Contact a Small Business Ally for assistance and to verify your eligibility. See the Contacts section below. 
   
   
2. Select a private CASp inspector. Select a private CASp inspector from the State of California’s list of certified access specialists. This CASp inspector will survey your business or property.
   
   Note: The grant will be a credit — not a reimbursement — to cover the cost of hiring the CASp inspector and the cost of fees charged by the City for plan review, permits, and inspection. Some simple modifications do not require plans or a permit, such as adjusting counter heights. If the CASp Report does not identify any accessibility improvements that require a building permit, it can be reimbursed through Phase 2 of the grant program.
   
   
3. Hire a licensed Architect or Engineer if needed.  If the CASp Report identifies the need for accessibility improvements that require a City permit, you will need to hire a licensed Architect or Engineer to design building plans that remove any ADA barriers removal at your property or business. The cost of the design services may be reimbursed upon submittal of the paid invoice under Phase 2 of this grant program.
   
   
4. Submit a grant application package. Complete and submit the following to the Small Business Ally:
   • W-9 form, completed and signed
   • Grant application
   • Signed grant contract
   • Copy of paid invoice for the CASp inspection report
   • Building plans, if applicable

   To request a reasonable accommodation with completing the forms listed above or to obtain copies of the forms in alternative formats, please contact staff as listed below in the Contacts section.

5. Hire a licensed contractor if needed. Upon execution of the grant agreement with the City, hire a private licensed contractor.

The Small Business Ally will guide you through the remaining steps, which will include submitting permit applications and inspections throughout the project.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PHASE 2 GRANT (remedial IMPROVEMENTS)

Follow these steps:

1. Submittal. Submit copies of the following to ADAgrant@sanjoseca.gov:
   • Paid invoice for design fees
   • Construction cost estimate showing the cost of labor and installation
   • Cost estimate for fixtures, furniture, and/or equipment
   • Initial CASp invoice if the CASp Report in Phase 1 did not identify any remedial improvements that require a City permit.
     
     
2. Contractor's attestation. Upon receipt of the documentation, the City will provide prevailing wage information and training (if required).  An attestation stating compliance with prevailing wage requirements will be required when construction costs include installation and labor. Please email ADAgrant@sanjoseca.gov for guidance.
   
   
3. City staff will review your submittal. If approved, you will be reimbursed 100% for the paid invoices and provided 80% of the cost estimate for remedial improvements.

If the construction project requires a City permit:

• Construction may begin after the permit is issued.
• Your licensed contractor should handle making appointments for inspection/s until a final inspection approval is obtained.

If the remedial work does not require a City permit:

• Remediation work may begin anytime. 
• Upon completion, hire a CASp Inspector to provide a final inspection and to ensure the improvements comply with accessibility laws.
• Submit final invoices and pictures of completed accessibility improvements to ADAgrant@sanjoseca.gov.

Once the project is verified, or a building permit is finalized, you will receive the remaining funds.

CONTACT

Juan Borrelli, Small Business Ally (English and Spanish)
Juan.Borrelli@sanjoseca.gov

DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES

• Resources from the California Commission on Disability Access:  
  
  • Tips on interacting with people with disabilities
  • Myths and Misconceptions: Accessibility Compliance for Businesses –English, Spanish, Chinese
    
    
• City Memorandums:  
  
  • Phase 1 CASp Grant Memo
  • Phase 2 Disability Access Improvement Grant Memo
    
    

ADA Accommodations

For reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, call (408) 975-2655 or 7-1-1 (TTY).