Mission & Key Ordinances

We work in partnership with the people of San José to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment. This work happens in these three ways:

• We administer a fair, unbiased enforcement program to correct violations of municipal codes and land use requirements.
• We work with residents, neighborhood associations, public service agencies, and other City departments to empower community self-help and public outreach programs. We listen to public feedback to help establish priorities for the enforcement program.
• We initiate special programs targeted toward specific problems in our community.

Here are the key ordinances of the San José Municipal Code that we discuss with our community and enforce:

• Building Codes (Title 24)
• Community Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 17.72)
• Enforcement of Code Ordinance (Chapter 1.08)
• Graffiti Prohibitions (Chapter 9.57)
• Off-Sale Alcohol Beverage Establishments (Chapter 6.86)
• Signs (Title 23)
• Substandard Housing (Chapter 17.20)
• Tobacco Retail License (Chapter 6.87)
• Tree Removal Controls (Chapter 13.32)
• Zoning Code (Title 20)

We DO address these types of violations of the San José Municipal Code:

• Abandoned or inoperable vehicles on private property (on driveways or yards)
• Blighted and unmaintained properties
• Building code violations
• Construction or change of occupancy without permits
• Disruptive and illegal businesses in neighborhoods
• Graffiti on private property
• Junk and debris in the front of residential properties
• Parking violations on private property on unimproved surfaces, including lawns, dirt, gravel, and plywood.
• Signs in the public right-of-way, that don't comply with Codes, or that lack a permit.
• Substandard housing conditions
• Smoking in bars and restaurant
• Smoking in unapproved outdoor areas
• Vacant buildings that are unsecured
• Vegetation that is hazardous or overgrown
• Zoning violations for structures and land use, including the use of the structure, location, configuration and size.

We DO NOT address the following:

• Civil disputes between private parties
• Personal grievances
• Evictions. For assistance, view the Housing Department's Eviction Help Center webpage.
• Vehicle or RV concerns where the vehicle or RV are on a public street, trail or other public area. Please report such concerns using the San José 311 website, or dial 3-1-1 to speak with a customer service representative, or use the Apple or Android mobile app.