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San Jose permit search

The City of San Jose says:

A building permit IS NOT required for cosmetic improvements such as paint, new flooring, and new countertops.

A building permit IS required for structural changes, new construction, demolitions, and most plumbing, mechanical, and electrical improvements.

Source: Get a Building Permit / Start Your Project | City of San José, read 22 October 2026.

InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.

By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated 27 October 2026

InstaBids assistantAI · builds your written scope with you

What home job do you need done in San Jose, CA? Describe it once to start your written scope.

Start from a common job
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  1. Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
  2. Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
  3. Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
  4. You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.
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Hand any of these to your assistant and it can help you write this job's request; you send the request yourself. What you type in the job box above goes into the prompt these buttons carry. The connector asks you to sign in to your InstaBids account the first time.

  • MCP connector URLhttps://instabids.ai/api/agent/mcp
  • Agent API (OpenAPI)https://instabids.ai/openapi.json
  • Start-request linkhttps://instabids.ai/intake?page_type=permits&job=home+job&place=san+jose%2C+CA&from=permits-ca--santa-clara--san-jose--building-permits&utm_source=us&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=permits
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How do I search San Jose permits on SJPermits.org?

The City of San Jose says:

To check the status of a permit application, use SJPermits.org. This platform allows anyone to find information about permits, property designations, and zoning for properties located in the City of San José. Go to SJPermits.org. Use the Property Search button to find a specific property. Use one of several options for identifying the property — by Address, Assessor's Parcel Number, Permit Number, Project Reference Number, or Tract Number. This will bring up a new screen showing the property address. Click on the property address. This opens the search results for the property. Click View Permit/File (upper left corner). Information for any permits will appear, including a "Status" column. Anyone can see this permit status information. Only permit applicants who have logged into SJPermits can see the “Application Status” of an application that is underway — see description following the table below.

Source: Check Your Permit Status at SJPermits | City of San José, read 22 October 2026.

Who can pull a permit in San Jose?

The City of San Jose says:

Permits obtained through plan review services - Projects entailing plan review sometimes involve a design professional. Our SJePlans portal allows anyone — typically the architect, designer, licensed contractor, authorized agent, or property owner — to upload plans and respond to the plan review process. But signing the building permit application is limited to the property owner of record; a licensed contractor; an authorized agent; or an authorized tenant.

Source: Who Can Apply for a Building Permit? | City of San José, read 22 October 2026.

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