...Title
PP26-003 - Amendment to Title 13 (Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places) and Title 20 (Zoning Code) of the San José Municipal Code for Compliance with State Law, City Council Directed Changes, and Code Maintenance Updates.
...Recommendations
Approve an ordinance amending Title 13 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places); and various Sections of Title 20 (Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Code) of the San José Municipal Code to:
(1) Amend Section 13.32.020 to revise tree removal procedures for trees located within High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and modify the definition of ‘Unsuitable tree’ to clarify its applicability to trees located within those zones;
(2) Amend Chapter 20.30 to incorporate previously omitted text to Section 20.30.100; and minor clarifying edits to Sections 20.30.280, 20.50.100, 20.55.100 and 20.75.130;
(3) Amend Chapter 20.30, Part 5, Section 20.30.500 to amend retaining wall height requirement and permitting provisions;
(4) Amend Chapter 20.30, Part 9.5, Section 20.30.860 to clarify provisions applicable to properties listed on the Historic Resource Inventory and ensure compliance with State law Assembly Bill 1061;
(5) Amend Chapter 20.30, Part 9, Section 20.30.852 and Chapter 20.80, Part 2.75, Sections 20.80.175, and 20.80.176 to align Accessory Dwelling Unit provisions with State law;
(6) Amend Chapter 20.30, Part 6, Section 20.30.630 to add vehicular gate permitting provisions;
(7) Amend Chapter 20.50, Section 20.50.100 to add note related to incidental fuel-cell power generation facilities for enumerated industrial uses;
(8) Amend Chapter 20.80, Part 5, Section 20.80.410 and 20.80.420 to modify the existing definition of ‘demolition’ and clarify applicability to historic resources;
(9) Amend Chapter 20.100, Section 20.100.220 to reformat table;
(10) Amend Chapter 20.100, Section 20.100.630 to reinsert previous finding for Site Development permit;
(11) Amend Chapter 20.120, Section 20.120.060 to increase noticing period from 10 days to 20 days to ensure compliance with State law Assembly Bill 2904;
(12) Amend Chapter 20.150, ‘nonconforming uses’ Part 1, Sections 20.150.020, 20.150.090 and 20.150.110 to amend the applicable timeframe for reinstatement of a legal nonconforming use and eliminate the special use permit requirement;
(13) Amend Chapter 20.200, to incorporate minor revisions to existing definitions to Sections 20.200.030, ‘Accessory Structure’; 20.200.390, ‘Fence’; 20.200.670, ‘Corner lot’; 20.200.510, ‘Height; and 20.200.1225, ‘Streamlined review for infill housing development’; and
(14) Make other technical, non-substantive, or formatting changes within those Sections of Title 13 and Title 20 of the San José Municipal Code.
CEQA: Determination of Consistency with the Envision San José 2040 General Plan Final Program Environmental Impact Report (Resolution No. 76041) and Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Resolution No. 77617), and Addenda thereto. Planning Commission recommends approval (7-0-4, Bhandal, Nguyen, Rosario, and Oliverio absent) (Item 5.c on the October 8, 2026, Planning Commission agenda). (Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement)