CITY OF SAN JOSE BLDG SETBACKS

[wingding]

Does anyone know if the city of san jose uses the framing/face of conc for setbacks (like everywhere else)
or
do they go to finished surface (stucco, etc) ?

also

do they ask for a setback verification letter as is common in most bay area cities ?

Thank you

[Steve Choy, PLS]

Within the City of San José, these issues are managed by the Department of Planning Building and Code Enforcement (PBCE). I checked with one of the inspectors there and he replied as follows:

<We measure for set backs at the time of the foundation inspection and it is measured from the face of concrete.
<
<We normally do not ask for a Survey verification letter unless the property lines are not mark or not identifiable.

For future reference, the San José maintains a "Contact a Building Inspector" email for questions regarding building permits, codes, inspections or plan review:
Email: Infoinspector@sanjoseca.gov
or
Voicemail: 408-535-7641 Leave a message and they'll respond within two business days.

Hope this helps,

Steve Choy, PLS
City of San José, Dept. of Public Works

[wingding]

Thank you

I will use the email / question in the future and I will share it with my contractors

[PLS7393]

FYI,
I do not remember the last time I did not have to submit a Setback Certification Letter to the City of San Jose prior to the contractor receiving authorization to pour concrete, even with property corners set. or the foundation significantly away from the setback lines. They stated that they are not surveyors, so they need certification which puts 100% liability on the surveyor.