San Jose Zoning Decisions: January 2026

In January 2026, San Jose held 5 public meetings covering zoning matters. 14 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 13 approved (100% approval rate), 1 deferred. Activity was up 49% compared to December (167 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Tree Removal Permit at 1489 Saratoga Avenue

Approved.

Approved removal of one ordinance-sized coast live oak tree (176 inches circumference) located within the footprint of a proposed driveway for a new single family house at 1489 Saratoga Avenue. The tree conflicts with required access and staff determined no feasible design alternatives exist. One replacement tree required per city's 1:1 ratio. Multiple public speakers opposed removal citing environmental benefits, flooding concerns, and habitat loss. Applicant represented by Kevin K., architect Pearl Renicker.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Battery Energy Storage Facility at 6150 San Ignacio Avenue

Approved.

Conditional use permit approved for New Leaf Energy to install a 100-megawatt battery energy storage facility on approximately 5.5 gross acres at 6150 San Ignacio Avenue, approximately 700 feet southeast of Great Oaks Boulevard. The facility will consist of battery modules, inverters, and a collector substation, with extended construction hours including Saturdays 8AM-5PM. The site is currently used for vehicle storage which will be discontinued. Project found exempt from CEQA under state guidelines section 15183.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special Use Permit for Home Expansion at 525 Monair Avenue

Approved.

Approved special use permit (SP24-044) to allow expansion of illegal nonconforming 868 square foot single family house to 1,541 total square feet on approximately 0.12 gross acre site at 525 Monair Avenue.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Deferral of Utility Facility CUP at 0 Skyview Drive

Deferred.

Conditional use permit to allow construction of a utility facility at 0 Skyview Drive, applicant San Jose Water Company. Deferred because the project requires a variance that was not included in the original application. Expected to return at second February meeting with re-notice.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Downtown Residential Incentive Program Expansion

Approved.

Council approved expanding the Downtown Residential Incentive Program to include office-to-residential conversions with Phase 1 targeting 500 units and Phase 2 targeting 1,000+ units. Incentives include waiving in-lieu fees, deed-restricted unit requirements, construction taxes, and parkland in-lieu fees. Phase 1 deadline set for December 2027.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Multifamily Housing Incentive Program Phase 1 Extension

Approved.

Council approved extending Phase 1 of the Multifamily Housing Incentive Program, expanding the 50% construction tax reduction capacity from 1,800 to 3,600 units. Program has already catalyzed over 1,400 units under construction with another 2,000 expected.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Amendments

Approved.

Council approved amendments to the IHO adjusting AMI bands from 30-110% to 60-80% for on-site units at 15% of total units, with new alternative compliance option of 7% at 50% AMI or 5% at 30% AMI. Affordability term reduced from 99 years to 55 years to align with state law and LIHTC requirements. First 20 units exempted regardless of density.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

SB 79 Transit-Oriented Development Implementation

Approved.

Council directed staff to return in March with ordinance exempting industrial employment hubs from SB 79, including six areas totaling 250+ acres primarily in North San Jose and Old Edenvale. Staff also directed to analyze AB 130 impacts on historic resources.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 14 recorded zoning decisions. See all San Jose meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Industrial → Industrial (exempt from SB 79), Six areas totaling 250+ acres at North San Jose and Old Edenvale industrial areas (City of San Jose)
• Various commercial/residential → SB 79 TOD zones allowing higher density residential, Over 40,000 parcels affected acres at Downtown Planned Growth Area and transit corridors citywide (State of California (SB 79 implementation))

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 49 instances
• density: 38 instances
• commercial: 25 instances
• industrial: 20 instances
• land use: 14 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 63% from December.
• Density came up 100% more often than December.
• Commercial saw 150% more mentions month-over-month.
• Industrial is new this month with 20 mentions, not present in December.

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