Demolition defined.
San José Municipal Code § 20.80.420
in effectFor the purpose of this part, "demolition" means removal of more than fifty percent of the exterior walls of a building. A. A wall, or portion of a wall, is deemed "removed" when its structure is removed or moved to another location or elevation on site, or when the wall is enclosed behind newly constructed space. B. For the purposes of calculating the amount of exterior walls removed, the remaining exterior walls must be contiguous. C. Removal and replication of framing and/or siding for purposes of repair only does not constitute removal or demolition. (Ords. 26248, 26455.)
Source: San José Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinancesFetched: 7/25/2026