Standards for other emergency housing.
San José Municipal Code § 5.09.420
in effect5.09.420 - Standards for other emergency housing.
A. Existing Buildings for Emergency Housing. Existing residential and nonresidential buildings or structures shall be permitted to be used as emergency housing, and emergency housing facilities provided such buildings or structures comply with the building code provisions and/or other regulations in effect at the time of original construction and/or alteration. Existing buildings or structures used as emergency housing shall not become or continue to be substandard buildings, as determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. New additions, change of occupancy and alterations to existing buildings shall comply with the requirements of the California Building Standards Code effective at the time of addition, alteration, or change of occupancy, except to the extent subsection B applies.
B. Existing Buildings During Shelter Crisis. When existing residential and nonresidential buildings or structures occupied as an Emergency Bridge Housing Community during a shelter crisis, the provisions of subsection A shall apply except that: (i) the new construction requirements of the California Building Standards Code shall apply only to and/or within the specific area of the addition or alteration and (ii) changes in occupancy shall not mandate compliance with the new construction requirements of the California Building Standards Code, provided the new occupancy meets the minimum fire and safety requirements as determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, including the requirements of Section 5.09.430.
C. Emergency Transportable Units. Emergency transportable units shall be permitted to be used as emergency housing, emergency housing facilities and for emergency bridge housing communities. Any alteration of such units shall be approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development, except where copies of the alteration plans have been submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development for review, and when such alteration and use is determined by the Building Official and City Fire Marshal to be compliant with applicable fire and life safety provisions set forth in this Chapter.
(Ord. 30199.)
Source: City of San José, Municipal Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT5HO_CH5.09EMBRHO_PT4DEST_5.09.420STOTEMHOFetched: 11/1/2026