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Permit Center Information
Welcome to the Planning Department
The Planning Department prepares, maintains, and implements the City’s General Plan, associated Specific Plans, and other planning and policy documents that guide the physical development of the community. Department staff assists residents, businesses, designers, developers, and architects to understand and follow the City’s policies and regulations for development, including the General Plan, the Main Street/Gateway Specific Plan, the Milpitas Metro Specific Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance.
The Department collaborates with other City departments to administer other development policies and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Department promotes informed decision-making by facilitating community and neighborhood meetings, as needed, and providing administrative support to the Planning Commission.
In response to Santa Clara County’s Public Health Order, the Permit Center remains closed to public visitation. We are working remotely to continue important services. Thank you for your patience.
The following table shows how to contact us for a range of services. This table is subject to change.
| SERVICE | CONTACT |
| General Questions | Email PlanningDepartment@ci.milpitas.ca.gov Main Phone: (408) 586-3279 |
| Tree Removal Permits | Email PlanningDepartment@ci.milpitas.ca.gov with your plan sets and necessary information, use Tree Removal Permit Application to apply. |
| Planning Permits & Development Intake | Email PlanningDepartment@ci.milpitas.ca.gov with your plan sets and necessary information. |
| Search the website | For resources such as forms checklist and application the Municipal Code, and major project updates. |
| Communicate with your project planner | All applications are assigned to a single planner who will guide you through the entire process, from the preliminary concept phase to building occupancy. Direct all communications to your assigned planner for an efficient response |
| Planning Fee Payment | Pay online with a credit card, pay via e-check. You will need the Permit/Project Number P-SD, MS, UPXX-XXXX) |
Planning Initiatives
The City of Milpitas constructs various planning documents and guides in order to direct and articulate its vision for the future of Milpitas. These guides and policies are formulated by its professional and experienced planning team in the Planning Department with input from other municipal, regional, and state officials; nonprofits and local businesses; and community organizations and residents. These planning initiatives range from the all-encompassing Master Plan to development-based transportation studies. For more information, please see the contact information below.
Multi-Family and Non-Smoking Policy
The City of Milpitas received a grant from Santa Clara County to develop and implement a comprehensive no-smoking policy for all multi-unit housing. Please follow this link for more information and details on the grant.
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Policy to Implement Senate Bill 743
The City of Milpitas needs to align with State Guidance and CIty Policy. Please follow this link for more information and details on Milpitas VMT.
Temporary Outdoor Businesses Registration and Guidelines
The City of Milpitas will allow the temporary use outdoor areas for business activities or small public gatherings consistent with the current Santa Clara County Health Order and the COVID-19 Industry Guidance issue by the State of California. Business owners must submit an application to register their outdoor business activities with the City of Milpitas. No fee will be charged for registration, and same-day approval will be possible for most applications.
Please submit completed applications to PlanningDepartment@ci.milpitas.ca.gov, and staff will contact the applicant if additional information is needed.
Temporary Outdoor Business Registration Form
Outdoor Personal Care Services Guidelines
Milpitas Metro Specific Plan
The Milpitas Transit Area Specific Plan is a plan for the redevelopment of an approximately 437-acre area in the southern portion of the City that currently includes a number of industrial uses near the Great Mall shopping center. Based on City Council direction, the Draft Preferred Plan currently proposes redevelopment of this area with 7,109 dwelling units, 993,843 square feet of office space, 340 hotel rooms and 287,075 square feet of retail space centered around the proposed Milpitas BART station and the VTA Light Rail system.
As of early 2019, the City has undertaken an effort to update the TASP to enrich the scope and character of development in the Specific Plan. The updated document is called the Milpitas Metro Specific Plan (MMSP). With leadership and expertise from the City’s consultant, Urban Field Studio and their partners, the City is updating goals and strategies to reflect current and future needs for the next 20 years in the Plan area. To follow the progress that has been made so far and is yet to come, please follow this link to the Metro Plan (www.milpitasmetro.org).
Milpitas General Plan 2040 and FEIR
City Council Hearing - Tuesday, March 9th at 5:30pm
Agenda: To be posted on or before March 4th
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://ci-milpitas-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6xYkopveTG206X_zo9bHpQ
The Milpitas General Plan is a long-range planning document that is considered the City’s “constitution” or blueprint. Over the past four years, the City has been developing a new General Plan based on extensive input from community residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. The new Plan will be used to guide growth and development, traffic patterns, housing, and resources conservation over the next 20 years. Please visit the project website at www.milpitas.generalplan.org to review the new General Plan and to find out about upcoming meetings.
A copy of the Draft General Plan can be downloaded here (pdf).
The Draft EIR can be downloaded here (pdf).
CEQA documents can be accessed here.