Background:

In 1988, the City Council adopted the Parkland Dedication Ordinance (PDO) to help meet the demand for neighborhood and community parks generated by the development of new residential parcels. In 1992, the City Council adopted the Park Impact Ordinance (PIO), which applied parkland dedication requirements to new units in non-subdivided residential projects.

Both the PDO and PIO require that new housing projects either dedicate land for public parks, pay a fee in lieu of dedication, or a combination of the two. The PDO is consistent with the requirements and procedures for the dedication of parkland by housing developers as set forth in the California law known as the Quimby Act, Section 66477 of the Government Code. The Parkland Dedication Ordinance is Section 19.38 of the San José Municipal Code. The Park Impact Ordinance is Section 14.25.

The PRNS Department has prepared a three-page handout outlining the process for fulfilling PDO/PIO requirements.

Current fees:

Adopted 2010 schedule of parkland fees

City Council resolution establishing the current parkland fees (April 20, 2010)

PRNS Dept. memo to City Council on adjustments to parkland fees (March 20, 2010)

Residential land value study supporting the adopted fees (August 2009)

If you need additional information about the PDO and PIO ordinances, please e-mail PRNS parks development staff.