San Diego building permits

Requirements

• Check the exemption list first. The City directs applicants to 'review the list of projects in the San Diego Municipal Code 129.0203 exempt from a Building Permit.'
• 'Building construction plans and other documents must be submitted for review to ensure that construction projects comply with federal, state and local standards'.
• Historic review may be triggered by AGE ALONE: a project 'On a site containing a structure of 45 years or more.', 'Designated historic.' or 'In a historic district.' may require it.
• 'For modifications to buildings 45 years or older, submit a photographic survey and copy of the building record from the County Assessor .'

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding construction plansPrepared per the City's Requirements for Digital Plans and Documents, using the Building Permit Template.
• RequiredStorm Water Requirements Applicability Checklist (DS-560)The City lists it 'completed and signed for all projects except interior alterations.'
• OptionalWater Meter Data Card (DS-16)Listed as 'completed for any project that includes new or changes to plumbing fixtures'.
• RequiredProject Contacts Information (DS-345)Listed among the documents to obtain or complete for a building construction permit.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• 'Building construction plans and other documents must be submitted for review to ensure that construction projects comply with federal, state and local standards'.
• Professional Certification is limited by size and by who designed it: 'same-day permit for office tenant improvement projects up to 20,000 square feet that are designed by a licensed California architect or engineer.'
• 'After an application is submitted online, a virtual appointment is required to obtain the permit.'
• 'Hazardous Materials Reporting Form (DS-165) completed and signed for all non-residential projects'.

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding construction plans, calculations and (as required) a geotechnical reportSubmitted by facility type - the City separates 'Commercial, Industrial Buildings and all Other Structures' from single dwelling unit and duplex submittals.
• RequiredHazardous Materials Reporting Form (DS-165)Required for all non-residential projects, with exceptions the City lists (retaining walls, fences and others).

Fee schedule

Requirements

• WHO MAY HOLD IT IS RESTRICTED: the permit 'can only be issued to a licensed California State Contractor authorized to perform electrical installations or to the property owner or lessee.'
• 'Please ensure your proposed scope of work does not require a Building Permit .'
• Scope determines whether a simple no-plan permit or a plan permit applies; the City points to Information Bulletin 103.

Required documents

• RequiredOnline applicationSimple no-plan electrical permits for minor work are obtained online; plan permits follow the plan submittal route.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• The stated purpose is minimum-standards compliance: the permit exists 'to comply with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard public health, safety and welfare.'
• Scope decides the track: a plumbing/gas permit 'may be a Simple "No-Plan" Plumbing/Gas Permit or a Plan (required) Plumbing/Gas Permit .'
• Information Bulletin 103 determines whether the scope qualifies for the simple no-plan route.

Required documents

• RequiredOnline applicationSimple no-plan plumbing/gas permits are obtained online; plan permits follow the plan submittal route.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• 'Mechanical Permits ensure that projects comply with the minimum standards that help safeguard life or limb, public health, property and welfare.'
• Scope decides the track: a mechanical permit 'may be a Simple "No-Plan" Mechanical Permit or a Plan (required) Mechanical Permit .'
• The simple route is limited by the property's historic status - it is available 'for all non -historically or potentially designated properties only'.

Required documents

• RequiredOnline applicationHomeowners, property owners and licensed contractors can obtain a simple no-plan mechanical permit for minor installations.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• The sewer obligation stands on its own: the City notes work must be done in an approved manner 'regardless of whether a demolition permit is required.'
• 'A separate permit is not required to cap the sewer.'
• Historic review may apply where the project is on a site with a designated historical resource; see Information Bulletins 580 and 581.

Required documents

• RequiredInformation Bulletin 710 - Building Demolition/RemovalThe City's demolition/removal instructions.
• OptionalRequest for Building & Demolition/Removal Permit Extension, DS-117Used to extend a demolition or removal permit.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• The unit must be self-contained: an ADU 'is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence.'
• It 'must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same lot as the primary residence.'
• A JADU is a narrower category: it 'is a unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence.'
• OWNER-OCCUPANCY APPLIES TO ONE CASE ONLY: 'The JADU or single-family residence must be owner-occupied if the JADU shares sanitation facilities with the existing structure.'
• Size bands differ by type - the City's comparison table gives an ADU '150 - 1200 square feet' and a JADU '150 - 500 square feet'.

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding permit application (or Combination Building Permit)Which of the two issues depends on how many dwelling units the ADU work creates. The City also publishes Preapproved ADU Plans and an ADU Bonus Program.

Fee schedule