San Diego building department

The City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) issues building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing/gas, demolition, grading, right-of-way and sign permits for property inside San Diego city limits. Other incorporated cities in the county (Chula Vista, Oceanside, El Cajon and others) and unincorporated areas served by San Diego County Planning & Development Services issue their own permits. All new permit applications are submitted online through the City’s Accela portal.

Work that does not need a building permit

San Diego Municipal Code §129.0203 lists exemptions. They do not apply to historical resources, sites with environmentally sensitive lands that need a development permit, or unreinforced masonry buildings. Common residential exemptions:

Project	Exempt if
Tool/storage shed, playhouse	One story, detached, projected roof area of 120 sq ft or less
Fence (not a pool barrier)	7 feet tall or less
Retaining wall	3 feet or less from top of footing to top of wall, with no surcharge
Deck (CRC buildings)	200 sq ft or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving a required exit door
Patio cover (single dwellings in RS/RX zones)	300 sq ft or less of projected roof area, 12 feet or less above grade, not in a required yard, not in the Coastal Overlay appealable area
Reroofing	The existing roof structure, including the roof diaphragm, is not altered
Replacement windows/doors (1–2 family homes, townhouses)	Same rough openings, no changes to the weather-resistive envelope, and not required to be fire-resistive
Minor repairs	Like-for-like maintenance of $1,000 or less in aggregate valuation, not affecting electrical or mechanical work
Painting, flooring, cabinets, outside paving	No valuation limit

Exempt work still has to comply with zoning and other codes, and separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits may still apply.

How to apply

1. Choose the record type. Combination Building covers single dwelling units, ADUs and duplexes. Building covers multi-dwelling, commercial and industrial buildings. Building Construction – General covers other general construction.
2. Prepare PDF plans that follow DSD’s Requirements for Digital Plans and Documents. Validate them with the Scout tool and check sheet numbering with ePlanSNAPP before uploading. Non-compliant files delay review.
3. Include the required forms:
   • Title 24 energy forms (except interior alterations)
   • the Storm Water Requirements Applicability Checklist (DS-560)
   • a Water Meter Data Card (DS-16) if plumbing fixtures change
   • Project Contacts Information (DS-345)
4. If the building is 45 years old or more, include a photographic survey and the County Assessor building record for historic review.
5. Create an Accela profile and apply.

Faster review options

• Rapid Review (formerly over-the-counter) costs nothing extra. Staff assign it at submittal based on scope. Eligible projects include:
  • first-floor single-dwelling or duplex additions up to 750 sq ft
  • interior remodels and garage conversions
  • carports and patio covers built to City standard designs
  • single-wall-type retaining walls up to 6 feet
  • deck and stair repairs
  • office/retail tenant improvements up to 10,000 sq ft on no more than two floors
• Express Plan Check costs an administrative fee plus 1.5 times the regular plan check fee.
• Professional Certification gives same-day permits for office tenant improvements up to 20,000 sq ft designed by a California-licensed architect or engineer. A virtual appointment is required.

Simple (no-plan) MEP permits

Homeowners and licensed contractors can get a Simple Permit online for minor mechanical, electrical and plumbing work in single-dwelling units, duplexes and townhouses outside historic districts. Examples include water heater replacements (not tankless), furnace or A/C swaps, added circuits, EV chargers in private garages, and sewer or gas line repairs. Contractors get the permit as soon as they apply and pay. Owner-builders must upload Owner-Builder Verification Form DS-3042 and normally receive the permit within two business days.

Fees

Information Bulletin 501 (August 2026 edition) is the building permit fee schedule. Plan check fees are paid at submittal and inspection fees at issuance. Fixed amounts in the bulletin include:

• a $737 General Plan Maintenance Fee, charged once per project for any project needing plan review
• a $12.16 mapping fee
• a $58 Lead Hazard Prevention fee on building and demolition permits for pre-1978 structures

State seismic fees are charged per $1,000 of valuation. Impact fees are due by final inspection. Separate bulletins cover MEP fees (IB 103) and fire permit fees (IB 506). Plan check fees are non-refundable, but inspection fees may be refunded. Pay online, or by in-person appointment at Mission Valley. Development Impact Fees must be paid in person by check payable to “City Treasurer.”

Codes in effect

The 2025 California Building Standards Code applies to projects submitted on or after January 1, 2026. San Diego’s local amendments are in Chapters 12 and 14 of the Land Development Code. Amendments to the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code go in Chapter 5, Article 12 of the Municipal Code.

Inspections

• Schedule online 24/7 in Accela using your Inspection Contact #, which works as a PIN. You can also use the automated line at (858) 581-7111.
• Grading and right-of-way inspections: (619) 446-5242.
• Standard inspections must be booked at least one day ahead. They are performed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• If you leave a phone number in “Comments for Inspector,” the inspector will call before 10 a.m. with a time window.
• For scheduling problems, call (858) 581-7111 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday–Friday.
• Virtual inspections over Microsoft Teams are available for some single-family, duplex and townhome work.

Permits applied for before March 1, 2021 (or July 19, 2021, for some types) are scheduled through OpenDSD instead of Accela.

In-person service

The Mission Valley office (7650 Mission Valley Road) is the main counter, and most services require an appointment. Front-counter hours:

• Monday–Thursday: 8–11:30 a.m. and 12:30–3 p.m.
• Friday: 10–11:30 a.m. and 12:30–3 p.m.

All in-person services close from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Downtown office at 550 West C Street, 12th floor, serves pre-scheduled appointments only.