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San Diego building permits

Building permits in San Diego are issued by the City of San Diego Development Services Department1. You can apply and request inspections online through sandiego.gov2.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Building department contacts
  2. Do you need a permit in San Diego? Common projects
  3. Building codes in force in San Diego
  4. San Diego building permit fees
  5. How to get a building permit in San Diego
  6. Permit expiration and extensions
  7. Inspections in San Diego
  8. Building without a permit in San Diego
  9. Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
  10. California rules that also apply in San Diego
  11. Sources

Building department contacts

City of San Diego Development Services Department1

Building permits

Apply online
sandiego.gov2
Address
7650 Mission Valley Road, MS# DSD-1A, San Diego, CA 92108
4
Hours
Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-4 p.m. (in-person services closed 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)4
Inspections
858-581-7111 (24/7 automated line) or online5

Building & Land Use Enforcement Division (DSD)1

Code enforcement

To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: opendsd.sandiego.gov6.

Do you need a permit in San Diego? Common projects

Each project below has its own page with San Diego's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.

ProjectPermit needed?Key limit in the city rule
FenceDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this height: 7 feet7
DeckDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this area: 200 square feet7
ShedDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this area: 120 square feet7
RoofDepends on size or scopeLike-for-like replacement exempt? Yes7
PoolYes–
Water heaterYesLike-for-like replacement exempt? No8

Building codes in force in San Diego

These are the model codes San Diego enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see California building codes.

CodeTitle as adoptedModel editionEffective
International Residential Code (IRC)2025 California Residential Code (as amended by SDMC)920241011
International Building Code (IBC)2025 California Building Code (as amended by SDMC)1220241011
National Electrical Code (NEC)2025 California Electrical Code (as amended by SDMC)1320231011
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)2025 California Plumbing Code (as amended by SDMC)1420241011
Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)2025 California Mechanical Code (as amended by SDMC)1520241011

Adopted by: O-22080 N.S. (effective April 22, 2026)9.

San Diego building permit fees

Fees come from the Information Bulletin 501, Fee Schedule for Construction Permits-Structures16, effective 16.

How valuation is set. Table-based (project type and square footage); valuation per IB 101 used for state fees16.

Each line is worded as in San Diego’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).

FeeTypeAs the schedule states it
General Plan Maintenance FeeFlat fee$737.0016
Mapping FeeFlat fee$12.1616
Lead Hazard Prevention Fee (structures built before 1978)Flat fee$58.0016
Fee Collection - Other Agencies / DepartmentsFlat fee$17.11 per project16
State/Seismic FeeState surcharge13 cents per $1,000 valuation (1-2 story residential)16
Building Standards Fee (state)State surcharge$4 per $100,000 valuation, min $116
Res-SDU/DUP Add/Remodel (Table 501A)Per square footPlan check $3,512.92 base (1 sq ft) / $3,512.92 + $6.98 increment (500 sq ft base); inspection $2,228.29 / $2,228.29 + $4.4616
Repair/Replace In KindPer inspectionInspection $529.71 each building16
Permit Extension (plan review)Flat fee$353.1316
Inspection, Hourly-DSDPer inspection$176.84 per hour16
Enhanced Inspections: Late Night/Weekend/Holiday; Before or After HoursAfter-hours inspection$264.87/Hr (late night/weekend/holiday); $529.74/ea (before or after hours)16
Express Plan CheckExpedited reviewAdministration fee $793.95 plus 1.5 times the regular plan check fee16

How to get a building permit in San Diego

  1. Check whether the work is exempt (SDMC §129.0203)7
  2. Submit the application electronically through the online portal17
  3. Plan review by the Building Official7
  4. Permit issued after approvals and fee payment7
  5. Schedule inspections before covering work5
  6. Final inspection before occupancy and use18
Apply online
Yes17
Over-the-counter permits
No-Plan Building Permits (IB 203) and Simple (no-plan) MEP permits17
Posting the permit
Inspection record card posted on site18

Permit expiration and extensions

How long a permit lasts
12 months7
Extensions
One 180-day extension for circumstances beyond the permit holder's control; a second 180-day extension possible under §129.0219(d)7

Inspections in San Diego

San Diego’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).

  1. Inspection before work is covered or concealed18
  2. Final inspection18
  3. Virtual inspection (single-family, duplex, townhome qualified items)5
How to schedule
At least one day in advance; online or 858-581-71115
Re-inspection fee
May be assessed (amount not stated in IB 120)2
After the final inspection
Certificate of Occupancy (not issued for site-built single-family or duplex structures)2

Building without a permit in San Diego

ConsequenceApplies toAs the city states it
Criminal penalty SDMC §§121.0311, 12.0201Violations of the Land Development Code (including Building Regulations)19Fine up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in County Jail20
Civil penalty SDMC §12.0803Any violation of the Municipal Code or applicable state codes21Daily rate up to $10,000 per violation; max $500,000 per parcel or structure per calendar year (CPI-adjusted, plus 5% admin fee)21
Daily fine SDMC §12.0908Administrative citations, each violation observed on a property22Any amount up to $10,000 per day22
Stop-work order SDMC §121.0309Work contrary to the Land Development Code19Stop Work Order (no fine amount)19
Removal order SDMC §129.0219(e)Permit void after suspension/abandonment with no extension7New permit within 90 days or removal/demolition within 180 days of written notice7

For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.

Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)

Homeowner may pull a building permit
Yes23
Homeowner electrical work
Yes24
Homeowner plumbing work
Yes8
Sale or rental limits
Owner-builder of single-family structures may not build with intent to sell unless licensed subcontractors do all work and no more than four structures per calendar year, or a licensed general building contractor performs the work25
Affidavit or declaration
Yes17

California's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the California permit guide.

California rules that also apply in San Diego

Sources

  1. About UsCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Information Bulletin 120: Project InspectionsCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Contact UsCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
  4. Locations and HoursCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
  5. InspectionsCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  6. RecordsCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  7. SDMC Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 2: Building Permit ProceduresCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  8. SDMC Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 4: Plumbing/Mechanical Permit ProceduresCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised May 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  9. SDMC Chapter 14, Article 9, Division 1: Adoption and Applicability of the Residential Building RegulationsCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised April 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  10. Guide to Title 24, 6th EditionCalifornia Department of General Services, Building Standards CommissionPublished July 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  11. Codes & RegulationsCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
  12. SDMC Chapter 14, Article 5, Division 1: Adoption and Applicability of the Building RegulationsCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised April 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  13. SDMC Chapter 14, Article 6, Division 1: Electrical Regulations adoptionCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised April 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  14. SDMC Chapter 14, Article 7, Division 1: Plumbing Regulations adoptionCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised April 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  15. SDMC Chapter 14, Article 8, Division 1: Mechanical Regulations adoptionCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised April 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  16. Information Bulletin 501: Fee Schedule for Construction Permits-StructuresCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentRevised August 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Information Bulletin 203: No-Plan Building PermitCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentRevised July 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  18. SDMC Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 1: General Construction Permit ProceduresCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  19. SDMC Chapter 12, Article 1, Division 3: General RemediesCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised March 2021Checked November 6, 2026
  20. SDMC Chapter 1, Article 2, Division 2: Criminal ViolationsCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised April 2008Checked November 6, 2026
  21. SDMC Chapter 1, Article 2, Division 8: Administrative Civil PenaltiesCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised July 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  22. SDMC Chapter 1, Article 2, Division 9: Administrative CitationsCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised July 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  23. Information Bulletin 211: Residential DecksCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentRevised April 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  24. SDMC Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 3: Electrical Permit ProceduresCity of San Diego, San Diego Municipal Code (docs.sandiego.gov, Office of the City Clerk)Revised May 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  25. Form DS-3042 Owner-Builder Acknowledgement and Information VerificationCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentRevised August 2023Checked November 7, 2026