County building permit guide
San Diego County, California building permits — complete guide (2026)
San Diego County Planning & Development Services handles building permits for unincorporated areas. Incorporated cities such as San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon operate separate permit systems.
Avg cost: $175–$1
000+
Processing: 3–10+ weeks
~35K permits/yr
~3.3M residents
$175–$1,000+Avg permit cost
3–10+ weeksProcessing time
~35,000Permits/year
ADU-friendly; city-dependentADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your San Diego County, California permit?
County PDS serves unincorporated areas. City addresses must use the correct city development services department.
Apply, check status, schedule inspections, and pay fees ↗
San Diego County, California Building Department
Yes
County of San Diego Planning & Development Services — Building Division
(858) 565-5920
Mon–Fri business hours; verify current counter hours
5510 Overland Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
Accela Citizen Access
Confirm whether the address is in unincorporated San Diego County or inside a city. Coastal-zone, wildfire, slope, septic, stormwater, and historic-resource review can add steps to residential permits.
Permit fees — San Diego County, California, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $700–$2,800 | 5–10 weeks | Seismic + fire zone compliance; CalGreen; grading permit needed |
| ADU | $250–$1,200 | 3–6 weeks | State law streamlined; pre-approved plans available |
| Roofing | $150–$450 | 1–2 weeks | Class A required in VHFHSZ; fire-resistant underlayment |
| Room Addition | $350–$1,500 | 3–7 weeks | VHFHSZ fire materials; geological review on canyon lots |
| Pool | $350–$1,000 | 3–6 weeks | Barrier fence required; grading/drainage plan for sloped lots |
| Solar | $100–$300 | 1–2 weeks | SolarAPP+ accepted; fire underlayment in VHFHSZ |
| Electrical | $100–$300 | 1–2 weeks | EV-ready conduit required in new garages |
| HVAC | $100–$280 | 1–2 weeks | Title 24 compliance; heat pump water heaters for new construction |
| Plumbing | $75–$225 | 1–2 weeks | Water recycling encouraged; low-flow enforced |
| Deck / Patio | $150–$500 | 2–5 weeks | Combustible decking restricted in VHFHSZ |
How to get a permit in San Diego County, California
1
Check fire hazard zone
Use SD County PDS ePlanning to confirm your zone. Nearly all unincorporated SD County is VHFHSZ.
2
Determine jurisdiction
Confirm SD County PDS, City of San Diego DSD, or one of 17 other cities. Each has its own portal and fees.
3
Coastal Commission check
Within ~1,000 ft of coast, Coastal Development Permit may be required. Start early — adds weeks.
4
Submit via ePlanning
Upload plans, pay fees, and track status online through the ePlanning portal.
5
Plan review
Fire, environmental health, and planning may add conditions near open space, canyons, or floodplains.
6
Schedule inspections
Online through PDS portal. Fire inspections handled by county Fire Marshal separately.
Jurisdictions within San Diego County, California
Special zone requirements
Very High Fire Hazard Zone
85%+ of unincorporated county
Chapter 7A requires ignition-resistant siding, Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, noncombustible zones.
Coastal Development Zone
~1,000 ft from Pacific
CDP required for most construction. Adds 2–6 months to timeline.
Seismic Zone 4
County-wide
All new construction requires seismic design per CBC 2022.
Frequently asked questions — San Diego County, California
Does SD County require permits for roofing?
Yes. VHFHSZ properties must use Class A fire-rated materials with fire-resistant underlayment beneath shingles.
How does ADU permitting work?
ADUs under 850 sq ft must be approved within 60 days. Pre-approved ADU plan program available. Owner-builders eligible.
SD County PDS vs. City of San Diego DSD?
County PDS serves unincorporated areas. City of San Diego uses DSD. 19 incorporated cities each have their own system. Use county GIS to confirm.
Special rules for canyon lots?
Yes — geological assessments, slope stability analysis, erosion control plans required. Projects near Significant Ecological Areas may need biological surveys.
Official sources: County of San Diego Planning & Development Services; Accela Citizen Access; 2025 California Building Standards Code; 2025 California Energy Code; U.S. Census BPS.