San Diego County, California Building Permit Guide

The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) Building Services Division issues building permits for residential and commercial structures in the unincorporated areas of the county. The County Permit Center, 5510 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA 92123, 1st Floor (Suite 110), has the Building, Zoning and Land Development counters and is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This guide covers unincorporated San Diego County and, briefly, the City of San Diego. Building Services’ own line is (858) 565-5920; (858) 694-2960 is the PDS interactive phone directory. Fees are from PDS 613, effective 07/10/2026.

What San Diego County checks a permit against

County permits are checked against the California Building Standards plus the County’s amended building standards, the San Diego County Grading Ordinance, the County Zoning Ordinance, the County Consolidated Fire Code and the County Consolidated WUI Code.

Who handles permitting in San Diego County?

San Diego County permit costs and fees

From PDS 613 (FY 26/27, effective 07/10/2026):

• Single-family dwelling or duplex: plan review $2,310 + $0.357/sf; permit $2,547 + $0.222/sf.
• Over-the-counter miscellaneous permit (minor remodel or repair with no structural change, patio, carport, fence, re-roof, stairs and similar): $405 plan review plus $521 permit.
• Swimming pool/spa: $266 plus $955. Demolition: $215.
• Trade-only permits: $392 for electrical, plumbing or mechanical only, $498 for any two trades, $734 for all three.
• Roof-mount photovoltaic: $292 online or $345 in person. EV charging station: $151.

Encroachment permits in San Diego County

Work in a County road right-of-way needs an encroachment permit under Section 71 of the County code. Applications go to the PDS Land Development Counter, 5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92123, (858) 694-2055. The fee is $217.00 and a renewal $87.00. Other than for public agencies and utilities, these permits are revocable on five days’ notice. Work on a state highway needs a Caltrans encroachment permit from District 11.

Septic systems and wells in San Diego County

Septic systems (OWTS) are handled by the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ), whose OWTS customer service counter moved on December 1, 2025 from the PDS building to 5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 110.

Well Completion Reports must reach DEHQ within 60 days of finishing work (San Diego County Code 67.447). For well permits approved on or after July 1, 2026, if a report is more than 180 days late the driller or consultant gets no new well permits until all overdue reports are in.

How to get a building permit in San Diego County

A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with PDS Building Services on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California

Inside the City of San Diego

The City of San Diego issues its own building permits through its Development Services Department (DSD), main in-person office 7650 Mission Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92108; customer service 619-446-5000, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. City inspections are booked online or on the 24/7 automated line, 858-581-7111, at least one day in advance; online booking needs the project’s Inspection Contact #.

Official San Diego County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• PDS Building Services
• PDS contacts
• PDS 613 building fees (PDF)
• Encroachment permit brochure (PDF)
• DEHQ septic systems
• DEHQ water wells
• Caltrans encroachment permit offices
• City of San Diego DSD locations and hours

Frequently asked questions

What does a re-roof permit cost in unincorporated San Diego County?

A re-roof is one of the over-the-counter miscellaneous permits in PDS 613: $405 plan review plus $521 permit.

Is the solar permit cheaper online?

Yes. PDS 613 lists a roof-mount photovoltaic permit at $292 online or $345 in person.

Where is the County septic counter now?

At 5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 110. DEHQ moved it there from the PDS building on December 1, 2025.

Simplify San Diego County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check whether the parcel is in a city or on county land, and which county offices beyond Building must sign off
• Line up septic, well, encroachment and fire approvals so they do not hold up the building permit
• File in the county portal, track review rounds and book inspections against the county’s cut-off times

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about San Diego County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.