Building permits in San Diego County, California
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in San Diego County, 5 need a permit outright and 5 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in San Diego County
Planning & Development Services (PDS), Building Services Division
- 5510 Overland Ave., Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92123
- Phone: 858-565-5920
- Email: pdsbuildingpermitcounter@sdcounty.ca.gov
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in San Diego County
San Diego County runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in San Diego County
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in San Diego County, 5 need a permit outright and 5 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | A deck needs a building permit when it is more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, or sits over a basement or story below, or forms part of an accessible route. | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) publishes no line item named "deck." Under... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Electrical work needs a permit; exemptions are limited to minor repairs, low-voltage signal wiring not over 25 volts between conductors, and connecting a portable appliance to an existing permanently installed receptacle. | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) line item "Electrical Only": Permit Fee... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Fences and freestanding masonry walls over 6 feet in height need a building permit; open fences up to 8 feet are also exempt if the uppermost two feet is only barbed or razor wire on angled supports. | PDS 613 Schedule of Building Construction Permit Fees (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Mechanical work needs a permit; the county exempts only minor service work such as replacing a faulty control, valve, drier or filter, or repairing equipment without removing it from its installed position. | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) line item "Mechanical Only": Permit Fee... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Patio covers and carports accessory to an individual dwelling unit need a building permit once projected roof area exceeds 300 square feet. | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) names patios in its over-the-counter... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Plumbing and gas work needs a permit; the notable exemption is a replacement water heater with no change to the unit type or servicing utilities when installed by a California licensed plumbing contractor. | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) line item "Plumbing Only": Permit Fee $392.00... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | The only exempt pool is a prefabricated pool accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling that is less than 18 inches deep, holds no more than 5,000 gallons, and sits entirely above ground; everything else needs a permit. | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) line item "Swimming Pool/ Spa": Plan Review Fee... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) names re-roofs in its over-the-counter... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | One-story detached non-habitable accessory structures such as tool or storage sheds need a building permit once floor area exceeds 120 square feet. | PDS 613 (effective 07/10/2026, FY 25/26) bills a permitted shed under "Residential... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | The county's Getting Started with Solar Photovoltaic page states that "Currently, the... |
Planning a project in San Diego County?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project