Permit records

San Diego permit search

San Diego permit records are public. The jurisdiction publishes them through an online record search.

By Mario Bailey Last checked · 10 official sources

Project types verified
10
in San Diego
Search verified
12 Jul 2026
we opened it ourselves
The San Diego permit portal search screen
The San Diego permit portal as we captured it on .

If the permit does not turn up

Older permits are often missing from online records, and a permit filed under a contractor's name will not surface in an address search that expects the owner. City of San Diego Development Services Department can check the paper file.

What needs a permit in San Diego

Every project type we have verified in San Diego, with the rule, the threshold, and the fee that applies here.

ProjectPermit needed?ThresholdTypical fee
Deck PermitIt dependsdeck over 200 sq ft or over 30 inches above grade or attached to a dwelling requires a permitPer IB-501 Table 501C effective May 2026: Deck with pre-approved plans $1,148.29 plan...
Electrical PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedBilled per circuit or panel under IB-103 Table 2 effective May 2026: circuits 15-45 amps...
Fence PermitIt dependsfence over 7 feet in height requires a building permitFence or wall over 7 feet high is billed per 100 linear feet under IB-501 Table 501C...
HVAC PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedBilled per unit under IB-103 Table 1B effective May 2026: air handler or mini-split...
Patio PermitIt dependspatio cover accessory to a dwelling under 300 sq ft of projected roof area and no taller than 12 ft and not in a yard setback does not require a permitPer IB-501 Table 501C effective May 2026: Patio Cover with pre-approved plans $1,501.42...
Plumbing PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedBilled per fixture under IB-103 Table 3B effective May 2026: water heater $122.97...
Pool PermitIt dependsprefabricated above-ground pool 5000 gallons or less and under 18 inches deep is exempt; all other pools require a permitPer IB-501 Table 501C effective May 2026: Pool/Spa per master plan for a single dwelling...
Roof Replacement PermitIt dependsrenewal of roof covering without structural changes is generally exempt; permit required if structural work is needed or roof weight increases above 6 lbs per sq ftPer IB-501 Table 501C effective May 2026, cross-referenced from IB-123: roof...
Shed PermitIt dependsone-story detached accessory structure under 120 sq ft used as non-habitable storage does not require a permitNo dedicated shed line in the fee schedule
Solar PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedPer IB-301 effective May 2026: no-plan-review residential PV systems pay only a $275.80...

Everything we have verified about permits in San Diego