How To Get A Building Permit For Residential Buildings In San Diego

The California law requires you to have a building permit to keep property and life safety and ensure safety, general welfare, and public health. You need this permit to build, expand, change, convert, demolish, move, or repair a structure. Other tasks that require a permit include mechanical, electrical, grading and plumbing works. 

But, how can you obtain a building permit for residential buildings in San Diego, California? Worry no more! This enlightening article will take you through the steps to follow to get this permit. 

Let’s get started! 

Step 1

The first step entails exploring and estimating fee costs before you prepare the plans. Some of the fee costs to consider include park fees, building construction permit fees, and transportation impact fees. 

Step 2

Here, get a legal lot, engage the land, DEH, fire, and Zoning to learn about the requirements that can interfere with the proposed project. Also, determine the setback requirements. 

Step 3

Here, develop a plot plan and two complete supporting documents and building plans based on zoning regulations, code requirements, and more other provisions. 

Step 4

Use the PDS Grading design template to develop grading plans if your project needs a PDS grading permit. For larger-sized grading tasks, get in touch with the Land Development to learn about the requirements. 

Step 5

Get the BPPR approvals by submitting all supplemental details and building plans to the BPPR counter. 

Step 6

Arrange a project submittal appointment as highlighted by BPPR. 

Step 7

This step entails completing the Grading Permit Process and Building Permit Application at the Construction Division. Fill out the application’s applicant portion and read and fill out form PDS 421 if you plan to build something. 

Step 8

Visit the Construction Division during the planned appointment time and submit the permit application and building plans. 

Step 9

This step involves getting the design check fee invoice and paying the fees. 

Step 10

Go through all the documents you receive at the plan submittal, including the approval conditions. Not that a plan check remains valid for one year from the submission time. 

Step 11

This step involves getting the needed clearances as highlighted by the approval conditions. 

Step 12

The County staff reviews the plans to ensure they comply with ordinances & codes. Generating correction lists by the County specialties is another task done in this step. 

Step 13

The project contact individual receives a notification after plans get reviewed. They also get updated on when to pick them from the Construction Division counter.  

Step 14

This step requires you to correct all the plans’ noted deficiencies and marks specified on the plans. After this, reprint the plans you have updated and then retain the original sets. 

Step 15

Return the response lists, the correction lists, the old plans,  and corrected plans for a recheck. 

Step 16

Forward the plans verified by the County specialties to have them approved and stamped. 

Step 17

Return the approved and stamped plans and signed-off correct lists to the Construction/Building Division. Submit evidence confirming that all approval conditions for permit allocation have been met. 

Step 18

In this step, you get the permit invoice and pay all the applicable fees. 

Step 19

In this step, you get the building permit, the inspection record card, supporting documents, and approved, stamped plans. 

Step 20

Here you start the construction process and call the county office for inspections. 

Step 21

The country building inspector approves all the subsequent constructions. As a result, you need to call for inspections immediately after starting the building process. 

Step 22

You’re required to follow the approved plans when constructing the projects and submit any change to the County staff for reviewing and approval. 

Step 23

You must pass all the required inspections to get an occupancy certificate.

In case you have architectural, structural, and MEP design requirements, feel free to contact us.  We provide you with the full permit set design + T24.