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Forms and Development Information

Codes, Regulations, Requirements

Adoption of the 2007 California Building Standards The 2007 edition of the California building standards were adopted by the California Building Standards Commission at their January 29, 2006 meeting. As a result the new construction codes were published on July 4, 2007 and will be effective at the local level for projects submitted on or after January 1, 2008.

  • Land Development Code (LDC)
    Includes chapters of the Municipal Code, new regulations in effect, pending amendments and amendment projects in early stages.

New Building Code Updates


2001 Construction Codes

  • 2001 New Building Construction Code: Construction permit applications submitted on or after Nov. 1, 2002, will have to comply with the new construction codes as well as approved amendments in the San Diego Municipal Code. Construction permit applications that are closed when a permit is not issued within 360 days of the initial application file date must be resubmitted as required in Section §129.0211 "Closing of Building Permit Application" of the San Diego Municipal Code. The department will determine the applicable codes based on the acceptance date of the submitted permit application and associated plans and documents. Permit applications submitted prior to the effective date of the new construction codes will be processed under the existing codes.

2007 Construction Codes

  • 2007 New Building Construction Code: Construction permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2008, will have to comply with the new construction codes. Construction permit applications that are closed when a permit is not issued within one year of the initial application file date must be resubmitted as required in Section §129.0211 "Closing of Building Permit Application" of the San Diego Municipal Code. The department will determine the applicable codes based on the acceptance date of the submitted permit application and associated plans and documents. Permit applications submitted prior to the effective date of the new construction codes will be processed under the existing codes.

Local amendments to the 2007 editions of the California Building Code, the California Fire Code, California Electrical Code, California Plumbing Code and the California Mechanical Code were approved by the San Diego City Council and the date of final passage of the adoptive ordinances was April 8, 2008.

Construction permit applications submitted on or after May 8, 2008, shall comply with the adopted local amendments to the San Diego Municipal Code. Construction permit applications that are closed when a permit is not issued within one year of the initial application file date must be resubmitted as required in Section §129.0211 "Closing of Building Permit Application" of the San Diego Municipal Code. The department will determine the applicable codes based on the acceptance date of the submitted permit application and associated plans and documents. Permit applications submitted prior to the effective date of the new construction codes will be processed under the existing codes.

These regulations are codified into Chapter 12 and Chapter 14 of the San Diego Municipal Code.


2005 Energy Efficiency Standards

  • California Climate Zones Map for City of San Diego (Revised November 2005) (PDF: 886K)
    Compliance with Title 24 is dependant on climate zones. This map shows the California Climate Zones within the City of San Diego. Only Climate Zones 7 and 10, which are referenced in the California energy manual, are within the City of San Diego limits. This map clarifies the borders between these two climate zones.
  • California Energy Commission New Duct Sealing Requirements (October 1, 2005)
    Mechanical permit applicants, especially in Climate Zone 10, need to pay attention to this letter. In general the coastal side of the City is in Climate Zone 7 and the eastern part is in Climate Zone 10, however for specific information for your permit's address contact the energy Commission at 1-800-772-3300.

Requests for the use of Alternate Materials, Design, or Construction Methods, and Board of Building Appeals and Advisors


Land Development Manual

Provides information to assist in the processing and review of applications. Volume I establishes requirements for the submittal of applications, including the identification of required fees and deposits. Volume II establishes development standards and guidelines used in the review of applications.


Land Development Code Chapters

Chapters 11-15 of the Municipal Code are referred to as the Land Development Code. These chapters contain the city's planning, zoning, subdivision, and building regulations.


Project Submittal Manual

The Land Development Manual, Project Submittal Requirements Sections 1-6, has been revised and will be effective March 2nd, 2009. More...

These requirements are provided to insure that all submitted projects contain sufficient information to allow a quality City staff review of the project for conformance with the Land Development Code, City policies, and with state and federal regulations. All approvals and permits granted by the City of San Diego for the development of land are covered by these requirements.


Revised Version Effective March 02, 2009.

Section Description Revision Date PDF File Size
Section 1 Guide to the Project Submittal Process March 2009 PDF: 179K
Section 2 Construction Permits - Structures March 2009 PDF: 259K
Section 2A Single Dwelling Unit/Duplex and Accessory
Structures
March 2009 PDF: 175K
Section 3 Construction Permits - Grading and Public Right-of-Way March 2009 PDF: 113K
Section 4 Development Permits/Approvals March 2009 PDF: 211K
Section 5 Subdivision Approvals March 2009 PDF: 159K
Section 6 Policy Approvals March 2009 PDF: 123K
 



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