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Development Services

Codes & Regulations

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Land Development Code Updates

The Land Development Code (LDC) contains regulations for the development and use of property including zoning, subdivisions and other related land-use activities. Learn more about recently adopted LDC updates or amendments in process.

Local Amendments to the 2022 Codes

Local amendments to the 2022 editions of the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Fire Code, California Green Building Standards Code and the California Existing Building Code are published in Chapters 12 and 14 of the Land Development Code.

  • The 2022 California Building Standards Code is effective for projects submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2023.
  • Local amendments should be in effect approximately late April or early May 2023 pending City Council approval.

The local amendments are necessary to update existing regulations to comply with the 2022 code. For more information please see the following:

Local Amendments to the 2019 Codes

Local amendments to the 2019 editions of the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Fire Code, California Green Building Standards Code and the California Existing Building Code are published in Chapters 12 and 14 of the Land Development Code.

  • The 2019 California Building Standards Code is effective for projects deemed complete on or after Jan. 1, 2020.
  • Local amendments became effective May 9, 2020.

The local amendments are necessary to update existing regulations to comply with the 2019 code. For more information and to submit comments please see the following:

Local Amendments to the 2016 Codes

The State of California has adopted and amended the new building standard codes into the 2016 edition with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2017. Local amendments to the 2016 edition are in effect for construction permit applications submitted and deemed complete on or after Feb. 17, 2018. See PDF icon Ordinance # O-20896N.S. and  PDF icon O-20897N.S.

Local Amendments to the California Building Standards Code
Code (Part of Title 24) Local Amendments to State Building Standards Construction Permit Authority and Procedures

2016 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
(Part 2 of Title 24)

Local amendments to the California Building Code (City of San Diego Building Regulations) are published in Chapter 14, Article 5 of the Land Development Code.

The City of San Diego does not adopt Chapter 1, Division II of the 2016 California Building and codifies administrative regulations for construction permits in Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 PDF icon Article 9, Division 1, PDF icon Article 9, Division 2 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

2016 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
(Part 2.5 of Title 24)

Local amendments to California Residential Code (City of San Diego Residential Building Regulations) are published in Chapter 14, Article 9 of the Land Development Code.

The City of San Diego does not adopt Chapter 1, Division II of the 2016 California Residential Code and codifies administrative regulations for construction permits in Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 PDF icon Article 9, Division 1, PDF icon Article 9, Div 2 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

2016 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
(Part 3 of Title 24)

Local amendments to the California Electrical Code (City of San Diego Electrical Regulations) are published in Chapter 14, Article 6 of the Land Development Code.

The City of San Diego does not adopt Chapter 1 Division II of the 2016 California Electrical Code and codifies administrative regulations for construction permits in Chapter 11 and PDF icon Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 3 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

2016 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
(Part 4 of Title 24)

Local amendments to the California Mechanical Code (City of San Diego Mechanical Regulations) are published in Chapter 14, Article 8 of the Land Development Code.

The City of San Diego does not adopt Chapter 1 Division II of the 2016 California Mechanical Code and codifies administrative regulations for construction permits in Chapter 11 and the Plumbing/Mechanical permit procedures in PDF icon Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 4 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

2016 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
(Part 5 of Title 24)

Local amendments to the California Plumbing Code (City of San Diego Plumbing Regulations) are published in Chapter 14, Article 7 of the Land Development Code.

The City of San Diego does not adopt Chapter 1 Division II of the 2016 California Plumbing Code and codifies administrative regulations for construction permits in Chapter 11 and the Plumbing/Mechanical permit procedures in PDF icon Chapter 12 , Article 9, Division 4 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

2016 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
(Part 6 of Title 24)

Enforced as published with no local amendments.

Enforced in conjunction with the mechanical and plumbing regulations

2016 CALIFORNIA ELEVATOR SAFETY CODE
(Part 7 of Title 24)

Not enforced by the City of San Diego. Building Standards within the Elevator Safety Code (Part 7) will no longer be published in Title 24. These provisions will be published solely in the California Code of Regulations, Title 8. This Part of Title 24 will be vacant.

None.

2016 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
(Part 8 of Title 24)

Enforced as published with no local amendments.

Enforced in conjunction with the building regulations and building permit procedures.

2016 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
(Part 9 of Title 24)

Local amendments to the California Fire Code (City of San Diego Fire Code) are published in Chapter 5, Article 5 of the Municipal Code. 

The City of San Diego adopts Chapter 1, Division I and II of the 2016 California Fire Code. Administrative regulations for Fire permits issued for new construction are in PDF icon Chapter 12 Article 9 Div 9 of the Land Development Code.

2016 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
(Part 10 of Title 24)

Local amendments to the California Existing Building Code (City of San Diego Existing Building Regulations) are published in Chapter 14, Article 11 of the Land Development Code.

The City of San Diego does not adopt Chapter 1, Division I and II of the California Existing Building Code. The existing California Building Code is enforced in conjunction with building regulations and building permit procedures.

2016 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
(Part 11 of Title 24)

Local amendments to the California Green Building Standards Code (City of San Diego Green Building Regulations) are published in Chapter 14, Article 10 of the Land Development Code.

The City of San Diego does not adopt Chapter 1, Division I and II of the California Existing Building Code.The existing California Building Code is enforced in conjunction with the building regulations and building permit procedures.

2016 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
(Part 12 of Title 24)

Enforced as published with no local amendments.

Enforced in conjunction with the building, electrical, fire, mechanical and plumbing regulations and associated permit procedures.

Effective Dates of Construction Codes

The California Building Standards Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations) - including errata and supplements - are enforced by the City of San Diego for projects whose construction permit applications are deemed complete on or after the PDF icon effective date. For additional information or copies, contact the City Clerk at 619-533-4000.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

  • Notices & Documents - Notices and reports to concerned citizens or interested persons regarding the decision of impact findings on the environment. Not all documents may be available for viewing online. In addition, graphics, exhibits and attachments such as technical reports may not be available online.
  • Notices of Rights to Appeal Environmental Determinations (NORA) - Notices of environmental determinations made by City staff, the City Hearing Officer and the City Planning Commission that may be appealed to the City Council in accordance with PDF icon San Diego Municipal Code Section 112.0520.
  • Final Documents - Many of the environmental documents are large and are therefore difficult to obtain and read from a cell phone. Tablets or computers are recommended for optimum viewing capability.