Development Services
The City's Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction (The "WHITEBOOK") is one of several manuals referenced below. The "WHITEBOOK" addresses the unique conditions in the City of San Diego that are not addressed in the "GREENBOOK." While it is used primarily used for Capital Improvements Program construction projects, any project which is proposing new public facilities -- including but not limited to streets, sidewalk, curb and gutter, pedestrian ramps and storm drain, or improving existing public facilities -- is required to adhere to these construction specifications.
The City's Standard Drawings is another manual referenced in the Grading and Right-Of-Way Plan templates. These drawings:
The purpose of these templates and format/instructions is not to replace the Project Submittal Requirements contained in the City's Land Development Manual. Use the standard plan sheet templates below for submitting plans for the project type listed, including the standard language needed for the submitted construction documents.
These plan sheet templates are provided in three formats:
These templates and format/instructions for grading and improvement plans pertain primarily to the Land Development Review (LDR) disciplines for projects submitted to secure an engineering permit.
Correct use of these templates can reduce the number of plan corrections returned by the Development Services Department. Altering the cover sheets -- other than adding information where specified -- may result in revisions being required before the plans can be approved.
The DWG and DXF Construction Plan CAD files have been provided as a convenience to individuals with the associated software. These templates MAY NOT BE MODIFIED FROM THE ORIGINAL LAYOUT AND CONTENT.
Construction plans are only permitted for specific minor standard public improvements. See Information Bulletin 165 for more information.
Specific instructions for the preparation of Grading and Improvement Plans are provided within the links labeled "Grading Sheet Format" and "Improvement Sheet Format", respectively (double-click on the "?" within the blue circles for information). It is highly recommended that these resources be examined in their entirety as they will eliminate the need for reviewers to comment on many non-engineering elements during plan review, which results in unnecessary delays in approval.
All D-Sheet drawings must be prepared by a professional with current State of California registration in the professional field necessary for the permit.
Some improvements may not require D-Sheet plans prepared by a registered professional and can be made on a Construction Plan (see above). Construction plans are only permitted for specific minor standard public improvements. See Information Bulletin 165 for more information.
NOTE: Grading and Improvement Plan Format Sheets and Templates have been prepared as part of a continuing effort to enhance the timely completion of the review and permit process for grading and public improvements. The intent is to guide an applicant or their representative through plan preparation for grading and public improvement drawings so that review costs are limited to the resolution of engineering-related issues.
A construction cost estimate is required for Grading and/or Right-of-Way Permits. Bonding and permitting fees are required according to the City of San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 01, Section 9 (§129.0119) and are based upon earthwork and improvement totals and the most current Unit Price List.
The "BOND EST" sheet of the spreadsheet calculates the inspection fees based upon Information Bulletin DS-502.
Estimates prepared in conjunction with D-Sheet grading and/or improvement plans must be prepared by a Civil Engineer (or Landscape Architect for landscape-only D-Sheet plans) with current registration in the State of California. An estimate prepared in conjunction with a construction plan (Form DS3179/3179B/3179C) is not required to be prepared by a registered professional unless a registered professional prepared the construction plan.
Use the following plan template when submitting for Wireless Communication Facilities that require building permit approvals including Spectrum Act. Using City-Standard templates is required to speed up the review and approval process.