How to Obtain a Permit for State of California Approved Modular Buildings

This information bulletin is to explain the policy of the City of San Diego concerning the use and permitting requirements of modular units that are approved by the State of California.

A commercial modular building is a structure transportable in one or more sections, designed and equipped for human occupancy and non-residential uses. Typical uses are for offices, classrooms, and public assembly.   Commercial modular buildings can also be used as comfort stations serving public parks, as well as retail shopping centers, electrical utility rooms and other uses. The commercial modular unit can consist of one or several modules that are placed side-by-side and/or stacked.

Commercial modular buildings shall be approved by the State of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The State of California checks construction plans and specifications and inspects for all relevant code requirements which include type of construction, occupancy classification, light, ventilation, exiting, and accessibility by persons with disabilities within the commercial modular structure.

Commercial modular buildings are required to comply with the California Building Standards Code and compliance is verified through Design Approval Agencies (DAA) and compliance of manufactured in accordance with plans approved by DAA are inspected by a Quality Control Agencies QAA. Both QAA and DAA are third party agencies approved by HCD through the Factory Built Housing Program.

Site specific and installation requirements at a particular site are subject to approval of the local Building Official who is responsible for installation inspections including interconnection between commercial modular unit and their connections to site constructed foundations and other support structures.

When located in the very high fire hazard severity zone, commercial modular buildings are required to comply with the ignition resistant building standards in the California Wildland Urban Interface Code.

I. State Approval 

Each commercial modular building shall bear a State of California insignia that identifies it as a commercial modular unit approved for the specified use and occupancy.

While plans approved by a DAA are generally not required for 1-story single or multiple wide commercial modular units forming buildings, plans approved by a DAA may be required for multi-story buildings and for buildings that do not include Group B or E occupancies used for office or educational uses.
State approvals by DAA are shown on the approval stamp and the approval date is only significant if the commercial modular building was not manufactured prior to the expiration date.

Examples of DAA approval stamps on plans for commercial modular buildings.

Example of insignia affixed to commercial modular units.

II. When is a Permit Required?

A Building permit is required for the installation and use of commercial modular buildings. In addition, an Electrical and a Plumbing permit  is also required for inspection of the electrical and plumbing systems' point of connection to the commercial modular building.

Exceptions:

1. The commercial modular building is to be used for temporary construction offices or watchmen’s quarters on any site for which an application for a building permit or land development permit has been submitted to the City, or on any site incidental to construction authorized by a subdivision work order, special permit, public improvement permit, City contract, or City franchise for the period of construction, or
2. The commercial modular building is to be used strictly for temporary and transient, non-residential use limited to not more than 16 hours at any one location and not in violation of any other regulations. See San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC), §98.0202.

The City of San Diego will not plan-check State of California-approved commercial modular building, decks, ramps, stairs, and foundation systems for code compliance, provided that such structures conform to the intended occupancy classification, use, purpose and other specifications as approved by the State. The City will, however, check for site requirements such as location on the site, distance of exterior wall surface to property lines and to other buildings on the site, fire resistance protection of exterior walls and openings, site accessibility (parking and route of travel to the commercial modular building coach entrance), foundation system water and sewer connections, and applicable zoning regulations. Any alterations, modifications, revisions, and repairs to the State-approved commercial modular building, deck, ramp, stairs, or foundation system are not allowed and shall only be reviewed and approved by the State of California Department of Housing & Community Development.  

III. Submittal Requirements

For more information, refer to Section 2 of Project Submittal Manual.

A. Forms

1. Project Contacts Information, DS-345.
2. Water Meter Data Card, DS-16 (if commercial modular building contains any plumbing fixtures).
3. Hazardous Materials Reporting Form, DS-165.
4. San Diego Regional Hazardous Material Questionnaire, HM-9171.
5. Stormwater Requirements Applicability Checklist, DS-560.

B. Plans

A commercial modular building installation project requires all new plans to be in digital format (PDF) of the following building construction plan packages:

1. Site Plan and Vicinity Map. For more information, refer to Information Bulletin 122.
2. Foundation plan, foundation structural calculations and geotechnical investigation report. Refer to Section IV Foundation System below for additional information.
3. Floor plan showing all plumbing fixtures.
4. Deck framing plans, connection details and specifications, whether approved by the State or not.
5. Ramp framing plans, connection details and specifications, whether approved by the State or not. Refer to Section VI for Ramps, Stairs, Decks and Section VII for accessibility in this information bulletin for additional information.
6. Elevations with dimensions are recommended when Planning and Zoning regulations require transparency, building articulation or other architectural design features.
7. Landscape Plan. For more information, refer to the Landscape Plan Review section.
8. Historic Resource Review. If the project site contains a structure that is 45 or more years old AND is not a designated Historic Site/Structure or within a Historical District, see Information Bulletin 580, Potential Historical Resources Review, for additional submittal requirements. The submittal of deck and ramp framing plans may be deferred. For more information, refer to Information Bulletin 188.

C. Information on Plans

Provide, in a table format, the following information on the first sheet of plans:

1. Scope of Work. The Title Sheet of Plans shall have a brief statement specifying the scope of the work of the project, clearly identifying each structure that is State of California-approved. For example, the scope of work includes the installation of one State of California-approved commercial modular building on a State of California-approved foundation system.
2. Sheet Index. List all the sheets included in the plan package.
3. Project Team. List the name and phone number of all design professionals, including engineers, architects, and designers.
4. Legal description and Assessor Parcel Number(s) for the property on which the development is proposed.
5. Owner’s name(s) and address(es).
6. Existing and proposed uses.
7. Zoning Designation and/or overlay zone designations (Coastal, Coastal Height Limit, Airport Influence Area, etc.).
8. Any approved development permits (discretionary permits) for the project.
9. Type of Construction per the California Building Code as specified on the insignia and of the commercial modular building proposed.
10. Occupancy Classification(s) per the California Building Code as specified on the insignia and of the commercial modular building proposed.
11. The Building Code year used for the design of the project.
12. The overall height of the commercial modular building from the top of the grade to the highest point of elevation.
13. The gross floor area and floor area ratio (if applicable).
14. Condition of soil (undisturbed, compact fill, or loose fill) when the proposed construction includes new foundations.
15. Landscape area square footage for water conservation purposes.
16. Total area of disturbance.

IV. Foundation System

A permanent foundation system is required for a commercial modular building unless otherwise specified in a State-approved foundation system. The plans for the foundation system, which provides support for the commercial modular building, must be included in the project plans. Foundation plans shall provide details and specifications for footings, vertical support elements, connections to the commercial modular building, lateral-load (shear) transfer and lateral-load resting support elements. The foundation system may be approved by the State or designed by a California-licensed civil engineer or architect.

1. State-Approved Foundation System
   If State-approved plans for the foundation system are utilized, they shall bear the State approval stamp and date.
2. Designed Foundation System
   If the foundation system is not approved by the State, the foundation plan and structural calculations shall be prepared by and bear the registration stamp and date of a California-licensed civil engineer or architect.
3. Geotechnical Report
   A geotechnical investigation report may be required to be submitted as required by the SDMC, Chapter 14, Article 5, Division 18.

V. Ramps, Stairs, Decks

Commercial modular building that include site constructed exterior decks, stairs or ramps to access the parking level or to other commercial modular building, complete foundation plans, framing plans, details, specifications, and structural calculations shall be included as part of the plans submitted to the City for review for compliance with applicable building code provisions and other regulations. Such elements may either be included as part of the plans approved by the State or included as part of the plans submitted to the City for review and approval. State-approved plans shall bear the State approval stamp and date. If such elements are not approved by the State, plans and structural calculations shall be prepared and bear the registration stamp and date of a California-licensed civil engineer or architect.

VI. Accessibility 

Accessible route of travel shall be provided from the public right of way and/or parking to the commercial modular building in compliance with the accessibility provisions of Chapter 11B of the governing State of California Building Code. This includes walkway, parking stall(s), ramps, stairs, decks, and the commercial modular building. Ramps, stairs and decks are required to be accessible by disabled persons and shall comply with the accessibility requirements of Chapter 11B of the California Building Code.

VII. Options for Service

Plans for a commercial modular building require a Building Permit and must be submitted electronically through the online portal by selecting Building Permit.

VIII. Fees

1. Building Permit Fees
   Refer to Information Bulletin 501, "Fee Schedule for Construction Permits-Structures" for all applicable fees.
2. Plumbing/Gas, Electrical Fees
   All electrical, plumbing/gas installations conducted outside of the commercial modular building require a permit from and shall be inspected by the City of San Diego. See Information Bulletin 103, "Fee Schedule for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas Permits" for fees.
3. Water and Sewer Fees
   Water and sewer capacity fees are due when the commercial modular building contains plumbing fixtures and/or the property will be irrigated. See Information Bulletin 501, "Fee Schedule for Construction Permits-Structures" for fees.

References

• San Diego Municipal Code, (SDMC).
• Project Submittal Manual, Section 2.
• Information Bulletin 103, Fee Schedule for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas Permits.
• Information Bulletin 116, Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Materials.
• Information Bulletin 122, How to Prepare a Site Plan and Vicinity Map.
• Information Bulletin 188, Deferred Submittals.
• Information Bulletin 501, Fee Schedule Construction Permits - Structures.
• Information Bulletin 580, Potential Historical Resource Review.
• Project Contacts Form, DS-345.
• Owner-Builder Verification, DS-3042.
• Water Meter Data Card, DS-16.
• Hazardous Materials Reporting, DS-165.
• Storm Water Requirements Applicability Checklist, DS-560.
• San Diego Regional Hazardous Materials Questionnaire, HM-9171.