Skip to main content

Development Services

Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program

The City of San Diego is committed to green and sustainable building practices. Following are links to Council Policies, Information Bulletins, Applications, Municipal Code sections and other information regarding sustainable policies and the Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program.

  • City of San Diego Sustainability Department
    Learn more about the Sustainability Department and its programs.
  • Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program, Information Bulletin 538
    This Information Bulletin provides basic information regarding the Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program.
  • Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program, Council Policy 600-27 
    This Council Policy describes expediting the development review process for sustainable buildings, defines those projects that qualify for expedited permit processing, and prioritizes projects in the event the expedite program's carrying capacity is exceeded.
  • Sustainable Building Policy, Council Policy 900-14 
    This Council Policy supplements Council Policy 600-27 and describes the City’s policies for expedited permit processing for sustainable buildings. Sustainable buildings utilize alternative energy resources and technologies such as photo voltaic to generate up to 100 percent of the electricity needed by the building and its occupants. The Council Policy also identifies guidelines to meet adopted General Plan goals for conservation and energy efficiency, including policies and standards for design, construction, and operation of new City buildings and City buildings proposed for major renovation.
  • Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program Form (DS-531) 
    This form is required to be completed and submitted by those applicants electing to enter into the Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program.
  • Deviations for Sustainable Building Projects
    Land Development Code §143.0920 allows an applicant for a sustainable building project to request deviations from the development regulations of the Land Development Code through a Process Four Site Development Permit.
  • Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems
    The City provides for over-the-counter plan check of residential solar photovoltaic roof systems with reduced plan check fees for all plans that are prepared per the City’s template. This link provides additional information regarding residential solar photovoltaic systems and plan templates for this expedited plan check service.
  • Timeframe- Standard vs. Expedite Processing
    This chart compares the timeframes used for standard discretionary permit processing durations vs. expedited discretionary permit processing duration. It demonstrates the discretionary Expedite Program goal includes permit processing durations approximately 50 percent fewer days vs. standard.