Research: How to Search for the Status of a Project

City of San Diego Development Services staff demonstrate how to search for the status of a project going on in your neighborhood.

Application Preparation Pt. 1: Getting Started with Online Permitting

City of San Diego Development Services staff demonstrates how to navigate, register for an account, and become familiar with services offered within the DSD online permitting section of the website.

Application Preparation Pt. 2: How to Prepare Construction Plans for Permit Submittal (AutoCAD to PDF)

City of San Diego Development Services staff demonstrate how to convert a construction plan to PDF format for permit submittal.

Application Preparation Pt. 3: How to Validate Plans in PDF Scout

City of San Diego Development Services staff demonstrate how to catch errors before uploading project documents online using PDF Scout.

Application: How to Verify Registration of Project Contractors and Subcontractors

This instructional video provides a step-by-step overview of updating contractor and subcontractor information required for projects in the online permitting portal.

Application: Enhanced Cloud Document Storage for Applications

Learn about the cloud storage solution DSD is using for application documents and how it helps customers access their application records.

Resubmittal: Generating a Report of Missing Documents in Recheck Required Status

This instructional video provides an overview of how to find the documents requested by the reviewer during an "Updates Required" or "Recheck" and how to name each document and upload them properly, so the project can be placed back into review.

Inspection: How to Manage Inspections for Your Project

This instructional video demonstrates how to schedule, reschedule, and cancel an inspection

Code Compliance: How to Submit a Building or Land Use Code Violation Online

Find out how to check if a property has an existing code complaint, how to submit a new one, and how to check on the progress of a complaint.

When is a Permit Required to Repair or Replace Drywall?

This video will briefly review when a permit is required to repair or replace drywall, which building application is needed to apply for a permit, the forms needed for the permit application and the average cost for homeowners.

Ministerial Permits

• User Guide – Apply for a Building Construction Permit
• User Guide – Apply for an Engineering Permit
• User Guide – Apply for an Individual Historical Resource Nomination
• User Guide – Apply for a Mills Act Agreement
• User Guide – Apply for a Permit Ready Letter
• User Guide – Apply for a Photovoltaic Permit
• User Guide – Apply for a Preliminary Review
• User Guide – Apply for a Simple Permit
• User Guide – Apply for a Standalone Permit
• User Guide – Apply for a Street Tree Permit
• User Guide – Apply for a Traffic Control Permit
• User Guide – Apply for a Transportation Permit
• User Guide – Apply for a Zone History Letter

Discretionary Permits

• User Guide – Apply for a Discretionary Permit

PTS Projects

• User Guide for Projects with "PTS" Numbers

Troubleshooting and How-To Guides

• Requirements for Digital Plans & Documents
• Troubleshooting – Inspections
• How to Make Payments Online
• How to Register for an Online Account
• Creating Linked Users (Delegates) for an Organization Account

How to Apply (by Permit/Review Type)

Apply for an Accessory Dwelling Unit

This webinar shows customers how to submit accessory dwelling unit building plans for a faster review. It also highlights the customer guide that provides step-by-step instructions to apply for a permit and provides an overview of a new tool that verifies PDF files uploaded as part of a permit application.

Apply for Building and Engineering Permits

This webinar shows customers how to apply and upload plans for Building, Grading, Right-of-Way, and Public Improvement Engineering permits, reviews a new customer guide that has step-by-step instructions on applying for a permit, and showcases a tool that verifies PDF files uploaded as part of a permit application.

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Apply for a Communications/5G Permit

The webinar highlights the online permitting portal and helps customers navigate each screen for a perfect 5G project submittal.

Apply for a Construction Noise Permit

Apply for a Deferred As Graded Permit

Apply for an Individual Historic Resource Nomination and Zone History Letter

This webinar highlights the new online permitting portal and helps customers navigate project submittals for Individual Historic Resource Nominations and Zone History Letters.

Apply for the Mills Act Program

This webinar highlights the online permitting portal and helps customers navigate each screen for a perfect Mills Act Program application submittal.

Apply for an Office Tenant Improvement Professional Certification Permit

Apply for a Preliminary Review

This webinar explains the purpose and stipulations of preliminary reviews and shows how to apply for one in the DSD online permitting portal.

Apply for a Spaces as Places Permit

This webinar provides an overview of the Spaces as Places program and addresses common questions from customers on application requirements for a streetary, promenade, active sidewalk, or outdoor dining on private property.

Application Tips and Guidelines

A Homeowner's Guide to Applying for Permits and Inspections

This webinar for homeowners explains No-Plan Building Permits, Simple Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Permits, Building Permits with plans, how to apply for a permit online, how to schedule an inspection, and what to expect from your inspector.

Check Your Sheet Numbering with the ePlanSNAPP Tool

This webinar describes the ePlanSNAPP tool and how it ensures that your plans meet our sheet numbering requirements, thereby reducing delays in project review.

Getting Assistance with DSD's Virtual Counters

In 2020, the Development Services Department (DSD) launched a Virtual Counter appointment system to keep information and resources readily available for residents and business owners during COVID.

This video demonstrates how to locate the Virtual Counter appointment page, types of appointments, common topics, and how to book an appointment.

How to Flatten Your PDF Files, Plans, and Forms

This webinar shows customers how to prepare PDF plans and forms before submitting an application for a permit.

How to Look Up Projects, Permits, Code Enforcement and Zoning

This webinar shows customers how to research information on existing projects, verify permit information, learn how to look up Code Enforcement information, and submit requests for investigations.

Managing Contractor Verification in an Online Permitting Account

This webinar familiarizes customers with the Transparency Ordinance, the process of verifying contractor and subcontractor licenses, program requirements, and helpful tips.

Sheet Numbering for a Faster Review

This webinar covers how to format building and engineering plans for a faster review.

Project Record Updates

Converting PTS Hybrid Projects to Online Permitting

Regulatory Updates and Guidelines

Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) Submittal Checklist

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Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) Requirements

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Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations in the City of San Diego

This webinar provides an overview of the latest changes to the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior ADU regulations and other recent amendments to the Land Development Code.
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Urban Parkway Guidelines

This workshop covers when and how a project triggers right-of-way improvements.
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City in Motion Trailer

Learn what City in Motion is about and meet your hosts, Gigi and Dave, from the City of San Diego Development Services Department.

Onward and Upward: DSD's Role in San Diego

Wondering what Development Services Department (DSD) is all about? In this episode Elyse Lowe, the department's Director, explains DSD’s functions and its role in assisting a wide array of customers in the City of San Diego. You'll also learn more about Elyse and her professional journey and hear how DSD defines development.

Department in Motion: How the Department Uses Technology to Adapt and Evolve

Connect with J.C. Thomas, Assistant Director of DSD, and learn about DSD’s digital transformation over the last four years. Prior to COVID, most of the department's work reviewing plans involved dozens employees looking at large bundles of paper with customers, and the City Operations Building where that happened was a beehive of activity. Now, that all happens online. Hear about how that change went down, what it looks like today, and plans for future technological evolution.

Look Out Below! Public Safety in the City of San Diego

In this episode, meet Ali Fattah, Assistant Deputy Director of our Building, Construction & Safety division, and learn about DSD’s commitment to public health, safety, and the general welfare of San Diegans. He will explain why the permitting and building inspection process is so crucial for the safety of our community and why you should care that it’s done correctly.

You Need a Permit for That? Commonly Overlooked Projects That Need to Be Permitted

Are you looking to start a DIY project at your home and wondering how to navigate the permitting process?

We will talk with Dan Scherer, Assistant Deputy Director of the Building, Construction, and Safety Division at DSD and learn about some commonly overlooked home projects involving mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work that require a permit.

We’ll also talk about the risks of inheriting unpermitted work as a home buyer, and what to do if you discover it on your property.

Part and Parcel: Exploring the Land Development Review Division

Many Development Services employees are specialists in a distinct area of development, and the Land Development Review Division, or LDR, is home to several of these specialty areas.

If your project plans include landscaping, planning, zoning changes, or impacts to the environment, members from LDR will be part of the review team looking at them.

In this season finale, we’re talking to Raynard Abalos, Deputy Director of the Land Development Review Division, to learn more about his division’s role within Development Services.

Part and Parcel: Exploring the Project Submittal, Customer Care and Employee Services Division

Our newly formed, service-focused division is dedicated to creating smooth customer interactions throughout DSD. This division includes four sections: Records, Project Submittal and Issuance, Safety and Talent Development, and the Customer Care Center.

Today, we’re talking with Leslie Gallagher, Deputy Director of Project Submittal, Customer Care and Employee Services Division, about the ins and outs of her division’s work.

Part and Parcel: Exploring the Building and Land Use Enforcement Division

Most employees in Development Services work on new project plans, verifying that they comply with relevant codes and regulations, which ensures public safety. But what if an existing structure or parts of it appear unsafe, not “to code,” or built entirely without permits? That’s where our Building and Land Use Division comes in. They respond to public reports of questionable construction, property safety hazards, and conditions that are harmful to quality of life.

Today, we’re talking to Leslie Sennett, Deputy Director of the Building and Land Use Enforcement Division, or BLUE, about the role her division plays in the community.