Public Project Assessment
A Public Project Assessment (PPA) is an optional service for evaluating project feasibility on property owned, leased or maintained by the city. The process assists in determining whether a discretionary permit is required, establishing consistency with existing environmental approvals, or providing a stand-alone environmental determination. A determination will be documented and provided at the completion of the review.
Plan Your Project
What You Should Know
- The PPA will be assigned to a Discretionary Development Project Manager who will prepare a written response to your project-specific issues approximately five working days after the staff review is completed.
- The PPA will identify whether a discretionary permit is required and may provide a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination appropriate to the request. If you already know you need a Discretionary Permit or a Substantial Conformance Review for a previously approved Discretionary Permit, do not submit a PPA application.
- Check the Public Projects page to learn more about the Discretionary Review process.
- Your project may require a historical review to determine conformance with the Historical Resources Regulations if your project is located:
- On a site with a designated historic resource.
- Within a designated historic district.
- On a site containing a structure of 45 years or more.
- Please review Information Bulletin 581 for additional information.
Fees
If you are not a City of San Diego department, a Deposit Account/Financially Responsible Party form, DS-3242, will be required to open a deposit account with an initial deposit of $5,000 and applicable closeout fees. For more information, see Public Project Assessment - Information Bulletin 510.
Inspections
No inspections are required.
Exemptions
No exemptions apply.
Apply for a Public Project Assessment
Step 1
Review the Guide to Apply for a Discretionary Permit.
Step 2
Read the 
requirements for PDF file uploads.
Not following the PDF requirements will delay project review and approval.
Step 3
Download and complete the following forms:
- Your documents and plans listed under Submittal Requirements in the "Plan Your Project" section above.
- If you are not a City of San Diego department, Deposit Account/Financially Responsible Party (DS-3242) will be required to open a deposit account with an initial deposit of $5,000 and applicable closeout fees.
Step 4
Your PDF documents MUST meet our upload requirements. See Step 2 for more info.
Step 5
Apply for a Public Project Assessment
You must upload all the documents and plans from Step 3 at the time of application. Submitting without all the requirements will result in delays.