Development Services
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Book a Virtual or In-Person Appointment
If you need help getting started to plan, permit or build a project in the City of San Diego, the Development Services Department (DSD) is here to help. For detailed reviews and responses or for written determinations, DSD provides a Preliminary Review service. For more information on this service, please review Information Bulletin 513.
You can now book free virtual (online) or in-person counter appointments at the City Operations Building to get direct assistance from a DSD representative, who will be able to answer questions about the City of San Diego building and development requirements.
You can schedule a virtual counter appointment during normal business hours, choosing from available meeting times and services. All appointments are conducted using Microsoft Teams.
We look forward to serving you and using new tools and technology at #DigitalDSD, a proactive initiative to modernize all workplace systems and cost-effectively leverage technology to increase productivity and improve service delivery to customers.
Preparing for a Virtual Meeting
Before your appointment, remember to:
- Have a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access.
- The virtual counter appointments will be conducted using Microsoft Teams. Please familiarize yourself with this virtual meeting platform. Download Microsoft Teams
- The use of webcams during the virtual counter appointment is optional.
- During the virtual counter appointment, DSD representatives can share their computer screens.
- Be prepared to share your computer screen and electronic project documents during the virtual counter appointment in Microsoft Teams.
- You will not be able to email files before, during or after meetings.
- Organize and plan for your virtual counter appointment, have an agenda, and prepare all your questions in advance.
Appointment Types
In-Person Services
The City Operations Building is currently CLOSED to the public and employees, impacting some in-person services. 
Learn more.
These in-person appointments are for customers to make payments for DSD-generated invoices* and fees in person using:
- Checks.
- Cashier checks.
- Money orders.
- Credit cards. Accepted credit card payments include Mastercard and Visa.
Disclaimers
- Appointments are limited to a max of three invoices per 15-minute appointment slot. If you have additional invoices, please schedule another consecutive appointment. For more than 20 invoices, you may be referred to the online payment portal.
- Water and sewer invoices must reflect the same date as the appointment. Invoices without the correct date will require staff to generate a new invoice, which may exceed the 15-minute appointment time. When this occurs, customers will be required to wait in the lobby until a new invoice is generated and the corresponding payment is processed.
*Payments with an "SAP Invoice Number" are not accepted here. These invoices can be paid with the City Treasurer. Learn more.
15 minutes
If your paper plans are ready for pick-up, staff will contact you to schedule a pickup time and date. Alternatively, if your digital plans are ready for pickup, please download them directly from the online permitting portal.
Records Review (In-Person Appointments)
These meetings are for customers who need to review archived building plans or records. Complete an online form to request an appointment.
When viewing records, you are not permitted to make copies, tracings, or take photographs or videos.
Appointments will be held on the 2nd Floor; facial coverings are recommended when in the facility.
Parking is available at Evan V. Jones Parkade for a fee.
30 minutes in-person at the City Operations Building
Virtual Serviceslanning & Zoning Appointment
These meetings provide general information on planning and zoning regulations, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), development permit regulations, signs, and zoning regulations. This service provides clarification on specific regulations and is recommended before submitting permit applications.
- ADUs and Junior ADUs
- Affordable Housing
- Coastal Overlay Zone development
- Complete Communities: Housing Solutions
- Discretionary Permits and Approvals
- Environmentally Sensitive Lands
- SB 9 – Multi-Dwelling Unit Development and Urban Lot Splits
- Signs – Commercial businesses and places
- Zoning – Base Zone Development and Use Regulations.
View specific zones, overlay zones and other property information. If you have questions about a specific project number, please contact the individual reviewer(s) directly.
15 minutes
For customers seeking information on or who have planning, zoning or development review questions about projects located within the Downtown Community Plan area only.
If you have questions about a specific project number, please contact the individual reviewer(s) directly.
15 minutes
For customers considering historic designations, preservation of a property, building or other structure, or need assistance with a potential historical issue.
Please book an appointment with Records Review (In-Person Appointments) to review archived building plans or records.
If you have questions about a specific project number, please contact the individual reviewer(s) directly.
30 minutes
Landscape and Brush Management
For general information related to the landscape and brush management regulations.
View property information to assist you with landscape and brush management evaluations. If you have questions about a specific project number, please contact the individual reviewer(s) directly.
30 minutes
Permit Issuance (For Projects Signed Off by All Reviewers.)
Permit Issuance: Building Permit - With Plans
If the permit was issued prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
Important Reminders
- If applicable, all water/sewer and school fees must be paid PRIOR to permit issuance.
- If applicable, a Waste Management Form must be submitted to the Environmental Services Department PRIOR to permit issuance.
45 minutes
Permit Issuance: Building Permit - No Plan
If the permit was issued prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
30 minutes
Permit Issuance: Demolition Permit
If the permit was issued prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
30 minutes
Permit Issuance: Standalone Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Permits with Plans
If the permit was issued prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
Important Reminders
- If applicable, all water/sewer fees must be paid PRIOR to permit issuance.
30 minutes
Permit Issuance: Sign Permit
If the permit was issued prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
30 minutes
Project Setup: Building Permit - With Plans
These meetings are for applicants who have a project number (PRJ-XXXXXX) for a Building Permit with plans for both submitted or Rapid Review processes.
The PRJ number may not be substituted after the appointment is scheduled. If your project was set up prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
45 minutes
Project Setup: Building Permit - No Plan
These meetings are for applicants who have a project number (PRJ-XXXXX) for a Building Permit that does not require plans per Information Bulletin 203 for Completion of Work and/or Final Only.
The PRJ number may not be substituted after the appointment is scheduled. If your project was set up prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
30 minutes
Project Setup: Demolition Permit
These meetings are for applicants who have a project number (PRJ-XXXXXX) for a Demolition Permit per Information Bulletin 710. Demolition/Removal Permit is required for complete demolition and/or removal of any structure, including the decommissioning of Wireless Communication Facilities.
The PRJ number may not be substituted after the appointment is scheduled. If your project was set up prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
30 minutes
Project Setup: Standalone Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Permits with Plans
These meetings are for applicants who have a project number (PRJ-XXXXX) for a Standalone MEP that requires plans and review per Information Bulletin 103 and does not qualify for Simple Permit MEP.
The PRJ number may not be substituted after the appointment is scheduled. If your project was set up prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
30 minutes
Project Setup: Sign Permit
These meetings are for applicants who have a project number (PRJ-XXXXXX) for a Sign Permit per Information Bulletin 111. The PRJ number may not be substituted after the appointment is scheduled.
The PRJ number may not be substituted after the appointment is scheduled. If your project was set up prior to the Virtual Appointment, please remember to cancel the appointment. If your appointment is no longer required, staff will automatically cancel it.
30 minutes
Right-of-Way/Engineering Permits
These meetings are for customers that need assistance with grading, drainage or a public-improvement projects in the public right-of-way, including:
- curb, gutter or sidewalk replacements;
- retaining walls three feet or less in height;
- repair or replacement of driveways;
- sidewalk underdrains;
- utilities such as water, sewer, gas and electric lines; and
- encroachments.
If you have questions about a specific project number, please contact the individual reviewer(s) directly.
30 minutes
Small Business and Restaurant Assistance Program
These meetings are designed to help qualified small businesses and restaurants with their planning and permitting needs, making it faster and easier to get the permitting, construction and inspection help they need for a speedy recovery.
45 minutes
Structural Recheck – Individual Appointment
Schedule a structural recheck appointment when the structural reviewer for a project lists an appointment as the following review method. These meetings must be with the specific reviewer assigned to a project.
Important! Before Scheduling an Appointment:
- Resubmittals – the revised plans and comment responses – must be uploaded into Accela before scheduling a Structural Recheck Appointment.
- The designer responsible for preparing construction documents must participate in the Structural Recheck Appointment.
45 minutes
Book a Structural Recheck Appointment Now
Is your structural reviewer booked-up?
Contact the reviewer or his/her supervisor.
Don't see your structural reviewer? Send us an email.
For customers who are planning to close traffic lanes, sidewalks, parking areas and parking meters; process traffic control and dumpster permits for construction; want to apply for a Temporary Outdoor Business Operations permit, or who have questions about traffic control in the City's right-of-way.
If you have questions about a specific project number, please contact the individual reviewer(s) directly.
30 minutes
Virtual Inspections (Single-Family, Duplex and Townhouse Project Types)
Virtual inspections, using the Microsoft Teams conferencing platform, are conducted with customers at the job site and a City inspector reviewing qualified single-family, duplex and townhouse project types listed below remotely.
- Air Handlers
- Appliance Vent/Chimney
- Backflow Preventor - Domestic
- Boiler
- Chiller
- Condensing Unit for HVAC
- Drain – Repair/Replacement
- Dryer Vent
- Electrical panel and circuits up to 400 Amps
- Electrical vehicle charging stations
- Exhaust Fan
- Furnace/FAU/Wall Heater
- Gas System Leak Repair
- Gas System/Meter
- Heat Pump
- Heater
- Mini-Split Systems
- Pressure Reducing Valve - Domestic
- Reinspection of minor corrections
- Rooftop-mounted solar photovoltaic
- Sewage Ejector
- Temporary power
- Water heaters
- Water Softener
- Water/Waste Pipe Repair/Replacement
30 minutes