Fee Schedule for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas Permits
INFORMATION BULLETIN
103
October 2023
IN THIS BULLETIN:
This information bulletin explains the process and fees associated with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) permits. Separate building and MEP permits are required for all non-residential and Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) construction. Each building must have its own MEP permit. Electrical permits are required for all electrical work except as exempted in SDMC Section 129.0303 of the Land Development Code. Mechanical and plumbing permits are required for all mechanical and plumbing work except as exempted in SDMC Section 129.0403 and 129.0404 of the Land Development Code.
Plumbing and Mechanical equipment, including water heaters, washing machines, air conditioner units and pool equipment shall not be installed in required side or rear yards of Residential Zones unless they comply with SDMC Section 131.0461(a)(5).
I. Required Documents and Outside Reviews
- Project Contact Forms
- A General Application form (DS-3032) must be submitted for Simple Permits.
- The Project Contacts Information form (DS-345) must be submitted at the time of permit issuance for all other permits.
- Owner-Builder Form
If the property owner is doing the work or is hiring different contractors, a separate Owner-Builder Verification form (DS-3042) must be signed by the owner before the permit can be issued.
- Circuit Card
A completed and signed City of San Diego Electrical Circuit Card (DS-1779) is required at the time of inspection of any electrical components or systems added to a single dwelling unit or duplex unless electrical plans, calculations or single-line drawings are included in the approved plans.
- HERS Rating
When a HERS rating is required, a HERS rater shall provide the test for which the rating is required and provide a report to the owner or contractor. This certificate is required to obtain final inspection approval. The companies or individuals providing HERS testing shall be certified. A list of the certified companies is available here.
- Historical Review
If your site contains a designated historical resource or is located in a historic district, plans will be required for review. Refer to Information Bulletin 581, Designated Historical Resource Review.
- Address Review
If an address has not been assigned, a site plan and an addressing review will be required. An additional $98.86 fee may be assessed for assigning an address.
- Food Establishment Wastewater Discharge (FEWD) Review
All new or replacement Grease Trap/Interceptors require approval from the Public Utilities Department. Refer to the Public Utilities website.
H. Building Permit and/or Structural Calculations Required
- Building Construction Plans are required to be submitted and a Building Permit is required when one or more of the following conditions are present:
- The supporting floor, roof and platform structure require alterations to accommodate support and anchorage of the equipment.
- Special instructions are required.
- Equipment is supported on a pad on grade.
- Structural Calculations are required to determine the anchorage of the equipment to the supporting ground, floor, roof and platform and to verify the adequacy of the supporting structural framing elements when one or more of the following conditions are present:
- Equipment weight exceeds 400 pounds.
- Center of gravity (mass) of the equipment exceeds four feet above the supporting base.
II. Options for Service
- Simple Permits - MEP
Items listed in the following tables that qualify for Simple Permits-MEP do not require plan review and can apply for permits through the online portal by selecting Simple Permits. Note that historical designated resources and projects in historic districts do not qualify for Simple Permits-MEP and must be submitted as a Standalone MEP permit with plans. If a project scope includes items that need plan review along with items that qualify for Simple Permits-MEP, the project does not qualify for Simple Permits–MEP and all items must be included in the permit scope to be plan reviewed.
- Standalone MEP with Plans
MEP permits that require plans and MEP permits related to a building permit must be submitted through the online portal. Select the specific permit type for requested standalone MEPs - Electrical, Mechanical or Plumbing Permits.
- Building Permits with MEP
Building Permits that contain MEP work must be submitted through the online portal by selecting Building Permit.
III. Fees
- Records Fee
This fee is assessed for all projects at issuance to recover the cost of imaging and archiving the documents in Records. If more than one approval is being issued under the same project at the same time, this fee will be charged once.
Records Fee - No Plan Permit.............. $35.48
Mapping Fee.......................................... $10.00
- Plan Check/Inspection Fee
Items identified, on the fee schedules, as requiring plans for non-residential and MDU construction (three or more units) will be reviewed prior to issuance of a permit. In most cases, the plan review occurs as part of a building permit application, and the inspection fees are assessed at that time. If a plan review is required, and one was not conducted as part of a building permit application, plans will be required, and a plan review fee will be charged per Information Bulletin 501, in addition to the inspection fees per the fee schedule.
Please note that plan check, inspection and records fees are non-refundable. See the Refund Policy noted within Refund Application Form DS-721 for additional refund information.
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Qualifies for Simple Permit—MEP |
Use |
Unit |
First |
Each Add'l Unit |
||||||||
No |
Hotels |
Per Guest Room |
$345.26 |
$69.35 |
||||||||
No |
Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) - New |
First 3 Units |
$345.26 |
- |
||||||||
Next 4 -50 Units |
- |
$103.29 |
||||||||||
Addl 10 Units over 50 |
- |
$517.89 |
||||||||||
No |
MDU Building - Remodel |
Each Unit |
$275.90 |
$33.94 |
||||||||
No |
Non-Residential Shell1 |
Per Floor |
$517.89 |
- |
||||||||
No |
Non-Residential Tenant Improvement—Ductwork Only2 |
Each 5,000 sf |
$172.64 |
$103.29 |
||||||||
No |
Parking Garage Exhaust System |
Each System |
$414.62 |
$103.29 |
||||||||
|
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Qualifies for Simple Permit—MEP |
Item3 , 4 |
Unit |
First |
Each Add'l Unit |
||||||||
Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse |
Non-Residential or MDU |
|||||||||||
New |
Repair/Replace in Kind |
|||||||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Air Handler |
Each |
$208.05 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Appliance Vent/Chimney |
Each |
$103.29 |
$33.94 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Boiler |
Each |
$172.64 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
No |
Chiller |
Each |
$275.90 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Condensing Unit for HVAC2 |
Each |
$138.70 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
No |
Cooling Tower |
Each |
$275.90 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
No |
Dryer Vent |
Each |
$138.70 |
$33.94 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Evaporative Cooler - Makeup Air Unit |
Each |
$138.70 |
$33.94 |
||||||
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Exhaust Fan |
Each |
$138.70 |
$33.94 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Fan Coil Unit |
Each |
$208.05 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Furnace/FAU/Wall Heater2 |
Each |
$138.70 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Gas System Leak Repair |
Each 5 Outlets |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Gas System/Meter |
Each 5 Outlets |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Heat Pump-Package Unit |
Each |
$208.05 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Heater-Unit/Radiant |
Each |
$138.70 |
$69.35 |
||||||
N/A |
No |
No |
Hood Type I and/or Duct |
Each |
$275.90 |
$103.29 |
||||||
N/A |
No |
No |
Hood Type II and/or Duct |
Each |
$172.64 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Mini-Split System (Condenser unit or Heat Pump and Air Handler) |
- |
- |
- |
||||||
No |
No |
No |
Variable Air Volume Box |
Each |
$208.05 |
- |
||||||
Add'l 5 Units |
- |
$69.35 |
||||||||||
Yes |
No |
No |
Walk-In Cooler/Condenser |
Each |
$172.64 |
$69.35 |
||||||
Table 1A and 1B Footnotes 1 Non-Residential shell fee shall be used when the shell building includes the heating/cooling systems. For shell buildings that do not include the heating/cooling system, each individual system shall be charged per Table 1B. 2 Replacement of these systems requires a HERS rating when more than 40 feet of duct is in unconditioned space. See Section I(C) for details. 3 A separate Building Permit is required when scope of work includes drywall, wood framing or replacing/installing new finishes in MDU or non-residential building. 4 A separate Electrical Permit is required if electrical circuits/devices are installed/modified in a MDU or non-residential building. |
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Qualifies for Simple Permit-MEP |
System |
Unit |
First |
Each Add'l Unit |
||||||||
Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse |
Non-Residential or MDU |
|||||||||||
N/A |
No |
Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) Service and Feeder1 |
Dwelling Unit |
$1,710.08 |
$78.21 |
|||||||
Yes |
Yes |
Circuits 15-45 Amps |
First 5 Circuits |
$272.97 |
- |
|||||||
Circuits 15-45 Amps |
6-10 Circuits |
- |
$78.21 |
|||||||||
Circuits 15-45 Amps |
Each add'l 10 circuits over 10, up to 50 |
- |
$78.21 |
|||||||||
Circuits 15-45 Amps |
Each add'l 50 circuits over 50 |
- |
$195.51 |
|||||||||
Yes |
Yes |
Circuits 50-200 Amps (includes panel upgrades up to 200 Amps) |
Each 3 Circuits |
$388.06 |
- |
|||||||
Yes |
Yes |
Circuits 225-400 Amps (includes panel upgrades up to 400 Amps) |
Each 2 Circuits |
$466.24 |
- |
|||||||
No |
No |
Circuits 450-1,000 Amps |
Each |
$544.45 |
- |
|||||||
No |
No |
Circuits 1,200 Amps or Larger |
Each |
$582.82 |
- |
|||||||
Yes |
Yes |
Conduit and J Box Only |
Each |
$194.77 |
- |
|||||||
Yes (Private Garage Only) |
No |
Electrical Vehicle Charging Systems in Private Garages (See Information Bulletin 187 for detailed information, including fees) |
||||||||||
No |
No |
Generator Only2 |
Each |
$222.13 |
- |
|||||||
No |
No |
Solar Photovoltaic (See Information Bulletin 301 for detailed information, including fees) |
||||||||||
N/A |
No |
Specialized Occupancy (e.g., healthcare, hazardous location)3 |
Each |
$388.06 |
- |
|||||||
Yes |
Yes |
Temporary Power Pole |
Each |
$311.33 |
- |
|||||||
Table 2 Footnotes 1 In addition to this fee, use “Circuits” fees for common area distribution circuits in an MDU building. 2 A Hazardous Materials permit from SDFD (see Information Bulletin 116) and a separate plumbing, building, and/or mechanical permit may also be required. 3 This fee is in addition to the electrical circuit fees and is required for specialized occupancies as identified in Chapter 5 of the California Electrical Code. |
|
|||||||
Qualifies for Simple Permit—MEP |
Use |
Unit |
First |
Each Add'l Unit |
|||
No |
Hotels |
Per Guest Room |
$345.26 |
$69.35 |
|||
No |
Laboratory (not including restrooms) |
Each 5 Fixtures |
$345.26 |
$69.35 |
|||
No |
Multiple Dwelling Unit Building (MDU - New) |
Each Dwelling Unit |
$345.26 |
$172.64 |
|||
No |
MDU Building - Remodel |
Each Dwelling Unit |
$345.26 |
$69.35 |
|||
No |
Non-Residential Kitchen |
Each 5 Fixtures |
$517.89 |
$172.64 |
|||
No |
Non-Residential Restrooms |
Each 5 Fixtures |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
|||
No |
Non-Residential Shell (not including restrooms) |
Each Floor |
$345.26 |
$172.64 |
|||
No |
Non-Residential Plumbing Tenant Improvement (not including restrooms or kitchen) |
Each Floor |
$345.26 |
$172.64 |
|||
No |
Parking Garages |
Per Floor |
$345.26 |
$69.35 |
|||
No |
Single Dwelling Unit/Duplex – Kitchen/Bathroom Remodel (Information Bulletin 203)1 |
Per Dwelling Unit |
$517.89 |
- |
|||
TABLE 3B: PLUMBING FEE SCHEDULE (PER ITEM) The following fees are for standalone permits (plumbing only) or for items that are not serving building uses listed in Table 3A. |
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Qualifies for Simple Permit - MEP |
Item2,3 |
Unit |
First |
Each Add'l Unit |
|||
Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse |
Non-Residential or MDU |
||||||
New |
Repair/Replace in Kind |
||||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Backflow Preventer-Domestic |
Each |
$103.29 |
$33.94 |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Drain-Repair/Replace (Roof, Deck, Area Drains) |
Per Floor |
$69.35 |
- |
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Gas System Leak Repair |
Each 5 Outlets |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Gas System/Meter |
Each 5 Outlets |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
|
No |
No |
No |
Gray Water Systems (Fees contained in Information Bulletin 208) |
||||
N/A |
No |
Yes |
Grease Trap / Interceptor4 |
Each |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Pressure Reducing Valve –Domestic |
Each |
$121.26 |
- |
|
No |
No |
No |
Private Utilities- Water/Sewer (Information Bulletin 182) |
First 100 LF |
$379.20 |
- |
|
Each Add'l 10 LF |
- |
$33.94 |
|||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Sewage Ejector |
Each |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
|
No |
No |
No |
Solar Water Heating System (Fees contained in Information Bulletin 209) |
||||
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Water Heater5 |
Each |
$172.64 |
$33.94 |
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Water Softener |
Each |
$103.29 |
$33.94 |
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Water Submeter |
Each 4 Submeters |
$103.29 |
$33.94 |
|
N/A |
Yes |
Yes |
Water/Waste Pipe Repair/Replacement – Non-Residential |
Per Floor |
$345.26 |
$172.64 |
|
Yes |
N/A |
Yes |
Water/Waste Pipe Repair/Replacement - Residential |
Per Dwelling Unit |
$345.26 |
$103.29 |
|
Table 3A and 3B Definitions and Footnotes Definition: Fixtures- Plumbing fixtures 1 This fee includes the cost of a no-plan combination permit for all plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work. Plans will be required if the scope of work includes any framing. 2 A separate Building Permit is required when the scope of work includes drywall, wood framing or replacing/installing new finishes in MDU or non-residential building. 3 A separate Electrical Permit is required if electrical circuits/devices are installed/modified in a MDU or non-residential building. 4 The FEWD "Plan Check List" must be provided at the time of inspection. See Item IF for details. 5 Replacement of a water heater to a tankless water heater requires plans and plan review for non-residential or MDU buildings.
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References
- San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC)
- Information Bulletin 116 Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Materials
- Information Bulletin 187 How to Obtain a Permit for Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
- Information Bulletin 203 No-Plan Building Permit
- Information Bulletin 208 Specifications for Gray Water Systems
- Information Bulletin 301 How to Obtain a Permit for Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems
- Information Bulletin 501 Fee Schedule for Construction Permits - Structures
- Information Bulletin 581 Designated Historical Resource Review
- Technical Bulletin RESD-5-1 Water Heaters
- Project Contacts Information DS-345
- Refund Application DS-721
- Electrical Circuit Card DS-1779
- Owner-Builder Verification DS-3042