Overview
The City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) administers city building permits. San Diego County’s services cover a different jurisdiction; verify the property is within the City before choosing an application route.
Minor trade work
Simple MEP permits for listed eligible installations
Historic properties
Simple MEP route excludes historic districts/designations
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Electrical and private-garage EV installations
San Diego DSDApplicable Code
California electrical standards as adopted locally; use the current City code cycle and amendments.
License Requirement
CSLB C-10 electrical classification or another authorized license scope; qualifying owners follow DSD owner-builder verification.
License Fee
CSLB application and license schedule
CEUs
Check the specific state credential’s renewal obligations
Permit Fee
IB-103 May 2026: first five 15–45A circuits $176.57; circuits 6–10 add $52.39. Ten circuits = $228.96 inspection component; reviewed plans can add fees.
Plan Review Time
Listed minor electrical installations may use the online no-plan Simple Permit route.
Common Pitfalls
- Historic districts and designated historic properties do not qualify for Simple MEP.
- The listed EV charging scope is private garages; do not assume every EV project qualifies.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Check property
Confirm City jurisdiction, historic status and development approvals
Choose review
Simple MEP, standalone trade, building or fire application
Prepare submission
Use DSD’s manual, plans and owner/contractor documentation
Clear issuance
Complete requested checklist items and pay invoiced charges
Inspect systems
Coordinate DSD, special inspections and Fire-Rescue where required
Complete finals
Resolve corrections and confirm occupancy approval
Permit fees and worked estimates
Rates come from May 2026 IB-103 (MEP), May 2026 IB-506 (fire) and August 2026 IB-501 (building). MEP amounts below are listed inspection components; standalone plans add applicable review charges. Building fees depend on use and area, not one universal percentage. Add applicable general-plan, mapping, state, records, impact and outside-agency charges to the components shown.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and private-garage EV installations | IB-103 May 2026: first five 15–45A circuits $176.57; circuits 6–10 add $52.39. Ten circuits = $228.96 inspection component; reviewed plans can add fees. | CSLB application and license schedule |
| Plumbing, gas repairs and water heaters | IB-103 May 2026: water heater $122.97 each; gas system/leak repair first five outlets $264.25. Plan review and other required scope are additional. | CSLB plumbing classification application / license schedule |
| Furnaces, air conditioning and exhaust | IB-103 May 2026: first furnace/air handler $176.57, each additional $52.39; HVAC condensing unit $131.52 each. Separate electrical/HERS costs may apply. | CSLB specialty license schedule |
| Fire suppression, alarms and underground systems | IB-506 May 2026: new non-high-rise alarm first 20 devices $353.13 plan check + $353.13 inspection = $706.26. Additional device blocks/system charges are extra. | CSLB classification schedule plus any separate operational permit charges |
| Building and contractor coordination | IB-501 August 2026: SDU/duplex add/remodel through 500 sq ft $3,512.92 review + $2,228.29 inspection. General Plan $737 and mapping $12.16 give $6,490.37 subtotal before remaining charges. | CSLB building classification schedule |
Simple permits and owner-builder documentation
San Diego offers online no-plan Simple MEP permits for listed minor installations in single-dwelling units, duplexes and townhouses outside historic districts and without historic designation. The list includes certain circuit, equipment and piping work; tankless water-heater replacement is excluded. Owners doing the work or hiring separate contractors must provide the required owner-builder verification. Update contractor information for required projects before work begins or continues.
Choose your permit route
Use DSD’s Building Permit page to check permit exemptions and select the appropriate review service. Coordinate development approvals, separate trade work, construction changes and deferred submittals when the project requires them.
Submission checklist
Application and permit issuance
Use the City’s online permitting service, respond to plan-review comments and then supply the issuance documents requested by staff. Pay outstanding plan-check and issuance charges, and obtain the issued permit before starting permitted construction.
Codes and city amendments
DSD’s Codes and Regulations page links the California Building Standards Codes, San Diego Municipal Code and recent state and local regulations. Check local amendments and the application’s code-cycle requirements together; City guidance describes a transition for qualifying applications submitted before January 1, 2026.
Inspections and closeout
Follow DSD’s inspection scheduling instructions and prepare the site and approved documents for each required inspection. Coordinate fire and special-inspection approvals where required, resolve corrections and confirm final and occupancy approvals before using the completed space.