Building Permits in San Diego County, California
Adopted Construction Codes
These are the state-level code editions for California. They apply in San Diego Countyunless a verified local adoption or amendment is noted — in local-adoption states, confirm the city or county's own code editions with the building department.
Permit Requirements
Statewide baseline under the codes as adopted by California. Local amendments and fee schedules for San Diego County are being verified — use the building department contacts to confirm before you build.
Exemptions: Under 2022 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) Section R105.2, a building permit is required for residential work except a specific exemption list: one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 sq ft, fences not over 7 feet, retaining walls not over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing) without a surcharge, water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons, sidewalks and driveways, painting/tiling/cabinets and similar finish work, prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep, swings/playground equipment, window awnings projecting 54 inches or less, and detached decks up to 200 sq ft and 30 inches above grade, plus limited minor electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing work. Exempt work must still comply with the code, and local jurisdictions may amend these thresholds by ordinance.
Exemptions: CRC R105.2 (Building item 10) exempts decks not exceeding 200 sq ft (18.58 m2) in area that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4. Attached decks, decks over 30 inches high, or decks over 200 sq ft require a building permit. Local jurisdictions may amend these criteria, so verify locally.
Exemptions: Electrical permits are generally required, but CRC R105.2 (Electrical items 1-5) exempts: listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting; reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles (not their outlets); replacement of branch-circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location; wiring/devices/equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts; and minor repair work such as replacing lamps or connecting approved portable equipment to permanently installed receptacles. New circuits, panel changes, and new outlets require a permit. Local jurisdictions may amend these exemptions, so verify locally.
Exemptions: CRC R105.2 (Building item 2) exempts fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high from a building permit; fences taller than 7 feet require a permit. Zoning ordinances commonly impose lower height limits (often 6 feet) independent of the building-permit exemption. Local jurisdictions may amend this threshold, so verify locally.
Exemptions: Reroofing/roof replacement is not among the exemptions listed in CRC R105.2, so it requires a building permit under CRC R105.1 (which covers construction, alteration and repair of a dwelling); only ordinary finish work such as painting is exempt. Local jurisdictions may adopt amendments affecting reroof permitting details, so verify locally.
Exemptions: CRC R105.2 (Building item 3) exempts retaining walls not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless the wall supports a surcharge (e.g., sloped backfill, driveway, or structure above). Note the 4 feet is measured from the footing bottom, not exposed height, so a wall exposing about 3 feet may already need a permit. Local jurisdictions may amend this threshold, so verify locally.
Exemptions: CRC R105.2 (Building item 1) exempts one-story detached accessory structures, other than storm shelters, if the floor area does not exceed 120 sq ft — a California amendment reducing the model IRC's 200 sq ft threshold; such structures may still be regulated by Section 710A (wildfire exposure) despite the permit exemption. Larger sheds, multi-story structures, or sheds with plumbing/electrical work require permits. Local jurisdictions may amend this threshold, so verify locally.
Exemptions: Water heater replacement is not exempt: CRC R105.2's Plumbing exemptions cover only stopping leaks and clearing stoppages/repairing leaks without replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures, and R105.2 expressly states that replacing defective concealed piping with new material is new work requiring a permit and inspection. A permit is therefore required to install or replace a water heater statewide. Local jurisdictions may amend administrative details, so verify locally.
Building Department
Phone: (858) 694-2960
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