Shed permit checklist — San Diego County, California
Assembled from San Diego County’s own published permit rules. Every line below is quoted from a city document and linked to it. Nothing here is generated, estimated, or inferred from another jurisdiction.
Do you need a permit?
San Diego County does not require a permit for a shed.
PDS 110 exempts one-story detached accessory structures where the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, matching the State default. The exemption is from the building permit only, so if the shed is wired or plumbed a separate electrical or plumbing permit is still required. Sheds over 120 square feet, or any accessory structure intended for habitation such as an ADU or junior ADU, need a full permit. Zoning setbacks, WUI construction requirements in high fire hazard unincorporated areas, and septic system setbacks where the parcel is on an onsite wastewater system all continue to apply to an otherwise exempt shed.
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Sources
- shed — permit rules ↗verified August 2026
Other permits San Diego County publishes rules for
Listed because the city publishes a separate rule for each type — not because this project necessarily triggers one. Whether it does depends on your scope of work.
- Deck permit checklist
- Fence permit checklist
- Water heater permit checklist
- Re-roof permit checklist
- Retaining wall permit checklist
- Electrical work permit checklist
- General building work permit checklist
BuildSpec is a reference, not the authority having jurisdiction. Confirm requirements with San Diego County before you build.