There aren’t many remodeling projects in San Diego that don’t require permits. In this article I will attempt to shed some light on this process.

Potential customers ask me regularly if certain projects require permits. The answer is probably yes, because most projects do. Some people will proceed without one anyway. This is a risky proposition. If you get caught half way through, the Building Department can make you stop, take down whatever you have done and charge you double the original permit fees as a fine.

There are some small projects that can be built without permits. A good example is a patio top of less than 300 square feet. These may be constructed without permits but must be built according to building codes. Some seemingly simple projects may have code problems a novice is unaware of. An example is a patio cover that is attached to the fascia. Tests have shown this may pull the fascia off during a seismic event. Even though a permit is not required, you can be made to take it down if your patio top doesn’t comply with the code.

Permits fall into two main categories. The first is called a no plan permit. This is for simple projects and may be obtained without blueprints being submitted. A few examples are hot water heater, main electrical panel, and furnace replacements. Simple permits like these may be acquired over the Internet, at the Building Department or at any community service center.

More complex projects require that blueprints be submitted to the City. There are no requirements that a licensed architect draw these. Anyone can draw these as long as they are drawn in the standard format and have all the information the City requires. Some projects such as a second story addition require you to supply a report from a structural engineer. Other reports may be needed such as soils and thermal efficiency (Title 24).

Once you have your blueprints you must submit them to the City Building Department. In the past this could be done over the counter, meaning you might get corrections or a permit the same day. In recent years the complexity of these blueprints makes it rare to get a permit so quickly. Once your plans are submitted they are routed through all the departments (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, structural, zoning etc.). Each department comes up with questions or corrections you must respond to. This first cycle takes from 2- 4 weeks to complete.

Plans are then picked up and the person that submitted them makes corrections. Once corrections are made and incorporated in the new blueprints they are submitted for re-check. After routing through each department that had a comment a permit can be issued. The second cycle takes 1-2 weeks.

Please bear in mind that many things can affect these time frames, I am giving you average times. There are services that will take blueprints through the City for you. This can save you a lot of time and money.

The City and other agencies assess permit fees. I have a hard time guessing these fees. An average 600-foot room addition will cost approximately $1,200 in permit fees. Any addition over 500 square feet must also pay a fee of $2.50 per square foot to the school district.

The City has set up a “Homeowner Night” on Thursday. I suggest calling first. You can go down and ask questions and submit your blueprints. You can ask about set backs and other guidelines. I have heard reports of the City being less demanding on these nights.

This whole process is very complicated even for people like us that deal with it all the time. The most frustrating thing is getting different answers from City officials for the same question. Many rules are open to interpretation– yours, theirs and mine.

For more information contact the City of San Diego Building Department by phone at 858-492-5070 or on the web at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/development-services

Tags: city bui, Permit Process, permits in san diego, room additions bay park, room additions clairemont, San Diego Remodeler