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San Diego, California — Building Permit Guide

Updated Apr 3, 2026
San Diego building codes and development standards

San Diego adopts the 2022 California Building Code through the San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC). The Development Services Department manages permits with typical timelines of 3-10 weeks. The city has a population of approximately 1.42 million and covers 372 square miles. San Diego is in a moderate seismic zone requiring standard seismic design considerations. The city emphasizes water conservation due to drought conditions and requires Title 24 energy compliance. Recent amendments focus on affordable housing incentives and adaptive reuse. Permit costs range from 0.5-0.7% of construction value. The city offers online permit tracking and expedited review for sustainable projects.

TAGS
san-diegocaliforniawater-conservation
DETAILS
state
California
population
1423851
adopted code
2022 CBC (SDMC)
permit office
Development Services
typical timeline
3-10 weeks
amendment highlights
["Water conservation","Energy efficiency","Housing incentives"]
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