New Construction and Demolition Requirements
On January 1, 2021 updates to the Construction and Demolition (C&D) Ordinance took effect for projects in unincorporated areas of San Diego County. This update is intended to increase C&D diversion from landfills, conserve landfill capacity, extend the useful life of local landfills, and comply with waste diversion requirements of the State's CalGreen Building Standards Code.
The following project types issued on or after January 1, 2021 must comply with the new recycling rates:
- All new construction projects;
- Non-residential building additions and alteration projects;
- Residential additions and alterations that increase a building's footprint, volume, or size;
- Non-residential and residential demolition projects associated with new construction, additions, and alterations; and,
- Non-residential and residential excavation and grading projects (excluding agricultural grading).
What are the new recycling rates?
Construction and demolition projects must recycle, reuse, or donate 65% of all materials, including 90% of inerts (concrete, asphalt, dirt, etc.).
Grading projects must recycle or reuse 100% of excavated soils, trees, stumps, rocks, and vegetation.
Although all project types listed above need to comply with the 2020 CalGreen Recycling requirements, not all projects will need a County C&D permit and/or place a Performance Guarantee.
Does my Project Need a Performance Guarantee or a Permit, or Both?
Latest Updates
- Only approved C&D collectors that hold a valid Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement (NEFA) are permitted to collect and transport C&D debris generated in the unincorporated areas of the county. This list will be updated as additional C&D collectors are approved through the County’s non-exclusive franchise hauler agreement process. Learn more here.
- Several of the required forms for construction & demolition (C&D) projects are available to complete/submit online. An Accela Citizen’s Access Account is required to access forms. Links to the following forms and their instructions are available below:
Project Management
Application Process
During the Project
Project Finalization
Deconstruction
FAQs, Forms & Additional Resources
Popular Services