Online Services Central

Online Services

Make an Appointment Online

Make appointments with staff and get email confirmation. You can also get SMS/text notifications (Text messaging rates may apply).

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  • Land Development Counter Appointment Types
    • Land Development Grading Permit Application Submittal (Drop Off Only)
      First submittal of plans and application for Residential Minor Grading, Minor Grading, or Major Grading projects. Our office is currently closed to the public, but we are still allowing appointments to drop off plans. Please ensure that all required submittal items are with your package at drop off.

    • Land Development Grading Permit Issuance (Drop Off Only)
      Permit issuance for Residential Minor Grading, Minor Grading, or Major Grading projects approved by the PDS Land Development Engineer. Our office is currently closed to the public, but we are still allowing appointments to drop off plans. Please ensure that all required submittal items are with your package at drop off.
  • Building Counter Appointment Types
    • Residential Building Permit Application Log In Submittal
      First submittal of plans and application for Residential Single Family Dwelling, Accessory Dwelling Units, Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, Addition/Remodels and other Detached Habitable Structures.

    • Residential Building Permit Application Minor Project Submittal
      First submittal of plans and application for Residential Non-Habitable Structures, Solar PV, Re-Roofs, Retaining Walls, Patio Covers, Decks, minor Interior Remodels and Miscellaneous Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical.

    • Commercial Building Permit Application Log In Submittal
      First submittal of plans and application for Commercial Buildings, Multi-Family Buildings, Commercial Solar PV, New Cell Sites, complex Tenant Improvements and other large Commercial Projects.

    • Commercial Building Permit Application Minor Project Submittal
      First submittal of plans and application for Commercial Cell Site Modifications, Sign Permits, minor Tenant Improvements and Miscellaneous Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical.

    • Tract Masterplan Building Permit Application Submittal
      First submittal of plans and application for Tract Development.

    • Tract Phase Building Permit Application Submittal
      First submittal of plans and application for Tract Phase.

    • Residential Building Permit Log In Ready To Issue
      Permit Issuance for Residential Single Family Dwelling, Accessory Dwelling Units, Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, Addition/Remodels and other Detached Habitable Structures.

    • Residential Building Permit Minor Project Ready To Issue
      Permit Issuance for Residential Non-Habitable Structures, Solar PV, Retaining Walls, Patio Covers, Decks, Minor Interior Remodels and other Minor Residential Structures.

    • Commercial Building Permit Log In Ready To Issue
      Permit Issuance for Commercial Buildings, Multi-Family Buildings, Commercial Solar PV, New Cell Sites, complex Tenant Improvements and other large Commercial Projects.

    • Commercial Building Permit Minor Project Ready To Issue
      Permit Issuance for Commercial Cell Site Modifications, Sign Permits, minor Tenant Improvements and Miscellaneous Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical.

    • Tract Masterplan Building Permit Ready To Issue
      Permit Issuance for a Tract Development.

    • Tract Phase Building Permit Ready To Issue
      Permit Issuance for a Tract Phase.

    • Building Plan Pick Up
      Pick up Building Plans after plan review has completed. 
  • Code Compliance Appointment Types
    • Field Initiated Complaint (FICO) stamps
      Obtain the necessary approvals from a PDS Code Compliance Officer. They must review and stamp plans prior to submittal to the Building Division for plan check as well as prior to issuance of a building permit to correct the violation.

    • Follow up with Code Compliance staff regarding a specific case
      Due to the number of field-work inspections, it is highly recommended that you set up an in-office appointment to meet with the assigned Code Compliance officer and discuss specific issues about the case.

    • General questions
      Meet with PDS Code Compliance staff for assistance with general questions about previous, existing or potential violations.

Building Permits & Inspections

 Common Online Residential Building Permit Types
  • Window Replacement
  • Solar PV (Roof-mounted)
  • Advanced energy storage (AES) system
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Station
  • Water Heater Replacement
  • Gas Line Repair
  • Water Sprinklers
  • HVAC/Furnace/Ducts Replacement
  • Electric Heat Pump or AC Repair or Replacement
  • Electrical Service Upgrade

Modify Your Request

You can submit a modification request online for an existing building plan check record or permit.
Modifications can include:

  • Renewing an expired plan check or permit
  • Changing the licensed contractor on a permit
  • Switching the work status from Owner-Builder to a licensed contractor (or vice versa)
  • Withdrawing a plan check or permit

Discretionary Permits

You can upload geographic information system (GIS) files for discretionary permits online. Uploading GIS files for your project helps staff prepare maps for meetings.

Payments & Account Management

Payments & Account Management

Our online services let you:

  • Pay fees due on your permit
  • Make a deposit
  • Check the balance of an established discretionary project Trust Account.

For help:

Pay Fees for Permits Online

Help Guide

Make a Deposit Online

Help Guide

Check Account Balance

Help Guide


Fee Estimators & Guides

Fee estimators can help you plan for the cost of a Building or Discretionary Permit. The estimates are not guarantees.

Estimate Building Permit Related Fees

Discretionary Permit Cost Guide

Transportation impact & Drainage Fee Calulator

Parks Peratment Fees for dwelling permits

Research & Data

Tools to help you research many types of land use information.

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Geographic Information Tools

The Zoning & Property Information Tool is a web application that provides land use related data, including zoning and general plan information for parcels in the unincorporated County of San Diego.
The County of San Diego ArcGIS Portal contains maps, applications, and other geographic information.

Code Compliance Complaints

To report a County code violation in the unincorporated area, use:

We do not share your personal information, as permitted by law.

After you report, staff will usually contact you within 3 business days. Staff will explain what steps we take next.