Fee Schedule for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas Permits

This information bulletin explains the process and fees associated with Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) permits. Separate building and MEP permits are required for all non-residential and Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) construction. Each building must have its own MEP permit. Electrical permits are required for all electrical work except as exempted in San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC) §129.0303 of the Land Development Code. Mechanical and plumbing permits are required for all mechanical and plumbing work except as exempted in SDMC §129.0403 and §129.0404 of the Land Development Code.

Plumbing and Mechanical equipment, including water heaters, washing machines, air conditioner units and pool equipment, shall not be installed in required side or rear yards of Residential Zones unless they comply with SDMC §131.0461(a)(5).

I. Required Documents and Outside Reviews

1. Project Contact Forms
   The Project Contacts Information Form (DS-345) must be submitted at the time of permit issuance for all other permits.
2. Owner-Builder Form
   If the property owner is doing the work or is hiring different contractors, a separate Owner-Builder Verification Form (DS-3042) must be signed by the owner before the permit can be issued.
3. Circuit Card
   A completed and signed City of San Diego Electrical Circuit Card (DS-1779) is required at the time of inspection of any electrical components or systems added to a single dwelling unit or duplex unless electrical plans, calculations or single-line drawings are included in the approved plans.
4. Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rating
   A HERS evaluation is required to meet the state’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards and to obtain final inspection approval, applying to:
   • New residential construction.
   • Major HVAC system changes or replacements.
   • Home additions exceeding 1,000 square feet.
   • Certain renovations to existing homes.
   • Installation of more than 40 feet of new ductwork.

A certified HERS rater—an independent third party—conducts on-site inspections and diagnostic testing to verify that the building meets energy performance requirements, issuing a certificate to the homeowner or contractor. View the directory of City-certified HERS Raters.

5. Historical Review
   If your site contains a designated historical resource or is located in a historic district, plans will be required for review. Refer to Information Bulletin 581, Designated Historical Resource Review.
6. Address Review
   If an address has not been assigned, a site plan and an addressing review will be required. An additional $98.86 fee may be assessed for assigning an address.
7. Food Establishment Wastewater Discharge (FEWD) Review
   All new or replacement Grease Traps/Interceptors require approval from the Public Utilities Department. Refer to the Public Utilities website.
8. Building Permit and/or Building Construction Plans Required
   Building Construction Plans are required to be submitted, and a Building Permit is required when one or more of the following conditions are present:
   • The supporting floor, roof and platform structure require alterations to accommodate support and anchorage of the equipment.
   • When special inspections are required for reasons other than due to the installation of post-installed anchors.
   • Equipment is supported on a new pad on grade, and that is located on the exterior of a building's footprint or has an operating weight in excess of 2,500 lb.
9. Structural Calculations
   Structural Calculations are required to determine the anchorage of the equipment to the supporting ground, floor, roof and platform and to verify the adequacy of the supporting structural framing elements when one or more of the following conditions are present:
   • Equipment weight exceeds 400 pounds.
   • The center of gravity (mass) of the equipment exceeds four feet above the supporting base.

II. Options for Service

1. Simple Permits - MEP
   Items listed in the following tables that qualify for Simple Permits-MEP do not require a plan review and can be applied for through the online portal by selecting 'Simple Permits'. Note that historical designated resources and projects in historic districts do not qualify for Simple Permits-MEP and must be submitted as a Standalone MEP permit with plans. If a project scope includes items that need plan review along with items that qualify for Simple Permits-MEP, the project does not qualify for Simple Permits–MEP and all items must be included in the permit scope to be plan reviewed.
2. Standalone MEP with Plans
   MEP permits that require plans and MEP permits related to a Building Permit must be submitted through the online portal. Select the specific permit type for requested standalone MEPs - Electrical, Mechanical or Plumbing Permits.
3. Building Permits with MEP
   Building Permits that contain MEP work must be submitted through the online portal by selecting Building Permit.

III. Fees

1. Mapping Fee
   This fee is collected to fund automation efforts and online GIS data and mapping for Development Services. It is charged when there are plans, drawings, maps or other geographical documents utilized for project review.

   Mapping Fee......................................................... $12.16

2. Plan Check/Inspection Fee
   Items identified on the fee schedules, as requiring plans for non-residential and MDU construction (three or more units), will be reviewed prior to the issuance of a permit. In most cases, the plan review occurs as part of a building permit application, and the inspection fees are assessed at that time. If a plan review is required, and one was not conducted as part of a building permit application, plans will be required, and a plan review fee will be charged per Information Bulletin 501, in addition to the inspection fees per the fee schedule.

Table 1A: Mechanical Fee Schedule (per Building Use)

The following fees are for mechanical systems that serve the specified use (for example, the hotel fee includes all mechanical systems serving hotel rooms). Mechanical systems serving mixed uses shall be charged based upon each fee listed in Table 1A or Table 1B, as applicable.

Table 1B: Mechanical Fee Schedule (per Item)

The following fees are for standalone permits or items not serving the building uses listed in Table 1A.

Table 2: Electrical Fee Schedule (per Building)

Table 3A: Plumbing Fee Schedule (per Building Use)

The following fees are for plumbing systems that serve the specified use (for example, the hotel fee includes all plumbing systems serving hotel rooms). Plumbing systems serving mixed uses shall be charged based upon each fee listed in Table 3A or Table 3B, as applicable.

Table 3B: Plumbing Fee Schedule (per Item)

The following fees are for standalone permits (plumbing only) or for items that are not serving building uses listed in Table 3A.

VIII. Previous Versions of this Information Bulletin

This section contains previous versions of this Information Bulletin by the last day they were effective.

• 2026-05-03|IB-103
• 2026-01-12 I IB-103
• 2025-05-04|IB-103
• 2024-12-31| IB-103
• 2024-06-30 | IB-103