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Fee Schedule for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas Permits

INFORMATION BULLETIN
103
July 2024

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IN THIS BULLETIN:

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. HERS Rating
    When a HERS rating is required, a HERS rater shall provide the test for which the rating is required and provide a report to the owner or contractor. This certificate is required to obtain final inspection approval. The companies or individuals providing HERS testing shall be certified. A list of the certified companies is available here.
  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 Trap/Interceptors require approval from the Public Utilities Department. Refer to the Public Utilities website. 
  8. Building Permit and/or Structural Calculations 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:
    1. The supporting floor, roof and platform structure require alterations to accommodate support and anchorage of the equipment.
    2. Special inspections are required.
    3. Equipment is supported on a pad on grade.
  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:
    1. Equipment weight exceeds 400 pounds.
    2. 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 plan review and can apply for permits 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.........................................................  $10.00

  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. 

 

Plan check, inspection and records fees are non-refundable. See the Refund Policy noted within Refund Application Form DS-721 to learn more.

 

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.


Qualifies for
Simple Permit—MEP


Use


Unit

First Unit

Each Add'l Unit

No

Hotel New Mech

Per Guest Room

$290.00

$72.00

No

Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) - New Mechanical 

First 3 Units

$290.00

-

Next 4 -50 Units

-

$72.00

Addl 10 Units over 50

-

$435.00

No

MDU Remodel- New Mechanical

Each Unit

$217.00

$36.00

No

Non-Residential Shell1

Per Floor

$362.00

-

No

Non-Residential Tenant Improvement—Mechanical

Each 5,000 sf

$145.00

-

No

Exhaust System (Garage)

Each System

$246.00

$72.00

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.

Qualifies for Simple Permit—MEP



Item 3, 4



Unit



First
Unit


Each Add'l Unit

Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse

Non-Residential or MDU


New


Repair/Replace in Kind

 Yes

No

Yes

Air Handler, Mini-Split, Humidifier

Each

$145.00

$43,00

Yes

Yes

Yes

Appliance Vent/Chimney

Each

$72.00

$29.00

Yes

No

Yes

Boiler

Each

$145.00

$43.00

Yes

No

No

Chiller

Each

$217.00

$43.00

Yes

No

Yes

Condensing Unit for HVAC2

Each

$108.00

-

Yes

No

No

Cooling Tower

Each

$217.00

$43.00

Yes

No

No

Dryer Vent

Each

$87.00

$43.00

Yes

No

Yes

Evaporative Cooler - Makeup Air Unit

Each

$87.00

$43.00

Yes

Yes

Yes

Exhaust Fan

Each

$87.00

$29.00

Yes

No

Yes

Fan Coil Unit

Each

$145.00

$43.00

Yes

No

Yes

Furnace/(FAU)2

Each

$145.00

$43.00

Yes

No

Yes

Gas System Leak Repair

Each 5 Outlets

$217.00

$72.00

Yes

No

Yes

Gas System/Meter

Each 5 Outlets

$217.00

$72,00

Yes

No

Yes

Heat Pump-Package Unit

Each

$145.00

$43.00

Yes

No

Yes

Heater-Unit/Radiant

Each

$87.00

$43.00

N/A

No

No

Hood Type I and/or Duct

Each

$217.00

$58.00

N/A

No

No

Hood Type II and/or Duct

Each

$116.00

$43.00

No

No

No

Variable Air Volume Box

Each

$116.00

-

Add'l 5 Units

-

$43.00

Yes

No

No

Walk-In Cooler/Condenser

Each

$116.00

$43.00

Table 1A and 1B Footnotes
1 Non-residential shell fee shall be used when the shell building includes the heating/cooling systems. For shell buildings that do not include the heating/cooling system, each individual system shall be charged per Table 1B.
2 Replacement of these systems requires a HERS rating when more than 40 feet of duct is in unconditioned space. See Section I(C) for details.
3 A separate Building Permit is required when scope of work includes drywall, wood framing or replacing/installing new finishes in MDU or non-residential building.
4 A separate Electrical Permit is required if electrical circuits/devices are installed/modified in a MDU or non-residential building.
 

TABLE 2: ELECTRICAL FEE SCHEDULE (PER BUILDING)

Qualifies for Simple Permit-MEP

System

Unit

First
Unit

Each Add'l Unit

Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse

Non-Residential or MDU

N/A 

No

Electrical Service New MDU1

Dwelling Unit

$1,160.00

$72.00

 Yes

Yes

Circuits 15-45 Amps

First 5 Circuits

$145.00

-

Circuits 15-45 Amps

6-10 Circuits

-

$43.00

Circuits 15-45 Amps

Each additional 10 circuits over 10, up to 50

-

$43.00

Circuits 15-45 Amps

Each additional 50 circuits over 50

-

$116.00

Yes 

Yes

Circuits 50-200 Amps

Each 3 Circuits

$290.00

-

Yes 

Yes

Panel Replace/Upgrade up to 200 amp

Each

$145.00

-

Yes

Yes

Circuits 225-400 Amps

Each 2 Circuits

$290.00

-

No

No

Circuits 450-1,000 Amps

Each

$362.00

-

No

No

Circuits 1,200 Amps or Larger

Each

$362.00

-

Yes

Yes

Conduit and J Box Only

Each

$145.00

-

Yes (Private Garage Only)

No

Electrical Vehicle Charging Systems in Private Garages (See Information Bulletin 187 for detailed information, including fees)

No 

No

Generator Only2

Each

$145.00

-

No   

No

Solar Photovoltaic (See Information Bulletin 301 for detailed information, including fees)

N/A

No

Specialized Occupancy (e.g., healthcare, hazardous location)3

Each

$435.00

-

Yes

Yes

Temp Pole (Construction Power)

Each

$145.00

-

Table 2 Footnotes
1 In addition to this fee, use “Circuits” fees for common area distribution circuits in an MDU building.
2 A Hazardous Materials permit from SDFD (see Information Bulletin 116) and a separate plumbing, building, and/or mechanical permit may also be required.
3 This fee is in addition to the electrical circuit fees and is required for specialized occupancies as identified in Chapter 5 of the California Electrical Code. 

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.

Qualifies for Simple Permit—MEP


Use


Unit


First
Unit

Each Add'l Unit

No

Hotels New-Plumbing

Per Guest Room

$217.00

$43.00

No

Laboratory w/out restrooms

Each 5 Fixtures

$217.00

$43.00

No

Multiple Dwelling Unit Building (MDU - New)

Each Dwelling Unit

$217.00

$145.00

No

MDU Building - Remodel

Each Dwelling Unit

$217.00

$43.00

No

Non-Residential Kitchen

Each 5 Fixtures

$290.00

$101.00

No

Non-Residential Restrooms

Each 5 Fixtures

$217.00

$58.00

No

Non-Residential Shell (not including restrooms)

Each Floor

$217.00

$101.00

No

Non-Residential Plumbing Tenant Improvement (not including restrooms or kitchen)

Each Floor

$271.00

$101.00

No

Parking Garages- Plumbing 

Per Floor

$217.00

$43.00

Yes

Residential buildings (Group R-2 or R-3 occupancy only) – existing Kitchen/Bathroom Remodel with no changes to structural elements, wall framing or exterior walls and no added plumbing fixtures/gas appliances. (Information Bulletin 203)1

Per Dwelling Unit

$362.00

-

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.

Qualifies for Simple Permit - MEP



Items 2, 3



Unit



First
Unit


Each Add'l Unit

Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse 

Non-Residential or MDU

New

Repair/Replace in Kind

 Yes

No

Yes

Backflow Preventer-Domestic

Each

$72.00

$43.00

 Yes

Yes

Yes

Building Drain 

Per Floor

$43.00

-

 Yes

No

Yes

Gas System Leak Repair

Each 5 Outlets

$217.00

$72.00

 Yes

No

Yes

Gas System/Meter

Each 5 Outlets

$217.00

$72.00

No

No

No

Reclaim Water System

Each

$72.00

-

No

No

No

Gray Water Systems

Each

$145.00

-

 N/A

No

Yes

Grease Trap / Interceptor4

Each

$217.00

$72.00

 No

No

No

Private Utilities- Water/Sewer (Information Bulletin 182)

First 100 LF

$217.00

-

Each Add'l 10 LF

 -

$43.00

 Yes

No

Yes

Sewage Ejector

Each

$217.00

$72.00

No

No

Yes

Solar Water Heating System 

Each

$145.00

-

Yes

No

Yes

Water Heater5

Each

$101.00

-

Yes

No

Yes

Water Softener

Each

$72.00

$43.00

Yes

No

Yes

Water Submeter

Each 4 Submeters

$72.00

$29.00

 N/A

Yes

Yes

Water/Waste Pipe Repair/Replacement – Non-Residential

Per Floor

$217.00

$101.00

 Yes

N/A

Yes

Water/Waste Pipe Repair/Replacement - Residential

Per Dwelling Unit

$217.00

$72.00

Table 3A and 3B Definitions and Footnotes
Definition: Fixtures- Plumbing fixtures
1 This fee includes the cost of a no-plan combination permit for all plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work. Plans will be required if the scope of work includes any framing.
2 A separate Building Permit is required when the scope of work includes drywall, wood framing or replacing/installing new finishes in MDU or non-residential building.
3 A separate Electrical Permit is required if electrical circuits/devices are installed/modified in an MDU or non-residential building.
4 The FEWD "Plan Check List" must be provided at the time of inspection. See Item (G) for details.
5. For non-residential or MDU buildings, replacing a water heater with a tankless water heater requires plans and plan review.

VIII. Previous Versions of this Information Bulletin

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

References