SAN DIEGO ADU PERMITS
How does the San Diego ADU permit process work?
It starts before you submit plans and ends after the final inspection.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Six stages take the project from idea to final.
First confirm the property and the project. Then prepare the plans, answer City comments, build what was approved, and finish the inspections and records.
Check my propertyTHE PERMIT PATH
What happens, and when?
Confirm the path
Property, legal units, project type, and size.
Answer big questions
Resolve the unknowns that could change the plan.
Prepare the plans
Coordinate the drawings and supporting documents.
Submit, revise, permit issued
Track comments, responses, and updated sheets until the City issues the permit. Construction starts after that, not before.
Build and inspect
Keep the field work aligned with the approved scope.
Finish and close out
Complete final approval, records, warranties, and project files.
The plan, corrections, special reviews, and City workload can all change the timeline. Use current City estimates as a planning range.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What homeowners ask next.
Can I submit drawings I made myself?
Drawings must clearly and correctly show the required work. The appropriate preparer and any professional stamps depend on the scope and the responsibilities involved.
What if an inspector interprets part of the work differently?
Keep the approved drawings, applicable detail, and field condition together. Route material changes or conflicts through the responsible professionals and City process rather than relying on an undocumented conversation.
Do small changes require new plans?
Some field issues can be handled through the inspection or change process; others require revised documents and approval. Ask before building the changed work.
When should I pay a contractor deposit?
Only after you have reviewed the project scope, the contractor's identity and active license, the contract, the payment schedule, the insurance, and the legal requirements that apply.
YOUR PROPERTY IS THE NEXT QUESTION
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