The feasibility period is your vital opportunity to determine if a site in San Diego is a good fit for your development before design begins. Early understanding of zoning constraints, permit types, plan review stages, fee estimates, and department coordination is key to avoiding delays, controlling costs, and starting on schedule.

Checking Zoning & Site Plan Requirements

• Identify your property's zoning and land-use regulations using the city’s ZAPP portal. Regulations cover setbacks, lot coverage, building height, parking, and special district overlays.

• Determine if your project qualifies for a Preliminary Review, which can help clarify required permits, site constraints, building code issues, and fees. This review can be single-discipline or multi-discipline depending on the scope.

• Confirm if historical review is necessary for sites within designated historic districts or featuring buildings over 45 years old.

Plan Review Types & Submission Pathways

• Submit your site and building plans through the California Accela-based portal. Include documentation like site surveys, architectural/engineering plans, structural calculations, COMcheck compliance, and environmental or stormwater assessments if required.

• Projects that qualify under state streamlining rules (SB-330 Housing Crisis Act) can lock current standards at the time of Preliminary Review submission.

• The city offers focused Preliminary Review programs for priority initiatives like Complete Communities.

Estimating Review Timelines

• A single-discipline Preliminary Review typically takes up to 20 business days, while multi-discipline reviews also aim for 20 days after all materials are deemed complete and fees are paid.

• After Preliminary Review, initial intake and full building plan review follow. Building permit issuance for standard residential projects may take several weeks, while complex commercial filings or large residential projects can span months.

• Virtual or in-person meetings with DSD staff are available via appointment and may require additional fees.

Fee Structure & Payment

• Plan review and permit fees vary by project type—residential, commercial, accessory dwelling units, pools, and more—using a mix of base fees and per-square-foot rates.

• Additional fees may include utility impact, affordable housing in-lieu, addressing, traffic study, historical resource review, and hourly staff services.

• Fee calculators and preliminary cost estimates are available as part of the Preliminary Review process.

Coordination with City Departments

• The Development Services Department (DSD) manages coordination with building, fire, planning, public works, utilities, and historical resource review.

• Departments like Public Utilities, Transportation, and Historic Preservation may require separate reviews or clearances.

• The Preliminary Review response may include follow-up meetings or consultations by hourly appointment to clarify complex issues.

Using Expedite Programs & Streamlining Options

• Consider requesting a SB-330-eligible review to stabilize regulations and fees.

• Submitting complete applications with accurate site info, COMcheck, and environmental data reduces resubmittals and delays.

• Appointment-based meetings and focused reviews help address issues early and align expectations.

Checklist of Feasibility Period Tasks

• Identify zoning district, overlays, and permitted uses via ZAPP

• Determine need for Preliminary Review (single- or multi-discipline)

• Confirm historic status or district applicability

• Gather site docs: survey, plans, COMcheck, stormwater, environmental data

• Submit plans and request preliminary fee estimate

• Plan any needed traffic, utilities, or historic coordination

• Monitor DSD portal for intake and review progress

• Prepare for staff meetings and respond to comments

• Estimate total fees, including permit, review, and department charges

Call to Action

Navigating San Diego’s permit feasibility requires a strategic approach—zoning identification, Preliminary Review coordination, multi-departmental sequencing, cost estimating, and portal navigation. We’re ready to prepare a preliminary site plan, compile your permit-ready documents, liaise with Development Services, and deliver a clear feasibility roadmap so you can move ahead confidently.