Official San Diego lookups, one page
San Diego permit lookup
Inside City of San Diego limits, search permits on OpenDSD by address or project number (projects from 2003 on). Since Jan 16, 2018, no-plan electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits (Simple Permits), rooftop solar and code enforcement cases are in the City's Accela Citizen Access. Outside city limits, use the County portal. Everything else, from zoning and fire zones to licenses, is below.
Sources: City of San Diego Development Services, County of San Diego, CSLB, CA Secretary of State, FEMA. All links checked October 23, 2026. Independent guide, not a government site.
By Christian Kjeldsen, San Diego researcher · Last updated
Jump to what you need
Permits: was it permitted, and is it finaled?
- City of San Diego permit search (OpenDSD) ↗City DSD
Search City permits by address, project or approval number. Covers projects submitted from 2003 to today.
- City Accela Citizen Access ↗City DSD
Since Jan 16, 2018, some City permit types live here instead of OpenDSD: no-plan electrical, mechanical and plumbing (Simple Permits), rooftop solar, and code enforcement cases.
- County permits (unincorporated areas) ↗County PDS
For homes outside city limits, such as Ramona, Alpine, Fallbrook or Spring Valley.
- City building records ↗City DSD
Ask for old plans and permit records for a property.
- City permit open data ↗City open data portal
Download every City permit as a spreadsheet. It is the raw data behind our price pages.
Found the permit history and want to know today's price? See panel upgrade costs, ADU costs or pool fence costs, or send one free request.
Zoning and parcel: what can I build here?
- ZAPP: Zoning and Permit Portal ↗City DSD
A map: click a lot to see its zone, overlays and permit info. Start here before an ADU or addition.
- City zoning rules ↗City DSD
What each base zone allows, plus the City map tools.
- County zoning ordinance ↗County PDS
Zoning rules for unincorporated San Diego County.
- Assessor property information ↗County Assessor
Assessed value, parcel number (APN) and property records.
- Assessor parcel maps ↗County Assessor
Official parcel and lot maps.
- SanGIS ↗City + County GIS
Regional maps and GIS data, including parcels.
Planning an ADU? Our San Diego ADU cost guide uses 750 real 2026 City permits.
Fire and flood: which rules apply to my lot?
- Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone map (2025 update) ↗City of San Diego
Check if your home is in the City's Very High zone (effective Aug 30, 2025). That decides brush clearance and Zone 0 rules.
- City wildfire prevention and brush rules ↗City Fire-Rescue
Brush management and defensible-space rules for City homes.
- FEMA flood map ↗FEMA
Enter an address to see its flood zone. Lenders use this map.
In a Very High zone? See brush clearance and Zone 0 costs.
Contractor and business checks: is this firm real?
- CSLB contractor license check ↗CA Contractors State License Board
Confirm the license is active, the class fits the job, and the bond and workers' comp are on file. A license is required for any job of $1,000 or more.
- California business search (bizfile) ↗CA Secretary of State
Check that an LLC or corporation exists and is active.
- City business tax certificates ↗City open data portal
The City's list of active business tax certificates.
- Real estate license lookup ↗CA Dept. of Real Estate
Check an agent or broker license.
Hiring now? Use our 6 checks before you sign, including which license class each trade needs.
Short-term rentals
- City STRO license program ↗City Treasurer
The rules and how to apply for a City short-term rental license.
- STRO licenses list ↗City open data portal
Every City short-term rental license, downloadable.
Plain-English guide: San Diego STR license rules.
Report a problem or check enforcement
- Get It Done San Diego ↗City of San Diego
Report potholes, dumping, graffiti and other problems.
- Building and land use enforcement ↗City DSD
Report unpermitted work or unsafe buildings.
- Enforcement case search ↗City DSD (Accela)
Look up City code enforcement cases.
Property tax, records and history
- Secured property taxes ↗County Treasurer-Tax Collector
Look up and pay property tax bills.
- Homeowners' exemption ↗County Assessor
Claim the homeowners' exemption on your primary home.
- Recorder and County Clerk ↗County Recorder
Recorded documents such as deeds, plus vital records.
- Historical review (buildings 45+ years old) ↗City Planning
Older buildings may need a historical review before permits.
- SDG&E outage map ↗SDG&E
Current power outages by area.
For contractors
Want this week's new City permits by trade and area? See San Diego permits this week.
Common questions
- How do I look up a building permit in San Diego?
- Inside City of San Diego limits, search OpenDSD by address or project number. It covers projects from 2003 on. Since Jan 16, 2018, no-plan electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, rooftop solar and code enforcement cases are in the City's Accela Citizen Access instead. Outside city limits, use the County's Citizen Access portal.
- Why can't I find a recent electrical, plumbing or solar permit on OpenDSD?
- If it was a no-plan electrical, mechanical or plumbing permit (a Simple Permit) or a rooftop solar permit submitted after Jan 16, 2018, the City keeps it in Accela Citizen Access, not OpenDSD.
- How do I know if my home is in the City or the County?
- If your mailing city is San Diego, you may still be in another city or in unincorporated County land. Click your lot on ZAPP. If the City has no zoning for it, check your own city's building department or the County.
- How do I check a contractor's license?
- Use the CSLB license check. It shows whether the license is active, its classes, the bond and workers' compensation. California requires a license for jobs of $1,000 or more.
- Is this an official government site?
- No. SD Price Hub is an independent San Diego price guide. Every tool on this page is run by the agency named on it, and each link goes straight to that official site.