City guide / San Diego County
Title 24 planning in San Diego
Preparation guidance for energy compliance documentation in San Diego, California. Remote statewide service; local requirements come from your building department.
Hypothetical example / San Diego
Detached ADU with a rooftop deck
Suppose a detached ADU includes a walkable roof deck above the living space. The roof assembly must handle both waterproofing and insulation, and its specification affects energy documentation. Ask the designer to detail the deck assembly layer by layer, including where insulation sits relative to the membrane. Then confirm how the jurisdiction classifies a detached ADU and whether the submittal expects energy forms printed on the drawings. Coordinate with the structural designer.
Illustrative scenario only; not a statement about local projects, climate or permit rules.
Scenario checklist
- Provide a roof-deck assembly section
- Specify insulation type and location
- Confirm detached ADU classification
- Confirm whether forms go on sheets
A remodel plus an addition needs an existing-condition inventory
Project-preparation guidance, not a statement of local requirements. Confirm applicability with your project team and reviewing agency.
Distinguish replacement from retention
For a hypothetical addition with a remodeled kitchen, prepare a schedule identifying which windows, walls, insulation and systems remain untouched. Mark replacement openings separately from openings added in new walls. Photos and old drawings can help describe existing construction, but they should not be treated as proof of an assembly that has not been confirmed.
Do not use a city-wide climate assumption
The CEC climate tool locates a project by address or location. Retain the lookup with the project information and resolve any ambiguity with the reviewer rather than borrowing a nearby report. Ask which edition applies to this permit and how altered versus added work should be documented. The city and county resources serve different administrative roles; confirm the enforcement agency for the actual parcel before relying on a checklist.
Checklist for San Diego
- 01Identify which agency reviews permits for your San Diego parcel (city, county or other).
- 02Confirm the building climate zone for the exact address using the CEC tool.
- 03Ask which Energy Code cycle applies to your application date.
- 04Ask whether local amendments or reach codes apply to your scope.
- 05Ask how energy forms should be included: on plan sheets, uploaded separately, or both.
County guide: another example
Converting a garage into an ADU with a new kitchen
Read the San Diego County guideQuestions
Can a nearby San Diego project supply my climate-zone input?
It is a reference at most, not a project determination. Use the CEC location tool and confirm any uncertainty with the reviewing agency for your address.
Do you have an office in San Diego?
No. Service is remote and statewide; this page is a planning guide.
Where do I confirm San Diego requirements?
With the building department that reviews your permit. Many incorporated cities run their own; confirm whether San Diego or San Diego County reviews your parcel.
How to use the official resources
Government links below are starting points for identifying the authority for the actual property and scope. They are not evidence of an affiliation, an office or approval of this service. Start at San Diego’s city site for city department navigation; the county link provides separate county context.
The CEC climate tool supports a location-specific lookup; this guide assigns no climate zone. The CEC Energy Code Support Center separates edition-specific forms and building categories. Confirm the applicable edition, document family and any registration or verification requirements before using a form.
CEC Energy Code Support Center: forms, FAQs and trainingNext step
Preparing a project in San Diego?
Published flat pricing from $149 residential and $399 commercial. Upload plans privately; no payment is taken online.