A  building permit is required for an alteration, deconstruction, construction, enlargement, movement, repair, removal , or replacement of plumbing, electrical, walls, etc. including buildings or structures. The Information Handout identifies projects that are exempt from the building permit requirement. If you have questions as to whether or not a building permit is required, please contact the Building Division.

Why do I need a permit?

A building permit is required to ensure safety and determine compliance with state and local codes.

While a project may be exempt from requiring a building permit, it still may have other specifications or standards that necessitate a Planning, Engineering, or Fire permit.

The Customer Self Service portal has a list of all permits organized by commercial, mixed use, or residential types along with a description. Depending on the scope of work, please apply for the appropriate permit.

Tip 💡: We process bundled permits if the scope of work includes multiple permit types. The largest scope of work should be the primary use; the building technicians will create the subsequent permits. (Example: if you have a new single-family residence with a detached garage and an accessory dwelling unit, choose the "New Construction Residential" Permit.)

Tip 💡: If a minor alteration to the design is proposed after a permit is issued, a revision is required to that original permit. Please contact building@encinitasca.gov and they will create that revision step, then new files can be uploaded to the record. If the scope of work includes significant new floor area, please coordinate with the building technicians to determine the correct permit and process.

If you have any questions, please contact the building technicians at building@encinitasca.gov.

The City of Encinitas is paperless and utilizes the Customer Self Service (CSS) portal for all permit submittals. Registration through CSS is required prior to the submittal and is approved within 24 business hours of the registration. Once you have an approved account, you can apply for a permit. Below is a brief outline of our process:

At application submittal, there are several forms which are required depending on the proposed scope. All documents can be found on the Applications and Information page under the Building drop down menu option. All documents must follow the Document Submission Standards.

Once successfully submitted, the project begins the plan check review process. Plan checks are valid for one year from the date of application. If the plan check expires, the applicant must reapply and start over, and will be subject to all new code standards from all departments.

Tip 💡: Please contact each department and provide staff with a clear scope of work to assess the fees pursuant to each department's fee schedule.. It is important to ask each department if any mitigation fees (in-lieu housing, traffic, fire, etc.) will be required.

Tip 💡: If an extensive renovation, addition(s), or new construction is proposed, it is important to consult with Land Development Engineering (developmenteng@encinitasca.gov; 760-633-2706) regarding any potential requirement for dedication of right-of-way, public improvements, or other requirements.

Tip 💡: Prior to the application submittal, we encourage you to come to the counter in-person, email, or call each respective Department with the project scope and conceptual plans to ensure it has no major issues.

Department/Division Reviewers:

Building - Phone: 760-633-2730; Email: building@encinitasca.gov
Planning - Phone: 760-633-2710; Email: planning@encinitasca.gov
Engineering - Phone: 760-633-2706; Email: developmenteng@encinitasca.gov
Fire Prevention - Phone: 760-633-2820; Email: fireprevention@encinitasca.gov
SDWD - Phone: 760-633-2709; Email: watereng@sdwd.org
OMWD - Phone: 760-753-6466

Concurrent Processing:

For projects processing an active discretionary planning application, and request to submit construction permits prior to approval of the discretionary applications, Concurrent Processing Hold Harmless Agreement is required. More information can be found in the Concurrent Processing Guide.

Application Submittal & Plan Check Review:

All submittals are processed and routed for plan review unless the applicant is notified to make a payment or if additional documents are required. Trade permit reviews take 7-10 days. Larger projects are subject to a 30-day review time. Please note these timeframes are approximate.

Tip 💡: How do I reduce my review timeline?

• Discuss the project with all departments prior to submittal.
• Communicate with the assigned reviewer to understand the comments and expectations for the plans and address those prior to the resubmittal.
• Consult with Engineering staff to determine if a grading permit is required. If required, rough grade approval is required, with a percentage of the work completed, prior to building permit issuance. This will require a separate grading permit submittal through the Land Development Engineering Department. For questions on the requirements, please reach out to Land Development Engineering.

How do I add a contact to the permit record?

A contact on the record must send an email to building@encinitasca.gov to request an additional individual be added to the record. The contact that is being added must have a Customer Self Service account.

The City of Encinitas has adopted the 2022 California Building Standards Code, with local amendments. Additional information can be found on the California Building Standards Commission website.

Solar, Gray Water & Green Building

Fees for Energy Efficiency Permits Waived
The City Council has approved a waiver or reduction of permit fees for energy efficient systems such as solar systems and electric vehicle charging systems. See the Energy efficiency permit fee waiver flyer or contact the Planning Division at 760-633-2710 or planning@encinitasca.gov for more information.

Gray Water Systems
The City of Encinitas encourages the use of gray water systems to reduce demands on potable water supplies. Typical gray water systems utilize wastewater from hand-washing basins, laundry machines, bathtubs, and other similar sources, but not toilets or other contaminated discharges, for subsurface irrigation of landscaping. Information and regulations pertaining to gray water systems can be found on the City's Gray Water Systems page.

Small Solar Energy Systems
The City Council adopted Resolution 2015-31 in compliance with Assembly Bill 2188 to establish a process for small solar energy systems on one- and two-family dwellings, Please see the Small Solar Energy Systems web page for more information.

Solar APP+
The City of Encinitas accepts photovoltaic with Battery Storage Permits with SolarAPP+. To utilize SolarAPP+, you will be required to gain approval first through a third-party at SolarAPP+™ (nrel.gov).

We will be incorporating other types of related permits such as related main panel upgrades in the future.

Green Building Handouts:
Single Family Green Building Checklist
Non-Residential & Multifamily Green Building Checklist
Residential Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet
Multifamily Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet
Non-Residential Energy Efficiency Fact Sheet
Non-Residential Solar PV Fact Sheet
Electric Vehicle Charging Fact Sheet
Electric-Ready Buildings Design Guideline

Permit review fees are assessed at the time of application and are required to be paid prior to plan check review. Following the initial submittal, the applicant will be notified via email with the necessary steps required for either permit resubmittal or items required prior to permit issuance. All permit inspection fees or fees from other departments must be paid prior to permit issuance. Please note there may be multiple departments that assess fees, including other utility districts. Fees include but are not limited to permit fees, mitigation fees such as school fees, housing in-lieu fees, climate action, RTCIP, water, traffic impact, flood control, and sewer fees.

Park development impact fees are collected by the Planning Division and are required prior to the Certificate of Occupancy. These are assessed for new construction on vacant lots, or for adding new primary units on new or existing lots.

District Contact Information:

Cardiff & Encinitas Sanitary Districts (City Engineering Department)
505 S. Vulcan Avenue
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-633-2706
developmenteng@encinitasca.gov

Leucadia Wastewater District
1960 La Costa Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92009
760-753-0155
https://www.lwwd.org/

San Dieguito Water District
160 Calle Magdalena
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-633-2709
watereng@sdwd.org
https://www.encinitasca.gov/government/departments/utilities/san-dieguito-water-district

Olivenhain Municipal Water District
1966 Olivenhain Road
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-753-6466
https://www.olivenhain.com

Encinitas Union Elementary
101 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road
Suite 204
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-944-4300 Ext 11666 or 1163
https://www.eusd.net/

Cardiff Elementary
1888 Montgomery Avenue
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-632-5890
https://www.cardiffschools.com/

San Dieguito Union High School
710 Encinitas Boulevard
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-753-6491 Ext 5514
https://www.sduhsd.net/

Once a permit is issued, all Building Division inspection requests shall be requested by the owner or contractor through the CSS portal. Requests must be received by 3:00 PM on the business day prior to receiving an inspection on the next business day.

Tip 💡: Ensure that an inspection is scheduled for the correct permit. If you have multiple permits for the same project, ensure that an inspection is scheduled for each one depending on the inspection.

Tip 💡: All permits must show progress in the form of an inspection within 180 days of permit issuance, otherwise the permit expires.

City of Encinitas Building Inspectors: buildinginspections@encinitasca.gov

Inspection Tips:

• Check the Building Inspection Daily Schedule on the morning of the inspections for your inspectors' names. The inspection will display in a morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM) timeframe or an afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM) timeframe as inspections can be delayed. If you select "Exclude completed" starting at 8:00 AM, you will sort the order of inspections for each inspector in real time.
• For questions on inspection corrections, please contact your inspector directly or come to City Hall after 3:00 PM to discuss any issues.
• Prior to the Building Final Inspection, other departments/divisions (Fire, Engineering, Planning, etc.) may require inspections or additional mitigation fees. Please check well in advance of scheduling any final inspections.

Inspections from other departments:

• For Engineering inspections, refer to the conditions on the back of your permit or reach out directly via phone, 760-633-2706 or phone number listed under the condition.
• For Fire inspections, please contact 760-633-2820 or email fireprevention@encinitasca.gov directly.
• For Planning inspections, please contact 760-633-2710 or planning@encinitasca.gov.
• A height certification may be required for the enlargement of a structure, additions and new construction. A Height Certification Form must include a site plan with elevations with the surveyed grades and roof heights. The specific locations for the survey are documented on the approved plans with red dots. This will be added as a condition, and is required to be submitted through planning@encinitasca.gov and approved prior to scheduling the roof nailing and exterior shear inspection.

Standard Construction Hours:

Contractors
               Monday - Saturday, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
               No construction operation on Sunday's or legal holidays
Homeowners
               Monday - Saturday, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
               Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Engineering Permit Operation Hours (Grading):
               Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Work on weekends and holidays requires written permission from the Engineering  Inspector for the worksite.

Work is Not Permitted On:

2024 City of Encinitas Holidays

Juneteenth - Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Independence Day - Thursday, July 4, 2024
Labor Day - Monday, September 2, 2024
Veteran's Day - Monday November 11, 2024
Thanksgiving Day and Day After - Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, 2024
Christmas Eve Closure - Tuesday December 24, 2024
Christmas Closure - Wednesday, December 25, 2024
New Years Eve - Tuesday, December 31, 2024