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Building Services

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1. What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit and a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit and am I eligible to have either on my property?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with another single-family residence (SFR) or multi-family residence (MFR).

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is an ADU which is attached to a SFR that does not exceed 500 square feet (sf) and has additional allowances and restrictions as described below.

To determine if your property permits either an ADU and/or a JADU please refer to the ‘Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units: General Information’ handout.

2. What is a SB 9 development and a Urban Lot Split and am I eligible to have either on my property?

SB 9 mandates jurisdictions, like the City of Poway, to ministerially approve a housing SB 9 development containing no more than two (2) residential units on a single lot within a single-family residential zone, excluding certain areas (“units” is inclusive of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs)).  ADUs may be permissible after two (2) main single-family residences on a single lot are established.  Additionally, the City must ministerially process an Urban Lot Split in accordance with SB 9 and eligible development standards.

To determine if your property permits either a SB 9 development or an Urban Lot Split please refer to the ‘SB 9 Developments & Urban Lot Splits: General Information’ handout.

3. How do I find zoning information about my parcel?

Go to PowGIS, click on ‘Search’, enter in your address, then click the search icon, then ‘Community Info’, then expand the ‘Planning Information’ data. 

4. What are the current adopted Building Codes the city uses?

Poway Municipal Code Title 15 adopted the following building codes with local amendments:

• 2019 California Administrative Code
• 2019 California Building Code
• 2019 California Electrical Code
• 2019 California Residential Code
• 2019 California Plumbing Code
• 2019 California Mechanical Code
• 2019 California Energy Code
• 2019 California Historical Code
• 2019 California Building Standards Code
• 2019 California Existing Building Code
• 2019 California Green Building Standards Code
• 2019 Referenced Standard Code
• 2019 California Fire Code
• 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings

5. How long does it take, and where do I get a Building Permit?

For some types of residential and small commercial projects, the city’s Building Division now offers a reduced timeline process that can save significant time on a project on building plan checks and permits. These include “Over-The-Counter” permits, 1-day and 2-day permits and 3-day Express Plan Check. See the New Reduced Timeline Process flier (PDF) for details.

All other projects are taken in for plan check and typically are reviewed within 14 calendar days, however, Planning and Engineering Land Development reviews of building permits may take up to 28 calendar days (up to 14 calendar days for Solar, EV charging, misc. electrical/plumbing/mechanical, pool permits, and aluminum patio covers). 

No appointments are necessary to submit a project for plan check. The Development Services public counter is located on the 1st floor of City Hall at 13325 Civic Center Drive. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed every other Friday. The Building counter is closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every day.

Effective June 1, 2022, all building permits will be required to be submitted electronically.

6. What is a Minor Development Review Application (MDRA), and when do I need one?

An MDRA is a permit that is required for all new single-family home construction projects, and for additions to an existing single-family home that involve 750 square feet or more of habitable space. The MDRA permit (PDF) is required before you can apply for a building permit. Garage additions are not habitable space and do not require an MDRA. For details on the MDRA process please see the MDRA handout.

7. How does the fixed compressed work week schedule affect building inspections?

Building inspections will continue to be performed Monday through Friday, including the Fridays that City Hall is closed. Building inspections can be scheduled by calling 858-668-4646 and leaving a message. For inspection requests received before 4 p.m., the inspection will be scheduled for the next business day unless you request a different day in your message.

8. How do I schedule a building inspection?

After a Building Permit is obtained, you can schedule an inspection by calling 858-668-4646 and leaving a message on the automated line. For inspection requests received before 4 p.m., the inspection will be scheduled for the next business day unless you request a different day in your message. Building inspections are performed Monday through Friday, including the Fridays that City Hall is closed.

9. Who can prepare plans for a Building Permit?

Any qualified individual, such as a drafter, building designer, architect or engineer, can prepare plans for a new residence, a home addition, or a home remodel project. However, if the project involves other than conventional type construction, as defined in the UBC (contact the Building Division for details), an architect or structural engineer may need to prepare the plans. For projects such as retaining walls, patio covers and second-story decks, which are designed per standard city standards, a simple, legible and scaled plot plan is all that is needed.

10. What are the fees?

Fees will vary with the size and scope of the project. The larger the residence, and the more water and sewer connections, the higher the Building Permit fee. There are building plan check and Building Permit fees. Please contact the Building Division for any estimates.

11. Is any other type of special information required for a Building Permit?

Other types of special information that may be required are:

• Structural calculations
• Energy truss calculations (i.e., Title 24 calculations)
• Soils reports

Check with the Building Division for circumstances under which special information may be needed for a Building Permit.

12. What kinds of plans are needed for a Building Permit

A set of building plans are needed and will provide all the information necessary so that the city can determine if the project complies with all city standards. It is your responsibility to have the plans prepared. The degree of information needed in a set of plans is dependent on the scale of the project.

For a new residence or for additions to an existing home, the set of plans will include, at a minimum, a site plan, floor plans, building sections, foundation plan, and roof plan elevations. Remodels may require less detailed information. Contact the Building Division for specific information regarding what will be needed for your specific project.

13. Who is authorized to obtain a Building Permit?

• Licensed contractors
• Property owners
• Agents for licensed contractors
• Agents for the property owner

If a licensed contractor or their agent is not obtaining the Building Permit, the property owners must fill out an Owner / Builder Verification.

14. What doesn't need a Building Permit?

• One-story, detached accessory structures such as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures, with a floor area of 120 square feet or less. These structures cannot be within the front or street side yard setback areas and the eaves cannot overhang adjacent properties
• Fences and non-retaining walls less than 6 feet tall. Solid fences or walls over 4 feet in height cannot be located within the front yard setback area.
• Kitchen counters and cabinets
• Retaining walls 3 feet in height, or less, with a level backfill
• Water tanks that do not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Above ground swimming pools accessory to a Group R Division 3 occupancy that do not exceed 5,000 gallons
• Painting, papering and similar finish work
• Flatwork (concrete slabs) on private property does not generally need a Building Permit, but may need a Right-of-Way Permit from the Engineering Division. Parking and driveways in the front yard area cannot constitute more than 50% of the front yard setback area

15. How many sets of plans and copies of information do I need to submit?

Projects for retaining walls, patio covers and decks require:

• 2 sets of plans
• 1 additional site plan

New residence projects, home additions and remodels:

• 3 sets of plans
• 2 sets of structural and energy use calculations and one copy of the soils report and truss calculations (if applicable)

16. When do I need a Building Permit?

With limited exception, a Building Permit is required anytime you are constructing, altering, moving, adding to, repairing, or demolishing a structure within the City of Poway. A Building Permit is required for work within or on the exterior of any structure.

17. How long is my Building Permit valid?

A Building Permit is valid for 180 days after it is issued. In order to keep the permit current, regularly scheduled inspections must be conducted every 6 months. If you allow a Building Permit to expire, additional fees may be required to activate the permit.

18. Do I need a Grading Permit?

Certain types of work require a Grading Permit, in addition to a Building Permit. For details please contact the Engineering Division at 858-668-4600.