Frequently Asked Questions

To make a complaint, please email us or you may use the online Web Service Request page which is located here: Service Request | Poway, CA - Official Website.  Please include your name, address and daytime phone number, and provide us with as much information as possible relating to your complaint. You may also file a complaint by calling 858-668-4660.

Once a complaint is received the site will be visited. If warranted, a letter will be sent to the property owner requiring the weeds to be removed. You can submit your complaint online.

Code Compliance will visit the site and send a letter as necessary. You can also contact the County of San Diego’s Department of Environmental Health, which has the Vector Control Program that serves all residents of San Diego County. They handle mosquitoes, rodents and general vector control. The Fight the Bite website has information about mosquitoes, rodents, and other vector control issues. The telephone number for the Vector Control Program is 858-694-2888.

Citizens are often unaware that their dogs bark for extended periods of time while they are away from home. The City of Poway contracts with the San Diego Humane Society for animal control and dog barking complaints. Please call 619-299-7012 and leave your full name, address, address of the dog(s) and basic details about the complaint on the message line. An Animal Control Officer will notify the owners in writing about the barking.

Please understand that a barking dog is not necessarily a violation of the Poway Municipal Code and that calmly discussing a barking dog problem with your neighbor is often the best way to handle the situation.

Concerns about vehicles on the street should be referred to the Sheriff’s Poway Station at 858-513-2800.

Once you have an alarm company, you must apply for an alarm permit (PDF) with Munipal, the City’s contractor that manages the alarm system. You can also apply online using the City of Poway Alarm Site. You will need to pay a one-time fee of $69. 

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.

You can find information on commercial building setbacks in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.10.120.

SB 9 mandates jurisdictions, such as 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.

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

Information on sports court requirements can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.30.

Information can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.08.240.

Additionally, when building a wall or fence, please maintain clear access to the water meter. There must be a minimum 2-foot clearance on all sides of the water meter box and no obstructions above or over the meter box. Please review PMC 13.11.130.A for more information.

Information on permitted uses in residential zones can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.08.100.

Information on permitted uses in commercial zones can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.10.060.

Information can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.32.010.

Information regarding the granting of a variance can be found in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.50.070.

You can find information on residential building setbacks in the Poway Municipal Code - PMC 17.08.160.

Yes.

Submit a concept plan showing the footprint of the proposed home and driveway on your property to the City’s online portal. City staff will provide a helpful pre-submittal checklist of application requirements for your project. For many projects, vegetation clearing, grading or fire management zones should be determined before a building permit is submitted.

All applications are received through the City’s online portal.

Every new home construction project is different because every homesite is different. Property Information is available on City GIS maps. While this information is intended to help you understand the process, there is no substitute for qualified professional architects, engineers and contractors who are responsible to help you navigate this complex process. View our guidelines on Who May Prepare Plans.

To streamline the clearing process in compliance with State requirements, the city has adopted a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).  Projects that clear vegetation require a Biological Study prepared by a qualified biologist to determine what mitigation is required. The amount of clearing you can conduct is limited if your property is within the HCP Mitigation Area boundary shown on the City GIS map. Projects that clear vegetation require an Administrative Clearing Permit.

Fire fuel management zones are required for all structures. Projects within the Very High Fire Severity Zone as shown on the City GIS map require a Fire Fuel Management Plan and Landscape Plan. Fuel management zones extend 100-feet from each structure. When siting your home, ensure you have access rights over the fuel management area. Alternatively, mitigation such as a fire wall may be needed.

Nearly all new homes require a grading permit prepared by a qualified Civil Engineer. Projects within RR-A, RR-B, RR-C or RS-1 Zone on the City GIS map, require preparation of a Slope Analysis by a licensed Engineer. The maximum allowable graded area is set based on the slope analysis.  Learn more about the Grading Permit process.

Some projects trigger the need for improvements, including utility extensions, street widening, sidewalks, and lighting. Submitting a concept plan allows staff to evaluate what is needed to serve your project. Please refer to the Improvement Plan Submittal Checklist for a list of requirements. Construction within public right of way such as streets and utility easements require a Right of Way Permit.

Projects within an Archeological Sensitive Area as shown on the City GIS map, require an Archeological Study prepared by a qualified archeologist. This study should be conducted early in the process as you may need to avoid impacting sensitive areas. Projects within sensitive areas require an Administrative Clearing Permit.

After grading, habitat clearing and fire fuel management plans are complete, the building permit application can be submitted online. Additional resources, including Building Permit Application Requirements, Building Review Timeline, Development Resources, and Frequently Asked Questions are available online. At the time of submission of a building permit application, project proponents are required to post a sign at the front of the property notifying area residents of the planned construction.

If you have questions about building a new home, home addition or accessory dwelling unit, please contact the Planning Division at 858-668-4610.