Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Building Services
12-
Building Services
Poway Municipal Code Title 15 adopted the following building codes with local amendments:
- 2025 California Administrative Code
- 2025 California Building Code
- 2025 California Electrical Code
- 2025 California Residential Code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code
- 2025 California Mechanical Code
- 2025 California Energy Code
- 2025 California Historical Code
- 2025 California Building Standards Code
- 2025 California Existing Building Code
- 2025 California Green Building Standards Code
- 2025 Referenced Standard Code
- 2025 California Fire Code
- 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings
-
Building Services
Go to PowGIS, click on ‘Search’, enter in your address, then click the search icon, then ‘Community Info’, then expand the ‘Planning Information’ data.
-
Building Services
The length of time to process your permit can vary depending on the nature of your project. Each plan review cycle requires up to 14 calendar days for building review and up to 28 calendar days for planning and engineering reviews. The number of review/revision cycles is dependent upon the quality of the application materials the responsiveness to comments received. All applications are received through the City’s online portal.
-
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.Building Services
-
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.Building Services
-
Building Services
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.
-
Building Services
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. Download the Building Permit Application Checklist for a list of requirements.
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.
-
Other types of special information that may be required are:Building Services
- 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. -
Building Services
- 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. -
Projects for retaining walls, patio covers and decks require:Building Services
- 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)
-
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.Building Services
-
Building Services
Certain types of work require a Grading Permit, in addition to a Building Permit.