Process Guides
Forms & Specifications
Fee Information
FAQs

This Guide is designed to help you through the permitting and construction processes associated with multi-residential projects, which includes hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums and other buildings containing more than two dwelling units. A building permit is required for all multi-residential projects.

We recommend that the first thing you do is schedule a Pre-Application meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to give you the opportunity to meet with representatives from various City departments/divisions to identify and discuss any major issues at an early stage of the project. To schedule call 619-585-5621 or visit the Planning Division counter located in the Public Services Building at 276 Fourth Avenue (northwest corner of 4th and F, downtown Chula Vista.)

The Chula Vista Zoning Ordinance applies to the use and location of all structures, including those not requiring a building permit. All new structures must therefore be reviewed by the Planning Division to ensure the structure meets the requirements of the zone. Please check with Planning staff to ensure your proposed structure meets all standards, such as setbacks from property lines and adjacent structures, allowable height, and lot coverage.

Projects requiring discretionary approvals (Design Review Committee, Conditional Use Permit, etc.) must be approved before applying for a building permit.

For us to accept your permit application, you must provide us with a complete submittal package. A complete submittal package consists of the following:

1. A completed "New Single & Multi-Family Worksheet", Form 4611.
2. Four copies of a Plot/Site Plan showing the general layout of the building site, location of new and existing buildings, retaining walls and other structures. Please review our handout, "How To Prepare A Residential Plot Plan", Form 4595
3. Four copies of construction plans and details, including but not limited to; title sheet, foundation plan, floor plan, elevations, roof plan, cross sections, framing plans and details, plans demonstrating compliance with disabled access requirements, electrical/plumbing/mechanical plans and other applicable plans as listed in the "New Single & Multifamily Worksheet", Form 4611.
4. Two copies of each of the following documents are required; Soils Report (two additional copies required for projects utilizing post tension foundation design), Title 24 energy compliance documentation (Certificate of Compliance sheets shall be reproduced on actual plan sheets), structural analysis/calculations, engineered trusses layout and details (if roof/floor trusses are used), and single line diagram for electrical services over 200 amps.

During the permitting process you will be asked to pay two separate fees; Plan Check Fee and Permit Fee. You are required to pay the Plan Check Fee before we can take in your application for plan check. As for the Permit Fee, you must pay it at time of permit issuance. Both fees are determined by the type of construction, type of occupancy, square footage and the extent of the tenant improvement. For additional information on fees, please see "Fee Information" web page.

After our Development Services Technicians (DST's) verify that the application package is complete, and you pay the Plan Check Fees, they will forward a set of plans/documents to each of the four departments/divisions; Building, Planning, Engineering and Fire. Approval from all four departments/divisions is required prior to permit issuance. To contact any of the departments/divisions, please see the contact list shown at the end of this document.

The plan check process is then tracked in our Automated Tracking System and the project is assigned a standard turn-around-time. The standard turn-around-time for an initial review is 28 calendar days. The standard turn-around-time for follow-up reviews (rechecks) is 14 calendar days.

After you obtain all the required approvals and pay the Permit Fee, a DST will issue you a building permit. Now you can start construction. At certain stages of the construction, you must schedule for an inspection. The following list represents the sequence of required inspections for a typical tenant improvement:

1. Underground plumbing and electrical
2. Foundation
3. Roof Nailing
4. Exterior wall construction
5. Interior framing and rough trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)
6. Drywall nailing
7. Lath nailing
8. Gas pressure test
9. Final Inspection

After all required inspections are approved and required approvals from other divisions and/or departments are obtained, our Building Inspector will notify the utility company to release the electric meter. For multi-family and commercial buildings a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. The issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy authorizes you to occupy and use the facility based on the permitted use shown on the Certificate of Occupancy.  The City of Chula Vista does not issue Certificates of Occupancy on single family dwellings.