Process Guides
Forms & Specifications
Fee Information
FAQ's

Single-Family Addition

This Guide is designed to help you through the permitting and construction processes associated with an addition to a single-family or duplex.

To find out if a permit is required, please review our handout, Work Exempt From Building Permits, Form 4551 (pdf) , or call us at (619) 691-5272. Work exempt from a building permit must still comply with applicable local and State building regulations and codes. Furthermore, 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 (619-691-5101) to ensure your proposed structure meets all standards, such as setbacks from property lines and adjacent structures, allowable height, and lot coverage.

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 a meeting call 619-585-5621 or visit the Planning Division counter located in the Public Services Building at 276 Fourth Avenue (north-west corner of 4th and F), downtown Chula Vista.

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 Residential Addition-Remodel-Patio-Wall/Fence-Pool Worksheet, Form 4562 (pdf).
2. Three 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 (pdf).
3. Three 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 and other applicable plans as listed in the Residential Addition-Remodel-Patio-Wall/Fence-Pool Worksheet, Form 4562 (pdf).
4. Two copies of each of the following documents are required; Soils report or a completed Soils Waiver Form, Form 4597 (pdf), 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 and square footage. For additional information on fees, please see Fee Information.

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 21 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 residential addition:

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

For a list of detailed information on what is to be complete for each inspection click here.

After all required inspections are approved and required approvals from other divisions and/or departments are obtained, our Building Inspector will sign-off the Inspection Card.