Land Development

The Land Development Division provides engineering and review services for construction and development projects throughout the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. The DPW Land Development Website hosts additional information related to processes under their ultimate authority. 

 

Removing Barriers to Housing – Guaranteed Review Times

As directed by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on May 24, 2023, under Short-Term Actions 1, 2, and 3a to go into effect on July 1, 2024., PDS has developed Guaranteed Review Timelines for certain housing projects, including discretionary projects that are required to go through environmental review per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as well as ministerial permits like building permits. To qualify for a guaranteed review time, the project must a be a deed restricted affordable housing project (all units), a workforce housing project, or a housing project within a Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) efficient and/or qualify as infill area as identified in the County's Transportation Study Guide. For further information please visit the Guaranteed Review Times page.

 

Note: As of December 1st, 2025 DEHQ is now located at 5500 Overland Ave. Suite 110, 1st Floor

Land Development Grading and Improvement Plan Permits will require Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) review PRIOR to the initial intake appointment. DEHQ signature on the PDS-820 form and creation of a DEHQ record is required prior to submittal of Grading and Improvement Plan Projects to Land Development.

If DEHQ review is required for your project, payment is required prior to first submittal of Grading and Improvement Plan Projects (after Pre-Screen). 

Click here for the Department of Environmental Health and Quality main webpage for more information

All DEHQ fees will be collected in accordance with the fee schedule in effect for the fiscal year in which the services are performed. If work occurs in a different fiscal year than when the original fees were assessed, applicants may be re-invoiced at the current fiscal year rates.

 

 

LD counter engineer

Schedule an appointment online with Land Development Counter staff for the following appointment types:

  • Grading Permit or Improvement Plan Application Submittal
  • Grading Permit or Improvement Plan Issuance

We will require a flash drive in addition to the hard copy files for all new projects and resubmittals for the following permits:

  • All Major, Minor, and Stockpile Grading Permits  
  • All Major, Minor, and Public Improvement Plans 
  • Final Map Applications
  • Parcel Map Applications
  • Centerline Applications
  • PDP SWQMP Referrals

Use Flash Drive Submittal Checklist  for instructions on naming submittal documents

The Flash Drive MUST include individual PDF files of all required documents, plans, and reports. ZIP files, encrypted or password protected are not allowed. For questions please contact your Land Development Project Manager, or the Land Development Counter at ldpermitcounter@sdcounty.ca.gov

 

Urgent Notice: Construction Projects

All active construction projects operating under the 2009 Construction General Permit (CGP) must transition to coverage under the 2022 CGP by September 1, 2025. Projects not transitioned by this date will be automatically terminated and must reapply to resume construction. 

For more information, visit the County's page on the Construction General Permit.