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Division 1 — General Construction Permit Authority and Procedures

§129.0121 License and Insurance Requirements for Contractors and Subcontractors

San Diego Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Diego

  • (a) Applicability of this Section.

    • (1) This Section applies to construction permits listed in Section 129.0121(a)(1)(A) but only if the development involves any of the activities listed in Section 129.0121(a)(1)(B)-(D):

      • (A) Building Permits, Electrical Permits, Plumbing/Mechanical Permits, Demolition/Removal Permits, Grading Permits, Public Right-of-Way Permits, and Fire Permits.

      • (B) Residential and mixed-use development consisting of, or involving twenty or more dwelling units , including single dwelling unit and multi-family subdivisions.

      • (C) Commercial or industrial development that proposes 20,000 square feet or more of tenant improvements, or construction of 20,000 square feet of additional new gross floor area .

      • (D) Any development that requires a Public Right-of-Way Permit.

Ch. Art. Div. 12 9 1 17

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 12: Land Development Reviews

(10-2024)

  • (2) This Section applies to all local, state, and federal agencies (unless exempt) except for the City of San Diego. The City of San Diego is subject to the requirements in Chapter 2, Article 2, Divisions 30, 31, 33, 34 and 36 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

  • (3) Any contractor that believes its work is exempt under California Business and Professions Code Division 3, Chapter 9, Article 3 (Exemptions) and therefore not subject this Section shall provide in writing the basis for the exemption to the City.

  • (b) Requirements of this Section.

    • (1) No person shall be issued, or utilize a construction permit , as specified in Section 129.0121(a), unless they are:

      • (A) A contractor licensed and insured pursuant to the applicable provisions of the California Business and Professions Code or agent; or

      • (B) The record owner or an agent of the record owner performing their own work , or

      • (C) Any other person who can demonstrate a legal right, interest, or entitlement to the use of the real property performing their own work.

    • (2) All work as specified in Section 129.0121(a) shall be performed by contractors and subcontractors licensed and insured pursuant to the applicable provisions of the California Business and Professions Code, except a record owner or person identified in Section 129.0121(b)(1)(c) performing their own work.

  • (c) Compliance with this Section.

    • (1) Prior to permit issuance, the applicant shall submit the following:

      • (A) A list of all project contractors and subcontractors that includes the following information for each contractor and subcontractor:

        • (i) Valid worker’s compensation insurance information, including policy number and expiration date;

        • (ii) State contractor license number, license category, and license expiration date;

        • (iii) City business license number and expiration date;

Ch. Art. Div.
12 9 1 18

San Diego Municipal Code (10-2024)

Chapter 12: Land Development Reviews

  • (iv) State, and federal tax identification numbers; and

       - (v) Whether the contractor or subcontractor has any pending, or prior enforcement actions for any state, or federal labor violations, or paid any penalties to a government agency related to the provisions of the California Labor Code. 
    
    - (B) For Public Right-of-Way Permits, the _applicant_ shall state whether the work to be performed requires safety certifications, safety trainings, professional certifications, or professional licenses. If any of these apply, the _applicant_ shall provide the following: 
    
       - (i) A list of the certifications, trainings, and licenses required for the work; and 
    
       - (ii) Confirmation that the _applicant’s_ employees, or the employees of the relevant contractor, subcontractor, or agent have the required certifications, trainings and licenses, specifying the contractor, subcontractor, or agent if applicable. 
    
    • (2) If the applicant is unable to provide the information in Section 129.0121(c)(1)(A)-(B) prior to construction permit issuance, or in the event the permit holder adds or changes contractors or subcontractors following permit issuance, the permit holder shall provide the information required in Section 129.0121(c)(1)(A)-(B) prior to work being performed or the new contractor or subcontractor starting work.

    • (3) If any of the information required in Section 129.0121(c)(1)(A)-(B) changes for any of the contractors or subcontractors, the permit holder shall provide updated information prior to the contractor or subcontractor performing any further work under the construction permit .

  • (d) Violation of this Section. Failure to comply with this Section shall constitute performance of work without the required permit, pursuant to Section 121.0302. A violation of this Section is subject to all remedies available to the City under Chapter 12, Article 1, Division 3 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

(“License and Insurance Requirements of Contractors and Subcontractors” added 9-21-2022 by O-21509 N.S.; effective 10-21-2022.)

Ch. Art. Div. 12 9 1 19

San Diego Municipal Code (10-2024)

Chapter 12: Land Development Reviews

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Contents — San Diego Zoning Code
San Diego Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 9
  2. Division 2 — House Numbers
  3. Division 3 — Advertising Displays Adjacent to Scenic Freeways,…
  4. Division 1 — General Provisions and Definitions
  5. Division 2 — Financing Facilities
  6. Division 3 — Bonds
  7. Division 1 — Housing Code
  8. Division 2 — Mobilehome Parks and Special Occupancy Parks
  9. Division 3 — San Diego Housing Commission
  10. Division 4 — Interim School Facilities Financing Ordinance
  11. Division 6 — Housing Impact Fees On Commercial Development
  12. Division 7 — Residential Tenant Protections
  13. Division 8 — Prohibition of Discrimination Based on a Tenant’s…
  14. Division 9 — Notice of Tenant’s Right to Operate a Daycare Home
  15. Division 10 — Affordable Housing Preservation
  16. Division 11 — Prohibition of Anti-Competitive Automated Rent P…
  17. Division 12 — Residential Tenant Utility Fees
  18. Division 1 — In General
  19. Division 2 — Responsibilities of City Council
  20. Division 3 — Administration of Program
  21. Division 5 — Designation of Residential Rehabilitation Areas a…
  22. Division 6 — Limitations on Amount of Loan
  23. Division 7 — Terms of Conventional RAP Loans
  24. Division 9 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  25. Division 19.7 — The Centre City Planned District
  26. Division 19.8 — The Centre City Planned District
  27. Division 2 — Land Development Authorities and Advisory Boards
  28. Division 2 — Fees and Deposits
  29. Division 3 — Notice
  30. Division 4 — Public Hearings
  31. Division 5 — Decision Process
  32. Division 1 — Definitions
  33. Division 2 — Rules for Calculation and Measurement
  34. Division 2 — Enforcement Authorities For the Land Development …
  35. Division 4 — Procedures For Abatement of Unsafe, Dangerous,
  36. Division 1 — Adoption And Amendment Procedures for Land Use Pl…
  37. Division 1 — Zoning and Rezoning Procedures
  38. Division 3 — Zoning Use Certificate Procedures
  39. Division 5 — Residential High Occupancy Permit
  40. Division 6 — Mobile Food Truck Permit
  41. Division 1 — General Subdivision Procedures
  42. Division 2 — Certificate of Compliance
  43. Division 4 — Tentative Maps (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.)
  44. Division 5 — Parcel Maps (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; eff…
  45. Division 6 — Final Maps
  46. Division 7 — Merger of Parcels (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S…
  47. Division 8 — Reversion to Acreage
  48. Division 9 — Public Right-of-Way Vacations
  49. Division 10 — Easement Vacations
  50. Division 3 — Conditional Use Permit Procedures
  51. Division 4 — Neighborhood Development Permit Procedures (Added…
  52. Division 5 — Site Development Permit Procedures
  53. Division 6 — Planned Development Permit Procedures (Added 12-9…
  54. Division 8 — Variance Procedures
  55. Division 1 — General Review Procedures for Previously Conformi…
  56. Division 2 — Review Procedures for Previously Conforming Signs
  57. Division 1 — General Procedures and Authorities for Implementa…
  58. Division 2 — Procedures for Determination of
  59. Division 3 — Procedures for Preparation and Review of Environm…
  60. Division 1 — General Construction Permit Authority and Procedu…
  61. Division 2 — Building Permit Procedures
  62. Division 3 — Electrical Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by …
  63. Division 4 — Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Procedures
  64. Division 6 — Grading Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by O-1…
  65. Division 7 — Public Right-of-Way Permits
  66. Division 9 — Fire Permit Procedures
  67. Division 4 — Residential Base Zones
  68. Division 5 — Commercial Base Zones
  69. Division 6 — Industrial Base Zones
  70. Division 7 — Mixed-Use Base Zones
  71. Division 2 — Airport Approach Overlay Zone
  72. Division 3 — Airport Environs Overlay Zone
  73. Division 6 — Sensitive Coastal Overlay Zone
  74. Division 7 — Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone (Added 12-9-1997 by …
  75. Division 8 — Parking Impact Overlay Zone
  76. Division 9 — Residential Tandem Parking Overlay Zone
  77. Division 10 — Transit Area Overlay Zone
  78. Division 11 — Urban Village Overlay Zone
  79. Division 12 — Mission Trails Design District
  80. Division 13 — Clairemont Height Limit Overlay Zone
  81. Division 15 — Airport Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone
  82. Division 16 — Community Enhancement Overlay Zone

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