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Division 4 — Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Procedures

§129.0503 Exemptions from a Demolition/Removal Permit

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

  • (a) A Demolition/Removal Permit is not required to demolish or remove any structure that is exempt from a Building Permit in accordance with Section 129.0203.

  • (b) A Demolition/Removal Permit is not required to demolish the following:

    • (1) A one-story frame structure that is 500 square feet or less in area, and not served by a sewer, electrical, or gas system, unless the structure has been determined to be a contributing element to a designated historical structure or site;

    • (2) A temporary construction shed or office; or

    • (3) A temporary tract or subdivision office for which a temporary construction permit had been previously issued.

  • (c) A Demolition/Removal Permit is not required to demolish only a part of a structure . A partial demolition may require a Building Permit in accordance with Chapter 12, Article 9, Division 2.

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 4-6-2016 by O-20624 N.S.; effective 5-6-2016.)

Ch. Art. Div. 12 9 5 1

San Diego Municipal Code (12-2019)

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
    Overview
    1. §129.0401 Purpose of Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Procedures
    2. §129.0402 When a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Is Required
    3. §129.0403 Exemptions from a Plumbing Permit for Plumbing Work
    4. §129.0404 Exemptions from a Mechanical Permit for Heating, Ven…
    5. §129.0405 General Rules for Plumbing/Mechanical Permits
    6. §129.0406 Qualifications for Obtaining a Plumbing/Mechanical P…
    7. §129.0407 How to Apply for a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit
    8. §129.0409 Decision Process for a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit
    9. §129.0410 Issuance of a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit and Closing…
    10. §129.0411 Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Expiration
    11. §129.0415 Required Inspections for a Plumbing/Mechanical Permit
    12. §129.0419 No Deviation from Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Without…
    13. §129.0420 Temporary Plumbing Permit
    14. §129.0421 Temporary Gas Permit
    15. §129.0501 Purpose of Demolition/Removal Permit Procedures
    16. §129.0502 When a Demolition/Removal Permit Is Required
    17. §129.0503 Exemptions from a Demolition/Removal Permit
    18. §129.0504 How to Apply for a Demolition/Removal Permit
    19. §129.0505 Decision Process on a Demolition/Removal Permit
    20. §129.0506 Issuance of a Demolition/Removal Permit
    21. §129.0507 Qualifications to Do Demolition Work
    22. §129.0508 Initial Utilization of a Demolition/Removal Permit
    23. §129.0509 Expiration of a Demolition/Removal Permit
    24. §129.0510 Extension of Time for a Demolition/Removal Permit
    25. §129.0511 Required Inspection for a Demolition/Removal Permit
  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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