San Diego Municipal Code Div. 5 Demolition/Removal Permit Procedures

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

The purpose of these procedures is to establish the process for review of Demolition/Removal Permit applications for compliance with the minimum standards necessary to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare. The intent of these procedures is to protect the public against personal injury or property damage and to insure completion of the demolition or removal and cleanup of the site. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

No person shall demolish, cause to be demolished, or remove any structure unless a valid Demolition/Removal Permit has been issued and is in effect for that structure, except as exempted from this requirement in Section 129.0503. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

(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.)

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An application for a Demolition/Removal Permit shall be submitted in accordance with Sections 112.0102 and 129.0105.

(a) If the demolition is for a multiple dwelling unit structure containing four or
more units, the applicant shall certify on the application that each tenant who
may be affected by the proposed demolition has been notified of the owner’s
intent to apply for a Demolition/Removal Permit. The form of the notice shall
be prescribed by the Building Official. Service of the notice shall be by U.S.
Mail or by personal delivery.

(b) The Building Official may waive the Demolition/Removal Permit fees, and
bond, public liability, and damage insurance fees for demolition of a structure
that is two stories or less in height and has been declared by a government
authority to be unsafe or a public nuisance. A copy of the letter of declaration
from the government authority must be presented when applying for the
Demolition/Removal Permit. Workers’ compensation insurance requirements
still apply even if fees are waived.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 8-9-2019 by O-21114 N.S.; effective 9-8-2019.)

A decision on an application for a Demolition/Removal Permit shall be made by the Building Official in accordance with Process One. The Demolition/Removal Permit shall be approved if the Building Official finds that the work described in the permit application, plans, specifications, and other data, complies with the requirements of the Land Development Code, other applicable laws and ordinances and any applicable development permit. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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(a) A Demolition/Removal Permit may be issued after all required approvals and documentation have been obtained and the required fees have been paid. In addition to plan check approvals, other documentation may be required before permit issuance, in conformance with the requirements of the Land Development Code, or the laws or requirements of other local, state, or federal jurisdictions. A Demolition/Removal Permit shall not be issued for a development that requires a development permit or for which a development permit application has been submitted until the development permit has been issued or has been withdrawn, where not otherwise required.

(b) A Demolition/Removal Permit for demolition work shall be issued only to an
applicant who holds a valid State of California Contractor’s license that
authorizes the applicant to perform demolitions or to the owner of the real
property on which the structure to be demolished is situated.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.)
(Amended 1-18-2018 by O-20897 N.S.; effective 2-17-2018.)

No person may demolish a structure unless the person holds a valid State of California Contractor’s License authorizing demolition work or is the owner of the real property on which the structure to be demolished is situated. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

A Demolition/Removal Permit shall become void if the work authorized and required by the permit has not begun within 60 calendar days of the date of permit issuance and has not been validated by an inspection. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Renumbered from Section 129.0510 and amended 1-18-2018 by O-20897 N.S.; effective 2-17-2018. Former Section 129.0508 “Surety Required Prior to Demolition” repealed.)

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 12: Land Development Reviews (12-2019)

A Demolition/Removal Permit shall expire if all the work authorized has not been completed and has not received final inspection approval within 120 calendar days of the date of permit issuance, unless an extension has been granted pursuant to Section 129.0510. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Renumbered from Section 129.0511 and amended 1-18-2018 by O-20897 N.S.; effective 2-17-2018. Former Section 129.0509 “Insurance Requirements for Demolition Work” repealed.)

(a) Before the expiration date of a Demolition/Removal Permit, a permit holder may submit an application for an extension of time.

(b) The Building Official may approve one extension of time for a
Demolition/Removal Permit if the Official determines that circumstances
beyond the control of the applicant prevented completion of the work.

(c) The permit extension shall provide an additional 60 calendar days, starting
from the original permit expiration date, to complete the work authorized by
the permit.

(d) No additional extension of time shall be granted and if the work is not
completed by the end of the extension of time a default shall be deemed to
have occurred.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Renumbered from former Section 129.0512 and amended 1-18-2018 by
O-20897 N.S.; effective 2-17-2018. Former Section 129.0510 “Initial Utilization of a
Demolition/Removal Permit” renumbered to Section 129.0508.)

All work authorized by a Demolition/Removal Permit shall be inspected by the Building Official in accordance with Section 129.0111. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Renumbered from former Section 129.0513 and amended 1-18-2018 by O-20897 N.S.; effective 2-17-2018. Former Section 129.0511 “Expiration of a Demolition/Removal Permit” renumbered to Section 129.0509.)

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Article 9: Construction Permits