MEP Plans in San Diego, CA
Permit-ready mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans for ADUs, garage conversions, additions and single-family homes in San Diego, prepared for plan check at City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD), with Title 24 available in the same order.
San Diego project facts we design around
| County | San Diego County |
|---|---|
| Title 24 climate zone | Climate Zone 7 (with parts in CZ 10), confirmed by ZIP for every project |
| Electric utility (most addresses) | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) |
| Permit review | City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) |
| ADU permits issued, 2021–2025 | 7,891 (#2 of 450 cities) |
| ADU approval timeline | Approve or deny within 60 days of a complete application (state law) |
ADU building activity in San Diego
San Diego issued 7,891 ADU building permits from 2021 through 2025, the 2nd most among the 450 California cities that reported ADU permits. Permits went from 870 in 2021 to 2,165 in 2025.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 870 | 662 | 1,913 | 2,281 | 2,165 |
Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, Annual Progress Report data (ADU building permits by year).
Title 24 in Climate Zone 7
- Windows: U-factor 0.30 or lower and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) 0.23 or lower, with total window area up to 20% of floor area (west-facing up to 5%).
- Solar PV sized by the CEC formula kW = (floor area x 0.572) / 1000 + 1.15; no PV is required if that is under 1.8 kWdc, which for a single ADU works out to about 1,136 sq ft or smaller.
Climate Zone 7 requirements in full →
HVAC design for San Diego
The California Energy Commission's design-day data for San Diego gives the outdoor conditions a Manual J load calculation uses: a summer design temperature of 82°F and a winter design temperature of 38°F.
| Summer design (1%) | 82°F dry bulb / 69°F wet bulb |
|---|---|
| Winter design (median of extremes) | 38°F |
| Daily temperature range | 13°F |
| Elevation | 13 ft |
| Heating degree days | 1,507 |
Loads are small in this mild climate, so the common mistake is oversizing. A right-sized heat pump runs longer, quieter cycles and controls humidity better than a rule-of-thumb unit.
Electrical service from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
If the load calculation shows you need a service upgrade, a second meter or a relocated service, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) handles that through its My Project Center portal, separately from the building permit.
ADU electrical service with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) →
Plumbing and sewer
The plumbing plan shows the route, slope and cleanouts of the connection to the existing sewer lateral.
Pricing is flat statewide: ADU plans from $995, full ADU MEP package from $2,295, Title 24 add-on $240. See what's in a complete ADU MEP set.
San Diego neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Climate zone | ADU permits 2021–25 |
|---|---|---|
| La Jolla | CZ 7 | 166 |
| San Ysidro | CZ 7 | 57 |
Nearby places compared
| Place | Climate zone | Electric utility | ADU permits 2021–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | CZ 7, 10 | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | 968 |
| Oceanside | CZ 7 | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | 689 |
| Encinitas | CZ 7 | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | 556 |
| Vista | CZ 7 | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | 475 |
| Escondido | CZ 10 | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | 446 |
| La Mesa | CZ 7 | San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | 420 |
San Diego County → · All California cities and communities →
Guides for San Diego projects
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Start My OrderGeneral guidance, not legal advice. Climate zone and utility are shown for most addresses in San Diego; requirements vary by project. Confirm with City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD).