How to respond to San Diego’s Cycle Issues report

What the City of San Diego calls its correction letter, how to resubmit, and what to include, from the city’s own pages. Each fact links to its source.

What the City of San Diego calls it

The City of San Diego calls its correction letter “Cycle Issues report”. It expects a written response letter that answers each comment.

Source: sandiego.gov

How to resubmit after San Diego plan check corrections

1. Respond to every discipline's comments at the same time; you can't resubmit corrections to one discipline separately.
2. Consolidate the responses into a single file and upload it as the requested file type.
3. The recheck starts after every document on the Required Submittal report is uploaded.

From the city’s instructions: sandiego.gov

What to include

• Every discipline's issues answered in one response file, by discipline and Issue number
• Everything on the Required Submittal report uploaded; the recheck starts after that
• The full plan set; partial submittals aren't accepted
• Every page in the plan set the same size, page numbers bottom right

From the city’s instructions: sandiego.gov

Codes its letters cite

Local code abbreviations you will see on the City of San Diego letters: SDMC.

Building code named on the city’s pages: 2025 California Building Standards Code.

Source: sandiego.gov

Local amendments to the building code

Filed local amendments with the California Building Standards Commission (ordinance 22042, 22043).

Source: dgs.ca.gov

Sections the City of San Diego changes from the state code (summaries in our words; read the ordinance for the exact text):

• CRC 129.0203: Building permit procedures updated; fence exception changed so swimming pool barriers need a permit.
• CFC 142.1210: Consistency with CFC, CRC and CBC for buildings set back from streets and driveways; only CRC projects need curb marking.
• CBC 145.0101 through §145.0103: Amended; see the ordinance.
• CBC 145.0406: Garage door operators and vehicular gates: battery backup required, evacuation allowed during shutoffs, 'Opener' changed to 'Operator'.
• CBC 145.0701 through §145.0711: Amended; see the ordinance
• CBC 145.1208: Amended; see the ordinance
• CBC 145.1501: Amended; see the ordinance.
• CBC 145.1512: Amended; see the ordinance
• CBC 1505.1: Requires only Class A roof coverings.
• CBC 1507.8: Prohibits wood shingles and wood shakes except as allowed under the CHBC.
• CBC 1507.9: Prohibits wood shingles and wood shakes except as allowed under the CHBC.
• CBC 145.1704: Amended; see the ordinance.

The ordinance amends more sections than these.

The amendments: sandiego.gov

Official links

• Resubmittal instructions
• Building department page
• Permit open data
• Building department: 619-446-5000 (sandiego.gov, checked October 31, 2026)
• Address: 7650 Mission Valley Road, MS# DSD-1A, San Diego, CA 92108 (sandiego.gov, checked October 31, 2026)

Links and facts checked on October 28, 2026.

California rules every plan check here follows

These come from California law and state agencies, so they apply in San Diego as well. Each links to its source.

Building code in force

The 2025 edition of Title 24, the California Building Standards Code, has been in effect since January 1, 2026.

Source: California Building Standards Commission, checked October 31, 2026

Energy code

If your permit application was filed on or after January 1, 2026, the project has to meet the 2025 Energy Code.

Source: California Energy Commission, checked October 31, 2026

Energy forms with the application

A building permit application covered by the energy code (Part 6) must include at least one copy of the required energy compliance documents.

Source: California Energy Commission, 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, checked October 31, 2026

Green building code (CALGreen)

The 2025 edition of CALGreen, the state green building code (Part 11), took effect on January 1, 2026.

Source: California Building Standards Commission, checked October 31, 2026

ADU decision deadline

If the city or county has not approved or denied a complete application for an ADU or junior ADU within 60 days, the application is treated as approved (Gov. Code § 66317).

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU Handbook, checked October 31, 2026

ADU denials must explain the fix

When a city or county denies an ADU or junior ADU application, it must send written comments within 60 days that list each problem and explain how you can correct it.

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU Handbook, checked October 31, 2026

Building permits for approved housing projects

For housing projects that already have planning approval, the city or county has 15 business days to say whether a building permit application is complete, then 30 or 60 days, depending on how many units are proposed, to decide whether it meets the standards.

Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing Law Fact Sheets, checked October 31, 2026

What a good response to Cycle Issues report has

General guidance, not the City of San Diego’s own rules. Check its page before you resubmit.

• Answer every comment, in the reviewer’s order and numbering, so nothing is missed.
• Say plainly what you changed for each comment, or why no change is needed.
• Name the sheet and detail where each change is, so the reviewer can find it fast.
• Mark changes on the drawings (clouds or deltas are common) and keep sheet numbers the same.
• Send the response letter, the revised drawings and any new calculations together.

Other California city guides

• City of Carlsbad
• City of Coronado
• City of Del Mar
• City of El Cajon
• City of Encinitas

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