Building Permit Application & Requirements

Apply Online

  1. City of Poway Online Services WebsiteUse City of Poway Online Services to complete and submit permit applications, plans, apply for business certificates, regulatory licenses and more. Effective June 1, 2022, only electronic submittals will be accepted.

For application submittal:

  • Complete and submit a City of Poway Building Permit Application to City of Poway Online Services (Online Services System is currently unavailable due to Planned System Maintenance - see note above).
  • Along with your Building Permit Application (PDF), you must include:
    • Plot Plan
    • Foundation Plan(s)
    • Floor Plan(s)
    • Electrical
    • Plumbing
    • Mechanical
    • Roof Plan
    • Building Elevations
    • Soils Report (if required)
    • Compaction Report (if required)
    • Framing Plan / Cross Sections
    • Structural plans / details / calculations
    • Truss Drawings
    • Energy Compliance
    • Schedules

Plan Samples

Samples of plans, such as a Plot Plan as shown below, are provided in a City of Poway information sheet titled Sample Plans for Typical Single-Story Dwelling (PDF) and may also be obtained at the Building Division Counter.

Additional Descriptions

Additional descriptions of details needed for each plan is included in a City of Poway information sheet titled Minimum Essential Items for Submitting Plans for Single-Family Dwellings and Accessory Structures (PDF) and may also be obtained at the Building Division Counter.

Green Building Standards for New Construction

The California Green Building Standards Code took effect in 2011 and was amended in 2016. The Code requires that new buildings in the state be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The new regulations will result in reductions in greenhouse gas emission, energy consumption and water use. All new construction projects that apply for a building permit are required to comply with the new Green Building standards.

Construction Debris

The California Green Building Standards Code also requires recycling / reuse of construction debris for any "new construction." All Building Permit Applicants for new construction shall also submit and obtain approval of a completed City of Poway Construction Waste Management Plan (CWMP). The application submittal, approval, and implementation are coordinated between the applicant, the City of Poway, and the city's franchise hauler, EDCO Waste & Recycling Services. Applicants (including Contractors and Subcontractors) must include this for any new construction that is subject to the California Green Building Standards Code.

Visit the California Building Standards Commission for detailed information concerning the California Green Building Standards Code.

CASP Advisory for Commercial Construction Building Permits

It is advised that you engage the services of a Certified Access Specialist (CASP) to inspect the proposed business location to ensure it is accessible to individuals with disabilities (PDF) in compliance with Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act (CRASCA, Civil Code 55.51-55.545) and Assembly Bill 3002 approved by the Governor on September 22, 2018.