Structure Hardening

Take a look at the structure you live in and see what needs to be completed to make your home FIRE SAFE!

MANUFACTURED HOMES: If you are the owner of a manufactured home you must contact the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development as they are the enforcement agency for alterations to manufactured homes. For more information regarding HCD alteration permit requirements and fees, please contact them at: 951-782-4420 (Southern Area/Riverside, CA). Link to HCD MH 604 (Manufactured Home Alterations and Permit Guidelines): http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/mhp/HCDMH604.pdf

Please contact the appropriate building department (City if your home is within San Diego City limits, or County of San Diego) for specifics about your home construction and fire code building retrofit construction you will need. The grants program staff cannot answer questions about your home construction.

SCOPE OF WORK SAN DIEGO COUNTY BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENT and BUILDING PERMIT FEES
  • Remove and Replace Roof Material
    Remove and replace roof material, underlayment & sheathing only.

Code Requirements: Roofs shall have a minimum Class ‘A’ roof covering and material must meet California Energy Code Requirements*
* http://coolroofs.org/index.php/resources/california-title-24
Building Permit: Yes
Fees: Yes State fees, No plan check or permit fees
Must Provide: Area (square footage) of new roof material coverage.
Specification for roof material to be installed.
  • Remove and Replace/Install New Attic Vents
    Replace existing and install new at roof and or gable end(s) of structure.

Code Requirements: Vents must be designed to resist the intrusion of flames and embers or shall be protected by louvers and 1/8″ non-combustible, corrosion-resistant mesh. Total net free vent area must be equal to or greater than 1/150 of the total attic area (attic square footage divided by 150)
Building Permit: Yes
Fees: Yes State fees, No plan check or permit fees
Must Provide: Area (square footage) of attic to be ventilated.
Quantity/square footage of vents to be installed.
Specification for vent(s) to be installed
  • Remove and Replace Windows/skylights and/or Exterior Doors/Garage
    Same opening size of window(s)/door(s)/no enlargement (including garage doors).

Code Requirements: Windows must be dual pane with a minimum of one tempered pane or glass block or have a fire resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes. Glazing frames made of vinyl must have welded corners and metal reinforcing in the interlock area. Windows must also meet California Energy Code Requirements. Doors shall be solid core 1-3/8” thick or approved ignition resistant construction (i.e. metal) or have a fire prevention rating of not less than 20 minutes.

Building Permit: Yes
Fees: Yes State fees, No plan check or permit fees
Must Provide: Area (square footage) of replacement windows and/or doors.
The County Building Division accepts online applications for window replacement at:
http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/OnlinePermits.html
  • Remove and Replace Exterior Siding
    Remove and replace exterior finish material & underlayment only.

Code Requirements: Exterior wall surfaces shall be non-combustible (stucco, cement fiber board). An exception exists where 3/8” drop siding is allowed when installed over fire-rated gypsum sheathing that is tightly butted, or taped and mudded.
Building Permit: Yes
Fees: Yes State fees, No plan check or permit fees
Must Provide: Area (square footage) of new material coverage. Specification for material to be installed.
  • Eave Boxing
    Enclose existing framing members; i.e. rafter tails & fascia.

Code Requirements: As with exterior wall surfaces, the material used to box (enclose) the eaves shall be non-combustible (stucco, cement fiber board).
Building Permit: Yes Must use County detail(s)*
Fees: Yes State fees, No plan check or permit fees
Must Provide: Specification for material to be installed.
Copy of eave detail to be installed *.
PDS 198/Ignition Resistant Eave Construction
  • Removal and Replacement of Decks or Patio Covers
    Remove and replace deck. Remove and replace patio cover.

Code Requirements: Must be ‘heavy timber’ construction, approved fire-retardant treated lumber, approved composite product or other approved ignition-resistant material.
Building Permit: Yes Must use County detail(s)*
Fees: Yes Decks more than 30″ above grade and Patio Cover more than 300 square feet in area will have Plan check and permit fees assessed*
* Misc. Over the Counter Permit (OTC) fees per PDS 613
**no plan check fee/permit if using ‘County Details’ PDS 044 or PDS 078
Must Provide: Complete plans and details for deck or patio cover.
PDS 044 Residential Decks
PDS 078 Patio Covers & Carports

State Fees are:

  • Seismic fee
    is authorized by CPRC Section 2705 requires County collect fee for State of CA strong-motion instrumentation program.
  • Green Building fee
    is authorized by CA State Health and Safety Code Section 18931.6 requires County collect fee for carrying out provisions of the State Building Standards Law and provision of State Housing Law that relate to building standards.

State Fees associated with above retrofit project types estimated to be in range of $5.00 to $20.00.

  1. *Source: Structure Hardening