Skip to main content

New construction · San Diego

How long does new construction take in San Diego?

New construction in San Diego typically follows a 10-phase sequence — feasibility, design, entitlements, plan check, permit issuance, sitework, foundation, framing/MEP, finishes, and final inspections. Local plan-check queues at City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) and San Diego-specific risk factors are the main schedule levers; we publish the city's phase-by-phase timeline rather than a generic month count.

What changes the answer in San Diego.

Schedule risk in San Diego is concentrated in: ESL and biology review; Coastal Development Permit; Community plan and Historic Resources review. DSD plan check via Accela; complex projects routed to specialized reviewers (coastal, ESL, historic).

  • ESL and biology review
  • Coastal Development Permit
  • Community plan and Historic Resources review
  • Grading permit on sloped sites

Source-backed note

Plan check and inspection cadence is published by City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD); entitlement review (where required) runs in parallel with design.

Local authority: City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD)

Get a San Diego-specific answer for your parcel.

Send us the address and we'll respond with a feasibility note that cites City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) and the parcel's actual constraints — not a generic checklist.

Alpha Dream Construction — licensed California general contractor.

request a quote

Tell us what you’re building.

A few specifics — city, scope, budget, target date. We’ll come back with a one-page feasibility note within the week.

Phone or email — at least one so we can reply.

We use this to route your lead to the right studio. No spam, ever.

Made it this far?After hours · reply first thing tomorrow

Then you're serious. Let's put it on a clipboard.

  • 10-minute call with the foreman
  • We tell you what your build actually costs, today
  • No follow-up unless you ask

Free · Same-week scheduling

Contact form · 30 seconds

or call (818) 650-3197

No spam. We reply personally — usually within 3 hours.

Call