San Diego Outdoor Kitchen Permits (2025): Gas Line Sizing, Electrical Circuits, Venting, HOA & Coastal
Updated August 2025 — San Diego County
Written by:
Luke W., Founder & Owner of INSTALL-IT-DIRECT
Luxury Landscape Design & Build Expert • 16+ Years in San Diego
Reviewed by:
Chris MacMillan, General Manager
ICPI Certified • CA CSLB License #947643
Last reviewed: August 2025 · About our process
6,000+ 5-star reviews since 2009 • Fully licensed & insured in California
Planning an outdoor kitchen in San Diego? This guide shows exactly when permits are required, how we handle gas line sizing & pressure tests (CPC), electrical circuits/GFCI (CEC), venting & clearances, drainage coordination, fees, timeline, and a quote checklist—so your project gets approved the first time and built to last.
Get an Outdoor Kitchen Design
Do-This-First (City of San Diego)
- Confirm jurisdiction & overlays: City vs. County; Coastal Overlay/CDP, ESL/Steep Hillside, Historic, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Overlays can change permit path/timelines.
- Pick the permit path: Trade permits (Plumbing/Gas, Electrical, Mechanical if a powered hood) for utilities; add a Building permit if the island is a fixed/permit-listed structure or integrated with a roof/cover.
- Stormwater: Complete DS-560 Stormwater Requirements Applicability Checklist for building-permit submittals; note BMPs on the plan.
- Forms: Include DS-345 Project Contacts with submittal and bring DS-1779 Electrical Circuit Card to inspection when adding dwelling circuits.
- Plan set: Site plan; island plans/elevations/sections; appliance cut sheets (BTU/amps); gas sizing per CPC Ch.12; electrical per CEC (GFCI/WR/AFCI); hood/vent details under covers; stormwater notes.
TL;DR — 2025 San Diego Outdoor Kitchen Permits
- Trade permits are typical: Plumbing/Gas (new gas lines/regulators/pressure test) and Electrical (new circuits/GFCI/AFCI). Mechanical if a powered hood.
- Building permit: Needed for a fixed, permitted island/structure (utilities, footings/anchorage, attachments, or pergola/roof integration). Prefab carts with quick-connects may be trade-permit only.
- Overlays trigger reviews: Coastal Overlay Zone/CDP, Historic, ESL/steep hillside, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and HOAs can add steps—plan for them up front.
- Fees (how to quote): City charges per posted schedules—trade permits are commonly a few hundred dollars each; building plan check/issuance varies by valuation/scope. (Reference IB-103 & current fee schedules.)
- Timeline: Design & selections 1–2 weeks → Permits ~2–4 weeks (faster for Simple/No-Plan trades) → Build 3–10 days + inspections.
Map My Gas & Electrical Runs
Do I Need a Permit?
- Prefab cart (no fixed utilities): Usually no building permit. New gas/electrical stubs still require trade permits.
- Built-in island with utilities: Building permit commonly required for the structure + Plumbing/Gas and Electrical permits for utilities.
- Under a pergola/attached cover: Plan check will review appliance clearances to combustibles and ventilation; powered hoods require Mechanical permit.
- HOA/ARC: Many associations require approval of plans, finishes, and appliance list before work begins.
Pro tip: Submit a complete package: site plan, island elevations/sections, appliance spec sheets with BTU/amps, gas sizing calc (CPC Ch.12), electrical one-line (CEC), hood/clearances, DS-345 contacts, and DS-560 stormwater (if applicable). It speeds approvals and avoids red tags.
Gas Line Sizing & Pressure Tests
| Appliance | Typical BTU/hr | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Grill (main burners) | 50k–100k+ | Add rear/rotisserie burner if applicable |
| Side Burner / Power Burner | 15k–60k | Power burners drive higher BTUs |
| Pizza Oven (gas) | 40k–120k | Check manufacturer for venting & hood |
| Griddle / Teppan | 30k–60k | Grease mgmt + hood recommended |
| Fire Feature (optional) | 50k–150k+ | If fed from same manifold, include in calc |
| Total Connected Load | Typical Trunk Diameter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 150k BTU | ½”–¾” | Short runs; verify pressure & length |
| 150k–300k BTU | ¾”–1″ | Common for grill + side burner + pizza oven |
| 300k–500k BTU | 1″–1¼” | Add large fire feature or long runs |
- Code notes (CPC): Size piping from California Plumbing Code (2022) Ch.12 – Fuel Gas; use applicable Tables 1215.2 (series) by material/pressure; confirm meter capacity.
- Materials & routing: Black iron/steel; PE in trench; or CSST with manufacturer-required bonding; accessible regulators/shutoffs; tracer wire where required.
- Pressure test: Coordinate city-approved test before covering trench; note test pressure/duration on plans per CPC & local inspector practice.
- Propane: Show cylinder/tank location, regulator, and ventilation clearances; base vents low in island for LP; burial materials/cover as rated.
- County note (unincorporated): Typical PE burial depth ~18″ cover with tracer wire per County PDS handout; City follows CPC—confirm with inspector.
Size My Gas Line & Pressure Test
Electrical & Lighting (Typical Allowances)
| Circuit / Device | Typical Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small-appliance circuits | 2 × 20A (best practice) | Design practice for capacity outdoors; not an indoor kitchen mandate. Provide GFCI/WR/in-use covers. |
| Undercounter fridge / ice maker | Dedicated 15–20A each | Check nameplate amps; GFCI as required |
| Lighting (task/ambient) | 120V circuit + 12V transformer for low-voltage | Switch/dim; scenes for task vs ambience |
| Heaters / screens (if pergola) | Dedicated 240V or 120V per device | Coordinate pergola permit; load calc at panel |
| Bonding/grounding | Per code & manufacturer | Bond CSST per mfr + CEC 250.104 |
Panel check: We verify available amperage, breaker spaces, and GFCI/AFCI requirements before design is finalized. Conduit routes and trench depths are planned with hardscape.
Plan My Circuits & Lighting
Venting & Clearances (Under Covers & Near Walls)
| Item | Typical Guidance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hood CFM | ~1,200–2,000+ CFM for high-BTU suites | CFM rises with BTUs & grill width; baffle filters |
| Hood capture & height | Width exceeds grill by ~3–6″ each side; mount per mfr (~30–36″ above cook surface) | Use non-combustible finishes near heat |
| Side/rear clearances | Per mfr—often several inches to non-combustibles | Keep away from windows/doors if specified |
| Island ventilation openings | Provide vents — low for LP (propane), high for NG | Space vent panels roughly every 4–6 ft (per mfr) |
Drainage & Hardscape Coordination
- Keep the cook zone dry: Channel drains at thresholds or island fronts to prevent sheet flow across work areas.
- Positive slope: Target ~1–2% away from structures; avoid back-pitch toward doors/garage.
- Sleeves: Run spare conduits under patios for future lines (gas/data/low-voltage).
- Permeable pavers: Consider in flood-prone areas; pair with underdrain to a lawful outlet if soils are tight. See our Yard Drainage & Stormwater guide.
Permits, HOA & Overlays
- Overlay check: Coastal Overlay Zone/CDP, ESL/Steep Hillside, Historic, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, Planned Development overlays.
- Submittal package (City of SD): Cover sheet with narrative + DS-345 Project Contacts; site plan (setbacks, overlays, drainage/BMP notes); island plans/elevations/sections; appliance cut sheets (BTU/amps); gas plan per CPC Ch.12 (meter capacity, lengths, material, regulators/shutoffs, bonding notes, test note); electrical one-line per CEC (new breakers, GFCI/WR/in-use covers, AFCI where applicable); hood/vent details (if provided); DS-560 Stormwater with BMPs.
- Plan review & fees: Building plan check/issuance if a fixed, permitted island/structure; separate M/E/P fees as required. Fees are per current City schedules (IB-103 & posted fee tables).
- Inspections (typical order): Gas pressure test → Rough electrical → Mechanical/hood (if any) → Final. Keep approved plans on site; bring DS-1779 when adding dwelling circuits (unless full electrical drawings are approved).
- HOA/ARC: We prepare a board-ready packet (renderings, finishes, appliance list/specs, and neighbor-friendly notes).
Related cost & permitting guides:
See Outdoor Kitchen Pricing
Costs (2025 — Fees & Typical Installed Items)
| Scenario | Building Permit? | Trade Permits | How Fees Are Charged | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prefab cart + new gas/electrical stub | No | Plumbing/Gas; Electrical | Per City’s current Simple/No-Plan M/E/P fee schedules (IB-103) | Trade permits only; HOA may still review |
| Built-in island (freestanding) | Often Yes | Plumbing/Gas; Electrical | Building plan check/issuance by valuation + M/E/P per IB-103 | Plan check looks at clearances, finishes, utilities |
| Island under pergola/attached cover | Yes | Plumbing/Gas; Electrical; Mechanical (if hood) | Building plan check/issuance by valuation + M/E/P per IB-103 | Add hood/vent details; verify pergola permit path |
Installed scope snapshots (typical): Gas trench & stub ~$1.8k–$5k+ (length/obstacles); Electrical circuits & devices ~$1.6k–$4.5k+; Island structure (CMU/steel frame + non-combustible finishes) varies by layout/appliances; Hood/vent package ~$2.5k–$8k+.
Get a Line-Item Kitchen Quote
Typical Timeline
- Design & selections: 1–2 weeks (measure, 3D, appliance list, panel/gas review).
- Permits: ~2–4 weeks (faster for Simple/No-Plan trades; longer with hood/pergola/overlays).
- Build & inspections: 3–10 days of fieldwork; gas pressure test/rough electrical/final.
Start My Permit-Ready Design →
Quote Comparison Checklist
- Appliance list & BTUs: Grill width/BTUs, burners, pizza oven, griddle, fridge/ice/kegerator.
- Gas plan: Line path, material, diameter, regulators, shutoffs, tracer wire, pressure test (CPC Ch.12).
- Electrical: Circuit count/amps, GFCI/AFCI, WR devices with in-use covers (CEC), device layout/switching, transformer sizing.
- Venting & finishes: Hood CFM/size/height, non-combustible skins, heat shields where needed.
- Hardscape & drainage: Patio slope, channel drains, sleeves for future utilities.
- Permits/HOA: Who pulls, fees included, inspection handling, ARC packet.
- Warranty & schedule: Materials + labor coverage; start/finish targets.
Kitchen Permits & Utilities Consult
Still planning the full yard? See Backyard Remodel Cost (San Diego), Louvered Pergola Cost, and compare Concrete vs. Pavers or Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers. For water management around the kitchen, read Yard Drainage & Stormwater. See also Pool Deck Pavers Cost and Paver Driveway Cost.
Serving San Diego County: Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Fairbanks Ranch, Oceanside, San Marcos, and more.
FAQs
Do I need a building permit for a built-in outdoor kitchen island?
Usually yes for a fixed island with utilities, plus trade permits for gas/electrical. Prefab carts can be trade-permit only if you add a new gas/electrical stub.
How many electrical circuits do I need?
Most kitchens use two 20A small-appliance circuits as a design best practice outdoors (plus dedicated circuits for refrigeration/ice and any heaters). Final counts depend on appliance amps and panel capacity. Provide GFCI, WR devices and in-use covers (CEC 210.8 & 406.9(B)); AFCI where required (CEC 210.12).
How is the gas line sized?
We total connected BTUs, measure run length, check meter pressure/capacity, and size per California Plumbing Code (2022) Chapter 12 tables. We also coordinate a pressure test and inspection before cover.
Do I need a hood if my kitchen is under a pergola?
Often recommended and sometimes required depending on appliance BTUs, proximity to combustibles, and manufacturer instructions. If a powered hood is specified, it’s a Mechanical permit item—include hood cuts, capture/CFM, mounting height, and duct termination details.
Propane vs natural gas—what’s better?
Natural gas is convenient when a meter is nearby and supports demand. Propane works off-grid but needs cylinder storage rules and base vents. We design either path.
What’s the typical timeline?
Design 1–2 weeks, permits ~2–4 weeks, and 3–10 days of fieldwork with gas/electrical inspections. Overlays or complex hoods can add time.
Permit-Ready Outdoor Kitchen Design