27,509 permits from 2,745 contractors across 19 kinds of work in unincorporated San Diego County, October 2023 through September 2026: about 9,170 a year. Solar is the biggest trade with 8,832 permits. The busiest month for filings is October.
Firms are distinct business names on the file. A linked usual filed value opens what that work costs. Finished is the share of permits a year or more old that the county closed out. Days to finish run from issue to the county's completion date, not from application.
| Trade | Permits | Firms | Active last 12 mo | Usual filed value | Finished | Days to finish | Busiest month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar | 8,832 | 495 | 282 | — | 82.2% | 81 | October |
| HVAC | 4,924 | 218 | 120 | — | 59.4% | 163 | August |
| Electrical & Service Upgrade | 2,855 | 760 | 365 | — | 81.7% | 63 | October |
| Battery Storage | 1,860 | 149 | 87 | — | 89.5% | 62 | September |
| Re-Roof | 1,584 | 294 | 146 | $14,825 | 80.8% | 41 | March |
| Plumbing | 1,421 | 288 | 122 | — | 64.1% | 62 | January |
| Water Heater | 1,253 | 80 | 47 | — | 43.7% | — | January |
| Windows & Doors | 767 | 107 | 52 | — | 81.4% | 64 | April |
| Pool & Spa | 727 | 180 | 90 | $41,580 | 90.9% | 185 | December |
| New Home | 663 | 129 | 49 | $376,183 | 87.7% | 225 | October |
| Remodel & Repair | 620 | 225 | 90 | — | 91.3% | 74 | May |
| EV Charger | 490 | 105 | 52 | — | 57.8% | 95 | December |
| Combined Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical | 447 | 157 | 73 | — | 80.4% | 117 | September |
| ADU | 334 | 213 | 74 | $128,106 | 84.9% | 351 | December |
| Garage, Patio Cover & Accessory Structure | 224 | 155 | 53 | $18,796 | 89.2% | 217 | August |
| Addition | 158 | 134 | 50 | $78,705 | — | 434 | June |
| Retaining Wall | 123 | 107 | 37 | $21,090 | — | 303 | March |
| Manufactured Home Installation | 119 | 49 | 22 | $147,606 | 82.6% | 182 | August |
| Demolition | 108 | 71 | 28 | — | 93.6% | 50 | April |
The file we publish splits exactly into the last 12 months on file and the 24 months before them, so these are 12-month periods ending September 2026, not calendar years. Per year scales each period to 12 months. Counts cover the 19 kinds of home work we track, not every permit San Diego County (unincorporated) issues.
| Period | Months | Permits | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2023–Sep 2025 | 24 | 19,317 | 9,658 |
| Oct 2025–Sep 2026 (last 12 months) | 12 | 8,192 | 8,192 |
Share of filings by month, 100 = an average month (the thin line). The 11 biggest trades (every trade with 500 or more permits), October 2023 through September 2026. A tall bar is a busy month at the permit counter, which usually means a longer wait for a contractor.
8,832 permits · busiest October, quietest January
4,924 permits · busiest August, quietest February
2,855 permits · busiest October, quietest February
1,860 permits · busiest September, quietest June
1,584 permits · busiest March, quietest January
1,421 permits · busiest January, quietest December
1,253 permits · busiest January, quietest May
767 permits · busiest April, quietest October
727 permits · busiest December, quietest January
663 permits · busiest October, quietest May
620 permits · busiest May, quietest September
| Trade | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar | 86 | 94 | 96 | 98 | 88 | 90 | 100 | 98 | 105 | 130 | 118 | 95 |
| HVAC | 89 | 67 | 86 | 85 | 79 | 118 | 146 | 147 | 128 | 91 | 85 | 81 |
| Electrical & Service Upgrade | 74 | 63 | 77 | 80 | 100 | 90 | 93 | 79 | 122 | 185 | 88 | 148 |
| Battery Storage | 99 | 97 | 76 | 96 | 88 | 66 | 79 | 88 | 163 | 121 | 111 | 116 |
| Re-Roof | 83 | 89 | 112 | 105 | 109 | 94 | 111 | 87 | 101 | 112 | 107 | 90 |
| Plumbing | 133 | 97 | 103 | 119 | 88 | 95 | 117 | 111 | 95 | 98 | 81 | 63 |
| Water Heater | 115 | 99 | 109 | 115 | 81 | 93 | 100 | 96 | 92 | 92 | 114 | 95 |
| Windows & Doors | 48 | 91 | 94 | 247 | 191 | 138 | 100 | 83 | 66 | 41 | 47 | 55 |
| Pool & Spa | 69 | 73 | 116 | 84 | 89 | 96 | 89 | 120 | 116 | 104 | 97 | 147 |
| New Home | 71 | 72 | 92 | 67 | 63 | 71 | 125 | 83 | 148 | 210 | 72 | 125 |
| Remodel & Repair | 62 | 134 | 122 | 132 | 170 | 155 | 130 | 95 | 29 | 60 | 44 | 68 |
For each trade, the month with the most permit filings and the month with the fewest, October 2023 through September 2026. Trades do not all peak together, so the busy season depends on the job. Busiest is not the same as best: these are counts of filings, not prices or weather, though a quiet month at the permit counter can mean contractors have more room in the schedule.
October: San Diego County (unincorporated) solar permits peak in October (130 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (86). That is from 8,832 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule solar installation, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 81 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the solar chart →
August: San Diego County (unincorporated) HVAC permits peak in August (147 against an average month of 100, about 12% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (67). That is from 4,924 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule HVAC work, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 163 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the HVAC chart →
October: San Diego County (unincorporated) electrical & service upgrade permits peak in October (185 against an average month of 100, about 15% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (63). That is from 2,855 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule electrical work, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 63 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the electrical & service upgrade chart →
September: San Diego County (unincorporated) battery storage permits peak in September (163 against an average month of 100, about 14% of a year's filings); June is the quietest (66). That is from 1,860 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule battery storage work, June has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 62 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the battery storage chart →
March: San Diego County (unincorporated) re-roof permits peak in March (112 against an average month of 100, about 9% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (83). That is from 1,584 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule roofing work, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 41 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the re-roof chart →
January: San Diego County (unincorporated) plumbing permits peak in January (133 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); December is the quietest (63). That is from 1,421 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule plumbing work, December has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 62 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the plumbing chart →
January: San Diego County (unincorporated) water heater permits peak in January (115 against an average month of 100, about 10% of a year's filings); May is the quietest (81). That is from 1,253 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule water heater replacement, May has the fewest filings. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the water heater chart →
April: San Diego County (unincorporated) windows & doors permits peak in April (247 against an average month of 100, about 21% of a year's filings); October is the quietest (41). That is from 767 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule window replacement, October has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 64 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the windows & doors chart →
December: San Diego County (unincorporated) pool & spa permits peak in December (147 against an average month of 100, about 12% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (69). That is from 727 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule a pool build, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 185 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the pool & spa chart →
October: San Diego County (unincorporated) new home permits peak in October (210 against an average month of 100, about 18% of a year's filings); May is the quietest (63). That is from 663 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule new home construction, May has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 225 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the new home chart →
May: San Diego County (unincorporated) remodel & repair permits peak in May (170 against an average month of 100, about 14% of a year's filings); September is the quietest (29). That is from 620 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule a home remodel, September has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 74 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the remodel & repair chart →
December: San Diego County (unincorporated) EV charger permits peak in December (130 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (83). That is from 490 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule EV charger installation, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 95 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
September: San Diego County (unincorporated) combined electrical, plumbing & mechanical permits peak in September (140 against an average month of 100, about 12% of a year's filings); October is the quietest (72). That is from 447 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule electrical, plumbing and HVAC work, October has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 117 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
December: San Diego County (unincorporated) ADU permits peak in December (140 against an average month of 100, about 12% of a year's filings); November is the quietest (65). That is from 334 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule ADU construction, November has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 351 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
August: San Diego County (unincorporated) garage, patio cover & accessory structure permits peak in August (134 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); November is the quietest (64). That is from 224 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule garage and accessory building work, November has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 217 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
June: San Diego County (unincorporated) addition permits peak in June (129 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (68). That is from 158 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule a home addition, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 434 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
March: San Diego County (unincorporated) retaining wall permits peak in March (146 against an average month of 100, about 12% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (29). That is from 123 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule retaining wall work, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 303 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
August: San Diego County (unincorporated) manufactured home installation permits peak in August (151 against an average month of 100, about 13% of a year's filings); April is the quietest (40). That is from 119 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule manufactured home work, April has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 182 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
April: San Diego County (unincorporated) demolition permits peak in April (156 against an average month of 100, about 13% of a year's filings); May is the quietest (44). That is from 108 permits, October 2023 through September 2026. If you can choose when to schedule demolition, May has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 50 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
Top 10 by permits pulled in the last 12 months, all trades. This is volume, not quality: a busy firm is not a careful one. Pick what you value on the compare page to build a ranking.
| Contractor | Trades | Last 12 mo | All permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrun | Solar, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Battery Storage, Windows & Doors, EV Charger | 707 | 2,465 |
| The White Glove Guys, Plumbing Drains Heating Air Conditioning | Solar, HVAC, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Plumbing, Water Heater, Combined Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical | 407 | 1,326 |
| Baker Home Energy | Solar, HVAC, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Battery Storage, Re-Roof, Plumbing, Water Heater, EV Charger, Combined Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical | 324 | 1,341 |
| Semper Solaris | Solar, HVAC, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Battery Storage, Re-Roof, Plumbing, Windows & Doors, EV Charger, Combined Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical | 291 | 1,059 |
| Walter Anderson Plumbing LLC | HVAC, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Plumbing, Water Heater, Windows & Doors, Remodel & Repair, Combined Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical | 246 | 860 |
| Lennar Homes of California LLC | Solar, New Home | 195 | 223 |
| Tesla Energy Operations Inc | Solar, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Battery Storage, EV Charger | 164 | 460 |
| West Coast Appliance Services Inc dba West Coast Heating Air Cond | Solar, HVAC, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Battery Storage, Plumbing, Water Heater, Combined Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical | 138 | 402 |
| Rescue Rooter | HVAC, Plumbing, Water Heater | 124 | 284 |
| Solar Tech Energy Systems Inc | Solar, Electrical & Service Upgrade, Battery Storage, Re-Roof, EV Charger | 123 | 263 |
Each permit counted at its property's ZIP code, October 2023 through September 2026, for the 19 kinds of home work we track. The 10 busiest of 34 ZIP codes with 100 or more permits; each opens permits by trade and the most active contractors there.
Source: San Diego County Planning & Development Services building permits on homes in the unincorporated county (the County's open-data permit, contractor and status-history files). The window is October 2023 through September 2026; a permit filed after that isn't here yet.
A filed value is what the contractor wrote on the permit when they applied. It is not a quote and not the final bill.
Counts are permits, not jobs: one job can need several permits, and one permit can cover several visits. 87.9% of the 2,745 firms on the file match an active license at the California CSLB license master file, using the CSLB license number the County records on each permit; the match goes by name and can miss one.
Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can. How the records work in San Diego County (unincorporated) →
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