I've done ground-up before (built a 2-story duplex ADU ~1,500 sq ft total), but this is my first time purchasing a lot for development — so I’m trying to make sure I cover all the right bases before committing.
I’ve already looked into zoning, easements, and will-serve letters from utility providers. The lots I’m considering are all in well-developed areas (mostly City Heights, North Park, etc.), so I’m not dealing with raw land — but I still want to avoid any surprises.
One of the lots I’m seriously considering is the result of an SB-9 lot split, so if anyone has experience with that process — especially regarding permits, setbacks, or utility complications — I’d really appreciate the insight.
Anything else you wish you had checked before buying a lot in San Diego?
3. Go to the zoning dept online. For that zone check all stipulations. Like setbacks, storm sewers or ponds, sidewalk requirements, etc.
Hey Henry, really appreciate the advice!
I actually already met with the city planning team to go over zoning, setbacks, FAR, and just to make sure the lot is buildable.
Quick question — do you think it makes sense to bring in an engineering firm before buying, or is that something that could be worked into escrow contingencies? (Not totally sure if that’s even doable.)
I’ve looked up the zoning stuff online, but not super deep yet — I’ll definitely spend more time on the details like storm drains, sidewalks, etc.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts — super helpful!
Environmental, even for small sized lots can be something that gets overlooked. So you might want to ask the Planning Department if they think a mitigated neg dec would be adequate for what you're looking at. If there are any protected trees/plants/species, sometimes that's an issue as far as not that you can't necessarily not develop just because they are there, but there could be a cost involved with mitigating the impact from the project. Are the lots flat or hillside?
Also, sometimes it's good to check with the fire department to see if they would have any issues with the site. If the lots are pretty infill and standard, then hopefully not an issue, but if they are on any windy hillside streets, or if it's a flag-shaped lot tucked in among other parcels, sometimes it's good to make sure that the fire department wouldn't require anything special. There are multi-disciplined consultants who do a more comprehensive review of all potential constraints, but I think they charge 5-10k approx, so may not be worth it on a smaller project. A good civil engineer and architect can often point out issues, but sometimes they are a bit silo'd in their view, and overlook things like environmental. Electric can also be an issue in California, but it sounds like that you've checked on that...but sometimes just because a lot is infill with poles everywhere doesn't mean that the electric company wouldn't require a long amount of time to process electrical plans on their end and sometimes they end up having to replace a pole or add a transformer, etc due to additional load demand.