Blueprint Printing for San Diego: Job-Site Sets and Full-Size Construction Changes
San Diego takes plans as PDFs but inspects with paper, so the approved set is what we print here, at $1.95 a sheet in black and white or $3.75 in color in 17×22, 18×24, 22×34, 24×36, 30×42, 36×46 or 36×48, and orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same day to all 50 states. The City’s Development Services Department requires all new plans as PDFs, between 11×17 and 36×48 with every page the same size. Paper comes back at the job site. DSD’s Inspection Record Card says the approved plans have to be there for every inspection, a re-inspection fee can be charged if they aren’t, and approved construction changes must be printed full size and kept with the original set.
Prices (flat, 18×24 to 36×48)
| Per sheet | |
|---|---|
| Black & white | $1.95 |
| Color | $3.75 |
Where we ship in San Diego
We ship San Diego sets to Downtown and Little Italy, North Park and Hillcrest, La Jolla and Pacific Beach, Mira Mesa and Rancho Bernardo. Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside and unincorporated San Diego County run their own permits. The DSD rules here are the City of San Diego’s.
What San Diego’s Development Services Department (DSD) asks for
DSD takes plans digitally through its online permitting system. The paper part is the job site: the approved set, and any approved changes, have to be there for inspections. From DSD’s digital plan requirements, forms DS-1798 and DS-405, and Information Bulletin 118:
| Rule | What DSD says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Digital submittals | “The Development Services Department (DSD) requires that all new plans and documents to be digital (PDF) and formatted correctly.” | DSD, Requirements for Digital Plans & Documents |
| Sheet size | “PDFs should be sized between 11 by 17 inches and 36 by 48 inches.” The most common are 11×17, 24×36 and 36×48. | Same |
| One size | “Do not mix page sizes; all pages in a plan set must be the same size.” | Same |
| Job site | “Approved plans and documents, including the Inspection Record Card, must be” “available on the job site for all inspections.” | Form DS-1798, Inspection Record Card (July 2025) |
| Re-inspection fee | A fee may be assessed when “The inspection record card and/or approved plans are not readily available to the inspector.” | Form DS-405 (April 2023) |
| Construction changes | “The approved construction change plans printed in full size shall be kept with the original plan set on site for inspection.” | Information Bulletin 118, Construction Changes to Approved Plans |
How that shapes your order:
- Print the whole set at one size. DSD won’t take mixed page sizes, so the approved PDF is one size throughout. Order it at that size; every size from 18×24 to 36×48 costs the same with us.
- Changes go in full size, next to the original. When a construction change is approved, print the changed sheets at the same full size as the original set and file them with it. One revised sheet is fine; there’s no minimum.
- Avoid a re-inspection fee. DSD lists approved plans not being readily available as a reason it may charge one. Order the set to the site address as soon as the permit issues.
- Download from your permitting account. DSD’s FAQ walks through downloading the approved (stamped) plans; upload that file to us. If they come as several files, upload every file, or combine them into one PDF in the order you want them printed.
Keep the scale true by printing at 100% (how to check). Changes after approval: printing revised sheets.
We print DSD’s approved PDF on white 20 lb bond, unchanged. DSD and your design professional decide what goes on site, so confirm with them first.
Built for San Diego jobs
- Approved job-site sets for the Inspection Record Card inspections.
- Full-size prints of approved construction changes, to keep with the original set (IB 118).
- One-size sets, since DSD doesn’t allow mixed page sizes.
- 36×48 sheets, the largest size DSD lists.
Quick cost examples (print only; shipping chosen at checkout)
| Example | Sheets | Print total | With code WELCOME20 (20% off your first order) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADU job-site set, 12 sheets, B&W, 24×36 | 12 | $23.40 | $18.72 |
| Mixed-use set at 36×48, 30 sheets, B&W | 30 | $58.50 | $46.80 |
| Construction change: 4 revised sheets printed full size | 4 | $7.80 | $6.24 |
| Same 4 sheets in color (clouds and deltas stand out) | 4 | $15.00 | $12.00 |
Frequently asked questions
How do San Diego contractors get the approved set on paper?
Download the approved, stamped plans from the City’s permitting system, upload them here and we ship them to the site. Orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same day.
Does San Diego require approved plans on the job site?
Yes. DSD’s Inspection Record Card (DS-1798) says approved plans and documents, including the card, must be available on the job site for all inspections.
How do I print a construction change?
Information Bulletin 118 says approved construction change plans printed in full size must be kept with the original plan set on site. Upload the approved change sheets and print them at the same size as the original set.
What size are San Diego plan sets?
DSD asks for plan PDFs between 11×17 and 36×48, with every page the same size. We print 17×22 through 36×48 at the same price.
What if the plans aren’t on site at inspection?
DSD’s form DS-405 lists approved plans not readily available to the inspector as a reason a re-inspection fee may be assessed.
