DURING CONSTRUCTION

DURING CONSTRUCTION
(Be aware you may not get immediate satisfaction to any reports to the City
but you MUST send in and they MUST document your complaints and concerns)
We also suggest you contact your City Council Person

Baners & Yard signs - If you want to create banners or yard signs we suggest GOPRINT They have pretty good pricing.  If you know of someone better please email us.

1.  Find out what this project is about?  Backyard Residential or High Rise.

2.  Get the name of the contractor and contact information.  Scroll down for look up information

3.  If Backyard Residential 

Is it a normal ADU or 2nd floor addition or is it one of these massive ADU projects, meaning the following:
More than 4 on a lot less than 8,000 sq. Ft.

More than 5 on a lot between 8,001 to 10,000 sq. Ft.

More than 6 on a lot over 10,001 sq. ft.

(BE AWARE WE ARE USING THESE SIZE EXAMPLES AS "MORE THAN" because on July 22nd 2025 at the City Council meeting these amendements above and others were voted on 5-1 and now go to the Mayors office to sign and should go into effect by late August 2025)

Go to Neighbors For A Better San Diego website to read what amendments we are suppose to get. Click HERE or

https://www.neighborsforabettersandiego.org/2025-sd-bonus-adu-revisions-adopted

However as of this writing there are many, many in the City's permit pipeline that already have plans or will before the Mayor signs which could mean many more may slip in BEFORE the Mayor signs so there may be many, many more heading our way.

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2.  PRIVACY HEDGES - Plant as soon as you see footings going in.
Go to Moon Valley Nursery and look at "Hollywood Hedges".  The best and thickest tend to be Ficus Nitida.  Plant 1 1/2 feet apart and buy as large of ones as you can afford.
      We know how you feel having to spend money on the mess the City has created with the poorly written ADU Bonus Program but it can take a few years to get your privacy back so start now.  You will thank us later.

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3.  To look up a Contractors License,  

by License number

by Business Name

by Personnel Name

or Salespersons name

https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx

CA STATE CONTRACTORS LICENSE BOARD - How to file a complaint

Create a notebook of dates/times. 

Take pictures DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.
https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/Filing_A_Complaint/
 

They also have a “printable form” in PDF that you can print out and mail in.

Mail to:

Norwalk Intake Mediation Center

12501 East Imperial Highway, Suite 620

Norwalk, CA 90650

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4.NOISE ISSUES - What to do and who to contact

Create a notebook of dates/times. 

Video or take pictures if appropriate.

DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.

Construction noise cannot start BEFORE 7am or AFTER 7pm, on Sundays or Holidays
Report the issue to the San Diego Police Department non-emergency line at 619‑531‑2000 or 858-484-3154 

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5.PARKING ISSUES - What to do and who to contact

If construction vehicles are blocking your driveway get the make and license number and go over to the construction crew and ask them to move please.  If they do not call the number below.

If the construction vehicles are violating the “daylighting rule” meaning parking within 20 ft (about length of a vehicle) of the end of a curb at an intersection and only applies to one side of the intersection where vehicles have to stop to enter the intersection. See image at top of the page.
The City likes this one because the fee is $117.00 per violation now. Call but GET ADDRESS FIRST for the parking enforcement to respond to. 

San Diego Parking Enforcement: 619-531-2000 - It is answered by AI so you will have to talk to it.

When prompted say:

"Parking Violation"

"Parking too close to end of curb". - Of course this applies to intersection with another street.

(Give Street Address)

If you do not think this works Channel 7 news reported in the first 2 months the rules went into effect March to May 2025 they issued 4.200 tickets and the City says it is on track to collect $3 million a year in fines!

Create a notebook of dates/times. 

Take pictures DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.

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6.TRASH PICK UP BLOCKED - BECAUSE CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES ARE BLOCKING TRASH TRUCKS - What to do and who to contact

Create a notebook of dates/times. 

Take pictures DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.

Call Brian Smalls at Environmental Services and explain the situation.  If you know the name of the Construction company blocking the garbage trucks and license numbers of vehicles give them to him. 858-694-7000

Go to City of San Diego Get It Done website at - https://www.sandiego.gov/get-it-done

Click on “Missed Collection”

Click on “Start"
Fill out form - In no. 3 when it says describe issue put in that construction vehicles where blocking the street.  If you know the name of the construction company and their contact information put it in and vehicle license numbers.

If you cannot get through on the Get It Done site here is an alternative email - Trash@sandiego.gov

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7.DESTRUCTION OF YOUR PROPERTY - What to do and who to contact

Create a notebook of dates/times. 

Take pictures DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.

Contact the Construction Company directly by email or letter only.
Explain the destruction and tell them you need an immediate response.
By email give them 48 hours to respond
By letter give them 4 days to respond.

 If they do not send them an email or letter stating you will be contacting the California  Contractors State License Board to file a complaint if you do not hear from them in the next 72 hours and will be contacting their Liability Insurance carrier.

Go to No. 3 above  to see how to find Contractor License and Liability Insurance information.

(Be aware you may not get immediate satisfaction to any reports to the City
but you MUST send in and they MUST document your complaints and concerns)
We also suggest you contact your City Council Person

8.RUNOFF of Construction waste into street and/or onto your property
Create a notebook of dates/times. 

Take pictures DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.
Go to City of San Diego Get It Done website at - https://www.sandiego.gov/get-it-done

Click on “Storm Water and Drainage”

Click on Illegal Discharge”

Press Start - it will go to a form to fill out.

Address

Select - Construction Waste
Description - If you know the Construction company’s contact info put it in along with a description

Upload pictures if you have them

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9.BUILDING & LAND USE ENFORCEMENT - What to do and who to contact

Create a notebook of dates/times. 

Take pictures DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.

Form to fill out to start an investigation

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/ced/pdf/requestinvestigationen.pdf

List of what they will investigate located on the City website at

https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/building-land-use-enforcement

These are things you can send an investigation in for

When can I expect Building & Land Use Enforcement to respond to my report?

When a case is opened, it is given a priority level and assigned to staff within one business day. Research is conducted to determine existing approvals and conditions, usually followed by an inspection with the responsible party.

Priority 1 cases – Inspected within one (1) business day
These cases pose imminent health and safety hazards and have the highest potential to cause significant harm in the community.
Examples
Dangerous/unstable structures
Leaking sewage
Live, exposed electrical wires

Priority 2 cases – Inspected within five (5) business days
These cases have significant code violations.
Examples:
Abandoned properties - if a developer buys a property and kicks renters out and leaves it with no fence around it this is a violation
Disturbance of environmental resources
Historic sites
Substandard housing conditions
Unpermitted grading

Priority 3 cases – Inspected within twenty (20) business days
These cases involve other code violations and/or conditions adversely impacting quality of life.
Examples:
Accessory structures
Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical violations
Disabled access
Off-street parking violations
Fence/wall violations
Setback violations -As Of JULY 2025 must be 4 feet from your property line
Unpermitted construction
Unpermitted demolition
Unpermitted dwelling units

Alternative Compliance
When a complaint about one of the following issues is received, an Alternative Compliance case is opened:
Noise
Equipment
Leaf blower
Parking in the front yard

* For signs in the public right-of-way, the responsible party’s name or company name and address are required to open an investigation.
After an initial review of the report, staff will send letters to the complainant and alleged violator, conveying details of the complaint and guidance for resolution. The letters are valid for 12 months from the date of record on them.
These matters are typically best addressed by discussing them with neighbors, and the Alternative Compliance letter emphasizes that approach. If needed, mediation can help resolve questions between neighbors. Community members interested in mediation can contact the National Conflict Resolution Center at 619-238-2400.

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10.BBB BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF SAN DIEGO - How to file a complaint even if they are not a member.

https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint/search

If the Contractor or Developers name is not in the BBB Database there is a sentence below that has a link to file a complaint online>

Can't find the right business in the search results? You can add the business's information using 

their form.  Click on the link below

Then in in the middle of the page to the right you will see BBB Business Information Form
https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint/search

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11.GOOGLE REVIEWS OF COMPANY

Look up the construction company’s name and/or developer and write out your concerns.  Do not wait for someone else to do this.   You do it and others will follow your lead and speak up.

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12.YELP REVIEW OF COMPANY

Same as Google Review.

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13.NEVER TRESPASS

We have heard stories of Contractors or Construction workers enticing people to look at something on a site, surreptitiously taking their photo and later claiming they were trespassing.

Do not fall for that trick and never trespass onto the site because that gives them something to hold against you or your group.

NEVER GET INTO A SHOUTING MATCH WITH ANYONE AT THE JOB SITE.

If someone raises their voice to you and you feel safe enough or have witnesses nearby take out your phone and record.  BUT DO NOT RESPOND.

Again - DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. Date/time/What they said

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14. IF EVER CONTACTED BY A LAWYER

Its possible a developer or construction company will become annoyed that you are holding them accountable to the rules the City has laid out for them and try to BULLY YOU INTO SILENCE by getting a lawyer to send you some type of threatening letter.

NOTE - Sending a letter is a common scare tactic by lawyers to get you to back off from their client, meaning the developer and/or contractor.  Do not be bullied or deterred into silence.  You still have a right in this Country to express your concerns publicly.

You CANNOT be issued a Restraining Order, Cease & Desist or any of that tactic they may try to pull.

NOW THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN GET INTO SCREAMING MATCHES, THREATEN OR PUNCH THEM IN THE NOSE.
(Even if you sometimes feel like it)

Talk to your neighbors, get a good time to all meet and go to the lawyers office OR at the construction site.  Pick a couple dates/times.

Call the lawyer and tell them or the receptionist you would like them to come out to the site so you can show them your concerns and give them the times you and your neighbors are available.  PLEASE be polite especially when talking to an receptionist.  It is not their fault there boss is trying to scare you.  

 If the lawyer refuses to come out then tell them you will come to their office and give them dates/times you are available.

Then get your group together. 

We doubt a law firm would send someone out to your site, however it never hurts to ask them to meet you there since that is where your concerns are. 

If they totally refuse to meet with your group, document the time/date and person you talked to, their refusal to meet with you and put with the lawyers letter and keep.

For further documentation send a letter back stating their refusal to meet with your group and resolve the situation plus time and date of your phone calls and/or letters to from them.

REMEMBER THE MANTRA - DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT

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Be aware none of this information is intended as legal advice since we are not lawyers. 
We are simply neighbors helping neighbors.