San Diego Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements Rules (2026)

Under California Residential Code §R313.2, an automatic NFPA 13D fire sprinkler system must be installed throughout new one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes. San Diego adopted the rule by reference in SDMC §145.0801, with Development Services issuing combined building and plumbing permits that include sprinkler plan review. Substantial additions or remodels exceeding 50 percent of the original square footage may also trigger retrofit requirements. Sprinklers must be designed by a C-16 contractor or registered fire protection engineer, hydraulically calculated, and tested before final inspection. Garages, attics with mechanical equipment, and habitable spaces all require coverage. The SDFD enforces ongoing inspection and tagging for multi-family and commercial systems separately under NFPA 25.