San Diego County, CA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Kitchen faucet max flow
- 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi
- Temporary boost allowed
- up to 2.2 gpm, briefly
- Appliance mandate
- 1+ ENERGY STAR dishwasher or washer
- Governing sections
- County Code §§ 97.1.4.303.1.4.4, 97.1.4.303.3
- Scope
- unincorporated San Diego County only
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County's Green Building Code caps kitchen faucet flow at 1.5 gallons per minute and requires at least one ENERGY STAR dishwasher or clothes washer in every new dwelling unit.
SEC. 97.1.4.303.1.4.4. KITCHEN FAUCETS. Sec. 4.303.1.4.4 Kitchen faucets. The maximum flow rate of kitchen faucets shall not exceed 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi. Kitchen faucets may temporarily increase the flow above the maximum rate, but not to exceed 2.2 gallons per minute at 60 psi, and must default to a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi. ... SEC. 97.1.4.303.3. APPLIANCES. Sec. 4.303.3 Appliances. At least one qualified ENERGY STAR dishwasher or clothes washer shall be installed in each dwelling unit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
The county's Green Building Code (Title 9, Division 7) adopts the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code for the unincorporated area, with local amendments that go beyond the state baseline. Section 97.1.4.303.1.4.4 caps kitchen faucet flow at 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 psi, allowing only a brief boost to 2.2 gpm before defaulting back down. Section 97.1.4.303.3 requires at least one ENERGY STAR-certified dishwasher or clothes washer in each dwelling unit. Both apply to new construction, alterations, repairs, and reconstruction reviewed through the county building permit process.
Violations & Fines
Fixtures or appliances that don't meet these standards fail inspection; San Diego County Planning & Development Services won't sign off on final approval or a certificate of occupancy until corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside the City of San Diego?
What's the kitchen faucet flow limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.