Chula Vista, CA Outdoor Cooking: Outdoor Kitchen Permits (2026)

The Chula Vista Development Services Department Building Division administers outdoor kitchen permits under the California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes adopted in CVMC Title 15. A building permit is required for masonry counters, structural slabs, and any roofed pergola or pavilion. The California Mechanical Code requires a mechanical permit for natural-gas line extensions to a built-in grill, with a final pressure test required before SDG&E restores service. The California Plumbing Code requires a plumbing permit for any new sink, hose bib, or ice-maker line tied to the domestic water supply (Sweetwater Authority or Otay Water District); drains must connect to the sanitary sewer. The California Electrical Code requires an electrical permit for outdoor GFCI receptacles and lighting, which must be rated for damp or wet locations. Stationary propane tanks larger than 5 gallons trigger additional review under CFC Chapter 61 (LP-Gas) as adopted in CVMC Chapter 15.36. Outdoor kitchens must comply with CVMC Title 19 accessory-structure setback requirements — typically 5 feet side/rear in most single-family zones, with greater setbacks for roofed structures and additional Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) construction standards in eastern Chula Vista. Roofed outdoor kitchens count toward lot coverage. CalGreen Title 24 standards apply to new construction.