El Cajon, CA 92020 · Home remodeling
An addition in El Cajon can be charged a school fee on its whole added area once it passes 500 square feet. The City lists 3 applicable school districts, fees may add up, and you should confirm the amounts on the City’s school-fee form. Permits for most El Cajon addresses go through the City of El Cajon’s Building Safety Division, filed online through the Project Assistance Center Online (PACO) portal. A $300,000 budget is above every completed job in our El Cajon-area set, but whether it is enough for your house depends on scope. Of our 14 completed projects in and around El Cajon, 8 are inside El Cajon’s 3 ZIPs, and 4 of our 6 kitchens landed between $32K and $82K.
Key facts for El Cajon
- What our finished jobs cost: 8 of our 14 completed jobs sit inside El Cajon’s ZIPs. Kitchens in and around El Cajon ran from $30K to $139K, and 4 of the 6 landed between $32K and $82K. See the cost ranges.
- Who permits: for most addresses, the City of El Cajon’s Building Safety Division, through PACO. Some addresses are County permits. Permit steps and fees.
- A review clock: it starts when the first City invoice is paid, not when you apply. Timeline.
- Fee rule to plan for: your school district can charge a fee on added space, and that fee can cover the whole added area. Local conditions.
- Our El Cajon work: 8 finished jobs in El Cajon’s ZIPs 92019, 92020 and 92021, plus 6 in nearby ZIPs. See the projects.
Thinking about a project in El Cajon? Tell us the address, the scope and whether the work adds floor area. We will tell you which school district and which City review path likely apply.
Schedule a consultationProjects in and around El Cajon
Our completed work includes 8 projects inside El Cajon’s 3 ZIPs: 3 for 92019, 1 for 92020 and 4 for 92021. 6 more sit in neighboring ZIPs that permit through other offices: La Mesa (ZIP 91941), Santee (ZIP 92071) and Lakeside (ZIP 92040). A job counts here once it is closed out and 80% or more of its contract is paid. Among the 8 jobs inside El Cajon’s ZIPs, 2 are bathrooms, 3 are kitchens, 1 is a remodel, 1 is an addition and 1 is outdoor work.
Eco work · San Diego County
Bathroom remodel example
Navy tile shower with a glass panel and a patterned floor.
View project details
Eco work · San Diego County
Kitchen remodel example
Kitchen with warm wood lower cabinets and white uppers.
View project details Eco work · San Diego County
Built-in shelving example
Built-in wet bar with open shelves and a wine fridge.
View project details| Area | ZIP | Finished jobs | Permit office |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Cajon | 92019 | 3 (1 bathroom, 1 kitchen, 1 remodel) | Only 1 of the 3 jobs has a permit number on record, and it is a County of San Diego PDS number |
| El Cajon | 92020 | 1 (1 bathroom) | City of El Cajon usually; confirm by address |
| El Cajon | 92021 | 4 (2 kitchens, 1 addition, 1 outdoor) | City of El Cajon usually; confirm by address |
| La Mesa (Mount Helix area ZIP) | 91941 | 4 (2 bathrooms, 2 kitchens) | City of La Mesa or County of San Diego |
| Santee | 92071 | 1 (1 bathroom) | City of Santee |
| Lakeside | 92040 | 1 (1 kitchen) | County of San Diego |
What a home remodel costs in El Cajon
The figures below are final contract values. A completed job’s final value includes the signed price, approved changes and upgrades you chose, so it can finish above what you first agreed to. Anything a homeowner buys on their own is excluded. The bars use all 14 completed projects, 8 inside El Cajon’s ZIPs and 6 in nearby ZIPs, because a single city’s job count is too small for a reliable price on its own. One kitchen’s payments exceeded its final contract value, and the ranges use final contract values as recorded.
Final contract values, 14 completed Eco projects in El Cajon and nearby ZIPs, rounded to the nearest $1,000.
Where most landed: $32K–$82K (4 of 6). Full range $30K–$139K.
Each one: $13K, $23K, $40K, $41K, $90K. Full range $13K–$90K.
2 types have too few jobs for a bar. A single outdoor job in ZIP 92021 finished at $23K; outdoor work stays out of the bars. 1 remodel in ZIP 92019 came in at $102K, and 1 addition in ZIP 92021 came in at $273K. Each is a single job, so treat it as one data point.
Scope is the main driver of cost in El Cajon, and changes after signing move the final value too. In our experience, a kitchen that moves plumbing or walls costs more than one that keeps the same layout, and the signed number is only the starting point for the final value.
ADUs and additions: planning ranges
Our El Cajon-area set has 1 addition and no ADU, so the table below uses Eco’s San Diego County ADU planning range and an independent benchmark for additions.
In our San Diego County ADU jobs, garage conversions have usually ranged from $100,000 to $200,000, and new ADUs of roughly 500 sq ft from $220,000 to $350,000. Site work, utilities, finish level and fees shift a project within those ranges, so each one is priced from its drawings. Neither is a quote for your home.
| Project | Planning range | What sits on top in El Cajon |
|---|---|---|
| Detached or attached ADU | $375–$600 per sq ft for construction, plus $8,000–$25,000 for design | No impact fee applies under 750 sq ft. Above that, the fee follows the main house’s size. Water and sewer charges are separate. |
| Primary suite addition (24 × 16 ft, about 384 sq ft) | $185,431 midrange; $390,895 for the larger upscale version | At the 384 sq ft midrange, added space is below the state school-fee threshold, so no state school fee applies. City permit fees follow the fee schedule below. |
| Bathroom addition (6 × 8 ft midrange) | $65,326 midrange; $121,772 for the larger upscale version | Below the state school-fee threshold, so no school fee applies. City permit fees follow the fee schedule below. |
Our bathroom, kitchen, ADU and addition cost guides cover scope and price for each type. Their permit sections cover the City of San Diego, so use El Cajon rules from this page for permits.
Want a number for your own home? Send us the scope and the house’s age, and we return a planning range before design starts.
Schedule a consultationHow an El Cajon permit moves, step by step
Most El Cajon building permits come from the City of El Cajon Community Development Department, Building Safety Division. Plan-check submittals go in electronically through the Project Assistance Center Online (PACO) portal. The City’s main line is 619-441-1716.
What needs a permit. The City’s exemption list is short. It covers painting, papering and similar finish work, fences not over 6 feet high, and similar minor items. The City’s pages list exemptions only. Work that touches structure, plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems is not on that list, so confirm your scope with the City before you start.
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register for PACO | You must register a PACO account before you can submit an online application. | Before you apply. |
| 2. Submit the plans | Submittals are electronic, through the PACO website. | No published time. |
| 3. Pay the first invoice | An email directs you to pay the initial plan check or review fee invoice. Review begins only after that invoice is paid. | Within 1 to 2 business days of applying. |
| 4. First plan check | The City reviews the drawings against its codes. | Typically about 3 to 4 weeks. Not a deadline. |
| 5. Recheck | Corrections go back to the City for another review. | Typically about 1 to 2 weeks per recheck. |
| 6. Inspections | Request each inspection on PACO. Underground work and wall framing, for example, are inspected before they are covered. | The City calls for regular inspections while the permit is open. |
| 7. Permit expiry | The permit is good for 12 months from issue, and it ends 3 years after issue. | 3 years after issue. |
Permit fees, base schedule
The City’s fee schedule effective July 13, 2026 (Resolution 036-26) sets the base building permit fee by project valuation. Valuation follows the City’s 2025 valuation schedule, which the San Diego Chapter of ICC approved. Plan check is 65% of the building permit fee.
| Valuation band | Base fee and each added $1,000 |
|---|---|
| First $2,000 of valuation | $81.27, plus $16.25 for each additional $1,000 up to $25,000 |
| From $25,000 | $455.11 for the first $25,000, plus $11.74 for each additional $1,000 up to $50,000 |
| From $50,000 | $748.59 for the first $50,000, plus $8.13 for each additional $1,000 up to $100,000 |
| From $100,000 | $1,154.94 for the first $100,000, plus $6.32 for each additional $1,000 up to $500,000 |
| Plan check | 65% of the building permit fee |
Because the fee steps up by valuation band, a bigger scope moves the number in steps rather than in a straight line. The fee structure is updated on a periodic basis, so the schedule in effect when you apply is the one that counts.
For an estimate on your project, call the general information line of Building Safety. The City says it will give an estimate of the fee for your particular project by phone.
These are base building permit and plan check fees only. School fees, impact fees, state surcharges and Planning plan-check fees are separate, so this table is not a total price for a remodel.
ZIPs 92019, 92020 and 92021 are El Cajon ZIPs, but a ZIP code is not a city limit. Ask the City which office issues the permit for your address before you tell anyone the timeline.
- Construction waste. The City requires diverting 65% of construction and demolition waste from the landfill.
Our remodel timeline guide walks through each clock in order.
4 local conditions that change scope and budget
1. The median house dates to 1974
The median home in the City of El Cajon was built in 1974, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 five-year survey. By ZIP area, the median is 1982 in 92019, 1973 in 92020 and 1977 in 92021. In our experience, a kitchen or bathroom job in a house of this age can turn into plumbing or wiring work once the walls are open, so ask us to look at the systems behind the walls before you set a budget.
2. Your address decides which school districts apply
The City lists 3 applicable school districts for El Cajon addresses, and fees may add up. Confirm the amounts on the City’s school-fee form. Cajon Valley Union charges $3.34 per sq ft of habitable area on residential construction for homes in its boundaries, effective July 11, 2026, and residential projects of 500 sq ft or less are exempt. La Mesa-Spring Valley lists $3.21 per sq ft for El Cajon homes in its district, effective May 13, 2024. Grossmont Union High posts $1.20 per sq ft, but its page cites a June 2016 fee study and shows no 2026 update, so confirm that rate with the district. Check your address with each district before you budget. The City pages we read do not say which address falls in which district.
The state rule matters more than any one district rate. Districts may charge on an addition only once the new space passes 500 sq ft, and then the fee can reach the entire new area, not just the excess (Education Code section 17620). Keeping an addition at or under 500 sq ft is therefore a budget decision you can make at design.
3. Fire hazard zones: check your address
CAL FIRE released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps on March 24, 2025, and the City has a page for them. The zones rate wildfire risk from vegetation, terrain, weather and fire history. The City pages we read do not say which streets are in a zone, so ask the City, or check the map on its Fire Hazard Severity Zone page, for your address.
4. A City loan can help fund an ADU
The City runs a deferred-payment ADU loan for owner-occupied homes. It covers construction costs only and requires the ADU to stay affordable for at least 5 years. Applications after April 1, 2024 are first come, first served, so ask the City Housing office whether funds are available before you plan around the loan.
ADUs and room additions in El Cajon
El Cajon’s ADU rules are in Chapter 17.140 of the El Cajon Municipal Code, section 17.140.180, as amended by Ordinance 5173 on February 10, 2026. They set size, count, parking and fees. State law adds protections on top, and we mark where they apply.
| Rule | ADU | Junior ADU (JADU) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Up to 1,200 sq ft of habitable space. It can never be larger than the main house, and garages attached to the ADU count toward its size. | Up to 500 sq ft. |
| How many | Up to 1 ADU, and up to 1 JADU, with an existing or proposed single-family home. | Up to 1, alongside 1 ADU. |
| Location and setbacks | Attached or detached. A detached ADU keeps a minimum 3-foot rear and side setback. Height and setback are alternatives: 20 ft with a 5-foot setback, 16 ft with a 4-foot setback, or 12 ft with a 3-foot setback. Within half a mile walking distance of major transit the limit is 18 ft, plus up to 2 ft to match the roof pitch. Where the main house has 2 or more stories, it is 18 ft. | Created within the existing walls of the house, with independent exterior access from the house. |
| Parking | 1 additional paved off-street space per ADU, which may be tandem or in the front setback, unless an exemption applies. Exemptions include a site within half a mile of public transit, a historic district, an ADU inside the main house or an accessory structure, a car-share vehicle within a block, or no permit parking offered. A demolished garage need not be replaced. | No space is required. A JADU is on the City’s parking exemption list. |
| Owner and tenancy | State law does not require the owner to live on the property. | The owner must live in the house or the JADU if they share bathroom facilities. Tenancy must be at least 30 days. |
| Impact fees | An ADU under 750 sq ft pays no impact fee. Above 750 sq ft, the fee is proportional to the main house. An ADU with less than 500 sq ft of interior livable space triggers no school fee. Water and sewer capacity charges are separate. | None under 750 sq ft, and a JADU is capped at 500 sq ft. School fees are separate. |
| Permit and sprinklers | A building permit is required for any new ADU. A new ADU needs fire sprinklers only if the main house has them. | A building permit is required for any new JADU. No fire sprinkler system is required unless the main house has one. |
| Review time | The City gets 15 business days to call out a missing piece of an application. On a lot that already has a house, the state sets a 60-day decision deadline for a complete ADU application. Silence counts as approval under state law. | – |
Featured project · San Diego County
A finished ADU in San Diego County
The music room has acoustic wall panels, the living room has a white sofa, and the kitchen has green tile and walnut cabinets. This is a San Diego County project, not an El Cajon one, and it shows what the finished rooms look like.
How we run an ADU projectThe City will issue permits to legalize an unpermitted ADU or JADU under state law. That does not assure approval, because state law sets its own conditions. A garage or other accessory structure converted into an ADU must meet building and fire codes, have independent exterior access from the house, and keep enough side and rear setback for fire safety.
Weighing an ADU against a room addition? Start with the ADU vs. room addition guide, then read the ADUs page for our build process. Room additions follow the same school-fee rules and the City fee schedule, and our room additions page lays out what is included.
How long an El Cajon remodel takes
A remodel runs on 3 clocks: design, City review and construction. The City publishes times for review only. The construction column shows scheduled durations from our El Cajon-area jobs, not how long they ran.
| Project | City review | Construction, as scheduled |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | Typically 3 to 4 weeks for the first plan check, and 1 to 2 weeks per recheck. | About 3 weeks, in ZIP 91941 (La Mesa area). |
| Kitchen remodel | About 7 weeks, in ZIP 91941 (La Mesa area). In ZIP 92021 (El Cajon), 1 kitchen was scheduled for 41 weeks. | |
| ADU | 15 business days for the City to flag missing items, then a 60-day decision limit on a lot that already has a house. | Not quoted here. Set by the design and the site, so each ADU is scheduled from its drawings. |
The two El Cajon-ZIP schedules were 41 weeks for a kitchen and 72 weeks for an addition, both in ZIP 92021. We have not confirmed why, so do not read them as typical.
What homeowners say
Our Google rating is 4.7 stars from 101 reviews, and the total across Google, Yelp and Houzz tops 300. 3 short excerpts, quoted exactly:
“Eco Home Builders did an amazing job on our kitchen remodel! From start to finish, the team was professional, detail-oriented, and easy to work with.”
“We just had our bathroom remodeling project completed and could not be any happier!”
“They converted my existing kitchen space into a galley kitchen and an ensuite bath for the adjacent bedroom.”
Read all of our Google reviews, including the critical ones.
How we run your project
One team handles design, the City submittal and construction, so the person who drew the plans is the person who answers for them on site. The first conversation sets scope and budget, and the house visit confirms what the City will need to see.
- Phone consultationWe go over the change you want, your timing and your budget range.
- In-home meetingAn Eco project director walks the house with you, sees the space and goes through priorities and budget in plain terms.
- Concept and feasibilityDesign, selections and engineering get settled first, then the plans are filed with the City of El Cajon through PACO.
- ConstructionInspections requested through PACO at each stage, with progress, photos and decisions documented in Buildertrend. Nothing is covered until it passes.
- Final projectFinal inspection, walkthrough and punch list, and the permit closed out.
What to check before you hire
- City paperwork first. Ask for the contractor’s CSLB license information, a workers’ compensation certificate and a current City of El Cajon business license. The City requires all 3 for a contractor who pulls an El Cajon permit.
- A license you can verify. Look up the number on the CSLB website. Ours is #1074166.
- A legal deposit. State rules limit a home improvement down payment to $1,000 or 10% of the contract, whichever is less.
- Who runs the PACO file. Ask who creates the submittal, who answers plan-check comments and who pays the fee invoice. Get those answers written into the contract.
1. Which districts apply to your address? The City pages we read do not map addresses to districts, and fees may add up.
2. How much new floor area does the addition add? The state threshold decides whether a school fee can be charged at all.
3. Does the work touch structure, plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems? Those are not on the City’s exemption list, so they need a permit.
4. Is the house in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone? See local condition 3.
5. For an ADU, is it under 750 sq ft? Under that size, the ADU pays no impact fee.
El Cajon remodeling FAQ
Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen or bathroom in El Cajon?
The City’s exemption list is narrow. It covers painting, papering and similar finish work, and fences not over 6 feet high. Work on structure, plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems is not on that list. The City’s pages do not say in words that a kitchen or bathroom remodel needs a permit, so ask the City about your scope before you start. You apply through PACO, and you must register an account there first.
How long does plan review take in El Cajon?
The City says a typical plan check takes about 3 to 4 weeks and a recheck about 1 to 2 weeks. The page is undated, so treat those as typical times, not a deadline. The clock starts when the initial plan check invoice is paid, and the City sends that invoice within 1 to 2 business days of your application.
What does an El Cajon building permit cost?
The City’s fee schedule effective July 13, 2026 sets the base permit fee by valuation. The first $2,000 of valuation costs $81.27, and each additional $1,000 up to $25,000 adds $16.25. Plan check is 65% of the building permit fee. These are base fees only. School, impact, state and Planning plan-check fees are separate. For an estimate on your project, ask the Building Safety general information line.
What do El Cajon kitchen remodels cost?
Our 6 completed kitchens, 3 of them in El Cajon’s ZIPs, came in at $30K, $32K, $49K, $79K, $82K and $139K. The 3 inside El Cajon were $30K, $79K and $139K. The spread is too wide to average, so read the list as a range, and the scope you choose decides where you land in it.
Will $300,000 cover a remodel in El Cajon?
Our largest completed job in El Cajon and the nearby ZIPs was an addition at $273K in ZIP 92021. The other 13 jobs ran from $13K to $139K. A budget of $300,000 is above every completed job in this set, but whether it covers your house depends on scope. Send us the scope for a planning range.
Which school district fees apply to an El Cajon addition?
The City lists 3 applicable districts: Cajon Valley Union at $3.34 per sq ft, Grossmont Union High at $1.20 per sq ft, and La Mesa-Spring Valley at $3.21 per sq ft. Fees may add up, so confirm the amounts for your address on the City’s school-fee form.
How big can an ADU be in El Cajon?
Attached and detached ADUs top out at 1,200 sq ft of habitable space, and they never exceed the main house. A junior ADU is capped at 500 sq ft. A single-family lot can have 1 ADU and 1 JADU. Detached ADUs use height and setback pairs, so there is no single height limit to quote.
Do I pay impact fees on an ADU in El Cajon?
An ADU under 750 sq ft pays no impact fee, and neither does a JADU. An ADU over 750 sq ft pays impact fees in proportion to the square footage of the main house. An ADU with less than 500 sq ft of interior livable space triggers no school fee. Water and sewer capacity charges are separate, so check them for your address.
Does El Cajon help pay for an ADU?
The City runs a deferred-payment ADU loan for owner-occupied homes. It covers construction costs only. See local condition 4 for the affordability rule and the funding check.
Related El Cajon pages: kitchen renovation in El Cajon, bathroom renovation in El Cajon and ADU renovation in El Cajon. Full project photos are on the projects page.
Planning a remodel in El Cajon?
A consultation checks your scope against the City’s rules for your address and returns a planning number and a schedule. We confirm the school district and the review path before you commit to design.
Eco Home Builders Inc. · 5560 Ruffin Road, Suite 4, San Diego, CA 92123 · CSLB #1074166 · A+ BBB rating
Sources
- City of El Cajon, Building Permits
- City of El Cajon, Project Assistance Center Online (PACO) FAQs
- City of El Cajon, Building Safety FAQ
- City of El Cajon, Schedule of Miscellaneous Fees (effective 07/13/26, Resolution 036-26)
- City of El Cajon, Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
- City of El Cajon, ADU Loan Program
- El Cajon Municipal Code, Chapter 17.140, section 17.140.180 (amended Ord. 5173, 2/10/2026)
- Cajon Valley Union School District, School Facility Fees
- Grossmont Union High School District, Pay Fees (developer fees)
- La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools, Fiscal Services (Developer Fees)
- Cal. Educ. Code section 17620
- Cal. Gov. Code section 66317
- Cal. Gov. Code section 66311.5
- California HCD, Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook (March 2026)
- CSLB, home improvement contract rules
- CSLB license search
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year 2024, Table B25035
- Eco Home Builders ADU cost guide for San Diego
- JLC, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Pacific region
Project counts and cost figures come from Eco Home Builders’ own job records and describe completed projects, not a quote for yours. The City, the school districts and the State set the rules, fees and review times on this page, and those change over time. Verify them for your parcel before you commit.