The City of Santee Engineering and Planning & Building Department at 10601 Magnolia Avenue administers building permits, plan reviews, zoning compliance, and construction inspections across the city's 16.72 square miles. General contractors pulling permits for residential and commercial projects in Santee submit plans through this department, and firms such as AMW General Contracting on Cuyamaca Street routinely coordinate plan-check submittals and inspection scheduling through the Magnolia Avenue counter. The Planning Division enforces the city's eight residential zoning classifications and administers the 700-acre Town Center specific plan, which governs the mixed-use business park, high-density housing, and retail development surrounding Santee Trolley Square. All new residential construction must meet or exceed California Green Building Standards Tier 2 voluntary measures, including photovoltaic system installation and electric vehicle charging station provisions. Electrical permits for solar arrays, panel upgrades, and EV infrastructure route through the same plan-check process used by contractors coordinating with Keil Electric on Magnolia Avenue. The Engineering Division manages the city's capital improvement program, overseeing road reconstruction, storm-drain upgrades, and public infrastructure projects funded through the annual CIP budget.