Accessibility and Website Information Skip Site Wide Navigation Skip to Content City Seal | HomeCity of San Diego | Home
Search City of San Diego

Land Development Code

Land Development Code Graphic

Regulations, Amendments and Related Documents

New Regulations in Effect - Updates to the Land Development Code

  • Mission Beach Planned District Ordinance:  On August 9, 2012 The California Coastal Commission unconditionally certified amended Mission Beach Planned District Ordinance.  The amendments generally address regulations related to allowable encroachments, determining grade, the process to deviate, and applicability of the 45 degree angled plane. The majority of the amendments address reorganization and clarification of existing language and concepts, and removal of redundant language.

  • Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL): On June 6, 2012 amendments to the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) regulations became effective. The amendments to Sections 143.0110, Table 143-01A and 143.0141 and the Land Development Manual (LDM) Biology Guidelines clarify the development regulations for sensitive biological resources and establish the three development scenarios under which application for deviation from the sensitive biological resources regulations may be made.  The Biology Guidelines were revised to provide more direction regarding wetland quality and impact analysis and mitigation ratios. The revised regulations do not apply in the Coastal Zone.

  • Voluntary Accessibility Program: On April 11, 2012, the Coastal Commission unconditionally certified the ordinances (O-20128 and O-19955) for the Voluntary Accessibility Program, which is an incentive program to encourage accessible design in new residential development by offering a variety of development incentives that facilitate accessible design. The program is most applicable to single dwelling unit and duplex development, but other types of residential development exempt from California Building Code Chapter 11A accessibility requirements may also qualify. In exchange for incentives, participating projects are required to meet a specified level of accessible design. The program is applicable citywide. See Municipal Code Chapter 14, Article 5, Division 40 for program eligibility and requirements.

  • Urban Agriculture Amendments - On January 31, 2012 the City Council approved new regulations for urban agriculture that address changes to the keeping of chickens, goats and bees; reducing the approval process for farmers markets on private property, creating two new uses farmers market stands and retail farms and minor changes to the recently adopted community garden regulations. However, the regulations related to Farmers Markets, Retail Farms, and Community Gardens will not be effective within the City's Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission (CCC) unconditionally certifies new regulations.

  • Airport Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone: The City adopted a package of amendments and zoning actions to incorporate airport related regulations required by state law into a new overlay zone in the City's Land Development Code. As a result, the City is no longer required to submit development applications surrounding MCAS Miramar, Brown Field, Gillespie Field, or Montgomery Field to the Airport Authority for a consistency determination if processed in accordance with the overlay zone.

  • Amendment to the Regulations for Community Gardens (PDF)
    On June 7, 2011 the City Council approved new regulations that allow community gardens to be developed easily and inexpensively in all residential and commercial zones in the City. The regulations were unconditionally certified by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) on May 8, 2013.  As of this date the regulations are effective Citywide.

  • Landscape Regulations (PDF) - On November 27, 2009 new landscape regulations that expand the City’s water conservation efforts go into effect. These regulations will apply to all new projects including projects submitting for building permits. The City Council and Mayor approved these regulations in compliance with the California State Water Conservation in Landscaping Act. Revisions to the Landscape Standards (PDF) have been made to reflect the changes in the regulations and also become effective on November 27, 2009.

  • 4th Update to the Land Development Code

  • 5th Update to the Land Development Code

  • 6th Update to the Land Development Code

  • Brush Management and Building Fire Regulations: The California Coastal Commission unconditionally certified these regulations on August 7, 2008.  They are now in effect Citywide.

  • Large Retail Establishments (Big Box) The California Coastal Commission unconditionally certified these regulations on October 16, 2008. They are now in effect Citywide.

  • Mini Dorms The California Coastal Commission unconditionally certified these regulations (3 ordinances) on October 16, 2008. They are now in effect Citywide.

  • General Plan Update Amendments

  • New Construction Regulations
    The City of San Diego will be enforcing the 2007 edition of the California Building Code, Electrical Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code and Plumbing Code as well as the California Historical Code and Existing Building Code for construction permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2008.

    Changes are being proposed to existing regulations in chapter 5, 11, 12 and 14 of the Municipal Code necessary for consisting with the sate mandated codes. Additionally, local amendments to the State codes listed above will be updated by modifying, adding or deleting regulations in chapter 12 and 14 of the Municipal Code.

Amendments to the Land Development Code (LDC) and Local Coastal Program (LCP)

  • Pending Coastal Commission Certification
    • Reduced Parking Demand Housing Regulations (AKA Affordable housing Parking Regulations: On November 13, 2012 the City Council approved the Reduced Parking Demand Housing Regulations (Section 142.0527).  The regulations consist of amendments to the Municipal Code and the City’s Local Coastal Program that implement the recommendations of the San Diego Affordable Housing Parking Study (December 30, 2011) prepared by Wilbur Smith Associates.  The regulations are applicable to only regulated rental affordable housing units where the tenant pays no more than 30 percent of gross household income towards gross rent and where a specified number of units are affordable to very low income and/or low income households for a term of at least 30 years.  Generally, the regulations apply parking ratios that are unique to the affordable housing type and the locational characteristics of the project.  The amendments are effective Citywide inclusive of the Planned District Ordinances.  The project also includes adoption of a Land Development Manual for Calculating Affordable Housing Parking Requirements.  The amendments are effective outside of the City’s Coastal Overlay Zone and will become effective within the Coastal Overlay Zone when the California Coastal Commission unconditionally certifies the regulations.
    • Outdoor Lighting Regulations On July 24, 2012 the City Council adopted an ordinance with amendments to Land Development Code Section 142.0740 and Chapter 14, Article 10 relating to local adoption of the California Green Building Regulations to reduce light pollution. The City's outdoor lighting regulations are intended to minimize light pollution, promote lighting design that conserves electrical energy, and provide adequate lighting for public safety. The amendments allow for use of some broad spectrum lighting alternatives with better color rendition for safety and better energy saving technology for consumers. The ordinance includes new limits on color temperature and the amount of up-light allowed by new outdoor light fixtures. The action also included adoption of a new local lighting zone map to facilitate implementation of state and local requirements. The ordinance is effective and applies to areas located outside of the coastal zone as of September 6, 2012. The ordinance will be effective in the coastal zone on the date the Coastal Commission unconditionally certifies the ordinance.
    • Urban Agriculture Amendments - On January 31, 2012 the City Council approved new regulations for urban agriculture that address changes to the keeping of chickens, goats and bees; reducing the approval process for farmers markets on private property, creating two new uses farmers market stands and retail farms and minor changes to the recently adopted community garden regulations. However, the regulations related to Farmers Markets, Retail Farms, and Community Gardens will not be effective within the City's Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission (CCC) unconditionally certifies new regulations. It is anticipated that the regulations will be submitted to the California Coastal Commission in April 2012.
    • Coastal Development Permit Categorical Exclusion
    • Density Bonus: On November 6, 2007 the City Council approved new Affordable Housing Density Bonus Regulations. These regulations become effective outside of the Coastal Overlay Zone on December 20, 2007. They will become effective within the Coastal Overlay Zone upon the unconditional certification by the California Coastal Commission. The ordinance and the new regulations are in the following link.
    • 7th Update to the Land Development Code: On August 2, 2011, the City Council adopted the 7th Update which is a package of amendments that are being processed as part of a comprehensive update and regular maintenance of the code, including amendments to the Municipal Code and Local Coastal Program (Chapter 9, Article 8; Chapter 11, Articles 2 and 3; Chapter 12, Articles 5, 6 and 9; Chapter 13, Articles 1 and 2; Chapter 14, Articles 1, 2, 3, and 4; and Chapter 15, Articles 1, 3, 9, 10, 12, 16, and 19). The amendments are classified into five categories including: Permit Process, Measurement, Landscape, Parking, and Minor Corrections, and are summarized in the Issue Matrix. The code amendments include changes to address various steps in the permit process (i.e. applications, noticing, initiation, historic resource surveys, appeal of environmental determinations, findings for approval, grounds for appeal, bonds, permit expiration); items to help clarify and simplify the review process for various permit types (i.e. planned development permits, pet care, signs, instructional studios, environmentally sensitive lands, companion units, parking structures, and previously conforming parking) and general clean up modifications to help clarify applicable development regulations and process requirements in the LDC and Planned District Ordinances. The ordinance will be effective in areas outside of the coastal zone on the date the Airport Authority determines the ordinance is consistent with applicable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans. The ordinance will not be effective in the coastal zone until the Coastal Commission unconditionally certifies the ordinance.
  • Pending City Council Hearing
    • Amendments to the LDC to Implement the San Diego River Park Master Plan. In 2001, the City of San Diego made a commitment to the community at large to prepare a new policy document, The San Diego River Park Master Plan (Master Plan), for the development along the San Diego River. A draft Master Plan document, based on community input, was presented to City Council as an information item in 2005. This new policy document provides the vision and guidance to restore the health of the river, the natural habitat adjacent to the river and how future development will reorient towards the river to create value and opportunities for people to embrace the river.

      During this time, staff made a determination that for the policy document to be consistent with the City's Land Development Code three sections of the code would require amendments. Working with the community over the next two years, the City has prepared amendments to the following three sections of the code:
      1. Mission Valley Planned District Ordinance (PDF)
      2. Navajo Community Plan Implementation Overlay Zone (PDF)
      3. Mission Trails Design District Ordinance (PDF)

      These proposed amendments do not change the base zoning or land use of the individual lots along the river, but provide design guidelines for the area directly adjacent to the river, called the River Corridor Area, and for the area adjacent to the River Corridor Area, called the River Influence Area. In addition, the three code amendments do not change the processing of projects through the City. By making the three sections of the code consistent with the proposed Master Plan, the processing and review time of future projects along the river should be reduced and in addition provide new development that benefits the river and the community at large.

    • 8th Update to the Land Development Code: The 8th Update to the Land Development Code (LDC) is part of the code monitoring program directed by the Mayor and City Council (effective January 2000). The goal of the code update is to simplify the land development regulations; to make the land development regulations more objective; to make the code more adaptable; to eliminate redundancies and contradictions; to standardize the code framework; and to increase predictability in the application of land development regulations. There are a total of 55 issues included in the 8th Update, that are divided into issue categories including Permit Process, Measurement, Parking, Green Building Regulations, Planned District Ordinance, and Minor Corrections.
  • Pending Planning Commission Recommendation
    • Decision Process for Capital Improvement Projects:  The purpose of this amendment is to reduce the processing times and costs associated with making decisions on capital improvement projects.  This amendment to the Municipal Code and Local Coastal Program creates two new approval processes for capital improvement projects.  A decision on a capital improvement project that requires a Coastal Development Permit; or a Site Development Permit for environmentally sensitive lands or historical resources, would be made via a Process CIP-2 or CIP-5.  Process CIP-2 is a similar to Process Two except it is appealable to the City Council rather than the Planning Commission.  Process CIP-5 is similar to Process Five except it does not require a Planning Commission recommendation prior to the City Council hearing.  The proposed amendment affects only the decision process, the discretionary permits are still required and no changes are made to the regulations for coastal Development, environmentally sensitive lands, or historical resources.
  • Amendment Projects in Open Public Review and Comment Period

    Prior to the public hearing process, staff is requesting early public review and feedback on the following proposed amendments to the Land Development Code. Please submit comments by email to dsdldc@sandiego.gov by the date indicated below. Additional opportunities for public participation will be available via the typical environmental review and public hearing process for the project.

    • Amendments Related to Environmental Appeals: The draft ordinance includes amendments to the Land Development Code to clarify the City's process for issuance of a Notice of Right to Appeal an environmental determination, including clarification of details regarding the location where the notice must be posted, who the notice must be distributed to, and the timing and duration required for availability of the notice; and clarification of the required time for filing an appeal.

      Please submit comments on the draft amendments to dsdldc@sandiego.gov by March 22, 2013 . Indicate "Environmental Appeals" in the subject line.
    • Amendments Related to Microbreweries: The draft ordinance includes amendments to the Land Development Code to allow for manufacturers of malt beverages or distilled spirits at least 12,000 square feet in size to have a restaurant or tasting room that is greater than 3,000 square feet as an accessory use. The ordinance is applicable to industrial zones only.

      Please submit comments on the draft amendments to dsdldc@sandiego.gov by March 22, 2013 . Indicate "Microbreweries" in the subject line.
  • Amendment Projects in Early Stages