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​How to Obtain a Permit for Placemaking

INFORMATION BULLETIN
568
June 2026

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IN THIS BULLETIN:

​​This information bulletin describes the approval process and submittal requirements for Placemaking projects.

I. What is Placemaking?

Placemaking is the temporary use of public right-of-way and private property that activates streetscapes by enhancing the pedestrian experience and providing neighborhood-serving activities, experiences, or spaces and includes temporary, small-scale development specifically designed to support that temporary use. Projects that may qualify as Placemaking uses include, but are not limited to, those that provide areas for pedestrians to briefly rest (plazas, shade structures, and benches), promote the use of underutilized space (landscaping and decorative lighting), and improve and promote pedestrian activity and other uses of the public right-of-way (bicycle racks, refuse containers, art, wayfinding signage and monuments). (SDMC §113.0103). 

Placemaking projects are privately funded, typically have broad community support and are often planned in concert with community oriented organizations, such as a Business Improvement District, Civic Association, Community Parking District, Community Planning Group, Maintenance Assessment District, Property Business Improvement District, Town Council or other similar non-profit organizations. SDMC § 113.0103, 123.0402, 123.0406, 129.0710, and 141.0421.

II. Permit Duration

Placemaking projects can be permitted for up to five years. After five years the Placemaking project must be removed and the area returned to its original condition, unless a new permit for Placemaking is obtained. Placemaking projects may also be test projects to determine the feasibility of permanent public improvements.

The permit holder for a placemaking project is responsible for all maintenance. Maintenance includes posting of the name, phone number and email address of the party responsible for the placemaking project in a location visible from the public right-of-way, keeping the placemaking project area free of litter and graffiti and preventing litter attributable to the placemaking project from occurring on adjacent properties.

III. Placemaking in the Public-Right-of-Way

Placemaking projects in the public right-of-way are subject to the regulations contained in SDMC §129.070. Placemaking projects are not allowed in Industrial Zones. Additionally, Placemaking in the public right-of-way is not allowed in a Residential-Single Unit (RS) Zone.

  1. Public Right-of-Way Permit
    A Public Right-of-Way Permit is required for placemaking within public rights-of-way. This Public Right-of-Way Permit is a Process One decision (ministerial).
  2. Application Process
    An application for a Public Right-of-Way Permit must be approved prior to installation. To apply for a Public Right-of-Way Permit, submit the following completed items:
    1. Stormwater Requirements Applicability Checklist
    2. Encroachment Exhibit
      An exhibit (minimum 8-1/2” x 11”; maximum 18” x 24”), drawn to scale, detailing the encroachment area, including the following minimum details:
      • Vicinity Map.
      • The right-of-way lines completely labeled and dimensioned.
      • The location and type of encroachment, clearly identified.
      • Existing and proposed right-of-way improvements, such as driveways, sidewalks, trees, light posts, fire hydrants, water meters, etc.
      • Elevation views with heights dimensioned for above ground structures.
      • North arrow and scale.
      • Please see the DS-3238 for the "Public Improvement Maintenance Agreement" form. 
    3. Construction Plan (DS-3179 or DS-3179C).
    4. Record Owner Permission
      Letter or similar proof of written permission from the record owner of the adjacent property.
  3. How to Apply
    An application must be submitted electronically through the online portal by selecting the Grading, ROW, Mapping Standalone application. Please refer to the “Submittal Manual Section 3” for required documents regarding the Grading and Public Improvement projects. If you do not yet have an account, please register for an account to submit your application. For additional information, please review our User Guide on how to apply for a permit online.
  4. Payment Information
    Fees and deposits are required at the time of project submittal. For customer convenience, DSD offers online payments. Payment may also be made in person by check, debit card, Visa or MasterCard. Checks shall be in the exact amount, drawn on US banks, and made payable to the “City Treasurer.” The plan check fee is based on the number of construction plan sheets in a submittal. Plans should be as concise as possible. Fee Information and the Refund Policy are contained in Information Bulletin 502.
  5. Safety and Construction
     Standards Include:
  6. Transportation Safety
    In order to allow for safe and efficient vehicle and pedestrian visibility and circulation, placemaking projects shall not change, modify or conflict with traffic control devices, such as signage, directional controls, crosswalks or any other items that direct any mode of transportation. Placemaking projects shall also not allow for public congregation in locations within a street that is not designed for pedestrian access. For example, new gathering areas are not appropriate in a median, roundabout or traffic circle.
  7. Locations
    There may be planned or future proposed City Capital Improvement Projects, utility initiated projects, Maintenance Assessment District activities, Parking District or other private construction projects that may impact a Placemaking project location. An applicant for a Placemaking project should perform due diligence to determine the viability of proposed locations with knowledge that the project may be removed in part or total by other allowed or permitted activities by the City, other agencies, organizations and persons. In addition, a placemaking permit holder is responsible for any required reconstruction or additional removal as a result of other types of projects. The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) website provides resources to determine whether there are conflicts with other projects using their project search tools. 
  8. Maintenance Responsibilities
    A Placemaking project permit holder will be required to enter into an Encroachment, Maintenance and Removal Agreement with the City. Please see the DS-3238  document for the “Public Improvement Maintenance Agreement” form.

IV. Placemaking on Private Property

Placemaking projects on private property are subject to the regulations contained in SDMC §141.0421. Placemaking projects are not allowed in Industrial Zones and the Coastal Overlay Zone.

  1. Temporary Use Permit
    A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) is required for placemaking on private property. The Temporary Use Permit decision is a Process One decision (ministerial).
  2. Application Process
    A TUP must be received prior to starting the use. To apply for a TUP, please refer to Information Bulletin 533.
  3. Fees
    Fees are required to be paid prior to review. For customer convenience, DSD offers online payments. Payment may also be made in person by check, debit card, Visa or MasterCard. Checks shall be in the exact amount, drawn on US banks, and made payable to the “City Treasurer.” The required fees are listed in Information Bulletin 533.

V. Other Permits and Requirements

A Placemaking project may require additional permits and may be subject to additional regulations. A Placemaking project that includes any of the following construction or activities requires a separate permit or approval for the construction or activity and is subject to additional regulations.

  1. Construction
    Issuance of a TUP does not authorize the construction of any structures, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work. A separate Building permit or miscellaneous permit is also required for any construction that requires a permit.  Submittal requirements for Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing permits, please refer to the Project Submittal Manual Section 2.
  2. Signs
    A separate Sign permit is required for the installation of any sign, except for the required posting of the name, phone number, and email address of the party responsible for the project. Please refer to Information Bulletin 111 for additional information.
  3. Mobile Food Trucks
    A Mobile Food Truck permit is required for a Mobile Food Truck to be located on private property in most zones. For more information on Mobile Food Trucks, please refer to Information Bulletin 148.
  4. Community Gardens
    Community gardens are premises that are used for crop cultivation by individuals or may be divided into multiple plots. Placemaking projects that include a Community Garden must also comply with all requirements for Community Gardens. Please refer to SDMC §141.0203.
  5. Farmers' Markets
    Farmers’ markets are outdoor establishments where farmers and other vendors sell produce and other goods directly to consumers and where vendors selling farm produce comprise at least 50 percent of the vendors. A market may be either a weekly farmers market or a daily farmers market stand. Projects that include a market must also comply with the requirements for farmers markets. Please refer to SDMC §141.0503.
  6. Accessibility
    Placemaking Projects shall be accessible to individuals with disabilities, complying with most restrictive regulations of the California Building Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Projects shall not interfere with, or impede, access to adjacent existing buildings to persons with disabilities.
  7. Historic Review
    Historical review may be required for a Placemaking project that is located within a Historic District or on a historically designated site. See Information Bulletin 581 for additional information.
  8. Pedestrian Plazas
    Pedestrian Plazas are sometimes referred to as Parklets. Please see Information Bulletin 565 for additional information.
  9. Artwork Including Murals
    Any placemaking project in the public right-of-way that contains artwork (SDMC § 26.0701, et seq.) requires review and approval by the Commission for Arts and Culture before submission to the Development Services Department. To learn more about the Arts and Culture application process, please visit their website for “Proposing Artwork for City Property”. Please review the Mural Memorandum for additional information.
  10. Special Events
    A Public Right-of-Way Permit for Placemaking allows construction in the right-of-way only and does not permit any organized activities. Organized activity in the public right-of-way requires a Special Event Permit. For information concerning Special Events, please visit their website.
  11. Crosswalks
    A creative crosswalk is a legally marked pedestrian crossing that includes: 
    • Bright colors, patterns, or geometric designs.  
    • Artwork created by local artists or community members.
    • Paint or durable materials applied within or around the crosswalk. 

In San Diego, these are often done as pilot or demonstration projects, like the one at San Diego State University in partnership with Circulate San Diego. Please refer to the Memorandum for Pilot Program for Creative Crosswalks in Public Right-of-Way (ROW).

Previous Versions of this Information Bulletin

This section contains previous versions of this Information Bulletin by the last day they were effective.