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Economic Development

Placemaking

Quartyard East Village Placemaking

Placemaking allows residents to reimagine and creatively reinvent unused or underutilized spaces in their neighborhoods to cultivate a sense of community. The distinctive character and heart of San Diego's neighborhoods emerge through citizen-driven placemaking projects that, for example, create gathering places, showcase public art, illuminate landscape, beautify forgotten parcels or illustrate the area's cultural vibe. Placemaking projects are temporary small-scale developments in the public right-of-way and on private property.

An example of a successful placemaking project is Quartyard (above) in East Village. Originally conceived and built by the NewSchool of Architecture and Design's student-led Rad Lab, the eco-friendly outdoor community space is made from repurposed shipping containers. It's a beer garden, restaurant, music/stage venue, dog park and social spot. 

Getting Started

Before applying for your Placemaking project, please read How to Obtain a Permit for Placemaking – PDF icon Information Bulletin 568.

  • Public Right-Of-Way (PROW): Placemaking in the PROW requires a Public Right-Of-Way Permit. See PDF icon Information Bulletin 165 for this application process.
  • Private Property: Placemaking on private property requires at Temporary Use Permit (TUP). See PDF icon Information Bulletin 533 for this application process.

Locating Placemaking Projects

Neighborhood zoning rules determine what types of Placemaking projects are allowed. Review the PDF icon Uses Per Base Zones table to learn more. To determine zoning rules for a specific project location, contact sdbusiness@sandiego.gov.

Placemaking Projects Examples

Placemaking North Park  Placemaking Hillcrest  Placemaking Chalk Art

Elements of Placemaking Projects:

  • Free library stands
  • Bike racks
  • Dog racks
  • Plants
  • Furniture
  • Trash and recycling material containers
  • Wayfinding signage
  • Small retail kiosks (private property only)
  • Commercial service uses (private property only)

** Artwork in the PROW must be reviewed and approved by the Commission for Arts and Culture prior to applying for a permit.  

Placemaking Activation Grants

Placemaking Activation Grants are not available at this time.