§ 131.0531
Development Regulations Tables for Commercial Zones
San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 13 (Zones) · San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0531
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The following development regulations apply in each of the commercial zones as shown in Tables 131-05C, 131-05D, and 131-05E. (a) CN Zones Table 131-05C Development Regulations for CN Zones Development Regulations [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CN- 3rd >> 1- 1- 1- 1- 1- 1- 4th >> 1 2 3 4 5 6 Max Permitted Residential Density(1) 3,000 1,500 1,500 1,000 600 800 Supplemental Residential Regulations [See Section 131.0540] applies applies applies applies applies applies Lot Area Min Lot Area (sf) 2,500 5,000 5,000 2,500 2,500 2,500 Max Lot Area (ac) 0.3 10 10 0.3 0.3 0.3 Lot Dimensions Min Lot Width (ft) 25 50 50 25 25 25 Min Street Frontage (ft) 25 50 50 25 25 25 Min Lot Depth (ft) 100 -- -- -- -- -- Setback Requirements(4) Min Front Setback (ft) Max Front Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a)] -- 10(2) -- -- -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) Min Side Setback (ft) Optional Side Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(b)] 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 Side Setback Abutting Residential [See Section 131.0543(c)] applies applies applies applies applies applies Min Street Side Setback (ft) Max Street Side Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a) -- 10(2) -- -- -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) Min Rear Setback (ft) Optional Rear Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(b)] 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 Rear Setback Abutting Residential [See Section 131.0543(c)] applies applies applies applies applies applies Max Structure Height (ft) 30 30 30 65 65 65 Max Floor Area Ratio 1.0(3) 1.0(3) 1.0(3) 1.0(3) 1.0(3) 1.0(3) Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 31 Development Regulations [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CN- 3rd >> 1- 1- 1- 1- 1- 1- 4th >> 1 2 3 4 5 6 Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Residential Mixed Use [See Section 131.0546(a)] 0.5 0.75 0.75 1.2 1.2 1.2 Minimum Floor Area Ratio for Residential Use 0.5 0.38 0.38 0.6 0.6 0.6 Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Child Care [See Section 131.0546(b)] applies applies applies applies applies applies Ground-floor Height [See Section 131.0548] -- -- -- applies applies applies Pedestrian Paths [See Section 131.0550] applies applies applies applies applies applies Transparency [See Section 131.0552] applies -- applies applies applies applies Building Articulation [See Section 131.0554] applies applies applies applies applies applies Refuse and Recyclable Material Storage [See Section 142.0805] applies applies applies applies applies applies Loading Dock and Overhead Door Screening Regulations [See Section 142.1030] applies applies applies applies applies applies Visibility Area [See Section 113.0273] applies applies applies applies applies applies Dwelling Unit Protection Regulations [See Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 12] applies applies applies applies applies applies Footnotes for Table 131-05C 1 One dwelling unit per specified minimum square footage of lot area as determined in accordance with Section 113.0222. 2 See Section 131.0543(a)(2). 3 Within the Otay Mesa Community Plan area, the maximum floor area ratio is 0.30. 4 Placemaking on private property shall not be subject to setback regulations, in accordance with Section 141.0421. Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 32 (b) CR, CO, CV, and CP Zones Table 131-05D Development Regulations for CR, CO, CV, CP Zones Development Regulations [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CR- CO- CV- CP- 3rd >> 1- 2- 1- 2- 3- 1- 1- 4th >> 1 1 2 1- 2- 1 2 3 1 2 1 Max Permitted Residential Density (1) 1,500 1,000 1,500 - - 1,000 800 600 1,500 1,500 -- Supplemental Residential Regulations [See Section 131.0540] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies -- Supplemental Commercial Regulations [See Section 131.0541] -- -- -- -- -- applies -- -- -- -- -- Lot Area Min Lot Area (sf) 15,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 15,000 5,000 -- Max Lot Area (ac) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Lot dimensions Min Lot Width (ft) 100 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 100 50 -- Min Street Frontage (ft) 100 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 100 50 -- Min Lot Depth (ft) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 -- Setback Requirements(5) Min Front Setback (ft) Max Front Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a)] 10 -- 10 25(2) 10 -- 10 25(2) 10 -- -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) 10 -- -- 10(2) 10 -- Min Side Setback (ft) Optional Side Setback (ft) 10 -- 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 -- 10 0(3) 10 -- Side Setback Abutting Residential [See Section 131.0543(c)] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Min Street Side Setback (ft) Max Street Side Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a)] 10 -- 10 25(2) 10 -- 10 25(2) 10 -- -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- -- Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 33 Footnotes for Table 131-05D 1 One dwelling unit per specified minimum square footage of lot area as determined in accordance with Section 113.0222. 2 See section 131.0543(a)(2). Min Rear Setback (ft) Optional Rear Setback (ft) 10 -- 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) 10 0(3) Rear Setback Abutting Residential [See Section 131.0543(c)] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Max Structure Height (ft) 60 45 60 45 65 50 65 70 60 45 30 Min Lot Coverage (%) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 35 -- Max Floor Area Ratio 1.0(4) 0.75(4) 1.5(4) 0.75(4) 1.5(4) 2.0(4) 2.0(4,5) 2.0(4) 2.0(4) 2.0(4) 1.0(4) Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Residential Mixed Use [See Section 131.0546(a)] 1.0 1.0 1.5 --- --- 1.0 2.5 2.5 -- -- -- Minimum Floor Area Ratio for Residential Use 0.5 1.0 0.75 --- --- 1.0 1.5 2.5 -- -- -- Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Child Care [See Section 131.0546(b)] applies -- applies -- applies applies applies applies -- -- -- Ground-floor Height [See Section 131.0548] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies -- Pedestrian Paths [See Section 131.0550] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies -- Transparency [See Section 131.0552] -- applies -- applies -- applies applies applies -- applies -- Building Articulation [See Section 131.0554] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies -- Street Yard Parking Restriction [See Section 131.0555] -- applies -- applies -- applies applies applies -- -- -- Parking Lot Orientation [See Section 131.0556] applies -- applies -- applies applies -- -- applies applies -- Refuse and Recyclable Material Storage [See Section 142.0805] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Loading Dock and Overhead Door Screening Regulations [See Section 142.1030] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Visibility Area [See Section 113.0273] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Dwelling Unit Protection Regulations [See Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 12] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies applies - Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 34 3 See section 131.0543(b). 4 Within the Otay Mesa Community Plan area, the maximum floor area ratio is 0.30. 5 Placemaking on private property shall not be subject to setback or minimum lot coverage regulations, in accordance with Section 141.0421. (c) CC Zones Table 131-05E Development Regulations for CC Zones Development Regulation [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CC- 3rd >> 1- 2- 4- 5- 1- 2- 4- 5- 1- 2- 4- 5- 2- 3- 4- 5- 4th >> 1 2 3 4 Max Permitted Residential Density(1) 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 Supplemental Residential Regulations [See Section 131.0540] applies applies applies applies Lot Area Min Lot Area (sq. ft.) 5,000 5,000 5,000 2,500 Max Lot Area (ac) -- -- -- -- Lot Dimensions Min Lot Width (ft) 50 50 100 25 Min Street Frontage (ft) 50 50 100 25 Min Lot Depth (ft) Max Lot Depth (ft) 100 150 100 150 -- -- -- -- Setback Requirements(5) Min Front Setback (ft) Max Front Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a)] -- 100(2,3) -- 100(2,3) -- -- -- 10(2) Min Side Setback (ft) Optional Side Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(b)] 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 Side Setback Abutting Residential [See Section 131.0543(c)] applies applies applies applies Min Street Side Setback (ft) Max Street Side Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a)] -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10(2) Min Rear Setback (ft) Optional Rear Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(b)] 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 Rear Setback Abutting Residential [See Section applies applies applies applies Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 35 Development Regulation [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CC- 3rd >> 1- 2- 4- 5- 1- 2- 4- 5- 1- 2- 4- 5- 2- 3- 4- 5- 4th >> 1 2 3 4 131.0543(c)] Max Structure Height (ft) 30 60 45 30 Min Lot Coverage (%)(5) -- -- -- 35 Max Floor Area Ratio 0.75(4) 2.0(4) 0.75(4) 1.0(4) Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Residential Mixed Use [See Section 131.0546(a)] 0.75 -- 0.75 0.5 Minimum Floor Area Ratio for Residential Use 0.56 -- 0.56 0.25 Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Child Care [See Section 131.0546(b)] applies - applies applies Ground-floor Height [See Section 131.0548] -- applies applies -- Pedestrian Paths [See Section 131.0550] applies applies applies applies Transparency [See Section 131.0552] --- --- --- applies Building Articulation [See Section 131.0554] applies applies applies applies Parking Lot Orientation [See Section 131.0556] applies applies applies applies Refuse and Recyclable Material Storage [See Section 142.0805] applies applies applies applies Loading Dock and Overhead Door Screening Regulations [See Section 142.1030] applies applies applies applies Visibility Area [See Section 113.0273] applies applies applies applies Dwelling Unit Protection Regulations [See Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 12] applies applies applies applies Development Regulation [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CC 3rd >> 2- 3- 4- 5- 3- 4- 5- 3- 3- 3- 3- 3- 4th >> 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Max permitted Residential Density(1) 1,500 1,000 800 600 400 200 150 Supplemental Residential Regulations [See Section 131.0540] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Lot Area Min Lot Area (sq. ft.) 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 Max Lot Area (ac) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 36 Development Regulation [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CC 3rd >> 2- 3- 4- 5- 3- 4- 5- 3- 3- 3- 3- 3- 4th >> 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Lot Dimensions Min Lot Width (ft) 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Min Street Frontage (ft) 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Min Lot Depth (ft) Max Lot Depth (ft) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Setback Requirements(5) Min Front Setback (ft) Max Front Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a)] -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) Min Side Setback (ft) Optional Side Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(b)] 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 Side Setback Abutting Residential [See Section 131.0543(c)] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Min Street Side Setback (ft) Max Street Side Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(a)] -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) -- 10(2) Min Rear Setback (ft) Optional Rear Setback (ft) [See Section 131.0543(b)] 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 Rear Setback Abutting Residential [See Section 131.0543(c)] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Max Structure Height (ft) 100 65 65 100 - - - Min Lot Coverage (%)(4,5) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 Max Floor Area Ratio 2.0(4) 2.0(4) 2.0(4) 2.0(4) 2.0(4) 3.0(4) 4.0(4) Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Residential Mixed Use [See Section 131.0546(a)] 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0 4.5 4.0 Minimum Floor Area Ratio for Residential Use 1.0 1.0 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 Floor Area Ratio Bonus for Child Care [See Section 131.0546(b)] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Ground-floor Height [See Section 131.0548] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Pedestrian Paths [See Section 131.0550] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 37 Development Regulation [See Section 131.0530 for Development Regulations of Commercial Zones] Zone Designator Zones 1st & 2nd >> CC 3rd >> 2- 3- 4- 5- 3- 4- 5- 3- 3- 3- 3- 3- 4th >> 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Transparency [See Section 131.0552] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Building Articulation [See Section 131.0554] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Parking Lot Orientation [See Section 131.0556] - - - - - - - Refuse and Recyclable Material Storage [See Section 142.0805] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Loading Dock and Overhead Door Screening Regulations [See Section 142.1030] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Visibility Area [See Section 113.0273] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Dwelling Unit Protection Regulations [See Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 12] applies applies applies applies applies applies applies Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 38 Footnotes for Table 131-05E 1 One dwelling unit per specified minimum square footage of lot area as determined in accordance with Section 113.0222. 2 See Section 131.0543(a)(2). 3 See Section 131.0543(a)(3). 4 Within the Otay Mesa Community Plan area, the maximum floor area ratio is 0.30. 5 Placemaking on private property shall not be subject to setback or minimum lot coverage regulations, in accordance with Section 141.0421. (Retitled from “Development Regulations Tables of Commercial Zones” to “Development Regulations Tables for Commercial Zones” and amended 7-10-2015 by O-20512 N.S.; effective 8-9-2015.) [Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-20991 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies O-20991 N.S. as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-20991-SO.pdf] [Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21836 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21836-SO.pdf ] Chapter 13: Zones (3-2026) 39
