Garage Regulations in Residential Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0449
in effect(a)
Garages within an existing embankment in the RS and RX Zones, and in small
lot subdivisions in accordance with Section 143.0365.
Attached or detached garages, not exceeding 12 feet in height, including
parapets and handrails, may encroach into the front and street side yards, as
shown in Diagram 131-04N, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
The building is used only for required parking and incidental storage
related to residential use;
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(2)
The building is located entirely within a pre-existing embankment at
least 6 feet high, which shall be maintained. The embankment must
have an average height of at least 6 feet within the area where the
building is proposed.
(3)
The building facade is set back a minimum of 6 feet from the property
line;
(4)
The building elevation facing the street is no more than 24 feet wide;
(5)
No garage door opens so that it projects into the public right-of-way at
any time;
(6)
In the RS zones the building does not exceed 525 square feet in gross
floor area;
(7)
In the RX zone the building does not exceed 400 square feet in gross
floor area; and
(8)
If the building is constructed in conjunction with a retaining wall that
will be located within the required front yard, the retaining wall must
be flared outward from the corners of the building at a minimum
45-degree angle to provide a visibility area.
Diagram 131-04N
Garage Within Existing
Embankment
Garage
Front
property line
6'
min
Slope
Slope
12' max
Slope
Garage
Grade
Retaining wall
24' max
45 min angle
0
6'
min
Retaining wall
Plan View
Section View
CL
Retaining Wall
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(b)
Garages in RT Zones
(1)
Two off-street parking spaces are required, except for residential or
commercial development in a transit priority area where any portion of
the premises is located within a transit priority area. Off-street parking
spaces provided in a transit priority area are exempt from the
unbundled parking requirement in Section 142.0528(b)(1). An enclosed
and detached one-car garage is required except as otherwise provided in
this section. The second off-street parking may be provided in an
enclosed and detached garage or an unenclosed space located consistent
with the garage location requirements in Section 131.0449(b)(5).
(2)
A two-car garage may provide parking in tandem spaces.
(3)
Access to required parking shall be from an alley abutting the premises.
In lieu of public alleys in new subdivisions, private easements may be
used to provide access for abutting residents and authorized service
vehicles only.
(4)
The garage shall provide at least one 9-foot by 20-foot off-street
parking space perpendicular to, and directly accessible from, the
abutting alley.
(5)
The garage shall be located within the rear 30 feet of the lot, except to
the extent that it is necessary to accommodate a 21-foot distance
between the edge of the garage and the edge of the alley opposite the
lot.
(6)
The detached garage shall not exceed 12 feet in height.
(7)
The garage may have a roof deck with open or solid safety fencing not
to exceed 42 inches in height.
(8)
The garage shall abut one interior property line.
(9)
The garage may be attached to the dwelling unit, subject to the
following conditions:
(A)
A court yard with minimum dimensions of 10 feet by 10 feet
must be provided within the rear 50 percent of the lot, as shown
in Diagram 131-04O, or within the dwelling unit. The court yard
shall extend the full height of the structure and must be at least
75 percent open to sunlight;
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Diagram 131-04O
Courtyard Requirement with Attached Garage
CL
10' min
ALLEY
Building
Court
yard
Garage
Building
3' rear
setback
10' min
(B)
The vehicle entry facade of the garage may not be more than 24
feet from the rear property line; and
(C)
The garage is subject to the same height limits as the dwelling
unit.
(10)
Habitable space may be located above an attached garage.
[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 ]
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