Determining Existing Grade
San Diego Municipal Code § 113.0228
in effect§113.0228 Determining Existing Grade
(a) Existing grade is the ground elevation of the surface of a premises that has never been graded or, for a premises that has been graded, the ground elevation that existed on March 4, 1972. This is illustrated in Diagram 113-02F.
Diagram 113-02F
Existing Grade
Existing Grade
Ungraded premises
Existing Grade (fill before March 4,1972) Existing cut Existing Grade Existing Grade (cut after March 4,1972) (fill after March 4,1972) Existing Grade (cut before March 4,1972) Existing Fill
Existing grade Existing grade
Previously graded premises Previously graded premises
(b) If grading was approved and conducted as part of an approved tentative map, existing grade is the ground elevation of the premises following completion of the approved grading operation.
(c) When existing grade on a previously graded premises is not readily apparent, the City Manager may use the grade adjacent to the previously graded area or the grade on adjacent properties to establish the existing grade for the previously graded area. Existing grade at the disturbed area shall be an imaginary plane that connects elevations of existing grade through the previously graded area, as shown in Diagram 113-02G.
Diagram 113-02G
Connecting Elevations for Existing Grade
130
120 125 Connection of existing elevations within disurbed area 115 120
Pad / Basement 115 110 Existing grade 110 105
Pad / Basement 100
(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter11/Ch11Art03Division02.pdf#page=9Fetched: 10/28/2026