Setback Requirements in Residential Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0443
in effect(a)
Setbacks in RS Zones
(1)
Front Setbacks in RS Zones
For that portion of a lot that fronts a cul-de-sac, the minimum front
setback may be reduced 5 feet below the requirement specified in
Table 131-04D; however, in no case shall the setback be less than
5 feet.
(2)
Rear Setback in the RS-1-1, RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-5, RS-1-6,
RS-1-7 Zones
(A)
The required rear setback is at least the dimension shown in
Table 141-04D, except as follows:
(i)
For lots less than 100 feet in depth, the rear setback is at
least 10 percent of the lot depth, but not less than 5 feet;
and
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(ii)
For lots greater than 150 feet in depth, the rear setback is
at least 10 percent of the lot depth or the dimension
shown in Table 131-04D, whichever is greater.
(B)
Where a rear yard abuts an alley, one-half of the alley width,
but not more than 10 feet, may be counted toward the required
rear setback. In no case shall a rear setback using this provision
be less than 5 feet on the premises. See Diagram 131-04B.
Diagram 131-04B
Rear Yard Abutting Alley
One-half of alley width (10' max)
Rear setback
5' min on the premises
ALLEY
Rear yard
CL
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(C) Where access for parking is taken from the alley and the parking
spaces are not parallel to the alley, a minimum distance of 21
feet shall be provided between the edge of the alley public right-
of-way opposite the lot and the outside edge of the parking
garage or parking stall closest to the alley. See
Diagram 131-04C.
Diagram 131-04C
Parking Adjacent to Alley
5' m in
ALLEY
21' m in
Garage
Rear y ard
CL
5' m in
ALLEY
21' m in
Park ing
s pac e
Rear y ard
L
C
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(3)
Rear Setback in the RS-1-8, RS-1-9, RS-1-10, RS-1-11, RS-1-12, RS-1-
13, and RS-1-14 Zones
For lots that are served by alley access, the rear setback may be reduced
to 4 feet.
(4)
Side and Street Side Setbacks in RS Zones
(A)
For lots where the lot width is less than the minimum required
lot width of the applicable zone as shown in Table 131-04D,
each side setback shall be 8 percent of the lot width.
(B)
Side setback relocation for lots greater than 50 feet in width.
(i)
The required side setbacks may be reallocated where the
combined dimensions of each side setback would meet
or exceed the combined total indicated in
Table 131-04D. Once a side setback is reallocated and
established at a dimension less than the total indicated in
Table 131-04D, all additions to the primary structure
shall maintain the established side setback.
(ii)
A reallocated side setback shall not be reduced to less
than 4 feet.
(iii)
A reallocated street side setback shall not be reduced to
less than 10 feet.
(b)
Setbacks in RX Zones
(1)
Front Setback in RX Zones
RX zone developments exceeding a total of four dwelling units are
required to provide variable from setbacks as follows:
(A)
Front setbacks of 15 feet are required for at least 25 percent of
the total dwelling units, 10-foot front setbacks are required for at
least 25 percent of the total dwelling units, and 20-foot front
setbacks are required for at least 25 percent of the total dwelling
units;
(B)
No more than 40 percent of the total number of dwelling units
are permitted to have front setbacks in any one category (i.e.,
10 feet, 15 feet, or 20 feet) described in 131.0443(b)(1)(A); and
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(C)
Variable front setbacks described in this section shall be
established by easement at the time of tentative map approval.
The easements shall be established at the time of zone
application if lots are existing and no map is proposed. If a
Planned Development Permit is processed, the variable setbacks
may be established with the permit in lieu of creating
easements.
(2)
Side and Street Side Setbacks in RX Zones
(A)
For detached dwellings, the following shall apply:
(i)
Minimum side and street side setbacks are at least 3 feet
or 10 percent of the lot width, whichever is greater, but
is not required to be more than 5 feet;
(ii)
No side setback is required for one side only provided
the side with no setback is adjacent to other property
within an RX zone; and
(iii)
A separation of at least 10 feet between buildings must
be observed on at least one side of each building.
(B)
For attached dwellings, the following shall apply:
(i)
No side setback shall be observed on one side, excluding
street side yard;
(ii)
The opposite side setback is 6 feet or 20 percent of the
lot width, whichever is greater, but is not required to be
more than 10 feet. This side setback may be 4 feet if a
vertical offset in the structure’s side wall is provided so
that a yard area within the building envelope is provided
that is equal to or exceeds the area projecting into the
required yard. See Diagram 131-04D.
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Diagram 131-04D
Side Yard Offset in the RX Zones
Front yards
side setback
Standard side setback
Zero side
setback
STREET
Building
CL
Building
Rear yards
Side setback
Limits of building envelope
Yard area provided
within building envelope
Projection into standard yard
4'
8'
40'
40'
8'
(iii)
Each separate dwelling unit shall have its own side yard
wall construction that may abut another dwelling unit at
the common property line. Common wall construction
between two dwelling units is not permitted.
(3)
Rear Setback in RX Zones
Rear setbacks shall be at least 10 feet or, if alley access exists, at least
4 feet.
(c)
Setbacks in RT Zones
(1)
Front Setback in RT Zones
(A)
The minimum front setback is 10 percent of the depth of the lot,
and in no case shall be less than 5 feet or more than 15 feet. At
least some portion of the building facade shall be located within
1 foot of the setback line.
(B)
50 percent of the front building facade may encroach into the
required front yard in accordance with Section 131.0461(b)
provided that all supplemental requirements are met as set forth
in Section 131.0464(c).
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(2)
Side Setbacks in RT Zones
(A)
Side yards are not permitted except for lightwells and court
yards, as shown in Diagram 131-04E, which shall be a
minimum of 6 feet by 10 feet.
Diagram 131-04E
Lightwells and Courtyards in the RT Zones
Lightw ell /C ourty ard
6' min
10' min
STR EET
Building
CL
Zero s ide s etbac k
Zero s ide s etbac k
(B)
Each separate dwelling unit shall have its own side yard wall
construction that may abut another dwelling unit at the common
property line. Common wall construction between two dwelling
units is not permitted.
(C)
A minimum side setback of 3 feet is required adjacent to any lot
that is not within an RT zone.
(D)
Windows or doors adjacent to side setbacks are only permitted
when the distance between the window or door and the property
line is a minimum of 5 feet or when the side setback is a street
side yard.
(d)
Setbacks in RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3 Zones
(1)
Front Setback in RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3 Zones
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(A)
Up to 50 percent of the width of the building envelope may
observe the minimum 15-foot front setback, provided the
remaining percentage of the building envelope width observes
the standard 20-foot setback. This may occur on a
floor-by-floor basis. See Diagram 131-04F.
Diagram 131-04F
Standard/Minimum Front Setback
C
may observe the min front setback
CL
Building
min
setback
standard
setback
STREET
Max 50%
envelope width
of building
L
On a floor by floor basis, a max of
50% of the width of the building envelope
STREET
15" Min
front setback
Front yard
front setback
20' Standard
Building envelope
Width of
building
envelope
Building envelope width
(B)
For any portion of a lot that fronts on a curving street with a
centerline radius of less than 100 feet, the standard setback is 10
feet, and the minimum setback is 5 feet.
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(2)
Side Setbacks in RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3 Zones
(A)
Up to 50 percent of the length of the building envelope on one
side of the premises may observe the minimum 5-foot side
setback, provided the remaining percentage of the building
envelope length observes at least the standard side setback of 8
feet or 10 percent of the lot width, whichever is greater.
One hundred percent of the length of the building envelope on
the opposite side may observe the minimum side setback of 5
feet. See Diagram 131-04G.
Diagram 131-04G
Standard/Minimum Side Setback
5' min side
setback
8' or 10% of lot width
(standard side setback)
5' Min side setback
Min side setback for no
more than 50% of length
of building envelope
Length of
building envelope
Front yard
Standard front setback
Rear setback
Building
STREET
CL
(B)
Exception: The minimum and standard side setbacks are at least
4 feet for a premises that is less than 50 feet but more than 25
feet wide. The minimum and standard side setbacks are at least
3 feet for a premises that is 25 feet wide or less.
(C)
Where there is an existing development on the premises with the
side setback less than the current requirement and the building
is to be maintained, new development may observe the existing
side setback for 50 percent of the length of the building
envelope on a floor-by-floor basis.
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(3)
Street Side Setback in RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3 Zones
The minimum street side setback is at least 10 feet or 10 percent of the
premises width, whichever is greater.
(4)
Rear Setback in RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3 Zones
Where a rear yard abuts an alley, one-half of the alley width, but not
more than 10 feet, may be counted toward the required rear yard. In no
case shall a rear setback using this provision be less than 5 feet.
(e)
Setbacks in RM-2-4, RM-2-5, RM-2-6 Zones
(1)
Front Setback in RM-2-4, RM-2-5, RM-2-6 Zones
(A)
Up to 50 percent of the width of the building envelope may
observe the minimum 15-foot front setback, provided the
remaining percentage of the building envelope width observes
the standard 20-foot setback. This may occur on a floor-by-
floor basis.
(B)
For any portion of a lot that fronts on a curving street with a
centerline radius of less than 100 feet, the standard front setback
is 10 feet and the minimum setback is 5 feet.
(2)
Side Setbacks in RM-2-4, RM-2-5, RM-2-6 Zones
(A)
The minimum side setback is 5 feet or 10 percent of the
premises width, whichever is greater.
(B)
Exception: The minimum side setback is 4 feet for a premises
that is 40 to 50 feet in width.
(C)
For lots with less than 40 feet in width, each side setback may
be reduced to 10 percent of the lot width but shall not be
reduced to less than 3 feet.
(3)
Street Side Setback in RM-2-4, RM-2-5, RM-2-6 Zones
(A)
The minimum street side setback is 10 feet or 10 percent of the
premises width, whichever is greater.
(B)
Street Side Yard Encroachment Option. Up to 50 percent of the
building facade may encroach up to 5 feet into the required
street side yard. The encroachment may occur on a floor-by-
floor basis. See Diagram 131-04H.
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Diagram 131-04H
Street Side Yard Encroachment Option
Max 50% of length
of building facade
Front
yard
Street side yard
STREET
STREET
Length of building facade
5' Maximum
encrochment
Street side setback:
10' or 10% of lot width
Building
Setback lines
CL
CL
(4)
Rear Setback in RM-2-4, RM-2-5, RM-2-6 Zones
Where a rear yard abuts an alley, one-half of the alley width, but not
more than 10 feet, may be counted toward the required rear yard. In no
case shall a rear setback using this provision be less than 5 feet.
(f)
Setbacks in RM-3-7, RM-3-8, RM-3-9 Zones
(1)
Front Setback in RM-3-7, RM-3-8, RM-3-9 Zones
(A)
Up to 50 percent of the width of the building envelope may
observe the minimum 10-foot front setback, provided the
remaining percentage of the building envelope width observes
the standard 20-foot setback. This may occur on a
floor-by-floor basis.
(B)
For any portion of a lot that fronts on a curving street with a
centerline radius of less than 100 feet, the standard front setback
is 10 feet and the minimum setback is 5 feet.
(2)
Side Setbacks in RM-3-7, RM-3-8, RM-3-9 Zones
(A)
The minimum side setback is 5 feet or 10 percent of the
premises width, whichever is greater.
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(B)
Up to 50 percent of the length of the building adjacent to the side
yard may be placed anywhere between the side setback and the
property line, provided that no encroaching element shall exceed
30 feet in length, that encroaching elements are separated by at
least 6 feet, and that each dwelling unit has access to either the
front or rear of the lot. See Diagram 131-04I.
Diagram 131-04I
Zero Side Setback Option
30' max
'A'
'B'
30' max
Length of building at side yard
5' Side setback
NOTE: The total length of 'A' plus 'B' shall not
exceed 50% of the length of the building at side yard.
Front
yard
Rear
yard
6'
min
Side yard
STREET
CL
Building
(3)
Street Side Setback in RM-3-7, RM-3-8, RM-3-9 Zones
(A)
The minimum street side setback is 10 feet or 10 percent of the
premises width, whichever is greater.
(B)
Up to 50 percent of the building facade may encroach up to 5
feet into the required street side yard.
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(g)
Setbacks in RM-4-10, RM-4-11 Zones
(1)
Two contiguous yards must observe setbacks of at least 15 feet on the
northerly and easterly elevations, as shown in Diagram 131-04J.
Diagram 131-04J
Contiguous Yard Requirement
Northerly property line
Easterly
property line
15'
setback
15'
setback
N
No setbacks
required along
remaining
two property lines
(2)
The side yard and rear yard shall equal the requirements of the adjacent
residential zone if that zone is more restrictive.
(h)
Setback Requirements in the RM-5-12 Zone
(1)
Front Setback in the RM-5-12 Zone
The minimum front setback is 10 feet for any portion of a lot that fronts
on a turnaround or on a curving street with a centerline radius of less
than 100 feet.
(2)
Side Setback in the RM-5-12 Zone
The minimum side setback specified in Table 131-04G shall be
increased 3 feet for each 12 feet of structure height over 24 feet.
(3)
Street Side Setback in the RM-5-12 Zone
The minimum street side setback is as indicated in Table 131-04G,
except as follows:
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(A)
9 feet for any lot that is at least 45 but less than 50 feet wide;
(B)
8 feet for any lot that is at least 40 but less than 45 feet wide;
(C)
7 feet for any lot that is at least 35 but less than 40 feet wide;
(D)
6 feet for any lot that is at least 30 but less than 35 feet wide;
and
(E)
5 feet for any lot that is less than 30 feet wide.
(4)
Rear Setback in the RM-5-12 Zone
The rear setback specified in Table 131-04G shall be increased 3 feet
for each 12 feet of structure height over 24 feet.
[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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