Assembly and Entertainment Uses, Including Places of Religious Assembly
San Diego Municipal Code § 141.0602
in effect§141.0602 Assembly and Entertainment Uses, Including Places of Religious Assembly
This use category applies to facilities designed to accommodate at least 25 people at a time for recreation, physical fitness, entertainment, or other assembly, including places of religious assembly. Assembly and entertainment uses are permitted as a limited use in accordance with Process One in zones indicated with an “L” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) and are subject to the regulations in Sections 141.0602(a) and (b). Assembly and entertainment uses may be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three in zones indicated with a “C” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) and are subject to the regulations in Sections 141.0602(a) and (c).
(a) General Regulations
(1) Assembly and entertainment uses are not permitted:
(A) Within the MHPA; and
(B) Within floodplains located in the Coastal Overlay Zone.
(2) Assembly and entertainment uses shall provide off-street parking according to Table 142-05G.
(3) Auditoriums that are an accessory use to professional office or industrial development are not subject to Section 141.0602.
(b) Limited Use Regulations
(1) The facility shall be designed to accommodate a maximum of 300 people.
(2) Assembly and entertainment facilities adjacent to residentially zoned property shall not operate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except that such facilities may operate until 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Places of religious assembly shall not be subject to the limitations of Section 141.0602(b)(2).
(3) Deviations from Section 141.0602(b) may be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three.
(4) On a premises that is identified as Prime Industrial Land in a land use plan, the following regulations apply:
(A) Auditoriums that are an accessory use to a professional office of an industrial development are permitted.
(B) Other assembly and entertainment uses are permitted as accessory uses provided that:
(i) The use occurs outside of normal business or operating hours and a majority of the uses shall not include minor-oriented uses or activities;
(ii) The use consists of temporary, non-permanent special events or activities; and
(iii) The space utilized shall not exceed 25 percent of the gross floor area of the structure or structures in which the ancillary use is located.
(c) Conditional Use Regulations
The decision maker shall consider, and may impose conditions to address, the following:
(1) Hours of operation shall be limited to minimize disturbance to neighboring development from noise and lights.
(2) Structures shall be placed on the site so that larger or high-activity buildings are away from adjacent property with smaller structures and lower levels of activity.
(3) Off-street parking areas shall be located away from adjacent residential property whenever feasible to minimize disturbance to neighboring development.
(4) The maximum capacity, including limits on the intensity of accessory uses, shall be limited to a level commensurate with the size of the premises, the intensity of surrounding development, and the capacity of streets serving the facility.
(5) Structures shall be designed to incorporate a variety of architectural elements that diminish bulk.
(“Assembly and Entertainment Uses, Including Places of Religious Assembly” added 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.) (Amended 1-8-2020 by O-21161 N.S. and O-21164 N.S.; effective 2-9-2020.) (Amended 6-15-2026 by O-22109 N.S.; effective 7-15-2026.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-22109 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-22109-SO.pdf ]
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/MuniCodeChapter14/Ch14Art01Division06.pdf#page=4Fetched: 10/28/2026