Permit Requirements and Standards
San Diego Municipal Code § 62.1009
in effect§62.1009 Permit Requirements and Standards
It is unlawful to install or maintain any newsrack without first obtaining a permit from the director. Notwithstanding the above, an existing permittee may install 5 percent additional newsracks than approved in the permit without prior amendment of the permit or prior payment of applicable fees, which will be due at the next permit application or permit payment period.
(a) General Provisions. Except for the provisions set forth in San Diego Municipal Code section 62.1009(d) specific to the Gaslamp Quarter Planned District, one permit will be issued per applicant covering all newsracks in each application. Each permit may be amended quarterly by submitting an Amendment of Permit Application to the director, provided fees are paid for additional newsracks. A condition of any permit issued under this division is that the permittee shall keep an accurate record readily identifying the locations of its newsracks to be made available to the director upon request within two business days. This information may be used to check the accuracy of information provided in the permit application or compliance with conditions of any existing permit or this division.
(b) Initial Permit Applications. Applicants interested in installing newsracks shall first submit to the director a Newsrack Permit Application available from the City. Applicant’s interested in maintaining existing newsracks shall submit a Newsrack Permit Application no later than June 9, 2007. All applicants shall provide all information and/or documents requested in the Newsrack Permit Application. Applications that do not include all of the requested information and/or documents shall be deemed incomplete. Incomplete applications shall not be processed and shall not automatically be deemed approved under the circumstances specified in San Diego Municipal Code section 62.1009(e).
(c) Permit Renewal Applications. Existing permittees interested in renewing their permits shall submit to the director annually by January 15 a Newsrack Permit Renewal Application available from the City providing all information and/or documents requested therein. Applications that do not include all of the requested information or documents shall be deemed incomplete, shall not be processed, and shall not automatically be deemed approved under the circumstances specified in San Diego Municipal Code section 62.1009(e).
(d) Gaslamp Quarter Planned District Permits. Newsracks within the Gaslamp Quarter Planned District [District] with boundaries defined in San Diego Municipal Code [Code] section 103.0401 require a permit specific to the District, and the requirements of Code section 62.1008 apply to this permit process. The timeframe for issuance of newsrack permits outside the District does not apply, and the director shall process applications for permits within the District within a reasonable timeframe. Permits in the District shall be in effect for three years from the date of issuance, provided the permittee is in compliance with this division and all conditions of the permit. Permit fees shall be paid annually.
(e) Review of Permits. Once submitted, a complete permit application will be reviewed and acted upon within fifteen business days. If the applicant is not notified in writing within fifteen business days of approval, denial, or extension of the permit review period, the permit application shall be deemed approved.
(f) Issuance of Permits. Upon a finding by the director that the application is complete, accurate, and in compliance with this division, a permit shall be issued.
(g) Denial of Permit. Permits may be denied for noncompliance with this division or failure to provide accurate and complete information. If a permit is denied, the director shall promptly notify the applicant in writing of the specific cause of such denial.
(h) Permit Revocation. A permit may be revoked if more than 5 percent of the newsracks designated therein are documented to be in violation of this division or if the information in the permit application or related supporting documents is inconsistent with the number or locations of the newsracks by more than five percent. If a permit is revoked for any reason set forth above, the offending publication, or distributor if applicable, shall not be approved for a permit under this division for one year from and after the date of revocation. Any permit issued in error may be revoked without liability to the City.
(i) Sale or Transfer of Permits. Permits shall not be sold or transferred except as a part of the sale of a majority of the related business assets of the permittee. The proposed new permittee shall notify the director in writing within ten business days that the permit has been sold or transferred. The notification shall include the name and contact information for the proposed new permittee. No transfer or sale shall be effective until the proposed new permittee executes an Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement in favor of the City as required in San Diego Municipal Code [Code] section 62.1010 and obtains the requisite insurance coverage pursuant to Code section
62.1011. Until such time, the existing permittee shall maintain the required insurance coverage and shall remain liable for any personal injury or property damage caused by or related to the permittee’s newsrack(s).
(“Other Violations” added 12–6–1974 by O–11457 N.S.)
(Retitled to “Permit Requirements and Standards” and Amended 2-26-2007 by O-19578 N.S.; effective 3-28-2007.)
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/MuniCodeChapter06/Ch06Art02Division10.pdf#page=9Fetched: 10/28/2026