Satellite Antennas
San Diego Municipal Code § 141.0405
in effect§141.0405 Satellite Antennas
Satellite antennas are permitted as a limited use subject to Section 141.0405(b), and may be permitted with a Neighborhood Use Permit subject to Section 141.0405(c), or with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three subject to Section 141.0405(d).
(a) Exemption. The following satellite antennas are exempt from Sections 141.0405 and 141.0420:
(1) Satellite antennas that are 5 feet in diameter or smaller; and
(2) In industrial zones, satellite antennas that are accessory uses.
(b) Limited Use Regulations. Satellite antennas that exceed 5 feet in diameter are permitted as a limited use in zones indicated with an “L” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) subject to the following regulations:
(1) Satellite antennas are not permitted within the MHPA.
(2) Satellite antennas are not permitted on premises that have been designated as historical resources.
(3) Satellite antennas shall not exceed 10 feet in diameter.
(4) Ground-mounted satellite antennas shall not exceed 15 feet in structure height.
(5) Ground-mounted satellite antennas shall not be located in the street yard, front yard, or street side yard of a premises.
(6) Satellite antennas shall not be light-reflective.
(7) Satellite antennas shall not have any sign copy on them nor shall they be illuminated.
(8) Ground-, roof-, and pole-mounted satellite antennas shall be screened by fencing, buildings, or parapets that appear to be an integral part of the building, or by landscaping so that not more than 25 percent of the antenna height is visible from the grade level of adjacent premises and adjacent public right-of-way.
(c) Neighborhood Use Permit Regulations. Proposed satellite antennas that do not comply with Section 141.0405(b) may be permitted with a Neighborhood Use Permit subject to the following regulations:
(1) Satellite antennas are not permitted within the MHPA.
(2) Satellite antennas are not permitted on premises that have been designated as historical resources.
(3) Satellite antennas shall not exceed 10 feet in diameter.
(4) Satellite antennas shall not be light reflective.
(5) Satellite antennas shall not have any sign copy on them nor shall they be illuminated.
(6) The visual impacts of the antenna to adjacent premises and adjacent public rights-of-way shall be minimized by the positioning of the antenna on the premises and the use of landscaping or other screening.
(d) Conditional Use Permit Regulations. Except where exempt in accordance with Section 141.0405(a)(2), satellite antennas that exceed 10 feet in diameter may be permitted only with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three subject to the following regulations:
(1) Satellite antennas are not permitted within the MHPA.
(2) Satellite antennas are not permitted on premises or its appurtenances that have been designated as historical resources.
(3) The visual impacts of the antenna to adjacent premises and adjacent public rights-of-way shall be minimized by the positioning of the antenna on the premises and the use of landscaping or other screening.
(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)
(Amended 8-10-2004 by O-19308 N.S.; effective 4-11-2007.)
(Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)
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/Ch14Art01Division04.pdf#page=2Fetched: 10/28/2026