Maximum Floor Area Ratio in Residential Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0446
in effect§131.0446 Maximum Floor Area Ratio in Residential Zones
(a) Floor Area Ratio for the RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-5, RS-1-6, RS-1-7 Zones
(1) The maximum permitted floor area ratio is based on the lot area in accordance with Table 131-04J:
Table 131-04J Maximum Floor Area Ratio in RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-5, RS-1-6, RS-1-7 Zones
Lot Area (square feet) | Floor Area Ratio
3,000 and less | 0.70
3,001 - 4,000 | 0.65
4.001 - 5,000 | 0.60
5,001 - 6,000 | 0.59
6,001 - 7,000 | 0.58
7,001 - 8,000 | 0.57
8,001 - 9,000 | 0.56
9,001 - 10,000 | 0.55
10,001 - 11,000 | 0.54
11,001 - 12,000 | 0.53
12,001 - 13,000 | 0.52
13,001 - 14,000 | 0.51
14,001 - 15,000 | 0.50
15,001 - 16,000 | 0.49
16,001 - 17,000 | 0.48
17,001 - 18,000 | 0.47
18,001 - 19,000 | 0.46
19,001 and greater | 0.45
(2) For lots that exceed the minimum lot area required by the applicable zone and where more than 50 percent of the lot area contains steep hillsides, the maximum permitted floor area ratio shall be based on the following:
(A) The area of the site not containing steep hillsides or the minimum lot area required by the applicable zone, whichever is greater; plus
(B) 25 percent of the remaining lot area not included in (A), above.
(b) 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, up to 400 square feet of garage area shall be excluded from the calculation of gross floor area.
(c) In the RX zone, the calculation of floor area ratio shall be based on the minimum lot area of the zone, or the area of the lot with a gradient less than 10 percent, whichever is greater.
(d) In the RT zones, up to 525 square feet of garage area may be excluded from the calculation of gross floor area.
(e) In the RM zones, on lots over 10,000 square feet, a floor area ratio bonus over the otherwise maximum allowable gross floor area is permitted at the rate of 10 square feet of additional gross floor area for each 1 square foot of gross floor area if a child care facility is added to the total area of the premises when determining the floor area ratio for a development. The area designated for the child care facility must maintain an ‘E’ occupancy permit for a minimum of 10 years from the time of construction permit issuance and must comply with the requirements of Section 141.0606 (Child Care Facilities).
(f) In the RM-5-12 zone, the maximum permitted floor area ratio for buildings exceeding 4 stories or 48 feet of structure height shall be increased in accordance with Table 131-04K.
Table 131-04K Floor Area Ratio in the RM-5-12 Zone
Stories or Structure Height | Maximum Floor Area Ratio
1-4 stories or 48 feet | 1.80
5 stories or 60 feet | 1.85
6 stories or 72 feet | 1.90
7 stories or 84 feet | 1.95
8 stories or 96 feet | 2.00
9 stories or 108 feet | 2.05
More than 10 stories or 120 feet | 2.10
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)
(Amended 7-10-2015 by O-20512 N.S.; effective 8-9-2015.)
(Amended 3-22-2018 by O-20916 N.S.; effective 4-21-2018.)
(Amended 2-1-2021 by O-21288 N.S.; effective 3-3-2021.)
(Amended 7-22-2024 by O-21836 N.S.; effective 10-5-2024.)
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/MuniCodeChapter13/Ch13Art01Division04.pdf#page=65Fetched: 10/28/2026