Ground Floor and Street Frontage Requirements
San Diego Municipal Code § 159.0306
in effect§159.0306 Ground Floor and Street Frontage Requirements
(a) Retail - Retail uses are required on the ground floor as shown in Table 159-03A.
Table 159-03A
Retail
Zone | Minimum Percent of Gross Ground Floor Area | Minimum Percent of Structure's Street Frontage Length
1 | (1) 50% | 75%
2 | No minimum required | No minimum required
3 | 50% | 50%
4 | 50% | 50%
5 | Not applicable | Not applicable
6 | Not applicable | Not applicable
Footnote for Table 159-03A
1 Access to the retail spaces from loading areas or alleys shall be provided where available.
(b) Office - Office uses are restricted on the ground floor as shown in Table 159-03B.
Table 159-03B
Office
Zone | Maximum Ground Floor Area Restrictions | Maximum Street Frontage Length Restriction
1 | 25% | 25%
2 | No ground floor restriction | No ground floor restriction
3 | 50% | 50%
4 | 50% | 50%
5 | Not applicable | Not applicable
6 | Not applicable | Not applicable
(c) Residential - Residential uses shall be restricted on the ground floor as shown in Table 159-03C.
Table 159-03C
Residential
Zone | Restriction
1 | Not permitted within front 50% of lot
2 | No restriction
3 | Not permitted within front 50% of lot
4 | Not permitted within front 50% of lot
5 | No restriction
6 | Not applicable
(“Ground Floor and Street Frontage Requirements” added 3-27-2007 by O-19595 N.S.; effective 4-26-2007.)
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/MuniCodeChapter15/Ch15Art09Division03.pdf#page=7Fetched: 10/28/2026