Definitions
San Diego Municipal Code § 62.1203
in effect§62.1203 Definitions
For purposes of this Division, the definitions in San Diego Municipal Code (Municipal Code) section 62.1102 apply. In addition, the following definitions apply in this Division:
Alley has the same meaning as provided in Municipal Code section 113.0103, as may be amended.
Asphalt overlay means the process of milling the existing pavement and installing a new layer of asphalt on top of the milled surface.
Decorative surface means any non-standard surface on the public right-of-way such as ceramic tile, concrete pavers, stamped concrete, painting, or other surface using a unique treatment.
Emergency means a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services.
Excavation influence area means the area that is impacted by the excavation as determined by the City Engineer and extends around the perimeter of the excavation as set forth in the chart in Municipal Code section 62.1209.
Exploratory excavation means a limited excavation, not to exceed 3 feet by 3 feet unless authorized by the City Engineer, to determine the actual vertical and horizontal location of underground facilities.
Facility owner means the public utility or other person that owns, controls, or is otherwise responsible for a facility or facilities within the public right-of-way.
Hazardous material means any gas, material substance, or waste which, because of its quantity, concentration or physical or chemical characteristics, is deemed by any federal, state or local governmental authority to pose a present or potential hazard to human health or safety to the environment.
Major excavation means an excavation involving a trench greater than 6 inches in width or greater than 3 feet in depth.
Markout means a marking on the pavement that identifies the type and approximate horizontal location of underground facilities.
Minor excavation means an excavation involving a trench 6 inches or less in width and 3 feet or less in depth.
Moratorium street means any street, or portion thereof, that is newly constructed, or has been reconstructed or asphalt overlayed in the preceding three-year period or slurry sealed in the preceding one-year period. Moratorium streets will not include streets where the asphalt overlay or slurry seal does not extend from curb to curb or between intersections.
Municipal excavator means an excavator that is an agency, board, commission, department, or subdivision of the City, or other municipality or public agency that owns, installs, or maintains a facility or facilities in the public right-of-way.
New Service means a new connection from an existing underground facility to a specific customer site.
Non-linear excavation means an excavation for accessing an existing facility and is no more than 18 inches around the access hole, vault, or other similar substructures required to access the existing facility.
Slurry seal means a pavement preservation method consisting of asphalt emulsion and aggregates.
Trenchless Technology means any method, including drilling, auguring, boring, and tunneling, material, equipment, technique, or combination thereof that can be used to install, replace, renew, or repair underground infrastructure with minimal surface disturbance.
Underground Service Alert means the state-mandated agency responsible for, after receiving notice of a planned excavation, notifying all public utilities that have underground installations in the public right-of-way prior to an excavation.
(“Three Year Moratorium on Resurfaced Public Rights-of-Way” added 9–22–2003 by O–19215 N.S.)
(Retitled to “Definitions” and amended 1-2-2013 by O-20231 N.S.; effective 2-1-2013.)
(Amended 8-8-2023 by O-21701 N.S.; effective 1-1-2024.)
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/MuniCodeChapter06/Ch06Art02Division12.pdf#page=2Fetched: 10/28/2026