Commercial Center Zone-Development Regulations
San Diego Municipal Code § 1510.0310
in effect§1510.0310 Commercial Center Zone-Development Regulations
(a) Commercial Center Zone Density Regulations
In the Commercial Center Zone, designated on that certain map referenced in Section 1510.0102, commercial structures may occupy 100 percent of the lot or parcel.
(b) Building Heights
In the Commercial Center Zone, designated on that certain map referenced in Section 1510.0102, unless specified otherwise, no building or structure shall be erected, constructed, altered, moved in or enlarged to a greater height than 30 feet.
(c) Off-Street Parking Requirements
(1) Parking shall be provided in accordance with the Land Development Code Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 5 (Parking Regulations).
(2) Where ambiguity exists in the application of these off-street parking requirements or where any use not specified is found to be a permitted use, the off-street parking requirements shall be consistent with that for similar uses in the La Jolla Shores Planned District.
(d) Parking Location for Commercial Center
Required off-street parking for uses in the Commercial Center Area (CC), designated on that certain map referenced in Section 1510.0102, may not be located on the front 50 percent of the lot except when such parking is located on the second story or above. Also, required off-street parking for uses in the Commercial Center Area may be located in whole or in part on nearby land provided that all of the following criteria are met:
(1) Some portion of the parking area is within 400 feet horizontal distance of the premises on which the use requiring off-street parking is located, and provided that said parking area is in the Commercial Center (CC) and Multi-Family (MF) Areas, designated on that certain map referenced in Section 1510.0102.
(2) Said land is owned or controlled by the owner or owners of the use requiring the off-street parking. In this connection, when parking is to be provided off the premises from where the use is located, the owner or lessee of record of the parking site shall furnish satisfactory evidence to the City Manager that he owns or has a sufficient interest in such property to provide and maintain the minimum off-street parking facilities which are provided or maintained for only the structure or use under consideration.
(e) Sign Regulations
(1) For the purposes of this Section, the word "sign" is hereby defined to mean any painted or fabricated element including its structure which may consist of any letter, figure, character, or marks. A sign (supergraphics) may also include the entire wall of a building, freestanding walls, fences or other appurtenances upon which the graphics are painted or displayed.
(2) All signs shall be approved by the City Manager. Size, height and means of support for each sign will be considered on an individual basis subject to the conditions noted below. Each sign shall be in scale with the building it identifies. The use of natural materials, especially wood, is encouraged.
(3) Any sign not in compliance with the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinance shall be removed within 7 years from the effective date of Ordinance No. O-11332 dated May 30, 1974.
(4) No signs shall be permitted except signs designating the premises for sale, rent or lease, signs which refer only to the permitted uses as set forth in the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinance and public interest signs.
(5) Animated signs, including but not limited to those signs which rotate, move, flash, reflect, blink, or effect changes in hue or intensity or illumination are prohibited. Pennants, banners, streamers, and signs, any parts of which may be set in motion by the movement of the atmosphere, are also prohibited. Neon signs are prohibited.
(6) A sign shall not project above the top of the second floor or the parapet or eaves, whichever is lower, of the building to which it is affixed.
(7) One single-faced or double-faced ground directional sign shall be permitted at each driveway, except when such driveway serves a single-family dwelling unit where no sign is allowed. Such signs shall not exceed 2 square feet in total face area and 4 feet measured vertically from the base at ground level to the apex of the sign. Such signs shall not encroach into the public right-of-way.
(8) Ground signs shall be permitted only when the following conclusions can be reached:
(A) That there are special circumstances or conditions applying to the land or buildings for which the sign is sought, which do not apply generally to the land or buildings in the neighborhood. Such conditions shall not have resulted from any act of the applicant subsequent to the adoption of the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinance.
(B) That the aforesaid circumstances or conditions are such that the strict application of the provisions of the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinance would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of the land or buildings.
(C) The granting of the sign will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the La Jolla Shores Planned District Ordinance and will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare.
(D) Ground signs when permitted shall not exceed an area of 20 square feet in total face area or be less than 3 feet in any one dimension or exceed a height of 8 feet. Ground signs shall not encroach or overhang into the public right-of-way.
(9) For each dwelling unit one nameplate having a maximum area of one square foot shall be permitted.
(10) For each temporary real estate sales office and each model home --one temporary sign not more than 4 square feet in area on the same premises identifying the subdivision in which the sales office or home is located. All such signs shall be removed within 18 months of the filing of the final subdivision map.
(11) One temporary sign shall be permitted on each lot or parcel of real estate, to advertise the leasing, rental or sale of such lot or parcel, provided that such sign meets all of the following conditions:
(A) Such sign shall be installed and maintained by, or at the direction of, the owner of such lot or parcel of real property;
(B) Such sign shall not exceed 5 x 7 inches in size and no part of such sign shall extend more than 4 feet above the surface of the ground upon which it is erected;
(C) Such sign shall be unlighted.
(12) One public interest wall or ground sign not more than 20 square feet in total area nor more than 8 feet in height measured to the apex of the sign.
(“Commercial Center Zone-Development Regulations” added 3-27-2007 by O-19587 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/Ch15Art10Division03.pdf#page=27Fetched: 10/28/2026