Issuance of Permits
San Diego Municipal Code § 86.2008
in effect§86.2008 Issuance of Permits
(a) The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to issue, upon written application therefor, a parking permit. Each such permit shall be designated by the City Manager or designee to state or reflect thereon the particular residential permit parking area as well as the license number of the motor vehicle for which it is issued. No more than one parking permit shall be issued to each motor vehicle for which application is made. The City Manager is authorized to issue such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this Division, governing the manner in which persons shall qualify for parking permits.
(b) Parking permits may be issued for motor vehicles only upon application of the following persons:
(1) A legal resident of the residential permit parking area who has a motor vehicle registered in the resident’s name, or who has a motor vehicle for the resident’s exclusive use and control;
(2) A person who owns or leases commercial property and actively engages in business activity within a residential permit parking area. However, no more than one parking permit may be issued for each business establishment for a motor vehicle registered to or under the control of such a person.
(c) Proof of residency or ownership shall be demonstrated in a manner determined by the City Manager.
(d) The City Council may, by resolution, limit the number of permits issued to any resident or dwelling unit if such limitation would further the goals of the residential permit parking program.
(e) Proof of motor vehicle ownership or vehicle use and control shall be demonstrated in a manner determined by the City Manager.
(f) Temporary residential parking permits may be issued for vehicles which are:
(1) owned, rented or under the operational control of any person who owns or leases property in the residential permit area; or
(2) used in providing services to persons or property in the residential permit area. Temporary residential parking permits may also be issued to vehicles owned by temporary visitors who are residing in the residential permit parking area. Such temporary residential parking permits shall have all of the rights and privileges of a regular permit. A temporary parking permit shall be valid for no more than fourteen (14) days from the date of issuance. No resident of a residential permit parking area shall be issued more than two temporary parking permits at any one time. A temporary residential parking permit issued to a vehicle providing services or to vehicles owned by temporary visitors shall be considered to be a temporary permit issued to the resident of the property where the services are provided or the temporary visitors are residing.
(g) A visitor parking permit is a permit which is not affixed or assigned to an identified vehicle and which may be used on resident or nonresident vehicles as the user may need. The City Council may, by resolution, authorize the issuance of visitor parking permits in any residential permit parking area. When authorized, visitor parking permits may be issued under the following conditions:
(1) The permit is issued to a person who qualifies under Section 86.2008(b).
(2) The applicant for a visitor parking permit has not reached the limits, if any, set by the Council pursuant to Section 86.2008(d).
(3) Only one visitor parking permit shall be issued to any resident or dwelling unit within the permit parking area.
(4) Such other conditions and restrictions that the City Council by resolution imposes or that the City Manager deems appropriate.
(Amended 7–8–1985 by O–16459 N.S.)
(Amended 6-18-2025 by O-21971 N.S.; effective 7-18-2025.)
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/MuniCodeChapter08/Ch08Art06Division20.pdf#page=7Fetched: 10/28/2026