Residential Care Facilities
San Diego Municipal Code § 141.0312
in effect§141.0312 Residential Care Facilities
Residential care facilities provide in-house treatment or rehabilitation programs for residents on a 24-hour basis. Residential care facilities include drug and alcohol rehabilitation and recovery facilities and residential and community care facilities as defined by the state or county.
Residential care facilities for 7 or more persons may be permitted as a limited use in zones indicated with an “L” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) subject to the regulations in Sections 141.0312(a)-(h). Residential care facilities in zones designated with an “L” that are within 500 feet, measured by a walking distance along a pedestrian path of travel from property line to property line, from a school, playground, or child care facility may be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three. Residential care facilities in zones designated with an “L” may be located on the same premises as a child care facility or on a premises adjacent to a child care facility and shall not be required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit if the residential care facility and child care facility are operated by the same permit holder.
Residential care facilities for 7 or more persons may be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three, in the zones indicated with a “C” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) subject to the regulations in Sections 141.0312(a)-(h).
(a) Residential care facilities are not permitted in agricultural zones in Proposition A Lands.
(b) Residential care facilities are not permitted within 500 feet of another residential care facility, measured from property line to property line in accordance with Section 113.0225.
(c) The facility shall provide at least 70 square feet of sleeping space for each resident, not including closet or storage space, multipurpose rooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, and halls.
(d) Sleeping areas shall not be used as a public or general passageway to another room, bath, or toilet.
(e) The facility shall provide at least 5 square feet of living area per bed, not including sleeping space, dining, and kitchen areas.
(f) The facility shall provide at least 8 square feet of storage area (closet or drawers) per bed.
(g) The facility shall provide one full bathroom including sink, toilet, and shower or bathtub for every seven beds.
(h) Conversion of an existing garage or reduction in the amount of off-street parking to provide a residential care facility is not permitted.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000; amended 6-19-2000 by O-18814 N.S.)
(Amended 4-8-2008 by O-19734 N.S; effective 5-8-2008.)
(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/MuniCodeChapter14/Ch14Art01Division03.pdf#page=30Fetched: 10/28/2026