Parking, Loading, Traffic and Transportation Demand Management Standards
San Diego Municipal Code § 156.0313
in effect§156.0313 Parking, Loading, Traffic and Transportation Demand Management Standards
(a) Residential Off-Street Parking Space Requirements.
The parking requirements in Table 156-0313-A and Section 156.0313(a) shall apply to residential uses. Reasonable accommodations to the parking requirements shall be granted if necessary to afford disabled persons equal housing opportunities under state or federal law, in accordance with Section 131.0466. The provision of loading areas for residential uses shall not be required.
TABLE 156-0313-A RESIDENTIAL OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Use Category | Minimum | Maximum | Notes
Dwelling units including Permanent Supportive Housing | 0 | 1 space per dwelling unit | See Section 156.0313(a)(1) for bicycle storage requirements
Living Units | Market rate unit | 0 | Market rate unit | 0.5 spaces per unit | Maximum parking shall be based on the occupancy/rent restriction applied to the specific unit.
50% AMI | 0 | 50% AMI | 0.2 spaces per unit
At or below 40% AMI | 0 | At or below 40% AMI | 0
Group Living | 0 | 0.1 spaces per room
Live/Work or Shopkeeper Unit | 0 | 1 space per unit
Residential Care Facilities | 0 | 1 space per every ten beds
Transitional Housing Facilities | 0 | 1 space per every 6 beds and 1 space per on-site employee
(1) Bicycle Storage. Secured bicycle storage shall be provided at a ratio of one area reasonably sized to accommodate one bicycle for every five dwelling units. Bicycle storage areas shall be enclosed with access restricted to authorized persons. Any common storage area to serve more than one dwelling unit shall provide racks or fixtures on which to lock individual bicycles.
(2) Provided Parking. If one or more off-street parking spaces are provided in a development, then the following requirements apply:
(A) The off-street parking spaces shall consist only of unbundled parking.
(B) The number of accessible off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (California Building Standards Code).
(C) The number of off-street electric vehicle charging spaces shall be provided in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code.
(D) One motorcycle parking space shall be provided for every ten parking spaces.
(3) Maximum Parking. Off-street parking spaces in tandem or within a mechanical automobile lift are not counted as additional off-street parking space. A development may exceed the maximum off-street parking spaces identified in Table 156-0313-A if all of the following provisions are met:
(A) The development floor area ratio is no less than 80 percent of the base maximum floor area ratio;
(B) At least 20 percent of the total off-street parking spaces provided include electric vehicle supply equipment for the ready installation of charging stations; and
(C) The development provides transportation amenities in accordance with Land Development Manual Appendix Q worth at least four points;
(D) All off-street parking spaces that exceed the allowed maximum shall be within an underground parking garage on the same premises; and
(E) The development shall pay the Active Transportation In Lieu Fee referenced in Section 143.1103(c).
(b) Non-Residential Off-Street Parking Space and Loading Bay Requirements
(1) There shall be no requirements for the provision of parking or loading areas for non-residential uses.
(2) If parking is provided, then one motorcycle parking space shall be provided for every twenty vehicle spaces.
(3) Bicycle parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 5 of the Land Development Code.
(c) Enclosed Parking
All parking provided within a development shall be enclosed and architecturally integrated into, or on top of, a structure.
(d) Below-Grade Parking
At least three levels of below-grade parking shall be provided prior to the provision of any above-grade parking, with the following exceptions:
(1) Below-grade parking is not required for parcels 10,000 square feet in area or less.
(2) For development on sites that contain designated historical resources, the City Manager may approve an exception to the below-grade parking requirements upon finding that below-grade parking is infeasible due to the location or characteristics of the historical resources.
(3) For development on sites proven to be significantly impacted by the underground water table, the City Manager may approve an exception to the below-grade parking requirements upon finding that it would create exceptional financial hardship to the record owner or applicant.
(4) Public parking garages and development located within the Ballpark Mixed-Use District are only required to provide two levels of below-grade parking prior to the provision of any above-grade parking.
(5) Only two levels of below-grade parking are required for developments in which all above-grade parking is encapsulated with habitable area along all street frontages.
(e) Existing Buildings
Buildings may be converted from one land use to another without providing additional parking spaces.
(f) Structured Parking Facility Standards
All parking must be provided below-grade. Above-grade parking facilities may only be allowed if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) All enclosed ground level parking areas shall be separated from the public sidewalk by habitable residential or non-residential space or utility rooms. The minimum depth of residential space, measured from the exterior building wall to the interior wall separating the habitable space from the parking area, shall be 10 feet.
The minimum depth of commercial space, measured from the exterior building wall to the interior wall separating the commercial space from the parking area, shall be 20 feet.
(2) All parking located above the ground level shall meet the following standards:
(A) Development shall include no less than 100 percent of the maximum base FAR;
(B) Development located on a site of 30,000 square feet or more shall encapsulate at least 50 percent of the cumulative building façades directly abutting street frontages with habitable residential or non-residential uses.
(C) For each street frontage in which at least 50 percent of the above-grade parking is not encapsulated, one of the following shall be provided:
(i) An active sidewalk with either a double row of canopy trees or fragrant planters along the street frontage;
(ii) Living walls on at least 30 percent of the above-grade parking along the street frontage; or
(iii) An FAR bonus payment in an amount equal to the purchase of 0.5 FAR.
(D) Public parking within a development is allowed without a Conditional Use Permit so long as it makes up less than 50 percent of the total number of provided parking spaces.
(E) Roof-top parking is allowed if all parking spaces, excluding drive aisles, are covered with a rooftop mounted solar photovoltaic panels or a landscaped trellis structure.
(F) Parking levels located above the ground level shall be shielded from view by a solid wall or headlight-obscuring screen a minimum height of 42 inches, measured from the finished floor of the adjoining parking space.
(G) Any open areas in the exterior building façade of the structure shall be designed as an integral component of the overall architecture of the development.
(H) All above-grade parking facilities directly abutting a public street shall exhibit level floor areas for a minimum distance of 40 feet from the property line to allow for future conversion to habitable uses.
(3) All interior surfaces of a parking structure visible from the exterior of the garage shall be painted.
(4) All duct work or utility functions serving above-grade parking facilities shall be screened from view.
(5) All interior lighting fixtures shall be designed so that the light source is not directly visible from the exterior of the garage. Lighting for any roof-top parking levels shall either be wall-mounted or on poles. Any poles shall be a maximum height of 15 feet, located at least 40 feet from any property line, and designed so that the light source is shielded from view from any property line. Lighting levels shall meet the requirements of the Illuminating Engineers Society’s Manual, as amended.
(6) All parking structures open to the sky shall be engineered and circulation designed to accommodate vertical expansion of three additional parking levels or the maximum amount permitted under the FAR limits applicable to the site, whichever is less.
(7) Every vehicular access point to public structured parking shall have at least one 4 by 4 foot, internally illuminated, cabinet sign, clearly visible to pedestrians and motorists with a parking symbol consisting of a white letter “P” on a green background. Additional space may be added to the sign to indicate whether the lot is full or to provide information on prices, ownership, management, hours of operation, and whether it is private or public parking. The 4 by 4 foot area shall not be reduced or encroached upon by this additional information. The 4 by 4 foot area shall not be included in calculations regarding other signs for the structure.
(g) Surface Parking Lot Standards
Surface parking lots are interim land uses and shall be designed according to the following standards:
(1) Temporary surface parking lots may be permitted with approval of a Conditional Use Permit in accordance with Process Three for a maximum period of two years subject to the following standards:
(A) Along all public street frontages, a minimum 36-inch high black or green vinyl-coated chain link fence is required. The fence shall provide pedestrian gaps at intervals of no more than 100 feet.
(B) One tree shall be planted for every 12 parking stalls. All trees shall be planted in at least 36-inch containers. Along all public street frontages a double-row of canopy trees shall be provided at intervals of 10 feet.
(C) Parking lots shall be improved with appropriate paving, striping, and security lighting to City standards.
(D) A Conditional Use Permit for a temporary surface parking lot may not be renewed.
(E) For parking lots of 30,000 square-feet or more, at least 30 percent of the public street frontage shall include placemaking or outdoor activities with a minimum depth of 10 feet.
(2) Every vehicular access point to a public parking lot shall have at least one 4 by 4 foot, internally illuminated, cabinet sign, clearly visible to pedestrians and motorists with a parking symbol consisting of a white letter “P” on a green background.
(h) Parking Space Standards
All parking spaces required by this Division shall meet City standards in accordance with Section 142.0560.
(i) Vehicular Access
(1) All driveways shall be perpendicular to the public sidewalk.
(2) The maximum linear feet of curb cut for vehicular access shall be calculated at a ratio of 1 linear foot per 500 square feet of site area. Parcels containing 10,000 square feet and less may double this ratio (2 linear feet of curb cut per 500 feet of site area). Curb cuts that serve up to ten parking spaces shall be between 12 and 20 feet wide. Curb cuts that serve over ten parking spaces shall be between 20 and 30 feet wide.
(3) All vehicular access curb cuts shall be located at least 65 feet from the curb line of the closest intersection. Curb cuts on the same parcel must be separated by at least 80 feet, with the exception of a curb cut to provide access to an off-street loading bay, which may be closer than 80 feet if the widths of both curb cuts are minimized to the extent possible. Curb cuts shall be located to minimize conflicts and maximize on-street parking. On parcels of 5,000 square feet or less, the dimensions listed above shall be reduced in half.
(4) No curb cuts are permitted on the streets designated on Figure E unless driveway access is not feasible on adjacent streets due to lot size, lot configuration, or other significant factors.
(j) Driveway Slopes and Security Gates
Driveway slopes shall meet the requirements of Section 142.0560(j)(9). There shall be a transition behind the public right-of-way not to exceed a gradient of 5 percent for a distance of 10 feet. Security gates for parking garages shall be located a minimum distance of 10 feet from the front property line, and the door swing of any security gate shall not encroach into the 10-foot required minimum distance from the front property line. A vertical speed reduction device, such as a speed bump or rumble strip, shall be provided in the area between the security gate and the property line. Security gates shall be constructed of an upgraded screening material that is at least 80 percent non-transparent.
(k) Passenger Loading Zones
The curb line shall not be moved to accommodate passenger loading zones.
(l) Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
To reduce single-occupant vehicle trips into the Centre City Planned District, applicants for proposed commercial and hotel development containing over 50,000 square feet of gross floor area shall achieve a minimum of 25 points by implementing TDM measures contained in Table 156-0313-D.
TABLE 156-0313-D: TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT (TDM)
Points | Measure
20 | Five-year, 50% subsidy for transit passes for employee occupants
5 | Designated shuttle stop, including signage, seating, lighting and on-going maintenance, for the publicly accessible shuttle serving the downtown area, with routing to include key destination points such as airport, hotels, and visitor-serving facilities.
15 | "Shared Use Vehicles" - a minimum of 1 vehicle shall be provided for every 50,000 square feet of leasable gross floor area.
15 | Electric, natural gas, fuel cells, fueling stations - a minimum of 1 space per 30,000 square feet of office space, a minimum of 1 space per 100 hotel rooms -a minimum of 50% of the stations shall be electric vehicle charging stations
10 | On-site day-care
5 | Bicycle storage - a minimum of 1 space for every 10 parking spaces
5 | Upgraded transit stop adjacent to new development, including shelter, seating, lighting and ongoing routine maintenance through an agreement with the appropriate transit agency for the life of the improvement.
5 | On-site shower facilities available to all tenants/employees of a building -a minimum of 1 space per 100,000 square feet of office space -a minimum of 1 space per 100 hotel rooms
5 | Participation by building management and tenants in carpool coordination, ridesharing and car-sharing programs.
5 | Discounted parking rates for carpools containing three or more adults - minimum 25% discount
5 | Preferential parking for car-sharing, carpool and vanpool (minimum 5% of permitted parking)
5 | Discounted parking rates for vehicles with CARB classifications ULEV, SULEV, PZEV, and ZEV - minimum 20% discount
(Amended 9-7-2007 by O-19664 N.S; effective 10-7-2007.) (Amended 5-6-2010 by O-19947 N.S; effective 6-5-2010.) (Amended 12-7-2011 by O-20117 N.S.; effective 1-6-2012.) (Amended 5-16-2013 by O-20257 N.S.; effective 6-12-2013.) (Amended 5-15-2014 by O-20368 N.S.; effective 6-14-2014.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-19947 N. S., O-20117 N. S. and O-20368 N. S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies them as Local Coastal Program Amendments. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-20368-SO.pdf ]
(Amended 3-25-2019 by O-21057 N.S.; effective 4-24-2019.) (Amended 6-21-2019 by O-21084 N.S.; effective 8-8-2019.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21084 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21084-SO.pdf ]
(Amended 8-9-2019 by O-21114 N.S.; effective 9-8-2019.) (Amended 2-1-2021 by O-21288 N.S.; effective 3-3-2021.) (Amended 12-17-2021 by O-21401 N.S.; effective 1-16-2022.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21401 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21401-SO.pdf ]
(Amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.) (Amended 3-7-2023 by O-21619 N.S.; effective 5-6-2023.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21619 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21619-SO.pdf ]
(Amended 7-22-2024 by O-21837 N.S.; effective 10-5-2024.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21837 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment.
Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21837-SO.pdf ]
(Amended 6-15-2026 by O-22110 N.S.; effective 7-15-2026.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-22110 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-22110-SO.pdf ]
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/Ch15Art06Division03.pdf#page=70Fetched: 10/28/2026