Need for Site-Specific Survey and Determination of Location of Historical Resources
San Diego Municipal Code § 143.0212
in effect§143.0212 Need for Site-Specific Survey and Determination of Location of Historical Resources
(a) The City Manager shall determine the need for a site-specific survey for the purposes of obtaining a construction permit or development permit for development proposed for any parcel containing a structure that is 45 or more years old and not located within any area identified as exempt in the Historical Resources Guidelines of the Land Development Manual or for any parcel identified as sensitive on the Historical Resource Sensitivity Maps. The following development shall be exempt from the requirements of Section 143.0212:
(1) Interior development and any modifications or repairs that are limited in scope to an electrical or plumbing/mechanical permit where the development would not include a change to the exterior of existing structures;
(2) In kind roof repair and replacement;
(3) In kind foundation repair and replacement, except for structures with a decorative block or cobblestone foundation; and
(4) Construction or demolition of a swimming pool in a rear yard, except on a property that requires a survey in accordance with Section 143.0212(b).
(b) The Historical Resource Sensitivity Maps shall be maintained by City Manager and shall be used to identify properties that have a likelihood of containing archaeological sites based on records from the South Coastal Information Center at San Diego State University and the San Diego Museum of Man, and based on site-specific information on file with the City. If it is demonstrated that archaeological sites exist on or immediately adjacent to any property, whether identified for review or not, the City Manager shall require a survey. If it is demonstrated that archaeological sites do not exist on any property identified for review, the Historical Resource Sensitivity Maps shall be updated to remove that property from the review requirements.
(c) The City Manager shall evaluate proposed development to determine the need for a site-specific survey. The determination shall be made within 10 business days of an application for a construction permit or within 30 calendar days of an application for a development permit, as applicable. A site-specific survey shall be required when the City Manager determines that a historical resource may exist on the parcel, and if the development proposes a substantial alteration according to Section 143.0250(a)(3). If the City Manager determines that a site-specific survey is not required for a proposed development within the time period specified above, then a permit in accordance with Section 143.0210 shall not be required. If a site-specific survey is prepared to the satisfaction of the City Manager for a proposed development, additional site-specific surveys shall not be required pursuant to Section 143.0212.
(d) If a site-specific survey is required, it shall be conducted consistent with the Historical Resources Guidelines of the Land Development Manual. Based on the site-specific survey and the best information available, the City Manager shall determine whether a historical resource exists, whether a potential historical resource is eligible for designation as a designated historical resource by the Historical Resources Board in accordance with Chapter 12, Article 3, Division 2 of the Land Development Code, and the precise location of the resource.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; amended 10-18-1999 by O-18691 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)
(Amended 6-18-2013 by O-20261 N.S.; effective 7-19-2013.)
(Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.)
(Amended 4-5-2016 by O-20634 N.S.; effective 5-5-2016.)
(Amended 3-7-2023 by O-21618 N.S.; effective 5-6-2023.)
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/Ch14Art03Division02.pdf#page=6Fetched: 10/28/2026