Accessory Buildings in Residential Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0448
in effect§131.0448 Accessory Buildings in Residential Zones
Section 131.0448 is intended to clarify the regulations applicable to accessory buildings in residential zones.
(a) Multiple accessory buildings are permitted on a premises. However, the square footage of all non-habitable accessory buildings excluding garages cannot exceed 25 percent of the allowable gross floor area of the premises.
(b) Non-habitable accessory buildings or garages may not be used for living or sleeping purposes. A non-habitable accessory building or garage may have electrical, gas, water, and sewer connections to provide the following activities:
(1) Lighting, washing machines, dryers, laundry tubs, and hot water heater;
(2) A one-half bathroom, limited to a water closet and a lavatory sink; and
(3) A shower, provided the property owner signs an agreement recorded with the County Recorder and processed through the City Manager stating that the building will not be used for living or sleeping purposes.
(c) Non-habitable accessory buildings or garages may encroach into required yards subject to the requirements in Section 131.0461.
(d) Habitable accessory buildings may be permitted as follows:
(1) As an accessory building to a single dwelling unit in accordance with Sections 141.0302 or 141.0307; or
(2) As an accessory building to a multiple dwelling unit development to provide common area facilities for the property owners, tenants, and their guests in accordance with the underlying base zone.
(Retitled from “Accessory Uses and Structures in Residential Zones” and amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.) (Amended 3-01-2006 by O-19467 N.S.; effective 8-10-2006.) (Amended 11-13-2008 by O-19801 N.S.; effective 12-13-2008.) (Retitled from “Accessory Structures in Residential Zones” to “Accessory Buildings in Residential Zone and amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.) (Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.) (Amended 8-4-2016 by O-20704 N.S.; effective 8-27-2016.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-20704 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-20704-SO.pdf ]
(Amended 6-15-2026 by O-22109 N.S.; effective 7-15-2026.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-22109 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-22109-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/MuniCodeChapter13/Ch13Art01Division04.pdf#page=68Fetched: 10/28/2026