Architectural Projections and Encroachments in Residential Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0461
in effect(a)
The following are permitted architectural projections and encroachments into
required yards and the angled building envelope plane for RS and RX zones,
the RM-1-1, RM-1-2, and RM-1-3 zones, and in small lot subdivisions in
accordance with Section 143.0365. These projections and encroachments are
not permitted in the required yards within view corridors that are designated by
land use plans in the Coastal Overlay Zone and may not be located in a
required visibility area or a required turning radius or vehicle back-up area
except where development regulations may allow.
(1)
Roof projections such as eave, cornice, and eyebrow projections may
extend into the required yard or into the space above the angled
building envelope subject to the following:
(A)
The projection may extend a maximum of 6 feet into the
required yard or 50 percent of the width of the required yard,
whichever is less;
(B)
The projection shall not be closer than 2 feet, 6 inches to the
property line; and
(C)
There shall be a minimum 6-foot, 8-inch clearance between
proposed grade and the projection.
(D)
A roof design element may project into the space above the
required angled building envelope plane, as depicted in Diagram
131-04S, provided that the roof design element:
(i)
Faces the front yard;
(ii)
Does not encroach into any required yard;
(iii)
Complies with all applicable structure height limits in
accordance with Section 113.0270; and
(iv)
Is limited to a maximum of 33 percent of the width of
the building envelope facing the front yard, and a
maximum depth equal to or less than its width.
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Diagram 131-04S
Exception for Angled Building Envelope Area
(2)
Openly supported architectural projections, including trellises, may
encroach into required yards, as shown in Diagram 131-04T, subject to
the following:
(A)
The height shall not exceed the height of the roof eave or the sill
plate of the second floor, whichever is lower;
(B)
The projection shall be at least 50 percent open in plan view;
(C)
The projection may extend a maximum of 6 feet into the
required yard or 50 percent of the width of the required yard,
whichever is less;
(D)
The projection shall not be closer than 2 feet, 6 inches to the
property line;
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(E)
There shall be a minimum 6-foot, 8-inch clearance between
proposed grade and the lowest horizontal portion of the
projection, not including the supports, as described in Section
131.0461(a)(2)(F), below; and
(F)
Diagonal supports from the building wall, such as knee braces,
extending within a 45-degree angle from the building wall to the
horizontal portion of the projection are permitted, provided that
the horizontal and vertical components of the supports do not
exceed 3 feet. There shall be a minimum spacing of 6 feet
between supports.
Diagram 131-04T
Openly Supported Architectural Projections
6' or 50% of
required setback
(whichever is less)
2'-6" min
Envelope limit for
architectural projection
Architectural projection
min 50% open, in plan view
3' max
3' max
45
0
3' max
6'-8" min
Diagonal
support
(6' o.c. min)
Required setback
Section View
Plan View
Envelope limit for architectural
projection (max 6' or 50% of
required setback )
Required setback
(3)
Bay windows may project into required yards, as shown in
Diagram 131-04U, subject to the following requirements:
(A)
There shall be a minimum 1-foot clearance between the lowest
point of the bay window structure and proposed grade directly
below;
(B)
The bay window shall not project into the required yard more
than 4 feet or 50 percent of the width of the required yard,
whichever is less. The bay window shall not be closer than 3
feet to the property line;
(C)
The bay window shall not be more than 8 feet in width;
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(D)
The bay window may extend to the maximum permitted height
of the building envelope; and
(E)
There shall be a 16-foot or greater spacing between bay
windows, and no more than two bay windows per elevation
shall encroach into the required yard.
Diagram 131-04U
Bay Window Yard Projections
8'
max
8'
max
16'
min
Required
setback
4' max or
50% of the width
of the required setback,
whichever is less
24'
30'
1' min
Plan View
Section View
Building
Building
(4)
Fireplace enclosures may encroach into required yards and the angled
building envelope plane subject to the following requirements:
(A)
The fireplace enclosure may not encroach into the required yard
more than 2 feet, 6 inches or 50 percent of the width of the
required yard, whichever is less. The fireplace shall not be
closer than 2 feet, 6 inches to the property line;
(B)
The fireplace and chimney are not subject to the 45-degree
sloped building envelope requirement and may extend to the
maximum structure height at the required setback;
(C)
The fireplace enclosure shall have a maximum width of 10 feet
measured from grade to the roof eave or the sill plate of the
second floor, whichever is lower, and a maximum width of 5
feet beyond that; and
(D)
No more than two projecting fireplaces per building elevation
are permitted.
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(5)
Mechanical equipment such as air conditioner units, gas meters,
electrical fuse boxes, or pool equipment and associated utility
enclosures may encroach into required side and rear yards subject to the
following requirements:
(A)
At-grade equipment shall be located a minimum of 4 feet from
the property line; and
(B)
Equipment that is located completely below finished grade, with
a permanent, durable, protective cover shall be permitted to
encroach up to 2 feet, 6 inches from the property line;
(C)
Except that no setback shall be required for air conditioner units
within a side or rear yard where sound attenuation features are
incorporated and demonstrated to comply with applicable sound
level limits in accordance with Section 59.5.0401.
(6)
Entry roofs and porches may encroach into the required front and street
side yards subject to the following requirements:
(A)
The encroachment shall not exceed 6 feet or 50 percent of the
width of the required yard, whichever is less;
(B)
The height of the entry roof shall not exceed 15 feet above
grade;
(C)
The width of the encroachment shall not exceed 10 feet or 50
percent of the width of the habitable portion of the building
elevation, whichever is greater; and
(D)
Porches shall be maintained with at least two elevations that are
at least 40 percent open.
(7)
Entry arbors may encroach into required front and street side yards, as
shown in Diagram 131-04V, subject to the following requirements
(A)
The height of the arbor shall not exceed 10 feet for flat-topped
structures or 12 feet for sloping structures;
(B)
The width of the arbor shall not exceed 6 feet, measured to the
centerlines of the supports. A maximum 2-foot overhang is
permitted on each side of the center of the supports, as long as
the overhang does not project into the public right-of-way;
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(C)
The horizontal surface of the arbor, including overhang, must
provide a minimum 6-foot, 8-inch clearance above proposed
grade;
(D)
Supports shall not exceed a maximum dimension of 12 inches
by 12 inches;
(E)
There shall be at least 6 feet between supports along the length
of the arbor;
(F)
In plan view, the arbor shall be at least 40 percent open. Fencing
between posts is subject to Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 3
(Fence Regulations);
(G)
The arbor shall not be enclosed on any side other than the side
attached to the building, if attached; and
(H)
Arbors may encroach the entire width of the required yard but
may not project beyond the property line.
Diagram 131-04V
Entry Arbor Yard Projections
2' max
6' max
6' min
12" X 12" max post
Roof element above
(min 40% open)
Sloping roof
Flat roof
Grade
6'- 8" min
10' Hight
limit
12' Height
limit
2' max
Plan View
Section View
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(8)
Patio structures may be located within a required side yard or rear yard,
subject to the following requirements:
(A)
The patio structure shall not be located closer than 5 feet to any
property line;
(B)
The patio shall be open on at least three sides except for support
columns with maximum dimensions of 18 inches by 18 inches
in plan view;
(C)
The support columns shall have a minimum separation of 8 feet
measured on center; and
(D)
The height of the roof of the patio shall not exceed the roof eave
or the sill plate of the second floor, whichever is lower.
(9)
Dormers are permitted to encroach into required yards and into the
angled building envelope plane subject to the following:
(A)
The total length of all dormers on a building wall may not
exceed 30 percent of the total length of the building along that
wall;
(B)
A dormer may not exceed 10 feet in width, measured at the
building wall;
(C)
There shall be a minimum of 4 feet between each dormer,
including eaves;
(D)
Projecting dormers may project through the 30/45-degree
sloped building envelope plane and may encroach 4 feet into the
required yard or 50 percent of the width of the adjacent required
yard, whichever is less; provided, however, that the dormer may
not be closer than 3 feet to the property line; and
(E)
A dormer may be a vertical extension of a bay window.
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Diagram 131-04W
Dormer Projection into Angled Building Envelope Plane
Slope
Dormer
NOTE: Total width of dormer projections ('A' + 'B') shall not exceed 30% of length of roof plan
in RM -1-1, RM -1-2, RM -1-3 zones or 50% of length of roof plan
in RM -2-4, RM -2-5, RM -2-6 zones.
Area of allowable dormer projection
beyond angled building envelope plane
Slope
(8' max)
4' min
(8' max)
Dormer
Roof ridge line
24'
6'
Roof ridge line
Outline of building envelope
Section
Roof Plan
'A'
B'
Building
Length of roof plan
Outline of building
cross-section
3-Dimension
'B'
'A'
‘B’
(10’ max)
‘’A’
(10’ max)
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(10)
Unroofed structures: An unroofed portion of a structure not in excess
of 3 feet above proposed grade, with an open safety railing not
exceeding 42 inches in height, is permitted within a required side or
rear yard.
(11)
Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs are permitted within a required
yard subject to the following:
(A)
Swimming pools that project 3 feet or less above grade may be
located a minimum of 3 feet from the property line.
(B)
Swimming pools that project greater than 3 feet above grade are
not permitted to encroach within a required street yard or
interior side yard setback, but may encroach into the rear yard
setback if located a minimum of 4 feet from the rear property
line.
(12)
Garages or non-habitable accessory buildings may encroach into a
required side or rear yard as follows:
(A)
The lot size shall not exceed 10,000 square feet;
(B)
The encroaching accessory building shall be limited to a
maximum structure height of 15 feet within the setback;
(C)
The encroaching accessory building shall not share a common
wall with the primary dwelling unit, but may be attached via a
non-structural design element. Any development attached to the
accessory building above one story shall comply with the
setback;
(D)
The accessory building shall not exceed a maximum length of
30 feet within any given setback; and
(E)
An encroaching accessory building shall not exceed
525 square feet in gross floor area.
(b)
The following are permitted architectural projections and encroachments into
the required front and street side yard for the RT zones. A maximum of 50
percent of the area of the required minimum front yard (the front 5 feet of the
lot) may be used for encroachments. See Section 131.0464(c) for required
building articulation features. No permitted projection or encroachment may
be located in a required visibility area or a required turning radius or vehicle
back-up area except where development regulations may allow.
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(1)
Projecting balconies may encroach into required minimum front and
street side yards subject to the following requirements:
(A)
One unenclosed projecting balcony is permitted for each story
above the first story;
(B)
A projecting balcony may encroach up to 4 feet into required
minimum yards;
(C)
Support posts to the ground below are not permitted unless the
area below the balcony serves as a projecting entry and provides
shelter for an access door to the dwelling unit; and
(D)
The maximum permitted width of projecting balconies is 8 feet.
(2)
Bay windows may encroach into required minimum front and street
side yards subject to the following requirements:
(A)
Bay windows are limited to two per story;
(B)
The maximum permitted width of bay windows is 8 feet;
(C)
Bay windows may encroach a up to 4 feet into required
minimum yards; and
(D)
Bay windows may extend to the height of the building or there
may be a horizontal separation between the bay windows.
(3)
Turrets with or without cupola may encroach into the required
minimum front and street side yards and may extend into the sloped
building envelope area subject to the following requirements:
(A)
Only one turret per lot may be used;
(B)
A turret located at the corner of the building on a corner lot may
encroach into both the front and street side yards;
(C)
A turret may encroach up to 4 feet into required yards; and
(D)
A turret (and cupola) may also extend above the building height
limit and into the sloped building envelope area so that the
highest point is up to 5 feet above the maximum structure
height of the base zone. However, no structure or addition to a
structure shall be permitted to exceed the established height
limit of any overlay zone. (See Overlay Zones Chapter 13,
Article 2, Division 1.)
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(4)
Projecting entries, either at grade or elevated with accompanying stairs
and cover, may encroach into required minimum front and street side
yards subject to the following requirements:
(A)
Only one entry per elevation is permitted;
(B)
The height of the floor of an elevated entry shall not exceed 42
inches above proposed grade;
(C)
The entry may not be closer than 4 feet to the front property
line; and
(D)
The width of a projecting entry shall not exceed 50 percent of
the width of the building facade.
(5)
Trellis projections and eaves may project into required minimum front
and street side yards subject to the following requirements:
(A)
Trellises may project into required minimum yards up to the
property line, but no portion of the trellis may extend beyond
the property line;
(B)
Eaves may project 2 feet, 6 inches into the required minimum
yards; and
(C)
There shall be at least 6 feet, 8 inches of clearance between
proposed grade and the bottom of the projections.
(6)
Dormers may project into required minimum front and street side yards
subject to the following requirements:
(A)
A maximum of two dormers are permitted per elevation;
(B)
The maximum width of dormers shall be 10 feet; and
(C)
Dormers may extend into the sloped building envelope area.
(7)
A detached garage may encroach into the street side yard subject to the
following requirements:
(A)
The garage may not exceed 12 feet in height; and
(B)
The garage must be located within the rear 30 feet of the lot.
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(c)
In the RM-2-4, RM-2-5, RM-2-6, RM-3-7, RM-3-8, RM-3-9, RM-4-10, RM-
4-11, and RM-5-12 zones, architectural projections and encroachments listed
in Section 131.0461(a) are permitted with the following limitations. No
permitted architectural projection or encroachment may be located in required
yards within view corridors that are designated by land use plans in the
Coastal Overlay Zone, in a required visibility area, a required turning radius, or
vehicle back-up area except where development regulations may allow.
(1)
For front and rear yards, one encroachment is permitted per 50 feet of
building facade length, with a minimum of 10 feet between
encroachments.
(2)
For side yards, two encroachments are permitted per 50 feet of building
facade length, with a minimum of 10 feet between encroachments.
(3)
A minimum of 3 feet must be provided between the encroachment and
the property line.
(4)
Garages or non-habitable accessory buildings that meet the
requirements in Sections 131.0461(a)(12)(A) through
131.0461(a)(12)(E) may only encroach into a required side or rear yard
if they are detached.
(5)
Dormers may project into the angled building envelope plane as
follows:
(A)
The aggregate width of dormers may not exceed 50 percent of
the length of the roof plan to which the dormers will be
attached; and
(B)
Dormers may not extend beyond a height of 40 feet.
(6)
Projecting balconies may encroach up to 4 feet into the required
minimum front and street side yard subject to the following
requirements:
(A)
One unenclosed projecting balcony per dwelling unit is
permitted for each story above the first story;
(B)
Support posts to the ground below are not permitted unless the
area below the balcony serves as a projecting entry and
provides shelter for an access door to the dwelling unit; and
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(C)
The maximum permitted width of projecting balconies shall not
exceed 10 feet or 50 percent of the width of the habitable
portion of the building elevation, whichever is greater.
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