Promenade
San Diego Municipal Code § 141.0629
in effect§141.0629 Promenade
For the purposes of Section 141.0629, a promenade is defined as the partial or complete street closure to vehicular traffic to facilitate active transportation uses such as walking, biking, recreation, outdoor dining, and enjoyable public interaction. Promenades enhance pedestrian safety, encourage non-motorized transportation and foster neighborhood interaction and outdoor activities, increasing the likelihood that more pedestrians will travel by foot or bicycle. Within the Coastal Overlay Zone, promenades shall not be permitted along streets that are adjacent to exclusively residential uses. A promenade initiated by the City shall not be subject to the additional requirements of Section 141.0629.
(a) The following uses and other similar uses shall be permitted within a promenade:
(1) Recreational amenities in accordance with Section 129.0710(d).
(2) Artworks.
(3) Outdoor Dining in accordance with Section 141.0621.
(4) Farmers Markets in accordance with Section 141.0503.
(b) Permit Requirements:
(1) The creation of a promenade may be initiated by any applicant.
(A) For a promenade initiated by a public agency, prior to the installation of any furniture or improvements in the public right-of-way and prior to operation of a promenade, the applicant shall obtain a Public Right-of-Way Permit in accordance with Section 129.0710(d), and a plan for maintenance shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Transportation Director. Violations of a Public Right-of-Way Permit shall be subject to the permit revocation procedures set forth in Chapter 12, Article 1, Division 3.
(B) For a promenade initiated by a private applicant, prior to the installation of any furniture or improvements in the public right-of-way and prior to operation of a promenade, the applicant shall obtain a Public Right-of-Way Permit in accordance with Section 129.0710(d) and an Encroachment Maintenance and Removal Agreement in accordance with Section 129.0715. Violations of a Public Right-of-Way Permit shall be subject to the permit revocation procedures set forth in Chapter 12, Article 1, Division 3.
(C) For a promenade where the public right-of-way lies within one ownership for the entirety of the promenade, the applicant shall obtain a public right-of-way vacation in accordance with Chapter 12, Article 5, Division 9 prior to installation of any furniture or improvements in the public right-of-way and prior to operation of a promenade.
(2) For promenades that remove on-street parking spaces the following shall apply:
(A) On-street accessible parking spaces provided in accordance with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (California Building Standards Code) may be removed for the construction of promenades if they are replaced with an equivalent number of new accessible spaces and relocated within the block perimeter or within 500 feet of their original location, subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
(B) Outside of Coastal Overlay Zone, removal of on-street parking spaces shall not be the basis of denial of a Public Right-of-Way Permit for promenades, except as provided in 141.0629(b)(2)(A).
(C) Within the Coastal Overlay Zone and outside of the Beach Impact Area of the Parking Impact Overlay Zone, removal of on-street parking spaces shall not be the basis of denial of a Public Right-of-Way permit for promenade, except as provided in 141.0629(b)(2)(A).
(D) Within both the Coastal Overlay Zone and the Beach Parking Impact Area, all on-street parking removed to construct a promenade shall be replaced with an equivalent number of off-street parking spaces provided at no cost to the public either on the same premises as the business(es) proposing the promenade, or off-premises through shared parking in accordance with Section 142.0545.
(3) Full access for emergency service vehicles shall be provided at all times to ensure public health and safety to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
(4) All programming of activities within the promenade shall be in accordance with the Special Events Ordinance, Chapter 2, Article 2, Division 40.
(5) Smoking and vaping shall not be permitted within the promenade. For purposes of this Section, the terms smoke, smoking, vape, and vaping have the same meanings as set forth in San Diego Municipal Code Section 43.1001.
(6) A promenade shall comply with all State of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license requirements, as applicable.
(7) The promenade shall comply with the sound level limits of adjacent uses in accordance with Chapter 5, Article 9.5, Division 4.
(8) The Gaslamp Quarter Planned District Design Guidelines shall apply to a promenade located within the Gaslamp Quarter Planned District.
(9) The Public Right-of-Way Permit permit holder shall be responsible for maintaining the promenade. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, posting of the name, phone number, and email address of the person responsible for the promenade in a location visible from the public right-of-way, keeping the promenade area free of litter, and preventing litter attributable to the promenade from entering adjacent properties within the public right-of-way.
(c) Design requirements:
(1) The design and placement of street furniture, trees, and plantings along a promenade shall not impede pedestrian flow.
(2) The placement of the name and type of the associated establishment on umbrellas shall be permitted. Other signs shall not be permitted on a promenade.
(3) The design of a promenade shall be in conformance with current Federal and State accessibility guidelines.
(4) The design of a promenade shall be in accordance with current storm water standards.
(5) Promenades shall be designed in accordance with the Spaces as Places Design Manual.
(6) The Gaslamp Quarter Planned District Design Guidelines shall apply to a promenade located within the Gaslamp Quarter Planned District.
(d) Exclusive use of a section of the promenade for outdoor dining shall comply with the following:
(1) Alcohol, food, or beverages shall not be served or permitted within the promenade before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and before 7:00 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. Friday through Saturday;
(2) Outdoor dining within 150 feet of an adjacent residential use shall not serve or allow alcohol, food, or beverages within the promenade before 7:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. Friday through Saturday; and
(3) The portion of the promenade used for outdoor dining remains open to public during all non-operational hours.
(“Promenade” added 11-23-2021 by O-21391 N.S.; effective 1-6-2022.) (Amended 6-12-2023 by O-21655 N.S.; effective 8-10-2023.) (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/MuniCodeChapter14/Ch14Art01Division06.pdf#page=72Fetched: 10/28/2026