When Historical Resources Regulations Apply
San Diego Municipal Code § 143.0210
in effect§143.0210 When Historical Resources Regulations Apply
(a) This division applies to proposed development when the following historical resources are present on the site, whether or not a Neighborhood Development Permit or Site Development Permit is required;
(1) designated historical resources;
(2) historical buildings;
(3) historical districts;
(4) historical landscapes;
(5) historical objects;
(6) historical structures;
(7) important archaeological sites; and
(8) traditional cultural properties.
(b) Where any portion of a premises contains historical resources, this division shall apply to the entire premises.
(c) Table 143-02A shall be used to determine the appropriate regulations and the required decision for various types of development proposals when historical resources are located on the premises.
(d) A construction permit is required for any development on a premises that has a historical resources on the site that will not adversely affect the historical resource and is consistent with one or more of the exemption criteria in accordance with Section 143.0220.
(e) A Neighborhood Development Permit or Site Development Permit is required for the following types of development proposals that do not qualify for an exemption in accordance with Section 143.0220:
(1) Neighborhood Development Permit in accordance with Process Two. Single dwelling unit residential development on a single dwelling unit lot of any size when a traditional cultural property or important archaeological site is present.
(2) Site Development Permit in Accordance With Process Four.
(A) Single dwelling unit residential development on a single dwelling unit lot of any size when a designated historical resource or historical district is present.
(B) Multiple dwelling unit residential, commercial, or industrial development on any size lot, or any subdivision on any size lot, or any City public works construction project, other than any capital improvement program project, public project, or any project specific land use plan when a historical resource is present.
(C) Development that proposes to deviate from the development regulations for historical resources as described in this division, except for any capital improvement program project or public project.
(3) Site Development Permit in Accordance With Process CIP/Public Project-Two. Capital improvement program projects or public projects that comply with the regulations of this division without deviation.
(4) Site Development Permit in Accordance With Process CIP/Public Project-Five. Capital improvement program projects or public projects that deviate from any of the regulations of this division.
(f) When a development proposal on a site containing a designated historical resource, traditional cultural property, important archaeological site, or a designated contributing resource to a historical district qualifies for an exemption in accordance with Section 143.0220, and includes a historic preservation development incentive in accordance with Section 143.0240, a construction permit or Neighborhood Development Permit is required depending upon the incentive requested, as detailed in Section 143.0240. Table 143-02A Applicability of Historical Resources Regulations
Type of Development Proposal | Historical Resources Potentially Impacted by Project
Designated Historical Resources or Historical Districts | Traditional Cultural Properties | Important Archaeological Sites
1. Any project exempt from obtaining a development permit in accordance with Section 143.0220 | R | 143.0251 | 143.0251 | 143.0252
P | Construction Permit/Process One | Construction Permit/Process One | Construction Permit/Process One
2. Development on single dwelling units on any size lot that is exempt from obtaining a development permit in accordance with Section 143.0220, but includes a historic preservation development incentive in accordance with Section 143.0240 | R | 143.0240; 143.0251 | 143.0240; 143.0251 | 143.0240; 143.0251
P | Construction Permit/Process One or NDP/Process Two1 | Construction Permit/Process One or NDP/Process Two1 | Construction Permit/Process One or NDP/Process Two1
3. Development on multiple dwelling units, non- residential development, subdivisions and public works construction projects on any size lot, other than capital improvement program projects or public projects, that are exempt from obtaining a development permit in accordance with Section 143.0220, but includes a historic preservation development incentive in accordance with Section 143.0240 | R | 143.0240; 143.0251 | 143.0240; 143.0251 | 143.0240; 143.0251
P | Construction Permit/Process One or NDP/Process Two1 | Construction Permit/Process One or NDP/Process Two1 | Construction Permit/Process One or NDP/Process Two1
4. Single dwelling units on any size lot | R | 143.0251 | 143.0252 | 143.0253
P | SDP/Process Four | NDP/Process Two | NDP/Process Two
5. Multiple dwelling unit, non-residential development, subdivisions and public works construction projects on any size lot, other than capital improvement program projects or public projects | R | 143.0251 | 143.0252 | 143.0253
P | SDP/Process Four | SDP/Process Four | SDP/Process Four
6. Project-Specific Land Use Plans | R | 143.0251 | 143.0252 | 143.0253
P | SDP/Process Four | SDP/Process Four | SDP/Process Four
7. Development, other than capital improvement program projects or public projects that deviates from any of the regulations in this division. | R | 143.0251 | 143.0252 | 143.0253
P | SDP/Process Four | SDP/Process Four | SDP/Process Four
8. Capital improvement program projects or public projects that comply with the regulations of this division without deviation | R | 143.0251 | 143.0252 | 143.0253
P | SDP/ Process CIP/Public Project-Two | SDP/ Process CIP/Public Project-Two | SDP/ Process CIP/Public Project-Two
9. Capital improvement program projects or public projects that deviate from any of the regulations in this division | R | 143.0251 | 143.0252 | 143.0253
P | SDP/ Process CIP/Public Project-Five | SDP/ Process CIP/Public Project-Five | SDP/ Process CIP/Public Project-Five
Footnotes for Table 143-02A
1 The Process level is determined by the historic preservation development incentive requested in accordance with Section 143.0240.
Legend to Table 143-02A
R | Development regulation sections (in addition to Section 143.0250) applicable to the historical resources present.
P | Type of Permit/Decision process required. Neighborhood Development Permit (NDP) Site Development Permit (SDP)
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 11-13-08 by O-19805 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.)
(Amended 10-22-2013 by O-20309 N.S.; effective 12-12-2013.)
(Amended 3-22-2018 by O-20920 N.S.; effective 4-21-2018.)
(Amended 1-8-2020 by O-21164 N.S.; effective 2-9-2020.)
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=1Fetched: 10/28/2026