Setback Requirements for Commercial Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0543
in effectSetback requirements are specified in Tables 131-05C, 131-05D, and 131-05E and
are subject to the following exceptions and additional regulations:
(a)
Front and Street Side Setback Requirements
(1)
Off-street parking in all commercial zones, with the exception of
CC-3-10, and CC-3-11, may be located within the required front yard
and required street side yard adjoining the required landscaped strip
abutting public rights-of-way.
(2)
In the CN, CO, CV, and CC zones with a maximum front or street side
setback as shown in Tables 131-05C, 131-05D, and 131-05E, the
maximum setback shall apply to only 70 percent of the street frontage.
The remaining 30 percent is not required to observe the maximum
setback and may be located farther from the property line. See
Diagram 131-05B.
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(3)
In the CC-1-1, CC-1-2, CC-2-1, CC-2-2, CC-4-1, CC-4-2, CC-5-1,
and CC-5-2 zones, the 100-foot maximum front setback does not
apply to lots with more than 75 feet of street frontage if the proposed
development is within 10 feet of the front or street side property line
for at least 30 percent of the street frontage. See Diagram 131-05C.
Diagram 131-05C
Exception to Maximum Setback
STREE T
NOTE: Example of exemption from 100' m ax setback
48' min
(48' + 60' = 30% of 360')
160'
100'
200'
Exempt from
100' max setback
60'
Building
•
The lot has more than 75' of lineal street frontage
•
Buildings are located within 0' -5' of the f ront and street side
property line for 30% of the total linear street f rontage
(b)
Minimum Side and Rear Setback
(1)
In zones that require a 10-foot minimum side or rear setback and
provide the option for a zero-foot side or rear setback as shown in
Tables 131-05C, 131-05D, and 131-05E, the structure shall be placed
anywhere in between the property line and the minimum 10-foot
setback.
(2)
The optional side or rear setback is not applicable to commercial
development abutting residentially zoned properties with a permitted
density of less than 15 dwelling units per acre as further described in
Section 131.0543(c).
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(c)
Commercial Development Abutting Residentially Zoned Properties
(1)
Commercial development abutting residentially zoned properties with
a permitted density of less than 15 dwelling units per acre shall provide
a 10-foot minimum setback for any side or rear yard that abuts low
density residential zoned property. The structure shall comply with
additional step back requirements in accordance with Section
131.0543(c)(3).
(2)
Commercial development abutting residentially zoned properties with
a permitted density of 15 dwelling units or more per acre that provide
no side or rear setback and locate the structure at the property line as
provided for by Section 131.0543(b) shall comply with the following:
(A)
Minimum step back for structures placed at the side property
line.
(i)
Any portion of the structure exceeding 15 feet in height
shall be stepped back from the side property line 10
feet, or 10 percent of the lot width but not less than 5
feet, whichever is less.
(ii)
Each 15 feet in height above 30 feet shall be stepped
back at least 3 feet from the minimum setback of that
portion of the structure immediately below.
(B)
Minimum step back for structures placed at the rear property
line.
(i)
Any portion of the structure exceeding 15 feet in height
shall be stepped back from the rear property line 10
feet, or 10 percent of the lot depth but not less than 5
feet, whichever is less.
(ii)
Each 15 feet in height above 30 feet shall be stepped
back at least 3 feet from the minimum setback of that
portion of the structure immediately below.
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(3)
For side and rear yards, if the structure is set back 10 feet or more
from the property line, each 15 feet in height above 30 feet shall be
stepped back at least 3 feet from the minimum setback of that portion
of the structure immediately below.
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21836 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-21836-SO.pdf ]
Source: amlegal_browserURL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanfrancisco/latest/sfplanning/Fetched: 6/28/2026