Mixed-Use Core Development Regulations for Urban Villages
San Diego Municipal Code § 132.1108
in effect§132.1108 Mixed-Use Core Development Regulations for Urban Villages
(a) Floor Area Ratio, Height, and Coverage. The floor area ratio, height, and coverage requirements shall be determined by the base zone. A floor area ratio bonus of 0.5 and a height bonus of one story over the maximum specified in the base zone may be permitted for projects located within 2,000 feet of an existing or planned light rail transit station or other trunk transit line station, unless stated otherwise in the applicable land use plan. The height bonus shall not apply in the Coastal Height Limit Overlay Zone.
(b) Street Orientation. Commercial and mixed-use buildings shall be oriented so that functional pedestrian entrances face the street and parking areas are located underground or to the rear or side of the building.
(c) Pedestrian Paths. Pedestrian paths shall be provided to connect commercial building entries with adjacent streets, uses, and parcels. Pedestrian paths should be visually distinguishable from other hardscaping and should be separated from parking areas by wheel stops, curbs, landscaping, or other physical barriers, except when crossing driveways or aisles.
(d) Transparency. Along predominantly retail streets in the mixed-use core component, a minimum of 50 percent of the street wall area between 3 and 10 feet above the sidewalk shall be transparent, with clear glass visible into a commercial or residential use. Windows or other transparent materials that provide visibility into a garage or similar area shall not be used to meet the minimum transparency requirement.
(e) Building Articulation. Building facades shall be varied and articulated to provide visual interest to pedestrians. This can be accomplished by incorporating offsetting planes, changes in wall texture and color, special architectural elements, plazas and courtyards, and trees and vines into the design of the buildings.
(f) Parking. The parking regulations in Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 5 permit a reduced parking ratio for urban village development. The shared parking requirements in Section 142.0545 should also be used when they can further reduce the required amount of parking.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
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/Ch13Art02Division11.pdf#page=4Fetched: 10/28/2026