Supplemental Planned Development Permit Regulations for Residential Rural Cluster Development with Increased Density
San Diego Municipal Code § 143.0450
in effect§143.0450 Supplemental Planned Development Permit Regulations for Residential Rural Cluster Development with Increased Density
In addition to the general regulations for all Planned Development Permits and supplemental regulations for residential developments, the following regulations apply to all residential rural cluster developments requesting increased density that are located in the AR-1-1 and OR-1-2 zones within Proposition A Lands. Approval of a proposed development in accordance with this section shall require the findings in Section 126.0404(b) to be made.
(a) Density
(1) Within the AR-1-1 and OR-1-2 zones within Proposition A Lands, except within the Del Mar Mesa Specific Plan adopted on May 27, 1997 by Ordinance No. O-18337, the maximum permitted density with the increased density rural cluster alternative is one dwelling unit per 4 acres with the dwelling units clustered. The remainder of the premises where no development is proposed shall be maintained in its natural state with no future development potential. The utilization of this increased density alternative shall require the provision of housing within the premises, affordable to low or very low income families, in accordance with Section 143.0450(d). For development within the Del Mar Mesa Specific Plan area the development regulations identified in the Del Mar Mesa Specific Plan adopted on May 27, 1997 by Ordinance O-18337 apply.
(2) Conditions and requirements may be imposed on the planned development that are consistent with the base zone corresponding to the density of the development in the clustered portion of the premises.
(3) Except within the Coastal Overlay Zone, the area of a golf course meeting the criteria of Section 143.0450(c)(6) may be used in the calculation of total permitted residential density.
(b) Subdivision Requirement
With a Planned Development Permit, a subdivision is not required for clustered dwelling units on a single, existing lot.
(c) Open Space Requirements
(1) The total open space required for the premises is 2 acres per dwelling unit. There is no usable open space requirement. The required open space may be distributed throughout the proposed development and need not be provided on each lot.
(2) Any usable open space provided shall be located within or adjacent to the clustered development portion of the premises.
(3) The increased density rural cluster alternative will require that the Planned Development use covenants, conditions, and restrictions or other mechanisms, including dedication, that are acceptable to the City Manager to insure that the undeveloped portion of the premises remains undeveloped in perpetuity.
(4) Increased density rural cluster developments shall be designed to incorporate an open space element that visually or physically connects to a planned or existing open space system or an environmental resource corridor as identified in the applicable land use plan. Rural cluster developments that incorporate an open space element that effectively achieves a physical or visual connection to a planned or existing open space system or an environmental resource corridor may deviate from the open space requirements in Table 143-04B and Section 143.0450(c)(1).
(5) Increased density rural cluster developments that are not visually or physically connected to a planned or existing open space system or an environmental resource corridor shall incorporate a design that maximizes open space opportunities consistent with the open space requirements of the applicable land use plan.
(6) Recreational facilities shall be designed to serve only the occupants and guests of the planned development. However, within Proposition A Landsand outside the Coastal Overlay Zone, golf courses open to the public and their customary incidental, supportive facilities (excluding lodging facilities) need not be restricted provided that a permanent and irrevocable open space easement is established that covers the area of the golf course. A golf course open to the public shall mean a public golf course or a private golf course on public or private land that is open to the public on a daily fee basis or that offers memberships to the public.
(7) Except within the Coastal Overlay Zone, the area of a golf course meeting the criteria of Section 143.0450(c)(6) may be used in the calculation of total required open space.
(d) Affordable Housing Requirement for Increased Density Rural Cluster Development:
In the AR-1-1 and OR-1-2 zones within Proposition A LandsPlanned Developments using the increased density rural cluster alternative are required to provide housing units within the development, that are affordable to low income families, as certified by the San Diego Housing Commission.
(1) The affordable housing obligation may be fulfilled by one of the following:
(A) A set-aside of no less than 20 percent of the units for occupancy by, and at rates affordable to, families earning no more than 65 percent of the median area income, adjusted for family size; or
(B) A dedication of developable land of equivalent value.
(2) Affordable housing shall be appropriately designed and integrated into the overall development plan.
(3) Development incentives available through government programs, including a density bonus in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 7 (Affordable Housing Regulations), where appropriate, may be used to meet all or a portion of this obligation.
(4) Units restricted under this section shall remain affordable for the remaining life of the housing unit, which is presumed to be a minimum of 55 years.
(e) Subarea Plan Requirement in the North City Future Urbanizing Area
(1) Within the North City Future Urbanizing Area that is within Proposition A Lands, a subarea plan shall be prepared pursuant to the General Plan. The subarea plan shall be developed consistent with the North City Future Urbanizing Area Framework Plan, as approved by the California Coastal Commission on May 14,
1993. Alternatively, the applicant must demonstrate that, at a minimum, all public facilities within the subarea (as designated by the General Plan) have been sited; a Purchase Agreement for the public facility sites has been completed; mixed use centers within the subarea have been sited; the street system to access the mixed use centers and public facilities has been aligned; a financing plan for the project area, subarea, or larger planning area has been completed; and open space boundaries have been refined if the project deviates from the MHPA boundaries shown in the General Plan.
(2) Except within the Coastal Overlay Zone, Section 143.0450(e)(1) shall not apply to any project for which an application was deemed complete on or before December 10, 1990, and which includes a golf course that is open to the public provided, however, that any such project shall fully participate in the Public Facilities Financing Plan, Interim Fees, and the school Facilities Master Plan, and that a development agreement shall be executed for the project.
(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)
(Amended 4-8-2008 by O-19734 N.S; effective 5-8-2008.)
(Amended 9-15-2017 by O-20856 N.S.; effective 10-20-2017.)
(Amended 3-22-2018 by O-20916 N.S.; effective 4-21-2018.)
(Amended 2-1-2021 by O-21288 N.S.; effective 3-3-2021.)
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/Ch14Art03Division04.pdf#page=15Fetched: 10/28/2026