Continuing Care Retirement Communities
San Diego Municipal Code § 141.0303
in effect§141.0303 Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are licensed by the state as both a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly and a Skilled Nursing Facility, regulated under the California Health and Safety Code, and overseen by the California Department of Social Services. They provide residents with multiple living environments based on the changing level of care required by the resident. The communities typically provide independent living dwelling units, assisted living dwelling units, and convalescent and memory care rooms. A CCRC is a distinct residential use and should not be considered a sum of separate, multiple uses when determining compliance with permitted land uses.
CCRCs may be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three, in the zones indicated with a “C” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones), or as a limited use in zones indicated with an “L” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones), subject to the following regulations.
(a) CCRCs are not permitted in agricultural zones in Proposition A Lands.
(b) Convalescent and memory care rooms shall, at a minimum, comply with California Code of Regulations Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8 (Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly).
(c) Parking areas shall be lighted for the safety of tenants. Lighting shall be of a design that deters vandalism. The location, type, and size of the proposed lighting fixtures shall be specified on the development permit application.
(d) CCRCs shall be subject to the landscape regulations for commercial development in Table 142-04A.
(e) As a distinct, separately regulated residential use, CCRCs are not subject to the density limitations of the applicable community plan and underlying base zone.
(“Continuing Care Retirement Communities” added 8-4-2016 by O-20704 N.S.; effective 8-27-2016. Former Section 141.0303 “Employee Housing” renumbered to Section 141.0304.)
(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/Ch14Art01Division03.pdf#page=20Fetched: 10/28/2026