Measuring Visibility Area
San Diego Municipal Code § 113.0273
in effect§113.0273 Measuring Visibility Area
The visibility area is a triangular portion of a premises formed by drawing one line perpendicular to and one line parallel to the property line or public right-of-way for a specified length and one line diagonally joining the other two lines, as shown in Diagram 113-02SS.
(a) The City Engineer shall determine whether proposed development provides adequate sight distance based on the context of the development and the typical distance guidelines set forth in Section 113.0273(b) and shall require visibility areas accordingly. No structures may be located within a visibility area unless otherwise provided by the applicable zone or the regulations in Chapter 14, Article 2 (General Development Regulations).
(b) Typical Distances Used to Measure Visibility Areas
(1) For visibility areas at the intersection of streets, two sides of the triangle extend along the intersecting property lines for 25 feet and the third side is a diagonal line that connects the two.
(2) For visibility areas at the intersection of a street and alley, two sides of the triangle extend along the intersecting property lines for 10 feet and the third side is a diagonal line that connects the two.
(3) For visibility areas at the intersection of a street and driveway, one side of the triangle extends from the intersection of the street and the driveway for 10 feet along the property line. The second side extends from the intersection of the street and driveway for 10 feet inward from the property line along the driveway edge and the third side of the triangle connects the two.
(4) Where the required front and street side yards measure less than 25 feet when combined, that measurement or 15 feet, whichever is greater, establishes the visibility area at the street intersection. Diagram 113-02SS
Visibility Area
[image omitted; see the official PDF]
(c) The City Engineer may modify the typical distance used to measure visibility areas in Section 113.0273(a) and (b) through a Process One permit review.
(1) The distance specified in Section 113.0273(b) may be increased if the City Engineer determines that a greater distance is required to maintain public health and safety.
(2) The distance specified in Section 113.0273(b) may be reduced if the City Engineer determines that the reduced distance would not create a public health and safety hazard.
(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)
(Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.)
(Amended 3-1-2006 by O-19467 N.S.; effective 8-10-2006.)
(Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)
(Amended 4-5-2016 by O-20634 N.S.; effective 5-5-2016.)
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/MuniCodeChapter11/Ch11Art03Division02.pdf#page=48Fetched: 10/28/2026