Outdoor Storage, Display, and Activity Regulations

San Diego Municipal Code ch. 14, art. 2, div. 11

in effect

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1101 Purpose of Outdoor Storage, Display, and Activity Regulations

§142.1101 Purpose of Outdoor Storage, Display, and Activity Regulations The purpose of these regulations is to provide adequate and convenient areas for outdoor storage and display of materials, merchandise, and equipment and for outdoor activities in residential, commercial, and industrial zones. The intent of these regulations is to minimize visual impacts to adjacent properties and public rights-of-way. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1105 When Outdoor Storage, Display, and Activity Regulations Apply

§142.1105 When Outdoor Storage, Display, and Activity Regulations Apply (a) This division applies to all residential, commercial, and industrial development in all zones that proposes outdoor storage, display, or activities, whether or not a permit or other approval is required for the development. (b) Table 142-11A shows the applicable regulations for specific types of development proposals. Table 142-11A Outdoor Storage, Display, and Activity Regulations Applicability Type of Development Proposal | Applicable Regulations | Required Permit Type/ Decision Process Any development in a residential zone that proposes outdoor storage, display, or activity | Section 142.1110 | No permit required by this division Any development in a commercial zone that proposes outdoor storage, display, or activity | Sections 142.1120, 142.1130, and 142.1150 | No permit required by this division Any development in an industrial zone that proposes outdoor storage, display, or activity | Sections 142.1120, 142.1140, and 142.1160 | No permit required by this division (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1110 Outdoor Storage Regulations for Residential Zones

§142.1110 Outdoor Storage Regulations for Residential Zones (a) Outdoor storage of material and equipment is permitted only when the type and quantity of stored items are incidental to the residential use on the premises. (b) Outdoor storage is subject to all applicable fire, health, safety, and building regulations. (c) Outdoor storage is not permitted in required yard areas except that home maintenance or lawn maintenance equipment and nonmotorized recreational and leisure equipment are permitted in required side and rear yards. (d) Outdoor storage shall not impede the growth or maintenance of required landscaping. (e) All stored items shall be completely screened by solid fences, walls, buildings, or landscape features, or by a combination of screening elements. Stored items shall not exceed the height of the screening element. (f) Not more than one fully screened outdoor area may be used to store motor vehicles, whether operable or inoperable. The storage area shall not exceed 400 square feet in area or 12 feet in height. The storage area shall not encroach into any landscaped area or into any required yard unless it is in compliance with Section 142.0510(e). (g) The following items may be placed outdoors without screening when intended for near-term use: home maintenance or lawn maintenance equipment and supplies and game, sport, and leisure equipment. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1120 Outdoor Storage Regulations for Commercial and Industrial Zones

§142.1120 Outdoor Storage Regulations for Commercial and Industrial Zones (a) Outdoor storage of merchandise, material, and equipment is permitted in commercial and industrial zones only when incidental to an allowed use located on the same premises, provided the following criteria are met: (1) The storage area is screened by solid fences, walls, or buildings, or a combination thereof, not less than 6 feet in height. No merchandise, material, or equipment shall exceed the height of the screening fence, wall, or building. If screening of the merchandise, material, or equipment requires a screening height greater than 6 feet, the storage area and the screening fences, walls, or buildings shall be located on the rear half of the lot, away from any public right-of-way; and (2) Storage is permitted in required side and rear yards. Storage is not permitted in required front or street side yards. (b) In the IH and IS zones, outdoor storage of merchandise, material, and equipment for the following uses shall be located at least 100 feet from any public right-of-way: (1) Junk yards (2) Wrecking yards (3) Scrap metal and salvage yards (4) Processing plants (5) Building material storage yards (6) Carting express storage yard (7) Contractor’s plant or storage yards (8) Cement pipe storage yard (9) Lumber yards (c) No merchandise, material, or equipment shall be stored on the roof of any building unless it is completely enclosed, and constructed of the same material as the main building. This limitation does not apply to operable vehicles parked on the top level of a parking structure. (d) In the IP-1-1 zone, outdoor storage shall not occupy more than 20 percent of the area of the premises. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1130 Outdoor Display Regulations for Commercial Zones

§142.1130 Outdoor Display Regulations for Commercial Zones (a) The following merchandise, if for sale or rent on the premises, may be displayed outdoors during hours of business operation without screening fences or walls except along property lines that abut residentially zoned lots. The display area shall be on private property and shall not encroach on required parking areas or landscaped areas. (1) Flowers and plants (2) Food products (3) Handcrafted products and goods (4) Artwork and pottery (5) For-rent recreational equipment such as roller skates, bikes, and surf boards (6) Operable automobiles (7) Operable trucks (8) Operable motorcycles (9) Operable boats (10) Any other merchandise that the City Manager finds to be similar in character, type, or nature to the merchandise listed above, and which will not cause adverse visual impacts to the neighborhood (b) Merchandise that is for sale on the premises that is not listed in Section 142.1130(a) may be displayed outdoors during hours of business operation provided that the display area is screened by fences, walls, buildings, landscape screening, or any combination of these. (c) Temporary displays of merchandise, material, or equipment that is for sale on the premises may be permitted without screening fences, walls, or buildings for up to 7 calendar days in any 6-month period. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1140 Outdoor Display Regulations for Industrial Zones

§142.1140 Outdoor Display Regulations for Industrial Zones (a) In the IL, IH, or IS zones, the following merchandise, if for sale or rent on the premises, may be displayed outdoors without screening fences, walls, buildings, or landscaping. The display area shall be on private property and shall not encroach into required parking areas or landscaped areas. (1) Operable automobiles (2) Operable boats (3) Flowers and plants (4) Motorcycles and scooters (5) Trucks (6) Trailers (7) Equipment & tools (except ridden equipment) (8) Artwork and pottery (b) All permitted merchandise that is for sale or rent on the premises that is not listed in Section 142.1140(a) may be displayed outdoors during hours of operation provided that the display area is screened by fences, walls, buildings, landscaping, or any combination of these. (c) Temporary displays of merchandise, material, or equipment that is for sale on the premises may be permitted without screening fences, walls, or buildings for up to 7 calendar days in any 6-month period. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1150 Outdoor Activity Regulations for Commercial Zones

§142.1150 Outdoor Activity Regulations for Commercial Zones (a) Repair, installation, manufacturing, and assembly uses allowed in commercial zones shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building. (b) Outdoor activity or work areas are permitted for uses other than those listed in Section 142.1150(a) only when associated with an allowed use located on the same premises, and when not encroaching on required parking areas or landscaped areas. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1160 Outdoor Activity Regulations for Industrial Zones

§142.1160 Outdoor Activity Regulations for Industrial Zones (a) Outdoor activity and work areas are permitted only when associated with an allowed use located on the same premises. (b) Outdoor activity and work areas are not permitted within the required front or street side yards or within required parking areas or landscaped areas. (c) Outdoor activity and work areas shall be completely enclosed by fences, walls, buildings, or a combination of these, that are not less than 6 feet in height and are impervious to light for at least 50 percent of the surface area. (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/MuniCodeChapter14/Ch14Art02Division11.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/28/2026