Accessory Buildings in Residential Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0448
in effectThis section is intended to clarify the regulations applicable to non-habitable accessory
buildings in residential zones.
(a)
Multiple accessory buildings are permitted on a premises. However, the square
footage of all non-habitable accessory buildings excluding garages cannot
exceed 25 percent of the allowable gross floor area of the premises.
(b)
Non-habitable accessory buildings or garages may not be used for living or
sleeping purposes. A non-habitable accessory building or garage may have
electrical, gas, water, and sewer connections to provide the following activities:
(1)
Lighting, washing machines, dryers, laundry tubs, and hot water heater;
(2)
A one-half bathroom, limited to a water closet and a lavatory sink; and
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(3)
A shower, provided the property owner signs an agreement recorded
with the County Recorder and processed through the City Manager
stating that the building will not be used for living or sleeping purposes.
(c)
Non-habitable accessory buildings or garages may encroach into required
yards subject to the requirements in Section 131.0461.
(d)
Habitable accessory buildings may be permitted as follows:
(1)
As an accessory building to a single dwelling unit in accordance with
Sections 141.0302 or 141.0307; or
(2)
As an accessory building to a multiple dwelling unit development to
provide common area facilities for the property owners, tenants, and
their guests in accordance with the underlying base zone.
(Retitled from “Accessory Uses and Structures in Residential Zones” and amended
1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)
(Retitled from “Accessory Structures in Residential Zones” to “Accessory Buildings in
Residential Zone and amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-20704 N.S. will not apply within the
Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local
Coastal Program Amendment.
Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language
http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-20704-SO.pdf ]
Source: amlegal_browserURL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanfrancisco/latest/sfplanning/Fetched: 6/28/2026