Development Regulations for Important Archaeological Sites
San Diego Municipal Code § 143.0253
in effect§143.0253 Development Regulations for Important Archaeological Sites
In addition to the general development regulations in Section 143.0250, the following regulations apply to important archaeological sites.
(a) Important archaeological sites shall be preserved in their natural state, except that development may be permitted as provided in this section or as provided in Section 143.0260.
(1) Development may be permitted in areas containing important archaeological sites if necessary to achieve a reasonable development area, with up to 25 percent encroachment into any important archaeological site allowed. This 25 percent encroachment includes all grading, structures, public and private streets, brush management except as provided in Section 143.0225, and any project-serving utilities.
(2) An additional encroachment of up to 15 percent, for a total encroachment of 40 percent, into important archaeological sites may be permitted for essential public service projects that are sited, designed, and constructed to minimize adverse impacts to important archaeological sites, where it has been demonstrated that there is no feasible, less environmentally damaging location or alternative. Essential public service projects include publicly owned parks and recreation facilities, fire and police stations, publicly owned libraries, public schools, major streets and primary arterials, and public utility systems.
(b) Any encroachment into important archaeological sites shall include measures to mitigate for the partial loss of the resource as a condition of approval. Mitigation shall include the following methods, consistent with the Historical Resources Guidelines of the Land Development Manual:
(1) The preservation through avoidance of the remaining portion of the important archaeological site; and
(2) The implementation of a research design and excavation program that recovers the scientific value of the portion of the important archaeological site that would be lost due to encroachment.
(c) The following types of development shall not be considered encroachment provided that no structures, other than portable structures are erected or maintained on the premises and that adequate measures to preserve and protect the important archaeological site, consistent with the Historical Resources Guidelines of the Land Development Manual, are included as conditions of approval:
(1) Parks and playgrounds;
(2) Low-intensity, passive recreational uses such as trails, access paths, and public viewpoints; and
(3) Parking lots.
(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/Ch14Art03Division02.pdf#page=18Fetched: 10/28/2026