Utilities Requirements for Tentative Maps
San Diego Municipal Code § 144.0240
in effect§144.0240 Utilities Requirements for Tentative Maps
Where utilities already exist, new subdivisions shall be designed so that the utilities are in proper locations or else provide for their reconstruction in locations approved by the utility agencies concerned.
(a) Sewer and water service shall be provided to each lot connecting to the City or City-approved sewer and water systems. Water systems shall provide for fire flow required to service the entire subdivision. Individual sewer or water systems may be recommended by the City Engineer in subdivisions of lots or less where the installation or extension mains to connect to the existing City systems would be impractical. In such cases, contracts shall be executed for installation of future permanent facilities.
(b) Privately owned utilities shall be provided as follows.
(1) Unless otherwise specified herein, all privately owned utility systems and service facilities needed to serve the subdivision shall be installed underground.
(2) The subdivider shall make arrangements with each of the utility companies for the installation of all new underground facilities and relocation to an underground position of existing facilities within the boundary of the subdivision or within the abutting public rights-of-way. All work shall be in conformance with the operating company’s rules and regulations on file with, and approved by, the California Public Utilities Commission. Transformers, terminal boxes, meter cabinets, pedestals, concealed ducts and other facilities necessarily appurtenant to the underground utilities may be placed above ground.
(3) All subdivisions in agricultural zones and single dwelling unit residential zones that consist of four lots or less are exempt from the requirement to convert existing overhead utility facilities to an underground location if the conversion would not constitute an extension of an existing underground system. For subdivisions that include a Planned Development Permit, this exemption may be considered on a project by project basis.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not require undergrounding of power transmission lines of 60,000 volts or more.
(5) The subdivider or public utility company may apply for waiver of the requirements of this section as part of an application for the tentative map. The decision maker may waive the requirements of this section in accordance with section 144.0242.
(c) Street lights shall be provided in accordance with the standards established in the Street Design Manual of the Land Development Manual. Residential subdivisions containing four dwelling units or less are exempt from the subdivision requirement to install a new street light.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 1-23-2013 by O-20235 N.S.; effective 2-22-2013.)
(Amended 8-9-2019 by O-21114 N.S.; effective 9-8-2019.)
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/Ch14Art04Division02.pdf#page=7Fetched: 10/28/2026