Angled Building Envelope Plane / Maximum Structure Height in Residential
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0444
in effectZones
(a)
Maximum structure height shall not exceed the height of the angled building
envelope plane, which connects the maximum structure height adjacent to the
setback and the overall maximum structure height as determined by the
underlying base zone and the requirements below. Encroachments beyond the
building envelope are subject to the requirements in Section 131.0461.
(b)
The angle of the building envelope plane is based on lot width as established in
Table 131-04H.
Table 131-04H
Required Angle Building Envelope Plane
Footnote for Table 131-04H
¹ The angled planes are measured from the vertical axis inward.
(c)
The maximum structure height requirements for the RS-1-1, RS-1-2, RS-1-3,
RS-1-4, RS-1-5, RS-1-6, RS-1-7, and RX zones are stated in Tables 131-04D
and 131-04E. The angled building envelope plane shall be required adjacent to
required side yards. Angled building envelope planes are also required adjacent
to front and street side yards in cases where the maximum structure height
exceeds 27 feet. The angled building envelope plane shall be measured in
accordance with Diagram 131-04L.
Lot Width:
Angle of Plane ¹
Less than 75 feet
45 degrees
75 feet to 150 feet
30 degrees
Greater than 150 feet
Not Applicable
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Diagram 131-04L
Angled Building Envelope Planes in RS, RX, and RT Zones
Maximum
structure height
24'
Front, side, or street side property line
Required
front, side, or street
side setback
Outline of building envelope
cross section
Angle
Building Envelope
27'
(RS & RX
zones)
(RT zone)
(d)
The maximum structure height requirements for RT zones are stated in Table
131-04F. For buildings with a slab foundation, the maximum permitted
structure height is 21 feet for one- and two-story structures or 31 feet for three-
story structures. For buildings with a conventional raised floor, the maximum
permitted structure height is 25 feet for one- and two-story structures or 35 feet
for three-story structures. For buildings with sloped roofs with at least a 3:12
pitch (3 vertical feet to 12 horizontal feet), the maximum permitted structure
height is increased by 5 feet. In all cases, unless otherwise excepted, the height
of the building envelope above 27 feet adjacent to the front setback line is
established by a 30-degree angled building envelope plane slanting inward to
the maximum permitted structure height. The angled building envelope planes
shall be measured in accordance with Diagram 131-04L.
(e)
The maximum structure height requirements for the RM-1-1, RM-1-2, and
RM-1-3 zones are stated in Table 131-04G. The angled building envelope
plane requirements apply as follows:
(1)
At the front setback line, the height of the building envelope above 19
feet at the minimum setback and 24 feet at the standard setback, is
established by a 45-degree angled building envelope plan sloping
inward to the maximum permitted 30-foot structure height limit, as
shown in Diagram 131-04M.
Chapter 13: Zones
(3-2026)
63
Diagram 131-04M
Angled Building Envelope at Front Setback
30'
24'
Front property line
Standard
front setback
Outline of building envelope
cross section
19'
Min
front setback
45
angle
0
Building Envelope
(2)
At the side setback line, the height of the building envelope above 24
feet in height is established by a 45-degree building envelope plane
sloping inward to the maximum permitted 30-foot structure height.
(f)
The maximum structure height requirements for the RM-2-4, RM-2-5, and
RM-2-6 zones are stated in Table 131-04G. At the side setback lines, the
maximum height of the building envelope above 30 feet in height is established
by a 60-degree angled building envelope plane sloping inward from the side
setback lines to the maximum permitted 40-foot structure height.
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Chapter 13: Zones
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Source: amlegal_browserURL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanfrancisco/latest/sfplanning/Fetched: 6/28/2026