Structures Below The Water Table
San Diego Municipal Code § 1510.0403
in effect§1510.0403 Structures Below The Water Table
Structures in the La Jolla Shores Planned District area may be constructed below the water table only if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) No subsurface waters shall be discharged from any building onto the public streets, or into a storm drain system that discharges onto the beach, either during the construction period or after the structure is completed except as permitted under Section 1510.0403(b).
(b) Any pumping system utilized shall be only for emergency use and shall not be designed, built or utilized for intermittent or continuous pumping and shall specifically not be used for the pumping of subsurface waters. Any discharge from such a system shall be pumped onto the public street and shall not be connected directly to the storm drain. The design for such a system shall be shown in detail on the plans submitted for approval. The owner shall immediately notify the City Engineer when water is pumped into the street.
(c) If a watertight subterranean structure is to be utilized, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to ensure that it remains watertight at all times and to repair any leaks within 30 days.
(d) A system to provide for the avoidance of any subsidence of adjoining or nearby structures, both during and after construction, shall be shown in detail on the plans submitted for approval. The plan shall indicate procedures to be taken in the event subsidence occurs. The owner of the proposed project shall provide the services of an independent testing laboratory to monitor continuously for such subsidence.
(“Structures Below The Water Table” added 3-27-2007 by O-19587 N.S.; effective 4-26-2007.)
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/MuniCodeChapter15/Ch15Art10Division04.pdf#page=5Fetched: 10/28/2026