Outdoor Display Regulations for Commercial Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1130
in effect§142.1130 Outdoor Display Regulations for Commercial Zones
(a) The following merchandise, if for sale or rent on the premises, may be displayed outdoors during hours of business operation without screening fences or walls except along property lines that abut residentially zoned lots. The display area shall be on private property and shall not encroach on required parking areas or landscaped areas.
(1) Flowers and plants
(2) Food products
(3) Handcrafted products and goods
(4) Artwork and pottery
(5) For-rent recreational equipment such as roller skates, bikes, and surf boards
(6) Operable automobiles
(7) Operable trucks
(8) Operable motorcycles
(9) Operable boats
(10) Any other merchandise that the City Manager finds to be similar in character, type, or nature to the merchandise listed above, and which will not cause adverse visual impacts to the neighborhood
(b) Merchandise that is for sale on the premises that is not listed in Section 142.1130(a) may be displayed outdoors during hours of business operation provided that the display area is screened by fences, walls, buildings, landscape screening, or any combination of these.
(c) Temporary displays of merchandise, material, or equipment that is for sale on the premises may be permitted without screening fences, walls, or buildings for up to 7 calendar days in any 6-month period.
(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/Ch14Art02Division11.pdf#page=4Fetched: 10/28/2026