Building Siting and Setbacks
San Diego Municipal Code § 512.0608
in effect§512.0608 Building Siting and Setbacks
(a) Local Amendment. Section 608.2, General, is amended to read as follows:
All parcels shall provide a minimum 30-foot (9144 mm) setback for all buildings from property lines and the center of a road, except as provided in section 608.2.1 and section 608.2.2.
(b) Local Amendment. Section 608.2.1, Setback Reduction, is amended to read as follows:
A reduction in the minimum setback shall be based upon practical reasons, which include parcel dimensions or size, topographic limitations, development density requirements or other development patterns that promote low-carbon emission outcomes, sensitive habitat, or other site constraints, and shall provide for an alternative method to reduce structure-to-structure ignition by incorporating features such as:
(1) noncombustible block walls or fences;
(2) noncombustible material extending 5 feet (1524 mm) horizontally from the furthest extent of the structure;
(3) hardscape landscaping;
(4) a reduction of exposed windows on the side of the structure with setback less than 30 feet (9144 mm);
(5) increased fire resistance rating of walls and openings; or
(6) the most protective requirements in Chapter 5 of the California WUI Code.
(c) Local Addition. Section 608.2.2, Setback from Slope, is added as follows:
Where a slope has a gradient exceeding 4:1 (25%) or steeper and 50 feet (4572 mm) in vertical height or higher, the following setbacks shall apply:
(1) Single-story structures shall be setback a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm) horizontally from top of slope to the farthest projection from the structure.
(2) Structures with two or more stories, or single-story structures where plate height exceeds 12 feet (3658 mm) above grade shall be setback a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm) horizontally from top of slope to the farthest projection from the structure.
(3) Exceptions. The Fire Code Official may reduce setback requirements based on any of the following:
(a) structures constructed with a noncombustible exterior wall adjacent to the slope, no openings adjacent to the slope, no combustible attachments to the exterior wall adjacent to the slope, and no roof eaves adjacent to the slope;
(b) there exists no open wildland fuel area directly adjacent to the structure, and the slope is directly adjacent to developed parcels with fuel management principles in place; or
(c) the Fire Code Official determines that a significant hazard does not exist.
(“Building Siting and Setbacks” added 1-29-2026 by O-22042 N.S.; effective 2-28-2026.)
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/MuniCodeChapter05/Ch05Art12Division06.pdf#page=14Fetched: 10/28/2026