Purpose of the EMX (Employment Mixed-Use) Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 131.0704
in effectThe purpose of the EMX zones is to provide a mix of uses with a focus on
non-residential uses with opportunities for residential development. The EMX zones
allow for a broad mix of uses, including office, research and development, industrial,
and retail sales. Non-residential development shall be the primary use. The
secondary use can be non-residential or residential development. If the secondary
use is non-residential development, it must be a different non-residential use than the
primary use. Development that contains a research and development use within
Prime Industrial Land and Prime Industrial Land – Flex identified in the land use
plan does not require a secondary use. New residential development may be the
primary use on a premises or adjacent to a premises where the total gross floor area
is occupied by at least 500,000 square feet of retail sales or eating and drinking
establishment uses, or both.
3
Chapter 13: Zones
(3-2026)
The EMX zones are differentiated in Table 131-07B based on floor area ratio and
structure height.
(“Purpose of the EMX (Employment Mixed-Use) Zones” added 9-12-2019 by
O-21118 N.S.; effective 10-12-2019.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21593 N.S. will not apply within the
Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local
Coastal Program Amendment.
Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language
http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21593-SO.pdf]
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21836 N.S. will not apply within the
Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local
Coastal Program Amendment.
Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language
http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21836-SO.pdf ]
Source: amlegal_browserURL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanfrancisco/latest/sfplanning/Fetched: 6/28/2026