Development Review for Compatibility
San Diego Municipal Code § 132.1505
in effect§132.1505 Development Review for Compatibility
(a) Properties located within this overlay zone are designated as either Review Area 1 or Review Area 2 for a particular airport as identified on adopted airport influence area maps, filed in the office of the City Clerk.
(b) New development or expansion of existing development within this overlay zone shall be subject to review for compatibility as follows:
(1) Properties located within Review Area 1 shall comply with the noise, safety, and airspace protection compatibility requirements in Sections 132.1510 through 132.1520 and with the aircraft overflight notification requirements in accordance with Section 132.1525.
(2) Properties located within Review Area 2 shall comply with the airspace protection compatibility requirements in accordance with Section 132.1520.
(3) Development in Review Area 1 that would be consistent with the existing development pattern of the surrounding area, but would include, densities or intensities inconsistent with the safety compatibility criteria in Sections 132.1515, may be determined to be compatible infill development in accordance with Section 132.1540.
(4) Properties located within the San Diego International Airport, Brown Field Municipal Airport, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, or Gillespie Field airport influence areas shall comply with requirements to dedicate avigation easements in accordance with Section 132.1530.
(c) The following shall be exempt from the requirements of this Division:
(1) Development that is limited to interior modifications or repairs, or any exterior repairs or maintenance, that does not increase the intensity, density, floor area ratio, or structure height of an existing structure;
(2) Changes in non-residential occupancy within an existing building that would not require an increase in the number of parking spaces in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 5;
(3) Development of a non-residential accessory structure that would result in a maximum increase of 1,500 square feet of gross floor area, where it would not be located within Safety Zone 1 (Runway Protection Zone), would not require notification to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and would not require an increase in the number of parking spaces in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 5; or
(4) A Special Event approved in accordance with Chapter 2, Article 2, Division 40 or a temporary use approved in accordance with Chapter 12, Article 3, Division 4, that would not have a temporary structure that requires notification to the FAA.
(d) The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan in effect at the time an application was deemed complete shall be the basis for compatibility review.
(e) An approved development permit for a development that meets the existing land use criteria specified in the applicable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan may be modified or amended where the development would not increase the maximum number of people or dwelling units allowed by the development permit, increase the permitted height, or add a new land use or characteristic that could be a hazard to aircraft in flight as determined by FAA.
(f) Modifications to an approved development permit for a development that does not meet the existing land use criteria specified in the applicable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan and is not in substantial conformance with the previously approved development permit shall be reviewed under the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan in effect at the time the application for the development permit amendment is deemed complete.
(“Development Review for Compatibility” added 10-25-2011 by O-20047 N.S.; effective 1-1-2012.) (Amended 12-2-2011 by O-20113 N.S.; effective 1-1-2012.) (Amended 12-17-2021 by O-21380 N.S.; effective 1-16-2022.) (Amended 6-15-2026 by O-22109 N.S.; effective 7-15-2026.)
[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-22109 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-22109-SO.pdf ]
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/MuniCodeChapter13/Ch13Art02Division15.pdf#page=3Fetched: 10/28/2026