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Division 2 — Rules for Calculation and Measurement

§113.0228 Determining Existing Grade

San Diego Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Diego

  • (a) Existing grade is the ground elevation of the surface of a premises that has never been graded or, for a premises that has been graded , the ground elevation that existed on March 4, 1972. This is illustrated in Diagram 113-02F.

Diagram 113-02F

Existing Grade

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Existing Grade
Ungraded premises
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Existing Grade
(fill before March 4,1972)
Existing Grade
(fill after March 4,1972)
Existing Fill
Existing grade
Previously graded premises
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Existing Grade Existing cut
(cut after March 4,1972)
Existing Grade
(cut before March 4,1972)
Existing grade
Previously graded premises
----- End of picture text -----

Ch. Art. Div. 11 3 2 9

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 11: Land Development Procedures

(10-2024)

  • (b) If grading was approved and conducted as part of an approved tentative map , existing grade is the ground elevation of the premises following completion of the approved grading operation.

  • (c) When existing grade on a previously graded premises is not readily apparent, the City Manager may use the grade adjacent to the previously graded area or the grade on adjacent properties to establish the existing grade for the previously graded area. Existing grade at the disturbed area shall be an imaginary plane that connects elevations of existing grade through the previously graded area, as shown in Diagram 113-02G.

Diagram 113-02G

Connecting Elevations for Existing Grade

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130
125 120
Connection of existing
elevations within disurbed area
115
120
115 Pad / Basement
110
Existing grade
110
105
Pad / Basement
100
----- End of picture text -----

(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.)

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▸ Contents — San Diego Zoning Code
San Diego Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 9
  2. Division 2 — House Numbers
  3. Division 3 — Advertising Displays Adjacent to Scenic Freeways,…
  4. Division 1 — General Provisions and Definitions
  5. Division 2 — Financing Facilities
  6. Division 3 — Bonds
  7. Division 1 — Housing Code
  8. Division 2 — Mobilehome Parks and Special Occupancy Parks
  9. Division 3 — San Diego Housing Commission
  10. Division 4 — Interim School Facilities Financing Ordinance
  11. Division 6 — Housing Impact Fees On Commercial Development
  12. Division 7 — Residential Tenant Protections
  13. Division 8 — Prohibition of Discrimination Based on a Tenant’s…
  14. Division 9 — Notice of Tenant’s Right to Operate a Daycare Home
  15. Division 10 — Affordable Housing Preservation
  16. Division 11 — Prohibition of Anti-Competitive Automated Rent P…
  17. Division 12 — Residential Tenant Utility Fees
  18. Division 1 — In General
  19. Division 2 — Responsibilities of City Council
  20. Division 3 — Administration of Program
  21. Division 5 — Designation of Residential Rehabilitation Areas a…
  22. Division 6 — Limitations on Amount of Loan
  23. Division 7 — Terms of Conventional RAP Loans
  24. Division 9 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  25. Division 19.7 — The Centre City Planned District
  26. Division 19.8 — The Centre City Planned District
  27. Division 2 — Land Development Authorities and Advisory Boards
  28. Division 2 — Fees and Deposits
  29. Division 3 — Notice
  30. Division 4 — Public Hearings
  31. Division 5 — Decision Process
  32. Division 1 — Definitions
  33. ▸ Division 2 — Rules for Calculation and Measurement
    Overview
    1. §113.0201 Purpose of Rules for Calculation and Measurement
    2. §113.0202 When Rules for Calculation and Measurement Apply
    3. §113.0213 Determining Building Envelope
    4. §113.0216 Determining Building Facade
    5. §113.0219 Determining Coastal Bluff Edge
    6. §113.0222 Calculating Maximum Permitted Density
    7. §113.0225 Measuring Distance Between Uses
    8. §113.0228 Determining Existing Grade
    9. §113.0234 Calculating Gross Floor Area
    10. §113.0237 Determining a Lot
    11. §113.0240 Calculating Lot Coverage
    12. §113.0243 Measuring Lot Depth and Lot Width
    13. §113.0246 Determining Property Lines
    14. §113.0249 Determining Setback Line
    15. §113.0252 Measuring Setbacks
    16. §113.0255 Calculating Sign Copy Area
    17. §113.0258 Calculating Sign Face
    18. §113.0261 Determining a Story
    19. §113.0264 Determining Street Wall
    20. §113.0267 Determining Street Wall Line
    21. §113.0270 Measuring Structure Height
    22. §113.0273 Measuring Visibility Area
    23. §113.0276 Determining Yards
    24. Chapter 12 — Land Development Reviews
  34. Division 2 — Enforcement Authorities For the Land Development …
  35. Division 4 — Procedures For Abatement of Unsafe, Dangerous,
  36. Division 1 — Adoption And Amendment Procedures for Land Use Pl…
  37. Division 1 — Zoning and Rezoning Procedures
  38. Division 3 — Zoning Use Certificate Procedures
  39. Division 5 — Residential High Occupancy Permit
  40. Division 6 — Mobile Food Truck Permit
  41. Division 1 — General Subdivision Procedures
  42. Division 2 — Certificate of Compliance
  43. Division 4 — Tentative Maps (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.)
  44. Division 5 — Parcel Maps (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; eff…
  45. Division 6 — Final Maps
  46. Division 7 — Merger of Parcels (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S…
  47. Division 8 — Reversion to Acreage
  48. Division 9 — Public Right-of-Way Vacations
  49. Division 10 — Easement Vacations
  50. Division 3 — Conditional Use Permit Procedures
  51. Division 4 — Neighborhood Development Permit Procedures (Added…
  52. Division 5 — Site Development Permit Procedures
  53. Division 6 — Planned Development Permit Procedures (Added 12-9…
  54. Division 8 — Variance Procedures
  55. Division 1 — General Review Procedures for Previously Conformi…
  56. Division 2 — Review Procedures for Previously Conforming Signs
  57. Division 1 — General Procedures and Authorities for Implementa…
  58. Division 2 — Procedures for Determination of
  59. Division 3 — Procedures for Preparation and Review of Environm…
  60. Division 1 — General Construction Permit Authority and Procedu…
  61. Division 2 — Building Permit Procedures
  62. Division 3 — Electrical Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by …
  63. Division 4 — Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Procedures
  64. Division 6 — Grading Permit Procedures (Added 12-9-1997 by O-1…
  65. Division 7 — Public Right-of-Way Permits
  66. Division 9 — Fire Permit Procedures
  67. Division 4 — Residential Base Zones
  68. Division 5 — Commercial Base Zones
  69. Division 6 — Industrial Base Zones
  70. Division 7 — Mixed-Use Base Zones
  71. Division 2 — Airport Approach Overlay Zone
  72. Division 3 — Airport Environs Overlay Zone
  73. Division 6 — Sensitive Coastal Overlay Zone
  74. Division 7 — Mobilehome Park Overlay Zone (Added 12-9-1997 by …
  75. Division 8 — Parking Impact Overlay Zone
  76. Division 9 — Residential Tandem Parking Overlay Zone
  77. Division 10 — Transit Area Overlay Zone
  78. Division 11 — Urban Village Overlay Zone
  79. Division 12 — Mission Trails Design District
  80. Division 13 — Clairemont Height Limit Overlay Zone
  81. Division 15 — Airport Land Use Compatibility Overlay Zone
  82. Division 16 — Community Enhancement Overlay Zone

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