§113.0261 Determining a Story — San Diego Zoning Code

A story is that portion of a building between finish- floor elevations, between finish- floor and roof elevations, and between grade and finish- floor elevations.

(a) First Story

The first story is the lowest story or ground story of any building, the floor of which is not more than 2 feet, 6 inches above existing grade or proposed grade , whichever is lower, measured to the finish- floor elevation.

(b) Attic

An attic is a story if it meets one of the following criteria:

(1) It has a mansard or similar roof;
(2) It has a height that exceeds 7 feet, 6 inches from the finish- floor elevation to the peak of the roof immediately above;
(3) It has dormers projecting from a sloping roof where the attic can be used as a habitable area, unless the dormer is designed exclusively for ventilation and is not accessible from a habitable area; or
(4) The proposed floor area of the attic exceeds one-half of the floor area of the story immediately below.
(c) Penthouse

A penthouse is a story if it meets one of the following criteria:

(1) Its height above the roof line is more than 13 feet for an elevator shaft or more than 9 feet for a stairwell; or
(2) Its total plan area is more than 10 percent of the roof plan area of the building.
(d) Underground Parking Structures and Basements

Underground parking structures and basements are stories if there is a vertical distance, at any point, of 6 feet or more between existing grade or proposed grade , whichever is lower, and the finish- floor elevation immediately above. See Diagram 113-02FF.

Ch. Art. Div. 11 3 2 33

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 11: Land Development Procedures

(10-2024)

Diagram 113-02FF

Underground Parking Structures and Basements

==> picture [364 x 162] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Building Outline
VehicularVehicular Access
Building
Openings
Grade
Finish-floor
6' Max
V ehicular
Access
25' CL
Max
STREET
CL
Section view Plan view
STREET
----- End of picture text -----

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 11-13-2008 by O-19801 N.S.; effective 12-13-2008.) (Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.)

Ch. Art. Div. 11 3 2 34

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 11: Land Development Procedures

(10-2024)