Division 2 — Rules for Calculation and Measurement
§113.0273 Measuring Visibility Area
San Diego Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Diego
The visibility area is a triangular portion of a premises formed by drawing one line perpendicular to and one line parallel to the property line or public right - of - way for a specified length and one line diagonally joining the other two lines, as shown in Diagram 113-02SS.
(a) The City Engineer shall determine whether proposed development provides adequate sight distance based on the context of the development and the typical distance guidelines set forth in Section 113.0273(b) and shall require visibility areas accordingly. No structures may be located within a visibility area unless otherwise provided by the applicable zone or the regulations in Chapter 14, Article 2 (General Development Regulations).
(b) Typical Distances Used to Measure Visibility Areas
(1) For visibility areas at the intersection of streets , two sides of the triangle extend along the intersecting property lines for 25 feet and the third side is a diagonal line that connects the two.
(2) For visibility areas at the intersection of a street and alley , two sides of the triangle extend along the intersecting property lines for 10 feet and the third side is a diagonal line that connects the two.
(3) For visibility areas at the intersection of a street and driveway, one side of the triangle extends from the intersection of the street and the driveway for 10 feet along the property line . The second side extends from the intersection of the street and driveway for 10 feet inward from the property line along the driveway edge and the third side of the triangle connects the two.
(4) Where the required front and street side yards measure less than 25 feet when combined, that measurement or 15 feet, whichever is greater, establishes the visibility area at the street intersection.
Ch. Art. Div. 11 3 2 48
San Diego Municipal Code
Chapter 11: Land Development Procedures
(10-2024)
Diagram 113-02SS
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Visibility Area
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(c) The City Engineer may modify the typical distance used to measure visibility areas in Section 113.0273(a) and (b) through a Process One permit review.
(1) The distance specified in Section 113.0273(b) may be increased if the City Engineer determines that a greater distance is required to maintain public health and safety.
(2) The distance specified in Section 113.0273(b) may be reduced if the City Engineer determines that the reduced distance would not create a public health and safety hazard.
(Amended 1-9-2001 by O-18910 N.S.; effective 8-8-2001.) ( Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.) (Amended 3-1-2006 by O-19467 N.S.; effective 8-10-2006.) (Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.) (Amended 4-5-2016 by O-20634 N.S.; effective 5-5-2016.)
Ch. Art. Div. 11 3 2 49
San Diego Municipal Code (10-2024)
Chapter 11: Land Development Procedures
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- Chapter 9
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▸ Division 2 — Rules for Calculation and Measurement
Overview- §113.0201 Purpose of Rules for Calculation and Measurement
- §113.0202 When Rules for Calculation and Measurement Apply
- §113.0213 Determining Building Envelope
- §113.0216 Determining Building Facade
- §113.0219 Determining Coastal Bluff Edge
- §113.0222 Calculating Maximum Permitted Density
- §113.0225 Measuring Distance Between Uses
- §113.0228 Determining Existing Grade
- §113.0234 Calculating Gross Floor Area
- §113.0237 Determining a Lot
- §113.0240 Calculating Lot Coverage
- §113.0243 Measuring Lot Depth and Lot Width
- §113.0246 Determining Property Lines
- §113.0249 Determining Setback Line
- §113.0252 Measuring Setbacks
- §113.0255 Calculating Sign Copy Area
- §113.0258 Calculating Sign Face
- §113.0261 Determining a Story
- §113.0264 Determining Street Wall
- §113.0267 Determining Street Wall Line
- §113.0270 Measuring Structure Height
- §113.0273 Measuring Visibility Area
- §113.0276 Determining Yards
- Chapter 12 — Land Development Reviews
- Division 2 — Enforcement Authorities For the Land Development …
- Division 4 — Procedures For Abatement of Unsafe, Dangerous,
- Division 1 — Adoption And Amendment Procedures for Land Use Pl…
- Division 1 — Zoning and Rezoning Procedures
- Division 3 — Zoning Use Certificate Procedures
- Division 5 — Residential High Occupancy Permit
- Division 6 — Mobile Food Truck Permit
- Division 1 — General Subdivision Procedures
- Division 2 — Certificate of Compliance
- Division 4 — Tentative Maps (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.)
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- Division 6 — Final Maps
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- Division 7 — Public Right-of-Way Permits
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- Division 4 — Residential Base Zones
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- Division 2 — Airport Approach Overlay Zone
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- Division 8 — Parking Impact Overlay Zone
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- Division 12 — Mission Trails Design District
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