§131.0444 Angled Building Envelope Plane / Maximum Structure Height in Residential Zones

• (a) Maximum structure height shall not exceed the height of the angled building envelope plane, which connects the maximum structure height adjacent to the setback and the overall maximum structure height as determined by the underlying base zone and the requirements below. Encroachments beyond the building envelope are subject to the requirements in Section 131.0461.

• (b) The angle of the building envelope plane is based on lot width as established in Table 131-04H.

Table 131-04H

Required Angle Building Envelope Plane

Footnote for Table 131-04H

• ¹ The angled planes are measured from the vertical axis inward.

  • (c) The maximum structure height requirements for the RS-1-1, RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-5, RS-1-6, RS-1-7, and RX zones are stated in Tables 131-04D and 131-04E. The angled building envelope plane shall be required adjacent to required side yards . Angled building envelope planes are also required adjacent to front and street side yards in cases where the maximum structure height exceeds 27 feet. The angled building envelope plane shall be measured in accordance with Diagram 131-04L.

Ch. Art. Div. 13 1 4 61

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 13: Zones

(3-2026)

Diagram 131-04L Angled Building Envelope Planes in RS, RX, and RT Zones

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----- Start of picture text -----
Front, side, or street side property line
Outline of building envelope
cross section
Angle
Maximum Building Envelope
structure height
24'(RS & RX
zones)
27'(RT zone)
Required
front, side, or street
side setback
----- End of picture text -----

• (d) The maximum structure height requirements for RT zones are stated in Table 131-04F. For buildings with a slab foundation, the maximum permitted structure height is 21 feet for one- and two-story structures or 31 feet for threestory structures . For buildings with a conventional raised floor, the maximum permitted structure height is 25 feet for one- and two-story structures or 35 feet for three-story structures . For buildings with sloped roofs with at least a 3:12 pitch (3 vertical feet to 12 horizontal feet), the maximum permitted structure height is increased by 5 feet. In all cases, unless otherwise excepted, the height of the building envelope above 27 feet adjacent to the front setback line is established by a 30-degree angled building envelope plane slanting inward to the maximum permitted structure height . The angled building envelope planes shall be measured in accordance with Diagram 131-04L.

• (e) The maximum structure height requirements for the RM-1-1, RM-1-2, and RM-1-3 zones are stated in Table 131-04G. The angled building envelope plane requirements apply as follows:

• (1) At the front setback line , the height of the building envelope above 19 feet at the minimum setback and 24 feet at the standard setback, is established by a 45-degree angled building envelope plan sloping inward to the maximum permitted 30-foot structure height limit, as shown in Diagram 131-04M.

Ch. Art. Div. 13 1 4 62

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 13: Zones

(3-2026)

Diagram 131-04M Angled Building Envelope at Front Setback

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----- Start of picture text -----
Front property line Outline of building envelope
cross section
450
angle
30' Building Envelope
24'
19'
Min
front setback
Standard
front setback
----- End of picture text -----

• (2) At the side setback line , the height of the building envelope above 24 feet in height is established by a 45-degree building envelope plane sloping inward to the maximum permitted 30-foot structure height .

• (f) The maximum structure height requirements for the RM-2-4, RM-2-5, and RM-2-6 zones are stated in Table 131-04G. At the side setback lines , the maximum height of the building envelope above 30 feet in height is established by a 60-degree angled building envelope plane sloping inward from the side setback lines to the maximum permitted 40-foot structure height .

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.) (Amended 11-13-2008 by O-19801 N.S.; effective 12-13-2008.)

Ch. Art. Div. 13 1 4 63

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 13: Zones

(3-2026)