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Division 4 — Residential Base Zones

§131.0456 Common Open Space in the RM Zones

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

In all RM zones, premises with more than four dwelling units shall include common open space as follows:

  • (a) The common open space area shall be at least 300 square feet, or 25 square feet per dwelling unit, whichever is greater.

  • (b) At least one area of common open space shall be provided with minimum dimensions of 12 feet by 15 feet. This space shall be improved as a usable area with lawn or recreational facilities.

  • (c) Roofed structures may occupy a maximum of 50 percent of the common open space area. No enclosed buildings are permitted in the common open space area.

  • (d) Common open space may be provided in the required side and rear yards

  • (e) Common open space shall be landscaped or improved with outdoor recreational facilities available only to the residents and guests of the development .

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)

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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
  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
    Overview
    1. §131.0401 Purpose of Residential Zones
    2. §131.0403 Purpose of the RS (Residential--Single Unit) Zones
    3. §131.0404 Purpose of the RX (Residential--Small Lot) Zones
    4. §131.0405 Purpose of the RT (Residential--Townhouse) Zones
    5. §131.0406 Purpose of the RM (Residential--Multiple Unit) Zones
    6. §131.0415 Where Residential Zones Apply
    7. §131.0420 Use Regulations of Residential Zones
    8. §131.0422 Use Regulations Table for Residential Zones
    9. §131.0423 Commercial Use Regulations for Residential Zones
    10. §131.0430 Development Regulations of Residential Zones
    11. §131.0431 Development Regulations Table for Residential Zones
    12. 131.0441 Minimum Lot Area in Residential Zones
    13. §131.0442 Minimum Lot Dimensions in Residential Zones
    14. §131.0443 Setback Requirements in Residential Zones
    15. §131.0444 Angled Building Envelope Plane / Maximum Structure H…
    16. §131.0445 Lot Coverage in Residential Zones
    17. §131.0446 Maximum Floor Area Ratio in Residential Zones
    18. §131.0447 Maximum Paving and Hardscape in RS Zones
    19. §131.0448 Accessory Buildings in Residential Zones
    20. §131.0449 Garage Regulations in Residential Zones
    21. §131.0450 Building Spacing in Residential Zones
    22. §131.0451 Ground-floor Height
    23. §131.0452 Parkway Requirement in the RT Zones
    24. §131.0453 Lot Consolidation Regulations in the RM-1-1 and RM-1…
    25. §131.0455 Private Exterior Open Space in the RM Zones
    26. §131.0456 Common Open Space in the RM Zones
    27. §131.0460 Maximum Third Story Dimensions in the RS Zones
    28. §131.0461 Architectural Projections and Encroachments in Resid…
    29. §131.0462 Requirements for Attached Units in the RX Zones
    30. §131.0463 Roof Design Variation Requirements in the RX Zones
    31. §131.0464 Supplemental Requirements for Residential Zones-
    32. §131.0466 Deviations from Development Regulations for Reasonab…
  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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