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Division 5 — Commercial Base Zones

§131.0507 Purpose of the CC (Commercial--Community) Zones

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

  • (a) The purpose of the CC zones is to accommodate community-serving commercial services, retail uses, and limited industrial uses of moderate intensity and small to medium scale. The CC zones are intended to provide for a range of development patterns from pedestrian-friendly commercial streets to shopping centers and auto-oriented strip commercial streets . Some of the CC zones may include residential development . Property within the CC zones will be primarily located along collector streets , major streets , and public transportation lines.

  • (b) The CC zones are differentiated based on the uses allowed and regulations as follows:

    • (1) The following zones allow a mix of community-serving commercial uses and residential uses:

      • CC-1-1 is intended to accommodate development with strip commercial characteristics and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

      • CC-1-2 is intended to accommodate development with high intensity, strip commercial characteristics and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

      • CC-1-3 is intended to accommodate development with an auto orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • (2) The following zones allow community-serving uses with limited residential uses:

      • CC-2-1 is intended to accommodate development with strip commercial characteristics

Ch. Art. Div. 13 1 5 5

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 13: Zones

(3-2026)

  • CC-2-2 is intended to accommodate development with high intensity, strip commercial characteristics

  • CC-2-3 is intended to accommodate development with an auto orientation

  • CC-2-4 is intended to accommodate development with a pedestrian orientation

  • CC-2-5 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation

  • (3) The following zones allow a mix of pedestrian-oriented, communityserving commercial uses and residential uses:

    • CC-3-4 is intended to accommodate development with a pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • CC-3-5 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot

    • CC-3-6 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,000 square feet of lot

    • CC-3-7 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 800 square feet of lot area

    • CC-3-8 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 600 square feet of lot area

  • CC-3-9 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 400 square feet of lot area

    • CC-3-10 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 200 square feet of lot area

Ch. Art. Div. 13 1 5 6

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 13: Zones

(3-2026)

  • CC-3-11 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 150 square feet of lot area

  • (4) The following zones allow heavy commercial uses and residential uses:

    • CC-4-1 is intended to accommodate development with strip commercial characteristics and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • CC-4-2 is intended to accommodate development with high intensity, strip commercial characteristics and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • CC-4-3 is intended to accommodate development with an auto orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • CC-4-4 is intended to accommodate development with a pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • CC-4-5 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • CC-4-6 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,000 square feet of lot area

  • (5) The following zones allow a mix of heavy commercial and limited industrial uses and residential uses:

    • CC-5-1 is intended to accommodate development with strip commercial characteristics and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

    • CC-5-2 is intended to accommodate development with high intensity, strip commercial characteristics and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

Ch. Art. Div. 13 1 5 7

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 13: Zones

(3-2026)

  • CC-5-3 is intended to accommodate development with an auto orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

  • CC-5-4 is intended to accommodate development with a pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot area

  • CC-5-5 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,500 square feet of lot

  • CC-5-6 is intended to accommodate development with a high intensity, pedestrian orientation and permits a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit for each 1,000 square feet of lot area

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 7-10-2015 by O-20512 N.S.; effective 8-9-2015.) (Amended 1-8-2020 by O-21164 N.S.; effective 2-9-2020.) (Amended 9-17-2024 by O-21866 N.S.; effective 12-1-2024.)

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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
  68. ▸ Division 5 — Commercial Base Zones
    Overview
    1. §131.0501 Purpose of Commercial Zones
    2. §131.0502 Purpose of the CN (Commercial--Neighborhood) Zones
    3. §131.0503 Purpose of the CR (Commercial--Regional) Zones
    4. §131.0504 Purpose of the CO (Commercial--Office) Zones
    5. §131.0505 Purpose of the CV (Commercial--Visitor) Zones
    6. §131.0506 Purpose of the CP (Commercial--Parking) Zone
    7. §131.0507 Purpose of the CC (Commercial--Community) Zones
    8. §131.0515 Where Commercial Zones Apply
    9. §131.0520 Use Regulations of Commercial Zones
    10. §131.0522 Use Regulations Table for Commercial Zones
    11. §131.0530 Development Regulations of Commercial Zones
    12. §131.0531 Development Regulations Tables for Commercial Zones
    13. §131.0540 Maximum Permitted Residential Density and Other Resi…
    14. §131.0541 Supplemental Commercial Regulations for CO Zones
    15. §131.0543 Setback Requirements for Commercial Zones
    16. §131.0546 Maximum Floor Area Ratio
    17. §131.0548 Ground-floor Height
    18. §131.0550 Pedestrian Paths
    19. §131.0552 Transparency
    20. §131.0554 Building Articulation
    21. §131.0555 Parking Restriction
    22. §131.0556 Parking Lot Orientation
  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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