§131.0543 Setback Requirements for Commercial Zones

Setback requirements are specified in Tables 131-05C, 131-05D, and 131-05E and are subject to the following exceptions and additional regulations:

• (a) Front and Street Side Setback Requirements

  • (1) Off-street parking in all commercial zones, with the exception of CC-3-10, and CC-3-11, may be located within the required front yard and required street side yard adjoining the required landscaped strip abutting public rights-of-way .

  • (2) In the CN, CO, CV, and CC zones with a maximum front or street side setback as shown in Tables 131-05C, 131-05D, and 131-05E, the maximum setback shall apply to only 70 percent of the street frontage . The remaining 30 percent is not required to observe the maximum setback and may be located farther from the property line . See Diagram 131-05B.

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• (3) In the CC-1-1, CC-1-2, CC-2-1, CC-2-2, CC-4-1, CC-4-2, CC-5-1, and CC-5-2 zones, the 100-foot maximum front setback does not apply to lots with more than 75 feet of street frontage if the proposed development is within 10 feet of the front or street side property line for at least 30 percent of the street frontage . See Diagram 131-05C.

Diagram 131-05C

Exception to Maximum Setback

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----- Start of picture text -----
Building 60'
Exempt from 200'
100' max setback
100'
48' min
(48' + 60' = 30% of 360')
160' STREE T
----- End of picture text -----

NOTE: Example of exemption from 100' m ax setback

• The lot has more than 75' of lineal street frontage

• Buildings are located within 0' -5' of the f ront and street side property line for 30% of the total linear street f rontage

(b) Minimum Side and Rear Setback

• (1) In zones that require a 10-foot minimum side or rear setback and provide the option for a zero-foot side or rear setback as shown in Tables 131-05C, 131-05D, and 131-05E, the structure shall be placed anywhere in between the property line and the minimum 10-foot setback.

• (2) The optional side or rear setback is not applicable to commercial development abutting residentially zoned properties with a permitted density of less than 15 dwelling units per acre as further described in Section 131.0543(c).

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• (c) Commercial Development Abutting Residentially Zoned Properties

  • (1) Commercial development abutting residentially zoned properties with a permitted density of less than 15 dwelling units per acre shall provide a 10-foot minimum setback for any side or rear yard that abuts low density residential zoned property. The structure shall comply with additional step back requirements in accordance with Section 131.0543(c)(3).

• (2) Commercial development abutting residentially zoned properties with a permitted density of 15 dwelling units or more per acre that provide no side or rear setback and locate the structure at the property line as provided for by Section 131.0543(b) shall comply with the following:

  - (A) Minimum step back for _structures_ placed at the side _property line_ . 
  
     - (i) Any portion of the _structure_ exceeding 15 feet in height shall be stepped back from the side _property line_ 10 feet, or 10 percent of the _lot_ width but not less than 5 feet, whichever is less. 
  
     - (ii) Each 15 feet in height above 30 feet shall be stepped back at least 3 feet from the minimum _setback_ of that portion of the _structure_ immediately below. 
  
  - (B) Minimum step back for _structures_ placed at the rear _property line_ . 
  
     - (i) Any portion of the _structure_ exceeding 15 feet in height shall be stepped back from the rear _property line_ 10 feet, or 10 percent of the _lot_ depth but not less than 5 feet, whichever is less. 
  
     - (ii) Each 15 feet in height above 30 feet shall be stepped back at least 3 feet from the minimum _setback_ of that portion of the _structure_ immediately below.
  

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• (3) For side and rear yards , if the structure is set back 10 feet or more from the property line , each 15 feet in height above 30 feet shall be stepped back at least 3 feet from the minimum setback of that portion of the structure immediately below.

(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.) (Amended 6-18-2013 by O-20261 N.S.; effective 7-19-2013.) (Amended 2-1-2021 by O-21288 N.S.; effective 3-3-2021.) (Amended 7-22-2024 by O-21836 N.S.; effective 10-5-2024.)

[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21836 N.S. will not apply within the Coastal Overlay Zone until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment.

Click the link to view the Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes to prior language http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode_strikeout_ord/O-21836-SO.pdf ]

(Amended 9-17-2024 by O-21866 N.S.; effective 12-1-2024.)