§131.0704 Purpose of the EMX (Employment Mixed-Use) Zones — San Diego Zoning Code

The purpose of the EMX zones is to provide a mix of uses with a focus on non-residential uses with opportunities for residential development . The EMX zones allow for a broad mix of uses, including office, research and development, industrial, and retail sales. Non-residential development shall be the primary use. The secondary use can be non-residential or residential development . If the secondary use is non-residential development , it must be a different non-residential use than the primary use . Development that contains a research and development use within Prime Industrial Land and Prime Industrial Land – Flex identified in the land use plan does not require a secondary use . New residential development may be the primary use on a premises or adjacent to a premises where the total gross floor area is occupied by at least 500,000 square feet of retail sales or eating and drinking establishment uses, or both.

Ch. Art. Div.

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San Diego Municipal Code (3-2026)

Chapter 13: Zones

The EMX zones are differentiated in Table 131-07B based on floor area ratio and structure height .

(“Purpose of the EMX (Employment Mixed-Use) Zones” added 9-12-2019 by O-21118 N.S.; effective 10-12-2019.)

(Amended 1-13-2023 by O-21593 N.S.; effective 2-12-2023.)

[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-21593 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-21593-SO.pdf ]

(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 ]