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Division 7 — Mixed-Use Base Zones

§131.0715 Open Space Regulations for Residential Uses

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

The purpose and intent of these regulations is to provide a minimum amount of private and common outdoor area for residents.

  • (a) Private Exterior Open Space. Each development shall provide the following private exterior open space.

    • (1) A minimum area of 36 square feet and a minimum dimension of six feet in any direction of open space per dwelling unit is required.

    • (2) Private open space shall be provided on a balcony, patio, or roof terrace for at least 50 percent of all dwelling units.

    • (3) Balconies shall be proportionately distributed throughout the development in relationship to floor levels and sizes of the dwelling units .

    • (4) Where private exterior open space is not provided at the quantity required above, an equal amount of common exterior space in addition to the requirements of Section 131.0715(b) shall be provided.

  • (b) Common Space. Each development shall provide the following common space, either indoor or outdoor, at grade , podium level, or roof level.

    • (1) A minimum of 30 square feet is required for each dwelling unit , or 40 square feet when a dwelling unit is bordered by three building walls exceeding a height of 15 feet.

    • (2) The common space may contain active or passive areas and a combination of hardscape and landscape features.

    • (3) A minimum of 10 percent of the common outdoor open space shall be landscaped.

    • (4) All common open space on the premises , including recreational facilities, shall be accessible to all occupants and be physically connected to other common open space areas on the premises .

    • (5) Amenities, such as tables, benches, trees, shrubs, planter boxes, garden plots, pet areas, spas, pools, play areas, plazas, roof-top patios, picnic areas, and open recreational facilities may be counted as common space.

Ch. Art. Div. 13 1 7 24

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 13: Zones

(3-2026)

  • (c) Required private exterior open space or common space shall be surfaced with lawn, artificial turf, pavers, decking, or sport court paving use.

(“Open Space Regulations for Residential Uses” added 9-12-2019 by O-21118 N.S.; effective 10-12-2019.)

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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
  69. Division 6 — Industrial Base Zones
  70. ▸ Division 7 — Mixed-Use Base Zones
    Overview
    1. §131.0701 Purpose and Intent
    2. §131.0702 Definitions
    3. §131.0703 Purpose of the RMX (Residential Mixed-Use) Zones
    4. §131.0704 Purpose of the EMX (Employment Mixed-Use) Zones
    5. §131.0706 Use Regulations of Mixed-Use Zones
    6. §131.0707 Use Regulations Table for Mixed-Use Zones
    7. §131.0708 Development Regulations of Mixed-Use Zones
    8. §131.0709 Development Regulations Table for Mixed-Use Zones
    9. §131.0710 Deviations
    10. §131.0711 Phasing
    11. §131.0712 Supplemental Regulations for RMX Zones
    12. §131.0713 Building Frontage Activation, Articulation and Trans…
    13. §131.0714 Pedestrian Entrances and Connections
    14. §131.0715 Open Space Regulations for Residential Uses
    15. §131.0716 Parking Design
    16. §131.0717 Bulk Standards for Buildings Over 90 Feet in Height
    17. §131.0718 Supplemental Regulations for Premises Greater Than F…
    18. §131.0719 Maximum Floor Area Ratio
    19. §132.0101 Purpose of Overlay Zones
    20. §132.0102 Overlay Zone Designations
    21. §132.0103 Official Zoning Maps
    22. §132.0104 Applicability of Base Zone Regulations
  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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