Division 9 — Fire Permit Procedures›Chapter 13 — Zones›Article 1 — Base Zones

§131.0222 Use Regulations Table for Open Space Zones

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

The uses allowed in the open space zones are shown in Table 131-02B.

Legend for Table 131-02B

Symbol in Table 131- 02B	Description of Symbol
P	Use or use category is permitted. Regulations pertaining to a specific use may be referenced.
L	Use is permitted with limitations, which may include location limitations or the requirement for a use or_development permit_. Regulations are located in Chapter 14, Article 1 (Separately Regulated Use Regulations).
N	Neighborhood Use Permit Required. Regulations are located in Chapter 14, Article 1 (Separately Regulated Use Regulations).
C	Conditional Use Permit Required. Regulations are located in Chapter 14, Article 1 (Separately Regulated Use Regulations).
-	Use or use category is not permitted.

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Table 131-02B

Use Regulations Table for Open Space Zones

Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator			Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Open Space
Active Recreation		P	P(2)	-	-		P(7)
Passive Recreation		P	P	P(6)	P(6)		P(6)
Natural Resources Preservation		P	P	P	P		P
Park Maintenance Facilities		P	P(2)	-	-		-
Agriculture
Agricultural Processing		-	-	-	-		P(5)
Aquaculture Facilities		-	-	-	P		P(7)
Dairies		-	-	-	-		-
Horticulture Nurseries & Greenhouses		-	-	-	-		-
Raising & Harvesting of Crops		-	-	-	P		P
Raising, Maintaining & Keeping of Animals		-	-	-	P(4)		P(4)
Separately Regulated Agriculture Uses
Agricultural Equipment Repair Shops		-	-	-	-		-
Commercial Stables		-	C	-	C		C
Community Gardens		L	L	-	N		L
Equestrian Show & Exhibition Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Open Air Markets for the Sale of Agriculture-Related Products & Flowers		-	-	-	L		L
Residential
*Mobilehome Parks*		-	-	-	-		-
*Multiple Dwelling Units*		-	-	-	-		-
*Rooming House*[See Section 131.0112(a)(3)(A)]		-	-	-	-		-
*Shopkeeper Units*		-	-	-	-		-

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator			Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
*Single Dwelling Units*		-	-	-	P		-
Separately Regulated Residential Uses
Accessory Dwelling Units		-	-	-	L		-
Continuing Care Retirement Communities		-	-	-	C		-
Employee Housing:
6 or Fewer Employees		-	-	-	L		-
12 or Fewer Employees		-	-	-	-		-
Greater than 12 Employees		-	-	-	-		-
Fraternities and Sororities		-	-	-	-		-
Garage, Yard, & Estate Sales		-	-	-	L		-
Guest Quarters		-	-	-	L		-
Home Occupations		-	-	-	L		-
Interim Ground_Floor_ Residential		-	-	-	-		-
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units		-	-	-	L		-
Live/Work Quarters		-	-	-	-		-
Low Barrier Navigation Center		-	-	-	-		-
Movable Tiny Houses		-	-	-	L		-
Permanent Supportive Housing		-	-	-	-		-
Residential Care Facilities:
6 or Fewer Persons		-	-	-	P		-
7 or More Persons		-	-	-	C		-
Student Housing		-	-	-	-		-
Transitional Housing:
6 or Fewer Persons		-	-	-	P		-
7 or More Persons		-	-	-	C		-
Watchkeeper Quarters		-	-	-	-		-

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator			Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Institutional
Separately Regulated Institutional Uses
Airports		-	-	-	-		-
Battery Energy Storage Facilities
Small Scale (≤ 0.25 acre)		C(12)	C(12)	-	C(12)		-
Medium Scale (0.25 acre < 1 acre)		-	-	-	-		-
Large Scale (>1 acre)		-	-	-	-		-
Botanical Gardens & Arboretums		P	P	-	-		-
Cemeteries, Mausoleums, Crematories		-	-	-	-		-
Correctional Placement Centers		-	-	-	-		-
Educational Facilities:
Kindergarten Through Grade 12		-	-	-	-		-
Colleges / Universities		-	-	-	-		-
Vocational / Trade Schools		-	-	-	-		-
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations		L	L	L	L		L
Energy Generation & Distribution Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Exhibit Halls & Convention Facilities		P(2)	-	-	-		-
_Flood_Control Facilities		-	-	-	-		L
_Historical Buildings_Used for Purposes Not Otherwise Allowed		-	-	-	-		-
Homeless Facilities:
Congregate Meal Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Emergency Shelters		-	-	-	-		-
Homeless Day Centers		-	-	-	-		-
Hospitals		-	-	-	-		-
Intermediate Care Facilities & Nursing Facilities		-	-	-	C		-
Interpretive Centers		P	P(2)	C	-		-

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator	Zones	Zones	Zones	Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Museums		P	-	-	-		-
Major Transmission, Relay, or Communications Stations	Switching	-	-	-	-		-
_Placemaking_on Private Property		L	L	L	L		L
Outdoor Dining on Private Property		-		-	-		-
Satellite Antennas		L	L	L	L		L
Social Service Institutions		-	-	-	-		-
Solar Energy Systems		L	L	L	L		L
Wireless Communication Facilities			See Section 141.0420
Retail Sales
Building Supplies & Equipment		-	-	-	-		-
Food, Beverages and Groceries		-	-	-	-		-
Consumer Goods, Furniture, Appliances, Equipment		-	-	-	-		-
Pets & Pet Supplies		-	-	-	-		-
Sundries, Pharmaceuticals, & Convenience Sales		-	-	-	-		-
Wearing Apparel & Accessories		-	-	-	-		-
Separately Regulated Retail Sales Uses
Agriculture Related Supplies & Equipment		-	-	-	-		-
Alcoholic Beverage Outlets		-	-	-	-		-
Cannabis Outlets		-	-	-	-		-
Farmers’ Markets
Weekly Farmers’Markets		-	-	-	-		-
Daily Farmers’Market Stands		-	-	-	-		-
Plant Nurseries		-	-	-	-		-
Retail Farms		-	-	-	-		-
Retail Tasting Stores		-	-	-	-		-
Swap Meets & Other Large Outdoor Retail Facilities		-	-	-	-		C(7)

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator			Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Commercial Services
Building Services		-	-	-	-		-
Business Support		-	-	-	-		-
Eating & Drinking Establishments		P(2)	-	-	-		-
Financial Institutions		-	-	-	-		-
Funeral & Mortuary Services		-	-	-	-		-
Instructional Studios		-	-	-	-		-
Maintenance & Repair		-	-	-	-		-
Off-site Services		-	-	-	-		-
Personal Services		-	-	-	-		-
Radio & Television Studios		-	-	-	-		-
Tasting Rooms		-	-	-	-		-
Visitor Accommodations		-	-	-	-		-
Separately Regulated Commercial Services Uses
Adult Day Care Facility		L	-	-	-		-
Adult Entertainment Establishments:
Adult Book Store		-	-	-	-		-
Adult Cabaret		-	-	-	-		-
Adult Drive-In Theater		-	-	-	-		-
Adult Mini-Motion Picture Theater		-	-	-	-		-
Adult Model Studio		-	-	-	-		-
Adult_Motel_		-	-	-	-		-
Adult Motion Picture Theater		-	-	-	-		-
Adult Peep Show Theater		-	-	-	-		-
Adult Theater		-	-	-	-		-
Body Painting Studio		-	-	-	-		-

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator			Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Massage Establishment		-	-	-	-		-
Sexual Encounter Establishment		-	-	-	-		-
Assembly and Entertainment Uses, Including Places of Religious Assembly		L(2)	-	-	-		-
Boarding Kennels/ Pet Day Care		-	-	-	-		-
Camping Parks		C	C	-	-		C(7)
Child Care Facilities:
Child Care Centers		C(2)	-	-	-		-
Large Family Child Care Homes		-	-	-	L		-
Small Family Child Care Homes		-	-	-	L		-
Eating and Drinking Establishments with a Drive-in or Drive- through Component		-	-	-	-		-
Fairgrounds		-	-	-	-		C(7)
Golf Courses, Driving Ranges, and Pitch & Putt Courses		C	C	-	C(9)		C(10)
Helicopter Landing Facilities		-	-	-	-		C(10)
Massage Establishments, Specialized Practice		-	-	-	-		-
Mobile Food Trucks		L(2)	L(2)	-	-		-
Nightclubs & Bars over 5,000 square feet in size		-	-	-	-		-
Parking Facilities as a_primary use_:
Permanent Parking Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Temporary Parking Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Private Clubs, Lodges and Fraternal Organizations		-	-	-	-		-
Privately Operated, Outdoor Recreation Facilities over 40,000 square feet in size(3)		C(2)	-	-	-		-
Pushcarts on Private Property		L	-	-	-		-
Recycling Facilities:
Large Collection Facility		-	-	-	-		-

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator	Zones	Zones	Zones	Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Small Collection Facility		-	-	-	-		-
Large Construction & Demolition Debris_Recycling Facility_		-	-	-	-		-
Small Construction & Demolition Debris_Recycling Facility_		-	-	-	-		-
Drop-off Facility		L	L	-	-		-
Green Materials Composting Facility		-	-	-	-		-
Mixed Organic Composting Facility		-	-	-	-		-
Large Processing Facility Accepting at Least 98% of Total Annual Weight of Recyclables from Commercial & Industrial Traffic		-	-	-	-		-
Large Processing Facility Accepting All Types of Traffic		-	-	-	-		-
Small Processing Facility Accepting at Least 98% of Total Annual Weight of Recyclables From Commercial & Industrial Traffic		-	-	-	-		-
Small Processing Facility Accepting All Types of Traffic		-	-	-	-		-
Reverse Vending Machines		-	-	-	-		-
Tire Processing Facility		-	-	-	-		-
Sidewalk Cafes, Streetaries, and Active Sidewalks		-	-	-	-		-
Sports Arenas & Stadiums		-	-	-	-		-
Theaters that are outdoor or over 5,000 square feet in size		P(2)	-	-	-		-
Urgent Care Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Veterinary Clinics & Animal Hospitals		-	-	-	-		-
Zoological Parks		C	-	-	-		-
Offices
Business & Professional		-	-	-	-		-
Government		-	-	-	-		-
Medical, Dental, & Health Practitioner		-	-	-	-		-
Regional & Corporate Headquarters		-	-	-	-		-
Separately Regulated Office Uses

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator			Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Real Estate Sales Offices & Model Homes		-	-	-	L		-
_Sex Offender_Treatment & Counseling		-	-	-	-		-
Vehicle & Vehicular Equipment Sales & Service
Commercial Vehicle Repair & Maintenance		-	-	-	-		-
Commercial Vehicle Sales & Rentals		-	-	-	-		-
Personal Vehicle Repair & Maintenance		-	-	-	-		-
Personal Vehicle Sales & Rentals		-	-	-	-		-
Vehicle Equipment & Supplies Sales & Rentals		-	-	-	-		-
Separately Regulated Vehicle & Vehicular Equipment Sales & Service Uses:
Automobile Service Stations		-	-	-	-		-
Outdoor Storage & Display of New, Unregistered Motor Vehicles as a_Primary Use_		-	-	-	-		-
Vehicle Storage Facilities as a_Primary Use_		-	-	-	-		-
Distribution and Storage
Equipment & Materials Storage Yards		-	-	-	-		-
Moving & Storage Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Distribution Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
Separately Regulated Distribution and Storage Uses:
Junk Yards		-	-	-	-		-
Temporary Construction Storage Yards Located Off-site		-	-	-	-		-
Industrial
Heavy Manufacturing		-	-	-	-		-
Light Manufacturing		-	-	-	-		-
Marine Industry		-	-	-	-		-
Research & Development		-	-	-	-		-

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Use Categories/Subcategories [See Section 131.0112 for an explanation and descriptions of the Use Categories, Subcategories, and Separately Regulated Uses]	Zone Designator			Zones	Zones	Zones
	1st & 2nd >> 3rd >> 4th >>	OP-		OC-	OR(1)-		OF(11)-
		1-	2-	1-	1-		1-
		1	1	1	1	2	1
Testing Labs		-	-	-	-		-
Trucking & Transportation Terminals		-	-	-	-		-
Separately Regulated Industrial Uses
Artisan Food and Beverage Producer		-	-	-	-		-
Cannabis Production Facilities		-	-	-	-		-
_Hazardous Waste_Research Facility		-	-	-	-		-
_Hazardous Waste_Treatment Facility		-	-	-	-		-
Marine Related Uses Within the Coastal Overlay Zone		-	-	-	-		-
Mining and Extractive Industries		-	-	-	C(8)		C(7)
Newspaper Publishing Plants		-	-	-	-		-
Processing & Packaging of Plant Products & Animal By- Products Grown Off-Premises		-	-	-	-		-
Very Heavy Industrial Uses		-	-	-	-		-
Wrecking & Dismantling of Motor Vehicles		-	-	-	-		-
*Signs*
Allowable**Signs **		P	P	P	P		P
Separately RegulatedSigns Uses
Community Entry_Signs_		-	-	-	-		-
Neighborhood Identification_Signs_		-	-	-	-		-
Comprehensive Sign Program		-	-	-	-		-
Revolving_Projecting Signs_		-	-	-	-		-
_Signs_with Automatic Changing Copy		-	-	-	-		-
Theater_Marquees_		-	-	-	-		-

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Footnotes for Table 131-02B

1 All uses in the OR zone, except passive recreation and natural resource preservation, shall be located within the allowable development area in accordance with Section 131.0250.
2 This use is permitted only if consistent with an approved park general development plan or master plan and is subject to any requirements identified in the plan. Vending in certain public places must comply with the provisions of sections 63.0102(b)(13) and (14) and 63.20.20.
3 The 40,000 square feet includes all indoor and outdoor areas that are devoted to the recreational use; it does not include customer parking areas.
4 Excluding the maintaining, raising, feeding, or keeping of swine. The maintaining, raising, feeding, or keeping of more than 10 domestic animals requires a premises of at least 5 acres.
5 Excluding storage of vehicles, containers, chemicals, and other items that may be hazards during or after a flood .
6 The City Manager will determine if a particular use is appropriate as a passive use in conformance with an approved development plan, park plan, or other plans applicable to the property.
7 No structures , except portable structures , are permitted within a floodway .
8 This use is only allowed in the OR-1-2 zone subject to the regulations in Section 141.1006 and the regulations in Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 1 (Environmentally Sensitive Lands Regulations).
9 No driving ranges or night use are permitted within the MHPA .
10 No fill or permanent structures shall be authorized for such development in the Coastal Overlay Zone.
11 Within the Coastal Overlay Zone, no structures are permitted within a floodway.
12 See Section 141.0422.

(Amended 4-23-2008 by O-19739 N.S.; effective 5-23-2008.) (Amended 11-13-08 by O-19799 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.) (Amended 11-13-08 by O-19803 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.) (Amended 11-13-08 by O-19804 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.) (Amended 8-4-2011 by O-20081 N.S.; effective 10-6-2011.) (Amended 2-22-2012 by O-20141 N.S.; effective 3-23-2012.) (Amended 6-18-2013 by O-20261 N.S.; effective 7-19-2013.) (Amended 3-25-2014 by O-20356 N.S.; effective 4-24-2014.) (Amended 4-3-2014 by O-20357 N.S.; effective 10-15-2014.) (Amended 5-5-2015 by O-20481 N.S.; effective 6-4-2015.) (Amended 7-10-2015 by O-20512 N.S.; effective 8-9-2015.) (Amended 8-7-2015 by O-20555 N.S.; effective 9-6-2015.) (Amended 4-5-2016 by O-20634 N.S.; effective 5-5-2016.)

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(Amended 8-4-2016 by O-20704 N.S.; effective 8-27-2016.) (Amended 12-1-2016 by O-20752 N.S.; effective 12-31-2016.) (Amended 2-22-2017 by O-20793 N.S.; effective 4-12-2017.) (Amended 9-15-2017 by O-20857 N.S.; effective 10-15-2017.) (Amended 10-17-2017 by O-20859 N.S.; effective 11-16-2017.) (Amended 3-22-2018 by O-20917 N.S.; effective 4-21-2018.) (Amended 5-22-2018 by O-20928 N.S.; effective 6-21-2018.) (Amended 8-9-2019 by O-21114 N.S. and O-21117 N.S.; effective 9-8-2019.) (Amended 1-8-2020 by O-21163 N.S. and O-21164 N.S.; effective 2-9-2020.) (Amended 8-12-2020 by O-21223 N.S.; effective 10-8-2020.) (Amended 10-30-2020 by O-21254 N.S.; effective 11-29-2020.) (Amended 2-1-2021 by O-21288 N.S.; effective 3-3-2021.) (Amended 4-14-2021 by O-21305 N.S.; effective 5-29-2021.) (Amended 11-23-2021 by O-21391 N.S.; effective 1-6-2022.) (Amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.) (Amended 5-23-2022 by O-21458 N.S.; effective 6-22-2022.) (Amended 3-7-2023 by O-21618 N.S.; effective 5-6-2023.) (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 12-18-2024 by O-21905 N.S.; effective 2-6-2025.)

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