San Diego Municipal Code Div. 14 Climate Action Plan Consistency Regulations

(“Climate Actions Plan Consistency Regulations” added 9-21-2022 by O-21528 N.S.; effective 10-23-2022.) (Retitled to “Climate Action Plan Consistency Regulations” on 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 ]

It is the purpose and intent of these regulations to implement the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) by applying regulations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from development specified in this Division. Compliance with these regulations is also intended to demonstrate a development’s compliance with the City’s CAP. (“Purpose of the Climate Action Plan Consistency Regulations” added 9-21-2022 by O-21528 N.S.; effective 10-23-2022.)

(a) This Division applies to the following:

(1) New development that results in three or more total dwelling units
on a premises;

(2) Non-residential development that adds more than 1,000 square feet
and results in 5,000 square feet or more of total gross floor area,
excluding unoccupied spaces such as mechanical equipment and
storage areas; and

(3) Parking facilities as a primary use.

(b) Development that has received an incentive or waiver under a local opt-in
bonus or incentive program not required by State law may not utilize the
incentive or waiver to reduce or waive any of the requirements of this
Division.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026)

(c) Development that deviates from the regulations of this Division may be
approved with a Process Two Neighborhood Development Permit in
accordance with Sections 126.0402(s) and 126.0403, provided that the
findings in Section 126.0404(a) and the supplemental findings in
Section 126.0404(h) are made.
(“Application of the Climate Action Plan Consistency Regulations” added
9-21-2022 by O-21528 N.S.; effective 10-23-2022.)
(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 ]

The following definitions apply to this Division:

(a) Furnishings Zone has the same meaning that it has in the 2017 Street
Design Manual of the Land Development Manual. It is the zone that
provides the buffer between the active pedestrian area, the Throughway
Zone, and street traffic, and accommodates street trees, landscaping, street
furniture, utility poles, parking meters, fire hydrants, bicycle racks, and
similar improvements.

(b) Throughway Zone has the same meaning that it has in the 2017 Street
Design Manual of the Land Development Manual. It is the zone that is
intended for pedestrian travel only and should be entirely clear of
obstacles.
(“Definitions” added 9-21-2022 by O-21528 N.S.; effective 10-23-2022.)

The following regulations support alternative mobility options, such as walking and biking, that reduce vehicle dependency and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

(a) Pedestrian enhancements that reduce heat island effects shall be provided
as follows:

(1) Development on a premises that contains a street yard or abuts a
public right-of-way with a furnishings zone, at least 50 percent of
the throughway zone shall be shaded as specified below.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026)

(A) If the abutting public right-of-way contains a furnishings
zone, shading shall be provided by street trees.

(B) If the abutting public right-of-way does not contain a
furnishings zone, shading may be provided by a
combination of trees and shade structures placed in the
street yard.

(C) The shade coverage of a tree shall be determined by the
expected canopy at 10-year maturity. The tree shall be
selected in accordance with the Landscape Standards of the
Land Development Manual and the City’s Street Tree
Selection Guide.

(D) Trees shall be irrigated and maintained consistent with

(E) The number of street trees provided shall not be less than what is required by the Landscape Regulations in Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 4.

(2) Development on a premises that does not contain a street yard and
does not abut a public right-of-way with a furnishings zone, the
applicant shall do one of the following:

(A) Plant the number of trees required by Section
143.1410(a)(1) at an off-site location within one mile of the
development and enter into an agreement with the owner of
the off-site location that ensures the indefinite maintenance
of the trees; or

(B) Pay an Urban Tree Canopy Fee to be deposited into the
Climate Resiliency Fund consistent with adopted City
Council Resolution.

(b) Development on a premises with 250 linear feet or more of street frontage
shall provide and privately maintain at least one of the following publicly
accessible pedestrian amenities for every 250 linear feet of street frontage
to the satisfaction of the Development Services Department:

(1) One trash receptacle and one recycling container;

(2) Seating comprised of movable seats, fixed individual seats,
benches with or without backs, or design feature seating, such as
seat walls, ledges, or seating steps;

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026)

(3) Pedestrian-scale lighting that illuminates the adjacent sidewalk;

(4) Public artwork;

(5) Community wayfinding signs; or

(6) Enhancement of a bus stop or public transit waiting station within
1,000 feet of the premises.

(c) At least 50 percent of all residential and non-residential bicycle parking
spaces required in accordance with Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 5 shall
be supplied with individual outlets for electric charging at each bicycle
parking space.
(“Mobility and Land Use Regulations” added 9-21-2022 by O-21528 N.S.;
effective 10-23-2022.)
(Amended 1-21-2026 by O-22050 N.S.; effective 3-22-2026.)

[Editors Note: Amendments as adopted by O-22050 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-22050-SO.pdf ]

The following regulations support carbon sequestration as well as enhancement of air quality and the urban tree canopy.

(a) Two trees shall be provided on the premises for every 5,000 square feet of
lot area, with a minimum of one tree per premises.

(1) If planting of a new tree is required to comply with this Section,
the tree shall be selected in accordance with the Landscape
Standards of the Land Development Manual and the City’s Street
Tree Selection Guide.

(2) Where possible, trees must be planted in native soil. Where native
soil planting is prohibited by site conditions, required trees may be
provided in built-in or permanently affixed planters and pots on
structural podiums. Planters and pots for trees shall have a
minimum inside dimension of 48 inches.

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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (3-2026)

(3) For a premises located within a base zone that does not require
open space to accommodate the planting of on-site trees in
compliance with this Section, the applicant shall do one of the
following, except that all trees required by the Landscape
Regulations in Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 4 must be provided
on-site:

(A) Plant the number of trees required by Section 143.1415(a)
at an off-site location within one mile of the development
and enter into an agreement with the owner of the off-site
location that ensures the indefinite maintenance of the
trees; or

(B) Pay an Urban Tree Canopy Fee to be deposited into the
Climate Resiliency Fund consistent with adopted City
Council Resolution.

(4) Trees shall be irrigated and maintained consistent with

(5) The number of trees provided shall not be less than what is required by the Landscape Regulations in Chapter 14, Article 2, Division 4. (“Resilient Infrastructure and Healthy Ecosystem Regulations” added 9-21-2022 by O-21528 N.S.; effective 10-23-2022.)

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