San Diego Municipal Code Div. 4 Safe School Buffer Zones

(“Safe School Buffer Zones” added 12-14-1999 by O-18736 N.S.)

The purpose of the Council in enacting this Division is to promote the safety of the City’s students in grades kindergarten through 12, by placing certain mandatory penalties on persons committing certain offenses within 1500 feet of any school grounds. It is the intent of the Council that such penalties be designed not only to deter offenders from repeating their offenses, but also to require them to contribute to efforts that will make schools safer and more conducive to students’ education. (“Purpose” added 12-14-1999 by O-18736 N.S.)

All defined terms in this Division appear in italics. As used in this Division:

School grounds has the same meaning as in section 52.1002 of this Code.

School Safety Zone means all property within 1500 feet of school grounds. (“Definitions” added 12-14-1999 by O-18736 N.S.) (Amended 6-11-2024 by O-21822 N.S.; effective 7-11-2024.)

Conviction of a violation of any of the laws specified in section 58.0403(a) - (e), occurring within a School Safety Zone, is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in the County jail for a period of not more than one year, or both. In all circumstances, the penalty for a first such offense within the School Safety Zone shall also include not less than three days or twenty-four hours of community service designed to enhance the safety and learning experience of school students; and for any subsequent such offense occurring within a School Safety Zone, not less than five days or forty hours of community service designed to enhance the safety and learning experience of school students:

(a) Loitering for drug use, in violation of Municipal Code section 52.3001;

(b) Committing any act in violation of Municipal Code section 52.1003;

Ch. Art. Div.
5 8 4 1

San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 5: Public Safety, Morals and Welfare (7-2024)

(c) Engaging in disorderly or offensive conduct in a public place, in violation of
Municipal Code section 56.27;

(d) Consuming alcohol in a public place, in violation of Municipal Code
section 56.54(b); and

(e) Committing any crime involving “a pattern of criminal gang activity,” as that
term is defined in California Penal Code section 186.22.
(“Minimum Penalties for Violations Occurring in a School Safety Zone” added
12-14-1999 by O-18736 N.S.)
(Amended 6-11-2024 by O-21822 N.S.; effective 7-11-2024.)

Ch. Art. Div. 5 8 4 2

San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 5: Public Safety, Morals and Welfare (5-2003)

Article 8: Minors