San Diego · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in San Diego?
In San Diego, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 33 base zones (RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3, RM-2-4, RM-2-5 and 28 more, 18 with a condition) and not allowed in 44 (San Diego use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3, RM-2-4, RM-2-5, RM-2-6, RM-3-7, RM-3-8 and 25 more
- Not allowed: OP-1-1, OP-2-1, OC-1-1, OR-1-1, OR-1-2, OF-1-1, AG-1-1, AG-1-2 and 36 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the San Diego Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
San Diego's code calls this use “Multiple Dwelling Units”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RM-1-1 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-1-2 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-1-3 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-4 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-5 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-6 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-7 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-8 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-9 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-4-10 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-4-11 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| RM-5-12 | Allowed | § 131.0422 |
| CN-1-1 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-2 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-3 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-4 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-5 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-6 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CR-1-1 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CO-1-1 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CO-1-2 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CO-3-1 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CO-3-2 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CO-3-3 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CV-1-1 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| CV-1-2 | Allowed — see note Note 2: See Section 131.0540. | § 131.0522 |
| IP-3-1 | Allowed — see note Note 15: See Section 131.0623(j). | § 131.0622 |
| RMX-1 | Allowed | § 131.0707 |
| RMX-2 | Allowed | § 131.0707 |
| RMX-3 | Allowed | § 131.0707 |
| EMX-1 | Allowed — see note Note 1: Not allowed on sites designated as Prime Industrial Land in a land use plan. | § 131.0707 |
| EMX-2 | Allowed — see note Note 1: Not allowed on sites designated as Prime Industrial Land in a land use plan. | § 131.0707 |
| EMX-3 | Allowed — see note Note 1: Not allowed on sites designated as Prime Industrial Land in a land use plan. | § 131.0707 |
Zones where it is not allowed
OP-1-1, OP-2-1, OC-1-1, OR-1-1, OR-1-2, OF-1-1, AG-1-1, AG-1-2, AR-1-1, AR-1-2, RS-1-1, RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-5, RS-1-6, RS-1-7, RS-1-8, RS-1-9, RS-1-10, RS-1-11, RS-1-12, RS-1-13, RS-1-14, RX-1-1, RX-1-2, RT-1-1, RT-1-2, RT-1-3, RT-1-4, RT-1-5, CR-2-1, CO-2-1, CO-2-2, CP-1-1, IP-1-1, IP-2-1, IL-1-1, IL-2-1, IL-3-1, IH-1-1, IH-2-1, IS-1-1, IBT-1-1.
What else applies
- RS/RX/RT show '-' but 131.0420(a)(4) says Ch.14 Art.3 Div.13 (Multi-Dwelling Unit and Urban Lot Split Regulations for Single Family Zones) may expand uses in residential zones; the table alone understates this. Commercial P(2) = see Section 131.0540 (density and residential regulations).
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: CC (Commercial-Community) zones: Table 131-05B columns merge into 7 symbol groups that cannot be tied to the CC-1..CC-5 header columns; Chapter 15 planned districts (CCPD, Gaslamp, La Jolla, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, Cass Street, Central Urbanized): separate use tables; Zone names are not stated in the packet text. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in San Diego
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the OP-1-1 zone in San Diego?
No. San Diego's use table does not allow it in OP-1-1 (§ 131.0222).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RM-1-1 zone in San Diego?
Yes. San Diego's use table lists it as allowed in RM-1-1 (§ 131.0422).
General information, not legal advice.
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