San Diego · Land use · Single-family home
Where is a single-family home allowed in San Diego?
In San Diego, a single-family home is allowed in 16 base zones (OR-1-1, OR-1-2, AR-1-1, AR-1-2, RM-1-1 and 11 more, 14 with a condition) and not allowed in 38 (San Diego use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: OR-1-1, OR-1-2, AR-1-1, AR-1-2, RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3, RM-2-4 and 8 more
- Not allowed: OP-1-1, OP-2-1, OC-1-1, OF-1-1, CN-1-1, CN-1-2, CN-1-3, CN-1-4 and 30 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 a single-family home can go
San Diego's code calls this use “Single 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 |
|---|---|---|
| OR-1-1 | Allowed — see note Note zone mark 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. | § 131.0222 |
| OR-1-2 | Allowed — see note Note zone mark 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. | § 131.0222 |
| AR-1-1 | Allowed | § 131.0322 |
| AR-1-2 | Allowed | § 131.0322 |
| RM-1-1 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-1-2 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-1-3 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-4 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-5 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-6 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-7 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-8 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-9 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-4-10 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-4-11 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
| RM-5-12 | Allowed — see note Note 8: Development of a small lot subdivision is permitted in accordance with Section 143.0365. | § 131.0422 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Mixed-use and commercial zones: not allowed. Open space: allowed only in OR-1-1 and OR-1-2. Under 131.0420(a)(4) uses in residential zones may also be expanded by Ch. 14 Art. 3 Div. 13 (multi-dwelling and urban lot split rules for single family zones), which the table does not show.
- State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
- 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 a single-family home 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 a single-family home in the OR-1-1 zone in San Diego?
Yes, with a condition. San Diego's use table lists it as allowed in OR-1-1 (§ 131.0222). The code adds a condition: “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.”
General information, not legal advice.
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