Building Setbacks & Zoning in San Diego, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
San Diego sets front, side, and rear yard setbacks separately for each RS residential subzone in Table 131-04D under Municipal Code Section 131.0443, so the minimum distance from a lot line depends on which specific zone applies to the property.
San Diego Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 131.0443(a)(1)
(1) Front Setbacks in RS Zones For that portion of a lot that fronts a cul-de-sac, the minimum front setback may be reduced 5 feet below the requirement specified in Table 131-04D; however, in no case shall the setback be less than 5 feet. (2) Rear Setback in the RS-1-...
Structure Height Limits
Residential structure height in San Diego is capped by an angled building envelope plane keyed to lot width and zone, not a single flat number citywide, per SDMC §131.0444.
San Diego Residential Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 131.0444
Maximum structure height shall not exceed the height of the angled building envelope plane, which connects the maximum structure height adjacent to the setback and the overall maximum structure height as determined by the underlying base zone... For buildings with a slab foundation, the maximum permitted structure height is 21 feet for one- and two-story structures or 31 feet for three-story st...
Lot Coverage Limits
Lot coverage in San Diego's residential zones is capped at 50 percent on steep-hillside RS lots and by a sliding 50/60 percent to 21 percent scale in the RM-5-12 zone, per SDMC §131.0445.
San Diego Residential Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 131.0445
In the RS-1-1, RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-5, RS-1-6, and RS-1-7 zones and in small lot subdivisions in accordance with Section 143.0365, the maximum permitted lot coverage is 50 percent on any premises where more than 50 percent of the premises contains steep hillsides. In the RM-5-12 zone, maximum lot coverage is 50 percent for interior lots and 60 percent for corner lots, except that maximu...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in San Diego County →