SDMC §126.0712 requires Coastal Development Permits for most construction in the city's Coastal Zone. La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, and Sunset Cliffs are covered, with Coastal Commission appeal rights.
Under the California Coastal Act, San Diego administers a certified Local Coastal Program over its Coastal Zone, requiring a Coastal Development Permit for new structures, additions over a defined floor-area threshold, demolitions, grading, paving, fencing in some zones, and changes in use. SDMC §126.0712 establishes process and findings, including conformance to the LCP, public-access protection, scenic resource protection, and hazard avoidance. Areas of deferred certification, the Coastal Commission's original-jurisdiction zones, and projects between the first public road and the sea are appealable directly to the California Coastal Commission. Major neighborhoods include La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs, and parts of Bird Rock and Mission Bay Park.
Construction without a CDP triggers stop-work orders, daily fines up to fifteen thousand dollars under Public Resources Code §30820, mandatory restoration, and injunctive actions by the city or California Coastal Commission. Unpermitted work clouds title and complicates future sales.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Diego, CA
San Diego allows backyard recreational fires under San Diego Fire Code Section 511.0307 (adopting 2022 California Fire Code Section 307) when the fire is no ...
San Diego, CA
San Diego enforces 2022 California Residential Code Section R314 and California Health and Safety Code Sections 13113.7 and 13114 through the San Diego Build...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. California Civil Code § 4710 limi...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to SDM...
San Diego, CA
San Diego has no city ordinance specifying installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Amplified outdoor audi...
San Diego, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in San Diego require multiple permits through the Development Services Department: a building permit for the structure, a gas-line ...
See how San Diego's coastal zone permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.