Zoning in San Diego City/County

[fishsticks]

Does anyone know of a good place where one can get a good common-sense overview of zoning codes? The reason: if I don’t buy a place with an external granny flat, I’d like to be able to build one.

Thanks in advance!

[NotCranky]

Good common sense and zoning are mutually exclusive concepts. For the city of San Diego you go to the third floor of 1222 1rst street. For the county you go the intersection of Ruffin and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Other incorporated areas have their own jurisdiction.

The key it not to assume that just because the property has the zoning that the project will work.It could technically work but has so many requirements that make it a nightmare.I would look at it as doing a feasibility study more that just checking zoning.
You still have to understand the setbacks required parking spaces, sewer availability etc. You might find that it is not worth the trouble of building your own.

It could be less expensive and you avoid many potential pitfalls by finding what you are looking for already built. But if you can’t find that, be very careful about the property you choose with the idea of building your granny flat

[NotCranky]

Good common sense and zoning are mutually exclusive concepts. For the city of San Diego you go to the third floor of 1222 1rst street. For the county you go the intersection of Ruffin and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Other incorporated areas have their own jurisdiction.

The key it not to assume that just because the property has the zoning that the project will work.It could technically work but has so many requirements that make it a nightmare.I would look at it as doing a feasibility study more that just checking zoning.
You still have to understand the setbacks required parking spaces, sewer availability etc. You might find that it is not worth the trouble of building your own.

It could be less expensive and you avoid many potential pitfalls by finding what you are looking for already built. But if you can’t find that, be very careful about the property you choose with the idea of building your granny flat

[NotCranky]

Good common sense and zoning are mutually exclusive concepts. For the city of San Diego you go to the third floor of 1222 1rst street. For the county you go the intersection of Ruffin and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Other incorporated areas have their own jurisdiction.

The key it not to assume that just because the property has the zoning that the project will work.It could technically work but has so many requirements that make it a nightmare.I would look at it as doing a feasibility study more that just checking zoning.
You still have to understand the setbacks required parking spaces, sewer availability etc. You might find that it is not worth the trouble of building your own.

It could be less expensive and you avoid many potential pitfalls by finding what you are looking for already built. But if you can’t find that, be very careful about the property you choose with the idea of building your granny flat

[NotCranky]

Good common sense and zoning are mutually exclusive concepts. For the city of San Diego you go to the third floor of 1222 1rst street. For the county you go the intersection of Ruffin and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Other incorporated areas have their own jurisdiction.

The key it not to assume that just because the property has the zoning that the project will work.It could technically work but has so many requirements that make it a nightmare.I would look at it as doing a feasibility study more that just checking zoning.
You still have to understand the setbacks required parking spaces, sewer availability etc. You might find that it is not worth the trouble of building your own.

It could be less expensive and you avoid many potential pitfalls by finding what you are looking for already built. But if you can’t find that, be very careful about the property you choose with the idea of building your granny flat

[NotCranky]

Good common sense and zoning are mutually exclusive concepts. For the city of San Diego you go to the third floor of 1222 1rst street. For the county you go the intersection of Ruffin and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Other incorporated areas have their own jurisdiction.

The key it not to assume that just because the property has the zoning that the project will work.It could technically work but has so many requirements that make it a nightmare.I would look at it as doing a feasibility study more that just checking zoning.
You still have to understand the setbacks required parking spaces, sewer availability etc. You might find that it is not worth the trouble of building your own.

It could be less expensive and you avoid many potential pitfalls by finding what you are looking for already built. But if you can’t find that, be very careful about the property you choose with the idea of building your granny flat

[fishsticks]

Thanks Russell. Very helpful.

[fishsticks]

Thanks Russell. Very helpful.

[fishsticks]

Thanks Russell. Very helpful.

[fishsticks]

Thanks Russell. Very helpful.

[fishsticks]

Thanks Russell. Very helpful.

[XBoxBoy]

Not sure this will qualify as common-sense, but the city zoning codes can be found here:

http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter13/Ch13Art01Division04.pdf

Also helpful are the maps which let you see what a specific parcel is zoned as.

http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/zoning/zoninggridmap.shtml

First use the map to 1) identify the zone code of the property you are interested in, and then 2) look into the codes to determine the setbacks, height restrictions, maximum percent of lot coverage, etc.

That should give you a general idea if you will be allowed to build. But I would also echo what Russell said, that just because the zoning allows it, doesn’t mean that it will work, so be careful out there.

XBoxBoy

[XBoxBoy]

Not sure this will qualify as common-sense, but the city zoning codes can be found here:

http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter13/Ch13Art01Division04.pdf

Also helpful are the maps which let you see what a specific parcel is zoned as.

http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/zoning/zoninggridmap.shtml

First use the map to 1) identify the zone code of the property you are interested in, and then 2) look into the codes to determine the setbacks, height restrictions, maximum percent of lot coverage, etc.

That should give you a general idea if you will be allowed to build. But I would also echo what Russell said, that just because the zoning allows it, doesn’t mean that it will work, so be careful out there.

XBoxBoy

[XBoxBoy]

Not sure this will qualify as common-sense, but the city zoning codes can be found here:

http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter13/Ch13Art01Division04.pdf

Also helpful are the maps which let you see what a specific parcel is zoned as.

http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/zoning/zoninggridmap.shtml

First use the map to 1) identify the zone code of the property you are interested in, and then 2) look into the codes to determine the setbacks, height restrictions, maximum percent of lot coverage, etc.

That should give you a general idea if you will be allowed to build. But I would also echo what Russell said, that just because the zoning allows it, doesn’t mean that it will work, so be careful out there.

XBoxBoy

[XBoxBoy]

Not sure this will qualify as common-sense, but the city zoning codes can be found here:

http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter13/Ch13Art01Division04.pdf

Also helpful are the maps which let you see what a specific parcel is zoned as.

http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/zoning/zoninggridmap.shtml

First use the map to 1) identify the zone code of the property you are interested in, and then 2) look into the codes to determine the setbacks, height restrictions, maximum percent of lot coverage, etc.

That should give you a general idea if you will be allowed to build. But I would also echo what Russell said, that just because the zoning allows it, doesn’t mean that it will work, so be careful out there.

XBoxBoy

[Author]

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