San Diego County · Zoning setbacks
City of San Diego setback requirements
This table is transcribed from the adopted code and printed on every export with its citation — but the envelope is drawn only after a table passes independent review, and City of San Diego’s has not yet. Until it does, the export carries the numbers and says plainly that they are unverified.
The envelope
What the numbers below make on the ground. Shown for the first district in the table; the rest follow the same geometry at their own dimensions.
Zone RS-1-1 — dashed: cited on the export, not yet drawn.
- Front
- 25′
- Side
- 10′
- Rear
- 25′
The hatched band is the yard — ground the code gives up. Drawn not to scale: the yards are proportional to each other, so the deepest one fills the band and the rest follow. The dimensions carry the real numbers, and the export draws them on the actual parcel outline.
City of San Diego setbacks by district
Every row is produced by the same function the exporter calls, so this page cannot drift from what the drawing gets. The citation under each row is what prints on the sheet.
Corner lots: 10′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04D, zone RS-1-1: front 25 ft, interior side 10 ft, rear 25 ft; street side 10 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Resubdivided corner lots (§113.0246(f)) are not captured here and may modify these yards. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(a)(4)(A): on a lot narrower than this zone's 100 ft minimum lot width (Table 131-04D) each side setback is 8% of the lot width instead of the table's 10 ft, and this lot’s width was not resolved, so the table figure stands — confirm the width before relying on the side yard. Table 131-04D footnote 1: where at least half of the front 50 ft of lot depth has a slope of 25% or more, the setback nearest the street frontage may be reduced to 6 ft, a reduction NOT DRAWN here because the test is on the front 50 ft of depth specifically and this build measures slope across the whole parcel. §131.0443(a)(1): the front may be reduced 5 ft on the cul-de-sac frontage, never below 5 ft. §131.0443(a)(2)(B): where the rear abuts an alley, half the alley width up to 10 ft counts toward the rear, never below 5 ft on the premises. §131.0443(a)(4)(B): side setbacks may be reallocated on lots over 50 ft wide if the combined total is kept, no side below 4 ft and no street side below 10 ft. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Corner lots: 6′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04D, zone RS-1-4: front 20 ft, interior side 6 ft, rear 20 ft; street side 6 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Resubdivided corner lots (§113.0246(f)) are not captured here and may modify these yards. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(a)(4)(A): on a lot narrower than this zone's 65 ft minimum lot width (Table 131-04D) each side setback is 8% of the lot width instead of the table's 6 ft, and this lot’s width was not resolved, so the table figure stands — confirm the width before relying on the side yard. Table 131-04D footnote 1: where at least half of the front 50 ft of lot depth has a slope of 25% or more, the setback nearest the street frontage may be reduced to 6 ft, a reduction NOT DRAWN here because the test is on the front 50 ft of depth specifically and this build measures slope across the whole parcel. §131.0443(a)(1): the front may be reduced 5 ft on the cul-de-sac frontage, never below 5 ft. §131.0443(a)(2)(B): where the rear abuts an alley, half the alley width up to 10 ft counts toward the rear, never below 5 ft on the premises. §131.0443(a)(4)(B): side setbacks may be reallocated on lots over 50 ft wide if the combined total is kept, no side below 4 ft and no street side below 10 ft. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Corner lots: 5′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04D, zone RS-1-7: front 15 ft, interior side 4 ft, rear 13 ft; street side 5 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Resubdivided corner lots (§113.0246(f)) are not captured here and may modify these yards. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(a)(4)(A): on a lot narrower than this zone's 50 ft minimum lot width (Table 131-04D) each side setback is 8% of the lot width instead of the table's 4 ft, and this lot’s width was not resolved, so the table figure stands — confirm the width before relying on the side yard. Table 131-04D footnote 1: where at least half of the front 50 ft of lot depth has a slope of 25% or more, the setback nearest the street frontage may be reduced to 6 ft, a reduction NOT DRAWN here because the test is on the front 50 ft of depth specifically and this build measures slope across the whole parcel. §131.0443(a)(1): the front may be reduced 5 ft on the cul-de-sac frontage, never below 5 ft. §131.0443(a)(2)(B): where the rear abuts an alley, half the alley width up to 10 ft counts toward the rear, never below 5 ft on the premises. §131.0443(a)(4)(B): side setbacks may be reallocated on lots over 50 ft wide if the combined total is kept, no side below 4 ft and no street side below 10 ft. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Corner lots: 10′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04D, zone RS-1-14: front 15 ft, interior side 4 ft, rear 10 ft; street side 10 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Resubdivided corner lots (§113.0246(f)) are not captured here and may modify these yards. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(a)(4)(A): on a lot narrower than this zone's 50 ft minimum lot width (Table 131-04D) each side setback is 8% of the lot width instead of the table's 4 ft, and this lot’s width was not resolved, so the table figure stands — confirm the width before relying on the side yard. Table 131-04D footnote 1: where at least half of the front 50 ft of lot depth has a slope of 25% or more, the setback nearest the street frontage may be reduced to 6 ft, a reduction NOT DRAWN here because the test is on the front 50 ft of depth specifically and this build measures slope across the whole parcel. §131.0443(a)(1): the front may be reduced 5 ft on the cul-de-sac frontage, never below 5 ft. §131.0443(a)(2)(B): where the rear abuts an alley, half the alley width up to 10 ft counts toward the rear, never below 5 ft on the premises. §131.0443(a)(3): with alley access the rear may reduce to 4 ft. §131.0443(a)(4)(B): side setbacks may be reallocated on lots over 50 ft wide if the combined total is kept, no side below 4 ft and no street side below 10 ft. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Corner lots: 10′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04G, zone RM-1-1: front 20 ft, interior side 8 ft, rear 15 ft; street side 10 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Street side 10 ft, or 10% of the lot width if greater: lot width not measured, so 10 ft is shown. Resubdivided corner lots (§113.0246(f)) are not captured here and may modify these yards. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(d): up to half the envelope width may take a 15 ft front and half the envelope length a 5 ft side, floor by floor, if the rest holds the standard. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Corner lots: 10′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04G, zone RM-2-5: front 20 ft, interior side 5 ft, rear 15 ft; street side 10 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Street side 10 ft, or 10% of the lot width if greater: lot width not measured, so 10 ft is shown. Resubdivided corner lots (§113.0246(f)) are not captured here and may modify these yards. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(e): up to half the envelope width may take a 15 ft front floor by floor, and up to half the facade may encroach 5 ft into the street side yard. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Corner lots: 10′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04G, zone RM-3-7: front 20 ft, interior side 5 ft, rear 5 ft; street side 10 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Street side 10 ft, or 10% of the lot width if greater: lot width not measured, so 10 ft is shown. Resubdivided corner lots (§113.0246(f)) are not captured here and may modify these yards. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(f): up to half the envelope width may take a 10 ft front floor by floor, and up to half the facade may encroach 5 ft into the street side yard. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Corner lots: 3′ on the secondary street frontage.
San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04E, zone RX-1-2: front 15 ft, interior side 3 ft, rear 10 ft; street side 3 ft (corner lots). Lot-line measured. Lot width and depth were not resolved, so no §131.0443 percentage rule could be evaluated and the table dimensions are drawn as-is. §131.0443 (current through Ord. O-22109, effective 7-15-2026) qualifies this zone: §131.0443(b): one interior side may be 0 ft where it adjoins other RX land, with 10 ft between buildings on one side; developments over four units must vary their fronts between 10, 15 and 20 ft by easement. §131.0443(i): the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer deeper than the zone setback. Inside the Coastal Overlay Zone (La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and the rest of the coastal strip) amendments do not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies them, so the governing text there may be the previous version; this lot's Coastal Zone membership was not checked. Overlay zones and height-limit districts may modify further. Verify via San Diego DSD (ZAPP).
Setbacks are one layer of a City of San Diego base plan
The same address search returns the parcel boundary, 1–2 ft contours, building footprints, CAL FIRE defensible-space zones, the soil profile, four-season sun, and a native plant palette matched to the site. See everything Lekua resolves in San Diego County →
City of San Diego setback FAQ
What are the residential setbacks in City of San Diego?
In RS-1-1 the code sets a 25 ft front yard, 10 ft sides, and a 25 ft rear yard. The full table is below, transcribed from San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04D, zone RS-1-1 with the citation attached to every row. This table is captured and cited on the export, but it has not yet passed independent review — so Lekua prints the code-cited values with an explicit “unverified” advisory rather than drawing lines it can’t stand behind.
Does Lekua draw the setback envelope for City of San Diego?
Not yet. The table is encoded and every export carries the code-cited numbers and the citation, but the envelope is only drawn once a table passes independent review. Until then the export says so in plain words instead of drawing a line that might be wrong.
Where do these City of San Diego setback numbers come from?
They are transcribed from the adopted code — San Diego MC §131.0431 Table 131-04D, zone RS-1-1 — and this page renders them by calling the same function the exporter calls, so what you see here is what the drawing gets. Zoning changes; verify against the current code and with the planning department before submittal.
Can I get a CAD base map for a City of San Diego parcel?
Yes. Enter any City of San Diego address and Lekua returns a layered DXF base plan and a PDF site report — county parcel lines, fine contours (1–2 ft on demand, or the county’s own where it publishes them), building footprints, CAL FIRE defensible-space zones, soil, seasonal sun, and a native plant palette matched to the parcel, alongside zoning. See what else resolves in San Diego County.
Start with a City of San Diego address
Free to search. The zone resolves from the parcel, not from the mailing address.