City of San Diego – Development Regulations

Program Overview

Implementing Sector Local
Category Regulatory Policy
State California
Incentive Type Solar/Wind Access Policy
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies Solar - Passive, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Solar Pool Heating
Applicable Sectors Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential

Summary

San Diego’s Supplemental Development Regulations passed initially in 1997 but since has had many additions and alterations, some as recent as 2020. San Diego’s Supplemental Development Regulations require that a “Shadow Plan” be developed when it is determined that structures or landscaping within a proposed development may have an impact on neighboring property’s access to solar exposure. This is intended to ensure that potential impacts to solar access will be minimized. (§143.0410 section i)

The Shadow Plan is further fleshed out in §151.0301 – Permitted Development Controls. Detailing that “when, in the opinion of the City Manager, structures and major landscaping at maturity for a development project may have an impact on the solar access of adjacent property, the applicant shall submit a satisfactory shadow plan prior to the approval of a planned district development permit” (6.A).

Authorities

Name San Diego Municipal Code §143.0410
Name San Diego Municipal Code §151.0301

Contact

Organization:
City of San Diego
Address:
1222 First Ave., Fifth Floor MS 511
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone:
(619) 236-5500