What are San Diego's canyon and steep-slope rules?

Answered by AskBaily Editorial · Updated

Short answer

San Diego regulates construction on parcels with 25% or greater natural slope under the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) framework and the Hillside Review Overlay Zone. Affects lots in Mission Hills, Kensington, Del Cerro, La Jolla cliffside, Point Loma, Mt Helix, and Mt Soledad. Expect geotechnical investigation, restricted buildable envelope, reduced lot coverage, and added setbacks. Down-slope neighbors can trigger view-preservation review.

In detail

San Diego regulates construction on parcels with 25% or greater natural slope under the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) framework and the Hillside Review Overlay Zone. Affects lots in Mission Hills, Kensington, Del Cerro, La Jolla cliffside, Point Loma, Mt Helix, and Mt Soledad. Expect geotechnical investigation, restricted buildable envelope, reduced lot coverage, and added setbacks. Down-slope neighbors can trigger view-preservation review.

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