SAN DIEGO
Coastal Height Limit: Since 1972, a 30-foot height restriction has been in place for areas west of Interstate 5 to protect coastal views.
Geographical and Seismic Factors: The city's location on the coast means dealing with complex soil conditions, including, in some areas like Mission Valley, a lack of bedrock, which makes constructing very tall, heavy buildings more expensive due to necessary seismic reinforcements.
Urban Planning and Character: Historically, there has been a preference for maintaining a lower-density, "sunny" feel rather than building a high-density, high-rise urban core like Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Economic Feasibility: High construction, labor, and material costs for seismic safety often make super-tall buildings less economically viable, which forces developers to get the most zoning waivers and tax incentives possible
Elyse Lowe has served as the City’s Director of Development Services since 2018. With a budget of $100 million+, and a staff of almost 800, she manages the 2nd largest building department in the state.
DSD manages all private development entitlements and permitting, Building & Land Use Enforcement, the Cannabis Business Division and all of Downtown’s long-range and current planning for parks and development.
In 2023, DSD issued over 72,000 project related approvals and completed 140,000+ field inspections.
On March 15, 2024, DSD launched Complete Communities Permit Now (CCPN) with the goal to complete all reviews in under 30 days.
Complete Communities is a multifaceted program that encourages development projects near public transportation that combine housing, mobility, parks, and infrastructure. The City’s commitment to streamlining these permits is intended to incentivize further housing development.
Since Complete Communities was adopted in December 2020, the City has issued 22 building permits to create 1,600 homes, including 280 affordable homes, under the program.
The City of San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) is primarily funded as an Enterprise Fund, meaning its permit review and inspection services operate on a self-supporting basis through user fees, without a General Fund subsidy. These services are funded by customers paying for operating costs, while Building & Land Use Enforcement is funded by tax revenue and penalties.
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