San Diego Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, San Diego held 9 public meetings covering zoning matters. Of 5 zoning decisions with a clear outcome this month, 4 were approved (80% approval rate) and 1 denied. Activity was up 33% compared to April (236 activity items across 8 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Appeal of 8303 La Jolla Shores Drive Subdivision

Denied.

Council denied appeal filed by Kenneth C. Jones representing Arthur and Linda Kavanaugh challenging Planning Commission approval of site development permit, coastal development permit, and tentative map for 6-lot residential subdivision on 4.45 acres. Appeal focused on drainage adequacy and easement rights for Calle Frescota private roadway. Applicant is Cielo Mar La Jolla LLC with six family owners.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Mercado Apartments Bond Authorization

Approved.

Approved up to $30,073,052 in tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds for acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of Mercado Apartments at 2001 Newton Ave in Barrio Logan. Project will increase from 144 to 224 units (222 affordable), with 92 new construction units and 132 rehabilitated. Developer is Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAC). Affordability restricted at 30-60% AMI for 55 years.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Southwest Village Specific Plan Approval

Approved.

Approved subsequent EIR, general plan and Otay Mesa community plan amendments, Southwest Village specific plan, rezone of 890 acres, vesting tentative map for 920 homes (including 92 affordable units), site development permit, MHPA boundary line adjustment, and road improvement ordinance. TriPoint Homes owns 239 acres; over 70 other property owners affected. Vote: 5-1 with Commissioner Reeves dissenting, Chair Modane absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Hillcrest Hall Bond Authorization

Approved.

Approved tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds for Hillcrest Hall, a 97-unit affordable housing development on University Avenue in Hillcrest. Units deed restricted at affordable levels for 55 years. Development includes on-site social services through Life Steps.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

2026 Land Development Code Update

Approved.

Approved 134 amendments to the Land Development Code including 103 citywide and 31 downtown amendments. Key changes include allowing for-sale homes under Complete Communities, prohibiting new moving and storage facilities in certain Central Urbanized commercial zones, increasing administrative penalties from $100-$1,000 to up to $10,000 per violation, and raising appeal fees from $1,000 to $2,380 for City Council appeals.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

May Revision to FY2027 Draft Budget Presentation

Decision.

Informational item presenting the Mayor's May revision to the FY2027 draft budget. The revision identifies $13.5 million in additional general fund resources, including $4.3 million from increased golf fund land use fees and $3.8 million from higher TOT revenue. Partial restorations include recreation center hours ($2.9 million, 33 positions), library hours ($941,000, 7 positions), and $4.9 million for homelessness programs. No formal vote taken as this was an informational hearing.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• Various → Transit-oriented development overlay per SB 79 at Within half-mile of major transit stops citywide (City of San Diego (state mandate implementation))
• CU2-3, CU2-4, CU2-5 → CU2-3, CU2-4, CU2-5 (with use restriction) at Central Urbanized Plan District - CU2-3 through CU2-5 zones along transit corridors (City of San Diego Planning Department)
• Transition Zone (childcare prohibited) → Transition Zone (childcare permitted as limited use) at MCAS Miramar Airport Influence Area Transition Zone (Kids Bay Learning Center / City of San Diego)
• Various residential, mixed-use, and commercial zones → SB 79 TOD overlay allowing increased density (up to 140 units/acre within 200 feet of stations, 4.0 FAR), Approximately 22% of TOD zones immediately affected acres at Citywide - within half-mile of qualifying transit stops (City of San Diego Planning Department)
• AR-11 (Agricultural Residential) → RMX-1, RM-3-7, RM-2-5, RM-1-3, OR-1-2, OP-1-1, OC-1-1, 890 acres at Southwest Village Specific Plan Area - approximately 890 acres in Otay Mesa (TriPoint Homes)
• AR-11 (Agricultural Residential) → OR-1-2 (Open Space Residential), 160 acres at Planning Area 23 - approximately 160 acres of smaller one-acre lots (TriPoint Homes (affecting approximately 24 properties owned by other parties))

Top Keywords This Month

• land use: 53 instances
• density: 42 instances
• residential: 42 instances
• subdivision: 26 instances
• commercial: 22 instances

What to Watch

• Land use mentions were up 279% from April.
• Residential came up 75% more often than April.
• Subdivision is new this month with 26 mentions, not present in April.

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