Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
San Diego County Overview
San Diego County Comprehensive Ordinances
San Diego County Code of Administrative Ordinances
SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES
County Officials
PREFACE
ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS*
ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS*
ARTICLE III GENERAL RULES*
ARTICLE IIIa ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR AGING AND INDEPENDENCE SERVICES*
ARTICLE IIIb COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY*
ARTICLE IIIc PAST GRAND JURORS ASSOCIATION IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE IIIj AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM*
ARTICLE IIIk AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM FOR VENDORS*
ARTICLE III l AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIm AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM -- EMPLOYMENT*
ARTICLE IIIn SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES*
ARTICLE IIIo COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COORDINATING COUNCIL*
ARTICLE IIIp FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO*
ARTICLE IIIq SAN DIEGO COUNTY BUSINESS PRACTICES REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE IIIr REGIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE IIIs NORTH COUNTY GANG COMMISSION*
ARTICLE IIIt POLINSKY CHILDREN’S CENTER ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIu SAN DIEGO SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL*
ARTICLE IIIv CHILD AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIw ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
ARTICLE IV SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS*
ARTICLE IV-A ASSESSOR / RECORDER / COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE IV-B ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD*
ARTICLE IV-C ASSESSMENT HEARING OFFICER*
ARTICLE V AUDITOR AND CONTROLLER*
ARTICLE V-A PROCESSING AND CERTIFICATION OF ROUTINE CLAIMS*
ARTICLE VI BOUNDARY CHANGES*
ARTICLE VII BUDGET AND FINANCIAL PROCEDURES AND APPROPRIATION, REVENUE AND STAFFING LIMITATIONS*
ARTICLE VIIa TEMPORARY TRANSFERS OF FUNDS TO SPECIFIED AGENCIES WITHIN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO*
ARTICLE VIII CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER*
ARTICLE IX OFFICE OF COUNTY COUNSEL*
ARTICLE X CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY*
ARTICLE X-A CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS*
ARTICLE XI DEPARTMENT OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER*
ARTICLE XII COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE XII-A COUNTY LIBRARIAN*
ARTICLE XII-B DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - WEIGHTS AND MEASURES*
ARTICLE XII-C CITY/COUNTY TASK FORCE ON AGRICULTURAL/URBAN ISSUES AND PESTICIDES*
ARTICLE XII-D DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES*
ARTICLE XII-E PESTICIDE TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE XII-F COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE**
ARTICLE XIII-A DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND RECOVERY*
ARTICLE XIII-B DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES*
ARTICLE XIV JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XV HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY*
ARTICLE XV-AA SAN DIEGO COUNTY EYE GNAT ABATEMENT APPEALS BOARD*
ARTICLE XV-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE XV-B HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CHARGES AND FEES*
ARTICLE XV-C GENERAL RELIEF PROGRAM*
ARTICLE XVI CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL*
ARTICLE XVI-A ADVISORY BOARDS*
ARTICLE XVI-B SAN DIEGO COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVI-C SAN DIEGO COUNTY FISH AND WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVI-D SAN DIEGO COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVI-E LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ZONE NO. 2 - JULIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVII SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOSTER CARE SERVICES COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVII-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS QUINCENTENARY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-B SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-C EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT OFFICE*
ARTICLE XVII-D WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTION PROCEDURE; ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHISTLE BLOWER COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-E SAN DIEGO COUNTY TECHNOLOGY OFFICE*
ARTICLE XVII-F SAN DIEGO COUNTY EVALUATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVIII CITIZENS LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD*
ARTICLE XVIIIa GRAZING ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE XIX ADULT INSTITUTIONS*
ARTICLE XIXa YOUTH CORRECTION CENTER*
ARTICLE XX FEES AND CHARGES*
ARTICLE XXA JUVENILE FACILITIES*
ARTICLE XXI INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATION*
ARTICLE XXIa RULES OF CONDUCT AND PROCEDURE FOR PLANNING AND ZONING PROCESS*
ARTICLE XXIb PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW BOARD*
ARTICLE XXII DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIIa OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR AND PUBLIC GUARDIAN*
ARTICLE XXIIb DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIIc DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIII DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING*
ARTICLE XXIIIa RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE XXIV PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT*
ARTICLE XXIV-A REGISTRAR OF VOTERS*
ARTICLE XXV SHERIFF*
ARTICLE XXVI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS*
ARTICLE XXVIa OUT-OF-COUNTY/IN-COUNTY BUSINESS*
ARTICLE XXVId LIMITATIONS ON MAKING GIFTS AND PROVIDING MEALS OR BEVERAGES*
ARTICLE XXVIe REIMBURSEMENTS AND ALLOWANCES*
ARTICLE XXVII BOARD OF SUPERVISORS*
ARTICLE XXVIII COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE*
ARTICLE XXVIIIa CODE OF ETHICS*
ARTICLE XXVIIId CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVOLVING FUNDING OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS*
ARTICLE XXIX [ORDINANCES REPEALED]*
ARTICLE XXX DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXXI PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS*
ARTICLE XXXII CABLE TELEVISION REVIEW COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XXXIII COUNTY HEARING OFFICER*
ARTICLE XXXIV COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY*
ARTICLE XXXV NOISE CONTROL HEARING BOARD*
ARTICLE XXXVI LITIGATION*
ARTICLE XXXVII DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENDER*
ARTICLE XXXVIII DEPARTMENT OF ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL*
ARTICLE XXXVIII-A DEPARTMENT OF ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER*
ARTICLE XXXIX DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT*
ARTICLE XXXIX-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY HOUSING, INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XXXIX-B MOBILE HOME ISSUES COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XL SAN DIEGO COUNTY PALOMAR AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XLI REMOVAL OF STRIKING EMPLOYEES*
ARTICLE XLI-A COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY*
ARTICLE XLII SAN DIEGO COUNTY INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XLIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER (CAC) PARKING LOT AD HOC COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XLIV SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGIONAL GROWTH AND PLANNING REVIEW TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE XLV TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT*
ARTICLE XLVI SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD ON AIDS/HIV*
ARTICLE XLVII SAN DIEGO COUNTY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY AND CONSERVATION*
ARTICLE XLVIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY MILITARY AND VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL*
ARTICLE XLIX SANTA FE VALLEY WORKING GROUP*
ARTICLE L THE TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR ELIGIBILITY AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS*
ARTICLE LI SAN DIEGO COUNTYWIDE MOBILEHOME TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE LIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY EMEK HEFER SISTER COUNTY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE LIV SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOLID WASTE HEARING PANEL*
ARTICLE LV SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LVI SAN DIEGO COUNTY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LVII DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY*
ARTICLE LIX SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LX SAN DIEGO COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LXI SAN DIEGO COUNTY FALLBROOK AIRPARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE LXII OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES*
ARTICLE LXIII PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT OF 2011*
ARTICLE LXIV DISTRICT ATTORNEY
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
STATE LAW REFERENCE TABLE
San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances
San Diego County Board Policies
Loading...
SEC. 51.209. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS.
   County airports and County correctional institutions located in the unincorporated area of the County shall be subject to the following special requirements:
   (a)   Outdoor lighting at a County airport in an area not regulated by state or federal law, such as a parking lot or outside building, shall be fully shielded and use low pressure sodium or narrow spectrum amber LED or another light source with the same limited spectrum.
   (b)   Outdoor lighting at a County correctional institution in an area not regulated by state or federal law, such as a parking lot, shall be fully shielded and use low pressure sodium or narrow spectrum amber LED or another light source with the same limited spectrum.
(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10691 (N.S.), effective 12-18-20)
SEC. 51.210.    OUTDOOR RECREATION, SPORTS COURTS, OR ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTING.
   Outdoor recreation, sport courts, or athletic field lighting may be exempted from the shielding, CCT, and hours of operation requirements provided that the following conditions are met:
   (a)   Facilities in Zone A and Zone B:
      (1)   Lighting at an outdoor recreational facility may remain on to allow an organized recreational event in progress to be completed, provided the event and the facility are not violating the terms of any permit issued by the County or any law or regulation.
   (b)   Facilities in Zone C:
      (1)   The design and installation of lighting for outdoor recreation, sport courts, or athletic fields shall follow the illuminance and uniformity guidelines of the IES according to the appropriate class of play; and
      (2)   The correlated color temperature of the lighting is 4,200K as listed on the lamp or luminaire manufacturer specification sheets; and
      (3)   The luminaires shall utilize internal or external shielding in order to minimize uplight and off-site direct visibility of the light sources. A small amount of uplighting is permitted for those activities where the playing unit (ball, etc.) can exceed the height of the luminaires; and
      (4)   Field lighting is provided exclusively for the illumination of the surface of play and viewing stands and not for other applications, and shall not exceed 50 percent of the full light output when the field is being utilized for other than practice and tournament play; and
      (5)   Off-site impacts (spill light/light trespass) shall be limited to 2.0 vertical footcandles at any of the property lines (based upon maintained lumen values) unless approved otherwise by the building official. A photometric study documenting compliance with the horizontal on-site illuminance level(s) (field, court, etc.) at the IES-recommended calculation height, and the perimeter vertical spill illuminance at 5 feet above the adjacent grade and oriented perpendicular into the site, must be included with the plan submittal; and
      (6)   Lights must be extinguished by 10:00 p.m. or one hour after the end of play, whichever is later; and
      (7)   Title 24-compliant timing or central control devices must be installed to prevent the lighting from being left on later than one hour after the facility is occupied.
(Added by Ord. No. 10691 (N.S.), effective 12-18-20)
SEC. 51.211.    FUEL CANOPIES.
   All lighting attached to fuel canopies within Zone C shall meet the following additional requirements:
   (a)   The maintained illuminance levels shall not exceed 120 percent of IES- recommended practice for low ambient light zones; and
   (b)   Luminaires for new and rebuilt canopies are to be recessed or semi-recessed into the canopy and possess a flat lens that resides at 2.5 inches below the canopy ceiling. Replacement luminaires for existing canopies may be surface mounted as long as there is a flat lens and it resides higher than the bottom edge of the perimeter canopy structure. Neither external nor internal lighting of the perimeter structure is allowed unless it exists at the time this updated ordinance was adopted, and then still needs to be brought into compliance within 10 years from the date of adoption of this ordinance.
(Added by Ord. No. 10691 (N.S.), effective 12-18-20)
SEC. 51.212.    EXEMPTIONS.
   An outdoor luminaire in any of the following categories is exempt from the requirements of this chapter:
   (a)   An outdoor luminaire producing light directly by the combustion of a fossil fuel such as a kerosene lantern or gas lamp.
   (b)   A luminaire used for a holiday decoration, provided it is used for no more than 60 days in a 12-month period and is off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
   (c)   Lighting that illuminates a United States or California flag and the flagpole to which the flag is affixed. All luminaires or combination of luminaires shall be shielded as necessary so that the light source is not visible from the property line. In Zone C, luminaires in excess of 4,050 lumens shall be affixed to the top of the flagpole and be aimed downward.
   (d)   Outdoor lighting for a facility required by state or federal law to have outdoor lighting that does not comply with this chapter. A person seeking an exemption under this subsection shall request an exemption at that time the person submits the application for the permit required by the County Electrical Code. The applicant shall submit proof along with the application for the permit that demonstrates the applicant is entitled to an exemption under this subsection.
   (e)   Life-safety luminaires that only operate via battery or generator during a power failure.
   (f)   Outdoor lighting for a state or federal facility or activity for which there is no practicable alternative that complies with one or more of the specific requirements of this chapter.
(Added by Ord. No. 10691 (N.S.), effective 12-18-20)
SEC. 51.213.    TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS.
   (a)   A person may submit a written request to the building department for a temporary exemption from the requirements of this chapter. The request shall be submitted on a form provided by the building official. The fee for the temporary exemption shall be as provided in section 362.1 of the County Administrative Code.
   (b)   A temporary exemption under this section shall only be granted if the applicant is able to establish that: (1) an exemption is necessary during a community event or some other event that benefits the public and the public benefit outweighs any harm that might result to the public or any private person or (2) the exemption is necessary due to an emergency that is behind the control of the applicant and that no other reasonable alternative exists. No temporary exemption shall be granted when the outdoor lighting for which a temporary exemption is requested has been installed in violation of this chapter.
   (c)   The building official shall have ten days from the date the applicant submits a complete request for a temporary exemption to approve or disapprove the request. The building official shall notify the applicant of the decision in writing.
   (d)   The temporary exemption shall be valid for no more than 30 consecutive days from the date the County approves the request. Upon request from the applicant, the County, upon receipt of evidence that a condition justifying the continuation of the exemption exists, may extend the exemption for up to an additional 30 consecutive days. The request for renewal shall be processed in the same manner as an original request. No exemption for an outdoor luminaire shall be granted for more than 60 days during any 12 month period.
   (e)   If the building official denies the request for a temporary exemption the applicant may request that the chief of the Building Division review the denial. The applicant shall submit the request for review in writing within 15 days from the date of the denial. The fee for the review shall be the same as the fee for the request for a temporary exemption. The decision by the chief of the Building Division shall be final.
(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10691 (N.S.), effective 12-18-20)