Changing R1 to R2 Zoning

[Keeya WangJones]

Hi BP,
How hard is it to change the zoning ordinance of an R1 two story home to an R2 duplex with San Diego County (Mira Mesa)? 

Cheers!!

[Lee Ripma]

@Keeya WangJones @Colin L. @Justin R.

That's the City of San Diego. My understanding is that is is very hard and costly to get the zoning changed. People do apply for variances. City of SD Development Services could help you with the process, they have a guide online. I would warn you that I help people get site development permits from the City of San Diego, and it is an absolute nightmare. It is very costly and very time consuming. You might already know about this, but there is a way you can look up the zoning easily for any parcel (maybe that's where you got this):

http://apps3.sandiego.gov/siteinfoweb/begin.do

If you're looking to put on more units you'd want the RM zones, the higher the number, the more units you can have in less area. All the info is here (again, maybe you know this).

http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter1...

So you can use the municipal code above to check the minimum parcel size and see if you could subdivide. There is also something people do where they "condo-ize" a lot instead of subdividing (perhaps it is a cost thing, perhaps it is a time thing). I'm not sure exactly how this works but it goes something like this, you build two houses on a lot and turn the lot into an HOA. Many of the RM-1-1 parcels in ocean beach have done this without subdividing. The HOA doesn't have any fees.

Hope that is helpful!