SEC. 210.3. PDR DISTRICTS.

The following statements of description and purpose outline the main functions of the C (Commercial), M (Industrial), and PDR (Production, Distribution, and Repair) Districts in the Zoning Plan for San Francisco, supplementing the statements of purpose contained in Section 101 of this Code. The emphasis, in the case of these districts, is upon the allocation of adequate areas in proper locations for the carrying on of business and industry to serve City, regional and national needs and provide San Francisco with a sound and growing economic base.

(Amended by Ord. 136-68, App. 5/29/68; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 99-08, File No. 080339, App. 6/11/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008)

SEC. 210.1. C-2 DISTRICTS: COMMUNITY BUSINESS.

These districts serve several functions. They provide convenience goods and services to Residential areas of the City, both in outlying sections and in closer-in, more densely built communities. In addition, some C-2 Districts provide comparison shopping goods and services on a general or specialized basis to a Citywide or a regional market area, complementing the main area for such types of trade in downtown San Francisco. The extent of these districts varies from smaller clusters of stores to larger concentrated areas, including both shopping centers and strip developments along major thoroughfares, and in each case the character and intensity of commercial development are intended to be consistent with the character of other uses in the adjacent areas. The emphasis in C-2 Districts is upon compatible retail uses, but the district also allows a wider variety of goods and services to suit the longer-term needs of customers and a greater latitude is given for the provision of automobile-oriented uses.

Table 210.1
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR C-2 DISTRICTS

Zoning Category	§ References	C-2
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits	§§ 102, 105, 106, 132.1, 250-252, 260, 270, 271, 295	Generally 40-X. Additional Height Limits of § 261 apply. See Height and Bulk District Maps.
Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102, 123, 124	Basic FAR limit is 3.6 to 1. For a lot that is nearer to an RM-4 or RC-4 District than to any other R District, the FAR is 4.8 to 1. For a lot that is nearer to a C-3 District than to any R District the FAR is 10.0 to 1. FAR in the Waterfront and Washington-Broadway Special Use Districts is 5 to 1.
Front, Rear, and Side Setbacks	§§ 130, 132, 133, 134	See Residential Standards.
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements (Street Trees)	§ 138.1	Required.
Street Frontage Requirements	§ 145.1	Required as specified in § 145.1.
Required Ground Floor Commercial	§ 145.4	As specified in § 145.4, certain streets and districts are required to have "active commercial uses."
Parking and Loading Access Restrictions	§ 155(r)	As specified in § 155(r), certain streets and districts have additional restrictions on vehicular access in addition to general standards.
Artworks and Recognition of Artists and Architects	§ 429	Required, except for those on Blocks 4991 (Executive Park) and 7295 (Stonestown Galleria Mall).
Miscellaneous
Uses in Enclosed Buildings	N/A	All permitted uses, and all storage, servicing, fabricating, processing or repair uses accessory thereto, shall be conducted within enclosed buildings, with the exception of accessory off-street parking and loading areas where permitted; accessory outdoor dining areas where permitted; accessory recreation areas where permitted; and as indicated in the use chart below.
Large Project Review	N/A	N/A
Planned Unit Development	§ 304	C
Awning, Canopy or Marquee	§ 136.1	P
Signs	§ 607	As permitted by Section § 607.
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space for Dwelling Units and Group Housing	§ 135	Same as for the R District establishing the dwelling unit density ratio for the property. Group Housing requirement is 1/3 the amount required for a Dwelling Unit. Group Housing requirement is per bedroom and 1/3 the amount required for a Dwelling Unit.2 See exceptions for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects in Section 210.5
Residential Parking Requirements	§ 151, 155, 161	None required. Maximum permitted per § 151.
Rear Yard Setback	§§ 130, 134	Lot coverage is limited to 80% at all levels containing Residential Uses, except that on levels that include only lobbies and circulation areas and on levels in which all residential uses, including circulation areas, are within 40 horizontal feet from a property line fronting a street or alley, up to 100% lot coverage may occur. The unbuilt portion of the lot shall be open to the sky except for those obstructions permitted in yards pursuant to subsections (1) through (23) of Section 136(c). Where the adjacent properties have an existing rear yard, the unbuilt area of the new project shall be designed to adjoin that rear yard. See exceptions for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects in Section 210.5. Rear yards shall be provided at the lowest story containing a dwelling unit, and at each succeeding level or story of the building. 2
Residential Conversion, Demolition, or Merger	§ 317	C for Removal of one or more Residential Units or Unauthorized Units.
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy	§§102, 202.10	P(6)
Single Room Occupancy	§ 102	P
Student Housing	§ 102	P
Residential Uses
Residential Density, Dwelling Units (5)	§ 207	P at a density ratio not exceeding the number of dwelling units permitted in the nearest R District, with the distance to such R District measured from the midpoint of the front lot line or from a point directly across the street therefrom, whichever permits the greater density; provided, that the maximum density ratio shall in no case be less than one unit for each 800 square feet of lot area. NP above. (8)
Senior Housing	§§ 102, 202.2(f)	P up to twice the number of dwelling units otherwise permitted as a principal use in the district and meeting all the requirements of § 202.2(f)(1). C up to twice the number of dwelling units otherwise permitted as a principal use in the district and meeting all requirements of § 202.2(f)(1) except for § 202.2(f)(1)(D)(iv), related to location. (8)
Residential Density, Group Housing	§ 208	P at a density ratio not exceeding the maximum density permitted for group housing in the nearest R District, with the distance to such R District measured from the midpoint of the front lot line or from a point directly across the street therefrom, whichever permits the greater density; provided, that the maximum density ratio shall in no case be less than one bedroom for each 275 square feet of lot area. NP above. (8)
Homeless Shelter	§§ 102, 208	P
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Off-Street Parking	§§ 150, 151, 155, 161	None required. None Required.1 Maximum permitted per § 151.
Use Size Limits	§ 121.6	C required for single Retail Use greater than 50,000 gross square feet. NP above 120,000 gross square feet.
Ground Floor Ceiling Height	§ 145.1(c)(4)	Minimum floor-to-floor height of 14 feet, as measured from grade except in 40-foot and 50-foot height districts, where buildings shall have a minimum floor-to-floor height of 10 feet.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility	§ 102	P
Formula Retail	§ 102	P
Maritime Use	§ 102	P
Open Air Sales	§ 102	NP
Outdoor Activity Area	§ 102	P
Walk-up Facility	§ 102	P
Agricultural Use Category
Agricultural Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	P (2)
Automotive Use Category
Automotive Repair	§ 102	NP
Automotive Sale/Rental	§ 102	P (3)
Automotive Service Station	§§ 102, 202.2(b)	P (2)
Automotive Wash	§§ 102, 202.2(b)	C (2)
Electric Vehicle Charging Location	§§ 102, 202.2(b), 202.13	P
Fleet Charging	§ 102	C
Gas Station	§§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)	P
Parking Garage, Private	§ 102	C
Parking Garage, Public	§ 102	C
Parking Lot, Private	§ 102, 142, 156	C (2)
Parking Lot, Public	§ 102, 142, 156	C (2)
Service, Motor Vehicle Tow	§ 102	NP
Service, Parcel Delivery	§ § 102 , 303(cc)	C
Services, Ambulance	§ 102	C
Vehicle Storage Garage	§ 102	NP
Vehicle Storage Lot	§ 102, 142	NP
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment and Recreation Uses*	§ 102	P
Livery Stable	§ 102	NP
Open Recreation Area	§ 102	P (2)
Sports Stadium	§ 102	NP
Industrial Use Category
Industrial Uses*	§ 102	NP
Agricultural and Beverage Processing 1	§ 102	P
Agricultural and Beverage Processing 2	§ 102	P
Manufacturing, Light	§ 102	P
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(e)	P
Hospital	§ 102	C
Trade School	§ 102	NP
Sales and Service Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P
Hotel	§ 102	C
Kennel	§ 102	NP
Massage Establishment	§§ 102, 204	P (7)
Mobile Food Facility	§ 102	P (2)
Mortuary	§ 102	C
Motel	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	C
Storage, Self	§ 102	C
Tobacco Paraphernalia Store	§ 102	C
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	P
Storage, Commercial	§ 102	NP
Storage, Wholesale	§ 102	NP
Wholesale Sales	§ 102	NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Community Recycling Center	§ 102	C
Internet Service Exchange	§ 102	C
Power Plant	§ 102	NP
Public Transportation Facility	§ 102	C (2)
Public Utilities Yard	§ 102	NP
Utility Installation	§ 102	P (2)
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility	§ 102	P (1), (4)

* Not listed below.

(1) C required if taller than 25 feet above roof, grade or height limit (depending on site) or if within 1000 feet of an R District and includes a parabolic antenna with a diameter in excess of three meters or a composite diameter of antennae in excess of six meters. See definition in Section 102 for more information.

(2) Not required to be in an enclosed building.

(3) Allowed to operate on an open lot, but C required if operated on open lot.

(4) C if an unscreened Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility is within Waterfront Special Use District 2 or 3, pursuant to Section 240.2(e) and 240.3(i) of this Code.

(5) Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units may be permitted pursuant to Sections 207.1 and 207.2.

(6) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units; C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units. P for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects pursuant to Section 210.5, regardless of building size.

(7) C on the 2nd floor and above, except that a Massage Establishment located on the 2nd floor or above accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service is P.

(8) In C-2 zoning districts east of or fronting Franklin Street/13th Street and north of Townsend Street, except for parcels within the Northeast Waterfront Historic District, the Jackson Square Historic District, and the Jackson Square Historic District Extension, there is no density limit. The Jackson Square Historic District Extension shall include parcels within the area bounded by the northern boundary of the Jackson Square Historic District and the centerline of Sansome Street, Kearny Street, and Broadway. On parcels with no density limit, density is regulated by the permitted height and bulk, and required setbacks, exposure, open space, and other Code requirements applicable to each development lot.

(Amended as Sec. 210.2 by Ord. 136-68, App. 5/29/68; redesignated and amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; amended by Ord. 162-15 , File No. 150805, App. 9/18/2015, Eff. 10/18/2015; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 33-16 , File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 78-20, File No. 191075, App. 5/22/2020, Eff. 6/22/2020; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 233-21, File No. 210381, App. 12/22/2021, Eff. 1/22/2022; Ord. 37-22, File No. 211263, App. 3/14/2022, Eff. 4/14/2022; Ord. 190-22, File No. 220036, App. 9/16/2022, Eff. 10/17/2022; Ord. 264-22, File No. 220811, App. 12/22/2022, Eff. 1/22/2023; Ord. 122-23, File No. 230371, App. 7/5/2023, Eff. 8/5/2023; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 47-24, File No. 231223, App. 3/15/2024, Eff. 4/15/2024; Ord. 54-24, File No. 240169, App. 3/22/2024, Eff. 4/22/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024; Ord. 59-24, File No. 231079, App. 3/26/2024, Eff. 4/26/2024; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 113-24, File No. 240193, App. 6/13/2024, Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024)

(Former Sec. 210.1 amended by Ord. 136-68, App. 5/29/68; repealed by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Former Sec. 210.2 redesignated as Sec. 210.1; undesignated introductory paragraph amended; Table 210.1 added; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Note (5) added; Ord. 162-15 , Eff. 10/18/2015. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Table 210.1 amended; Note (4) added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Undesignated introductory paragraph amended; Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 311-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Note (5) amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Table 210.1 amended; Note (6) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Note (6) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Table 210.1 amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Table 210.1 and Note (7) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 190-22, Eff. 10/17/2022. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 264-22, Eff. 1/22/2023. Table 210.1 and Notes (6) and (7) amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 122-23, Eff. 8/5/2023, and Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 47-24, Eff. 4/15/2024; and Ord. 54-24, Retro. 3/30/2024. Note (8) amended; Ord. 59-24, Eff. 4/26/2024. Note (5) amended; Ord. 62-24, Eff. 4/28/2024. Table 210.1 amended; Ord. 113-24, Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024.

CODIFICATION NOTES

1. So in Ord. 311-18.

2. So in Ord. 122-23 and Ord. 159-23.

SEC. 210.2. C-3 DISTRICTS: DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL.

Downtown San Francisco, a center for City, regional, national, and international commerce, is composed of five separate districts, as follows:

C-3-O District: Downtown Office. This District, playing a leading national role in finance, corporate headquarters and service industries, and serving as an employment center for the region, consists primarily of high-quality office development. The intensity of building development is the greatest in the City, resulting in a notable skyline symbolizing the area's strength and vitality. The District is served by City and regional transit reaching its central portions and by automobile parking at peripheral locations. Intensity and compactness permit face-to-face business contacts to be made conveniently by travel on foot. Office development is supported by some related retail and service uses within the area, with inappropriate uses excluded in order to conserve the supply of land in the core and its expansion areas for further development of major office buildings.

C-3-O(SD) District: Downtown Office Special Development. This area south of Market Street and east of 3rd Street comprises the southern side of the core central business district, and is similar to and generally indistinguishable from the C-3-O District in terms of uses and character. The area is centered on the Transbay Transit Center. This District permits densities that exceed those in the C-3-O District and contains the tallest height limits in the City, reflecting its unparalleled public transportation access and geographically central position in the downtown.

C-3-R District: Downtown Retail. This District is a regional center for comparison shopper retailing and direct consumer services. It covers a compact area with a distinctive urban character, consists of uses with cumulative customer attraction and compatibility, and is easily traversed by foot. Like the adjacent Downtown Office District, this District is well-served by City and regional transit, with automobile parking best located at its periphery. Within the District, continuity of retail and consumer service uses is emphasized, with encouragement of pedestrian interest and amenities and minimization of conflicts between shoppers and motor vehicles. A further merging of this District with adjacent, related Districts is anticipated, partially through development of buildings which combine retailing with other functions.

C-3-G District: Downtown General Commercial. This District covers the western portions of downtown and is composed of a variety of uses: Retail, offices, hotels, entertainment, clubs and institutions, and high-density residential. Many of these uses have a Citywide or regional function, although the intensity of development is lower here than in the downtown core area. As in the case of other downtown districts, no off-street parking is required for individual commercial buildings. In the vicinity of Market Street, the configuration of this District reflects easy accessibility by rapid transit.

C-3-S District: Downtown Support. This District encompasses Yerba Buena Gardens, which includes San Francisco's Convention Center, hotels, museums and cultural facilities, housing, retail, and offices arranged around public gardens and plazas. The District continues to accommodate important supporting functions such as wholesaling, printing, building services, and secondary office space. It also contains unique housing resources. The District is within walking distance of rapid transit on Market Street, and is served by transit lines on Third, Fourth, Mission and Folsom streets.

Table 210.2
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR C-3 DISTRICTS

Zoning Category	§ References	C-3-O	C-3-O(SD)	C-3-R	C-3-G	C-3-S
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits	§§ 102, 105, 106, 250-252, 260, 261, 270, 271	Varies. See also Height and Bulk District Maps.
Setbacks and Streetwall Articulation	§ 132.1	Various upper floor setback requirements based on building location, height and street width. Building setbacks may be required facing streets of 80' or less in width and on Market Street.
Basic Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102, 123, 124	9.0 to 1	6.0 to 1	6.0 to 1	6.0 to 1	5.0 to 1
Front, Rear, and Side Setbacks	§§ 130, 132, 133, 134	See Residential Standards below.
Sun Access Planes	§ 146	Buildings located on certain streets are required to provide sun access planes per § 146.
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Privately Owned Public Open Space	§ 138	Required with the constructing of a new building or an addition of gross floor area equal to 20% or more of an existing building. Ratio of POPOS is 1:50 feet for all districts except C-3-R which is 1:100.
Downtown Streetscape Plan	§ 138.1	Required. Sidewalk paving, as set for in the Downtown Streetscape Plan is required with any new construction; or the addition of floor area equal to 20% or more of an existing building.
Street Frontage Requirements	§ 145.1	Required as specified in § 145.1.
Street Frontage, Required Ground Floor Commercial	§ 145.4	As specified in § 145.4, certain streets and districts are required to have "active commercial uses."
Street Frontage, Parking and Loading Access Restrictions	§ 155(r)	As specified in § 155(r) certain streets and districts have additional restrictions on vehicular access in addition to general standards. In C-3 Districts curb cuts are restricted on Transit Preferential, Neighborhood Commercial Streets or official City bicycle routes or bicycle lanes.
Artworks and Recognition of Artists and Architects	§ 429	Art works and recognition of artists and architects are required for new buildings and for additions of floor area in excess of 25,000 square feet to an existing building, per § 429.
Miscellaneous
Large Project Review	§ 309	As required by § 309.
Planned Unit Development	§ 304	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Awnings, Canopy or Marquee	§ 136	P	P	P	P	P
Signs	§ 607	As permitted by Section § 607.
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space for Dwelling Units and Group Housing	§§ 135, 136	At least 36 square feet if private, and 48 square feet per Dwelling Unit if common; Group Housing requirement is per bedroom and 1/3 the amount required for a Dwelling Unit. See exceptions for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects in Section 210.5.
Residential Parking Requirements	§§ 150, 151.1, 161	None required. P up to one car for each two Dwelling Units; C up to three cars for each four Dwelling Units. NP above.
Rear Yard Setback	§§ 130, 134	Lot coverage is limited to 80% at all levels containing Residential Uses, except that on levels that include only lobbies and circulation areas and on levels in which all residential uses, including circulation areas, are within 40 horizontal feet from a property line fronting a street or alley, up to 100% lot coverage may occur. The unbuilt portion of the lot shall be open to the sky except for those obstructions permitted in yards pursuant to subsections (1) through (23) of Section 136(c). Where the adjacent properties have an existing rear yard, the unbuilt area of the new project shall be designed to adjoin that rear yard. See exceptions for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects in Section 210.5. Exceptions are permitted by § 309.
Residential Conversion, Demolition, or Merger	§ 317	C for Removal of one or more Residential Units or Unauthorized Units.
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy	§§102, 202.10	P(8)	P(8)	P(8)	P(8)	P(8)
Single Room Occupancy	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Student Housing	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Residential Uses
Residential Density, Dwelling Units (7)	§ 207	No density limit. Density is regulated by the permitted height and bulk, and required setbacks, exposure, and open space of each development lot.
Senior Housing	§§ 102, 202.2(f)	No density limit. Density is regulated by the permitted height and bulk, and required setbacks, exposure, and open space of each development lot.
Residential Density, Group Housing	§ 208	No density limit. Density is regulated by the permitted height and bulk, and required setbacks, exposure, and open space of each development lot.
Homeless Shelter	§§ 102, 208	P	P	P	P	P
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Off-Street Parking	§§ 150, 151.1, 161	None Required. Maximums set in Planning Code § 151.1
Use Size Limits	§ 121.6	C required for single retail use over 90,000 gross square feet. Single Retail Uses in excess of 120,000 gross square feet that sell groceries; contain more than 20,000 Stockkeeping Units (SKUs); and devote more than 5% of its total sales floor area to the sale of non-taxable merchandise are NP.
Ground Floor Ceiling Height	§ 145.1(c)(4)	Required minimum floor-to-floor height of 14 feet, as measured from grade.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Formula Retail	§§ 102, 303.1	P	P	P	P	P
Maritime Use	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Open Air Sales	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Outdoor Activity Area	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Walk-up Facility	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Agricultural Use Category
Agricultural Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	P	P	P	P	P
Greenhouse	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	NP	NP	NP	NP	P
Automotive Use Category
Automotive Repair	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	P
Automotive Sale/Rental	§ 102	P (4)	P (4)	P (4)	P (3)	P (3)
Automotive Service Station	§§ 102, 202.2(b)	NP	NP	NP	P	P
Automotive Wash	§§ 102, 202.2(b)	NP	NP	NP	C	C
Electric Vehicle Charging Location	§§ 102, 202.2(b), 202.13	C	C	C	C	C
Fleet Charging	§ 102	C	C	C	C	C
Gas Station	§§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)	NP	NP	NP	C	C
Parking Garage, Private	§ 102	C	C	C	C	C
Parking Garage, Public	§ 102	C	C	C	C	C
Parking Lot, Private	§ 102, 142, 156	NP (9)	NP (9)	NP (9)	NP (9)	NP (9)
Parking Lot, Public	§ 102, 142, 156	NP (9)	NP (9)	NP (9)	NP (9)	NP (9)
Service, Motor Vehicle Tow	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Service, Parcel Delivery	§§ 102 , 303(cc)	C	C	C	C	C
Services, Ambulance	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	C	P
Vehicle Storage Garage	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	C	P
Vehicle Storage Lot	§ 102, 142	NP	NP	NP	NP	C
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses*	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Entertainment, Outdoor	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Livery Stable	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Open Recreation Area	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Sports Stadium	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	C
Industrial Use Category
Industrial Uses*	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Manufacturing, Light	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(e)	P	P	P	P	P
Hospital	§ 102	C	C	C	C	C
Residential Care Facility	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Trade School	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Sales and Service Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P	P	P	P	P
Hotel	§ 102	C	C	C	C	C
Kennel	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Massage Establishment	§§ 102, 204	P (10)1	P (10)	P (10)	P (10)	P (10)
Mortuary	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	C	C
Motel	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	NP	NP	NP	C	C
Storage, Self	§ 102	NP	NP	C	C	P
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment	§ 102	C	C	C	C (11)	C
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	P (1)	P (1)	P (1)	P (1)	P (1)
Catering	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Design Professional	§ 102	P	P	P (1)	P	P
Laboratory	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Life Science	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Storage, Commercial	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Storage, Wholesale	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	P
Wholesale Sales	§ 102	P	P	P	P	P
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP	NP
Internet Service Exchange	§ 102	C	C	C	C	C
Public Transportation Facility	§ 102	C	C	C	C	C
Utility Installation	§ 102	C	C	C	P	P
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility	§ 102	P (5)	P (5)	P (5)	P (5)	P (5)

* Not listed below.

(1) C required if at or below the ground floor.

(2) [Reserved.]

(3) C required if operated on an open lot.

(4) Required to be in an enclosed building, NP if operated on open lot.

(5) C required if taller than 25 feet above roof, grade, or height limit depending on site or if within 1000 feet of an R District and includes a parabolic antenna with a diameter in excess of 3 meters or a composite diameter of antennae in excess of 6 meters. See definition in Section 102 for more information.

(6) [Reserved.]

(7) Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units may be permitted pursuant to Sections 207.1 and 207.2.

(8) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units; C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units. P for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects pursuant to Section 210.5, regardless of building size.

(9) Pursuant to Section 156(f), temporary parking lots may be approved as Conditional Uses, except in the C-3-O(SD) District, pursuant to the provisions of Section 303 for a period not to exceed five years from the date of approval. No new parking lots may be approved in the C-3-O(SD) District, however Conditional Use approval for a two-year extension of existing parking lots in the C-3-O(SD) District may be approved pursuant to Section 156(f) provided that they meet the requirements of subsection 156(h).

(10)1 C on the 2nd floor and above, except that a Massage Establishment located on the 2nd floor or above accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service is P.

(11) TOBACCO PARAPHERNALIA ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE NORTH OF MARKET RESIDENTIAL SPECIAL USE DISTRICT – A special definition of “Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments” set forth in Section 102 applies to parcels in the North of Market Residential Special Use District (Sec. 249.5). Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments are not permitted in the North of Market Residential Special Use District. Additionally, a legal non-conforming Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment in the North of Market Residential Special Use District is deemed abandoned after 180 days of non-use.

(Amended as Sec. 210.3 by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 182-12 , File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; redesignated and amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; amended by Ord. 162-15 , File No. 150805, App. 9/18/2015, Eff. 10/18/2015; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 23-16 , File No. 150494, App. 3/4/2016, Eff. 4/3/2016; Ord. 33-16 , File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 189-17, File No. 170693, App. 9/15/2017, Eff. 10/15/2017; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 23-19, File No. 180916, App. 2/15/2019, Eff. 3/18/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 78-20, File No. 191075, App. 5/22/2020, Eff. 6/22/2020; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 233-21, File No. 210381, App. 12/22/2021, Eff. 1/22/2022; Ord. 37-22, File No. 211263, App. 3/14/2022, Eff. 4/14/2022; Ord. 190-22, File No. 220036, App. 9/16/2022, Eff. 10/17/2022; Ord. 264-22, File No. 220811, App. 12/22/2022, Eff. 1/22/2023; Ord. 122-23, File No. 230371, App. 7/5/2023, Eff. 8/5/2023; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 47-24, File No. 231223, App. 3/15/2024, Eff. 4/15/2024; Ord. 54-24, File No. 240169, App. 3/22/2024, Eff. 4/22/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 70-24, File No. 231225, App. 4/5/2024, Eff. 5/6/2024; Ord. 113-24, File No. 240193, App. 6/13/2024, Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024)

(Former Sec. 210.2 amended by Ord. 136-68, App. 5/29/68; redesignated as Sec. 210.1 and amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

C-3-G, C-3-S Districts amended; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. C-3-O(SD) District added; Ord. 182-12 , Eff. 9/7/2012. Former Sec. 210.3 redesignated as Sec. 210.2; Table 210.2 added; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Note (7) added; Ord. 162-15 , Eff. 10/18/2015. Introductory material and Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 23-16 , Eff. 4/3/2016. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Introductory material and Table Notes (1), (2), (3), (5), and (6) amended; Ord. 23-19, Eff. 3/18/2019. Note (7) amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Table 210.2 amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Table 210.2 and Note (8) amended; Note (9) added; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Table 210.2 amended; Note (10)1 added; Ord. 233-21 , Eff. 1/22/2022. Table 210.2 and Note (10)1 amended; Ord. 37-22 , Eff. 4/14/2022. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Table 210.2 and Note (8) amended; Notes (2) and (6) deleted; Ord. 122-23 , Eff. 8/5/2023, and Ord. 159-23 , Eff. 8/28/2023. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 47-24 , Eff. 4/15/2024; and Ord. 54-24 , Retro. 3/30/2024. Note (7) amended; Ord. 62-24 , Eff. 4/28/2024. Table 210.2 amended; Note (10) designated; Note (11) added; Ord. 70-24 , Eff. 5/6/2024. Table 210.2 amended; Ord. 113-24 , Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024.

CODIFICATION NOTE

1 . Note “(10)” is referenced as “(9)” in Ord. 233-21 and Ord. 37-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(9)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 136-21. The note was officially designated as “(10)” by Ord. 70-24.

SEC. 210.3. PDR DISTRICTS.

New Ordinance Notice

Publisher's Note: This section has been AMENDED by new legislation (Ord. 12-25 , approved 2/14/2025, effective 3/17/2025). The text of the amendment will be incorporated under the new section number when the amending legislation is operative.

These Districts provide space for a wide variety of PDR (production, distribution and repair) and other non-residential activities in districts where these uses are free from inherent economic and operational competition and conflicts with housing, large office developments, and large-scale retail, which are not permitted in these Districts. Other uses that share operational characteristics with PDR uses are permitted in these Districts, as they require large flexible spaces and prefer separation from intensive housing districts. PDR-zoned land is also an important reservoir of space in San Francisco for new and evolving industry and activity types that cannot be foreseen today and cannot practically function or compete for space in a typical downtown office or neighborhood commercial environment. Business and activities allowed in PDR Districts generally share a need for flexible operating space that features large open interior spaces, high ceilings, freight loading docks and elevators, floors capable of bearing heavy loads, and large (often uncovered exterior) storage areas. These uses are often not ideally compatible with housing for operational reasons, including the need for significant trucking and delivery activities, 24-hour operation, and emission of noise, odors and vibrations. Importantly, PDR uses are limited in the amount of rent they can afford relative to office, retail, and residential uses, yet are important sectors of the City's economy.

PDR-1-B District: Light Industrial Buffer. The intent of this District is to create a buffer area between residential neighborhoods and light industrial areas, primarily in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. Thus, this District prohibits residential uses and limits Office, Retail, and Institutional uses. Generally, all other uses are permitted. This zone allows for less intensive production, distribution, and repair activities that will not compromise the quality of life of nearby residents. These uses generate less external noise, odors, and vibrations and engage in fewer trucking activities than those permitted in PDR-2 Districts. Uses in this District are generally conducted completely within enclosed structures. Small-scale Retail and Office uses are permitted, as are other activities that may serve well to buffer existing residential neighborhoods from areas of concentrated industrial operations. In considering any new land use not contemplated in this District, the Zoning Administrator shall take into account the intent of this District as expressed in this Section and in the General Plan.

PDR-1-D District: Design. The intention of this District is to retain and encourage less-intensive production, distribution, and repair businesses, especially the existing clusters of design-related businesses. Thus, this District prohibits Residential and Office uses, and limits Retail and Institutional uses. Additionally, this District prohibits heavy industrial uses, which generate external noise, odors, and vibrations and engage in frequent trucking activities. Generally, all other uses are permitted. In considering any new land use not contemplated in this District, the Zoning Administrator shall take into account the intent of this District as expressed in this Section and in the General Plan.

PDR-1-G District: General. The intention of this District is to retain and encourage existing production, distribution, and repair activities and promote new business formation. Thus, this District prohibits Residential and Office uses, and limits Retail and Institutional uses. Additionally, this District allows for more intensive production, distribution, and repair activities than PDR-1-B and PDR-1-D but less intensive than PDR-2. Generally, all other uses are permitted. In considering any new land use not contemplated in this District, the Zoning Administrator shall take into account the intent of this District as expressed in this Section and in the General Plan.

PDR-2 District: Core Production, Distribution, and Repair. The intent of this District is to encourage the introduction, intensification, and protection of a wide range of light and contemporary industrial activities. Thus, this District prohibits new housing, large office developments, large-scale retail, and the heaviest of industrial uses, such as incinerators. Generally, all other uses are permitted. The conservation of existing flexible industrial buildings is also encouraged. This District permits certain non-industrial, non-residential uses, including small-scale Retail and Office, Entertainment, certain institutions, and similar uses that would not create conflicts with the primary industrial uses or are compatible with the operational characteristics of businesses in the area. Light industrial uses in this District may be conducted entirely within an enclosed structure, partly within enclosed structures, or some functions may occur entirely in open areas. These uses may require trucking activity multiple times per day, including trucks with up to 18 wheels or more, and occurring at any time of the day or night. As part of their daily operations, PDR activities in these areas may emit noises, vibrations, odors, and other emissions, as permitted by law. Within the requirements of local, state, and federal health and safety regulations, and within the stipulation of this Code, which may impose additional use size maximums and minimum distance requirements on certain activities, raw materials used for production, manufacturing, repair, storage, research, and distribution may be stored on site and may include chemical, biological, and other hazardous, explosive, or flammable materials. In considering any new land use not contemplated in this District, the Zoning Administrator shall take into account the intent of this District as expressed in this Section and in the General Plan.

Table 210.3
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR PDR DISTRICTS

Zoning Category	§ References	PDR-1-B	PDR-1-D	PDR-1-G	PDR-2
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits	§§ 102, 105, 106, 132.1, 250-252, 260, 270, 271	Varies. See Height and Bulk Map.
Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102, 123, 124	3.0 to 1 in a 40, 45, or 48-foot height district; 4.0 to 1 in a 50, 55, or 58-foot height district; 5.0 to 1 in a 65 or 68-foot height district; 6.0 in an 80 or 85-foot height district; or 7.5 to 1 in a height district over 85 feet.
Front, Rear, and Side Setbacks	§§ 130, 132, 133, 134	Not Required.
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements (Street Trees)	§ 138.1	Required.
Ground Floor Standards	§ 145.5	Ground floor spaces with a minimum of 17 feet floor-to-floor.
Street Frontage, Required Ground Floor Commercial	§ 145.4	As specified in § 145.4, certain streets and districts are required to have "active commercial uses."
Street Frontage, Parking and Loading Access Restrictions	§ 155(r)	As specified in § 155(r).
Artworks and Recognition of Artists and Architects	§ 429	Not Required.
Miscellaneous
Large Lot Subdivision	§ 121.9	Subdividing, re-subdividing, or performing a lot line adjustment to a parcel that is equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet, into one or more smaller parcels requires C.
Large Project Review	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Planned Unit Development* * Residential Uses are not permitted.	§ 304	C	C	C	C
Awnings, Canopy or Marquee	§§ 136, 136.1	P	P	P	P
Signs	§ 607	As permitted by Section § 607.
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit]	§§ 135, 136	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Residential Parking Requirements	§§ 151.1, 161	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Residential Conversion, Demolition, or Merger	§ 317	C for Removal of one or more Residential Units or Unauthorized Units; in C-3, only for Removal above the ground floor..1
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy	§§102, 202.10	NP	NP	NP	NP
Single Room Occupancy	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
Student Housing	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
Residential Uses
Dwelling Units	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
Senior Housing	§§ 102, 202.2(f)	NP	NP	NP	NP
Group Housing	§ 208	NP	NP	NP	NP
Homeless Shelter	§§ 102, 208	P	P	P	P
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Off-Street Parking	§§ 150, 151, 151.1	Parking required per § 151.	None Required. Maximums set in Planning Code § 151.1.		Parking required per § 151.
Use Size Limits for Retail Sales and Service Uses	§ 210.3A	See Table 210.3A.	5,000 gross square feet per lot, see reference (10) below.	2,500 gross square feet per lot, see reference (9) below	See Table 210.3A.
Use Size Limits for Non-Retail Sales and Service Uses	§ 210.3A	See Table 210.3A.	N/A	N/A	See Table 210.3A.
Office Uses in designated landmark buildings	§§ 102, 210.3B	N/A	C, subject to the conditions and criteria of Section 210.3B.		N/A
PDR Building Replacement	§ 202.7	Demolition of buildings housing PDR Uses requires replacement PDR buildings as specified in Section 202.7.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Formula Retail	§§ 102, 303.1, 786	P (17)	P	P	P (17)
Maritime Use	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	P
Open Air Sales	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Outdoor Activity Area	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Small Enterprise Workspace	§§ 102, 202.2(g)	NP	P	P	NP
Walk-up Facility	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Agricultural Use Category (25)
Agricultural Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	P	P	P	P
Agriculture, Industrial	§ 102	C	C	C	C
Automotive Use Category
Automotive Uses*	§ 102	NP	P	P	P
Automotive Repair (25)	§ 102	P (3)	P	P	P
Automotive Sale/Rental	§ 102	P	P (4)	P	P
Automotive Service Station (25)	§§ 102, 202.2(b)	P	P	P	P
Automotive Wash (25)	§§ 102, 202.2(b)	P	P	P	P
Electric Vehicle Charging Location	§§ 102, 202.2(b), 202.13	P	P	P	P
Fleet Charging	§ 102	C	C(24)	C(24)	C(24)
Gas Station	§§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)	P	P	P	P
Parcel Delivery Service (25)	§ 102	NP	P	P	P
Parking Garage, Private	§ 102	C	C	C	C
Parking Garage, Public	§ 102	C	C	C	C
Parking Lot, Private	§§ 102, 142, 156	C	NP	C	C
Parking Lot, Public	§§ 102, 142, 156	C	NP	C	C
Service, Motor Vehicle Tow (25)	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Service, Parcel Delivery	§§ 102 , 303 (cc)	C	C	C	C
Entertainment and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment and Recreation Uses*	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Entertainment, General	§ 102	P (5)	P	P	P
Entertainment, Nighttime	§ 102	P (5)	P	P	P
Entertainment, Outdoor	§ 102	NP	P	P	P
Livery Stable	§ 102	NP	P	P	P
Movie Theater	§§ 102, 202.4	P (6)	P (6)	P (6)	P (6)
Sports Stadium	§ 102	NP	C	C	C
Industrial Use Category (25)
Auto Wrecking	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	C
Automobile Assembly	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	C	C	P
Agricultural and Beverage Processing 1	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	P	P	P
Agricultural and Beverage Processing 2	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	C	C	C
Grain Elevator	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	P	NP	P
Hazardous Waste Facility	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	C
Junkyard	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	P
Livestock Processing 1	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	C
Livestock Processing 2	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	NP
Manufacturing 1, Heavy	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	C	C	C
Manufacturing 2, Heavy	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	C	C
Manufacturing 3, Heavy	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	C
Manufacturing, Light	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	P (5)	P	P	P
Ship Yard	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	C
Metal Workshop	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	P	P	P
Storage Yard	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	P (5)	P	P	P
Storage, Volatile Materials	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP	C
Truck Terminal	§§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	P	P	P
Institutional Use Category
Child Care Facility	§ 102	C	P	C	NP
Community Facility	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Community Facility, Private	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Hospital	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
Job Training	§ 102	P (7)	P (7)	P (7)	P (7)
Medical Cannabis Dispensary	§§ 102, 202.2(e)	P (1)	P (10)	P (9)	P (1)
Post-Secondary Ed. Institution	§ 102	P (7)	P (7)	NP	NP
Public Facilities	§ 102	C	C	C	C
Religious Institution	§ 102	P (7)	P (7)	P (7)	P (7)
Residential Care	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
School	§ 102	P (7)	P (7)	NP	NP
Social Service or Philanthropic Facility	§ 102	P (5)	P (8)	P (8)	P (8)
Trade School	§ 102	P (7)	P (7)	P (7)	P (7)
Sales and Service Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P (1)	P (10)	P (9)	P (1)
Adult Business	§ 102	NP	P	P	P
Adult Sex Venue	§ 102	NP	C	C	C
Animal Hospital	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Cannabis Retail	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P (1) (21)	P (10)(21)	P (9)(21)	P (1) (21)
Grocery Store, General	§§ 102, 202.3	P (1)	P (13)	P (12)	P (1)
Gym	§§ 102, 210.3C	C	NP (20)	NP (20)	NP
Hotel	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
Kennel (25)	§ 102	NP	P	P	P
Massage Establishment	§§ 102, 204	P (23)	P (23)	P (23)	P (23)
Massage, Foot/Chair	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
Mortuary	§ 102	P	NP	P	P
Motel	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	NP	NP	NP	NP
Services, Health	§ 102	P (3)	P (8)	P (8)	P (5)
Storage, Self	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP (22)
Trade Shop (25)	§ 102	P (11)	P	P	P
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	P (2)	NP (14)	NP (14)	P (2)
Catering (25)	§ 102	P (5)	P	P	P
Laboratory	§ 102	P (16)	P	P	P
Life Science	§ 102	NP	NP	NP	NP
Services, Business	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Storage, Commercial (25)	§ 102	P (5)	P	P	P
Storage, Wholesale (25)	§ 102	P (5)	P	P	P
Trade Office (25)	§ 102	P	P	P	P
Wholesale Sales (25)	§ 102	P (5)	P	P	P
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Community Recycling Center	§ 102	NP	NP	P	P
Internet Service Exchange	§ 102	C	C	C	C
Power Plant	§ 102	NP	NP	C	C
Public Transportation Facility	§ 102	NP	C	C	C
Public Utilities Yard (25)	§ 102	P (5)	P	P	P
Utility Installation	§ 102	C	P	P	P
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility	§ 102	C or P (18)	P (15)	P (15)	P (15)

* Not listed below.

(1) See Table 210.3A.

(2) See Table 210.3A.

(3) NP above 7,500 Gross Square Feet.

(4) Required to be in an enclosed building, NP if operated on open lot.

(5) NP above 5,000 Gross Square Feet.

(6) More than 3 screens NP.

(7) NP above 20,000 Gross Square Feet. Housing is not permitted.

(8) C if above 5,000 Gross Square Feet.

(9) In this District, all uses with this reference number are limited to a cumulative total of 2,500 Gross Square Feet per lot.

(10) In this District, all uses with this reference number are limited to a cumulative total of 5,000 Gross Square Feet per lot.

(11) Printing shop and newspaper publication limited to 5,000 Gross Square Feet.

(12) C required if larger than 2,500 Gross Square Feet per lot.

(13) C required if larger than 5,000 Gross Square Feet per lot.

(14) C if in a designated landmark per Section 210.3B.

(15) C required when any portion of such facility exceeds a height of 25 feet above the roof line of the building on the premises, or above the ground if there is no building, or 25 feet above the height limit applicable to the subject site under Article 2.5 of this Code, whichever is the lesser height. C also required if within 1,000 feet of an R District and includes a parabolic antenna with a diameter in excess of three meters or a composite diameter of antennae in excess of six meters. See definition in § 102 for more information.

(16) NP above 2,500 Gross Square Feet.

(17) C required for properties within the Third Street Formula Retail Restricted Use District (§ 786), which includes properties fronting Third Street between Williams Avenue and Paul Street.

(18) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.

[19] [Reserved]2

(20) NP except as provided in Section 210.3C.

(21) Cannabis Retail is only permitted where (a) the Cannabis Retail establishment holds a valid Cannabis Microbusiness permit from the City’s Office of Cannabis, and (b) the Cannabis Retail Use occupies no more than 1/3 of the total floor area occupied by the PDR and Cannabis Retail Uses on the premises.

(22) NP except that any Self Storage use that submitted a development application on or before December 31, 2021 shall be Principally Permitted, and is exempt from the retail limits of Section 210.3A, provided that no less than 50% of the parcel area consists of ground floor Industrial, Agricultural, Automotive Repair, Catering, Trade Shop, Institutional Community use, or Arts Activities uses. This note shall expire by operation of law on December 31, 2026, unless the City enacts an ordinance with an effective date on or before that date that extends or re-enacts this note, provided that any authorization granted hereunder shall be valid for such period of time as the conditions of approval of such authorization provides, notwithstanding the expiration of this note. Following the expiration of this note, the City Attorney shall cause this note to be removed from the Municipal Code.

(23) C on the 2nd floor and NP on the 3rd floor and above, except that a Massage Establishment accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service is P.

(24) P where existing use is a Private Parking Lot or Vehicle Storage Lot, and where a Development Application to convert the Private Parking Lot or Vehicle Storage Lot to Fleet Charging use was submitted prior to January 11, 2024.

(25) Also considered a Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) use as defined in Sec. 102.

(Added by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; amended by Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 33-16 , File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 213-16, File No. 160960, App. 11/4/2016, Eff. 12/4/2016; Ord. 105-17, File No. 170156, App. 5/26/2017, Eff. 6/25/2017; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 189-17, File No. 170693, App. 9/15/2017, Eff. 10/15/2017; Ord. 229-17, File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 61-19, File No. 190047, App. 4/4/2019, Eff. 5/5/2019; Ord. 78-20, File No. 191075, App. 5/22/2020, Eff. 6/22/2020; Ord. 164-20, File No. 200852, App. 9/24/2020, Eff. 10/25/2020, Oper. 10/25/2020; Ord. 111-21, File No. 210285, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 233-21, File No. 210381, App. 12/22/2021, Eff. 1/22/2022; Ord. 37-22, File No. 211263, App. 3/14/2022, Eff. 4/14/2022; Ord. 75-22, File No. 220264, App. 5/13/2022, Eff. 6/13/2022; Ord. 190-22, File No. 220036, App. 9/16/2022, Eff. 10/17/2022; Ord. 215-22, File No. 220041, App. 10/28/2022, Eff. 11/28/2022; Ord. 264-22, File No. 220811, App. 12/22/2022, Eff. 1/22/2023; Ord. 248-23, File No. 230446, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 249-23, File No. 230701, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 33-24, File No. 231144, App. 2/21/2024, Eff. 3/23/2024; Ord. 47-24, File No. 231223, App. 3/15/2024, Eff. 4/15/2024; Ord. 50-24, File No. 231080, App. 3/15/2024, Eff. 4/15/2024; Ord. 54-24, File No. 240169, App. 3/22/2024, Eff. 4/22/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024; Ord. 113-24, File No. 240193, App. 6/13/2024, Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024)

(Former Sec. 210.3 amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 182-12 , File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; redesignated as Sec. 210.2 and amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Former Secs. 210.7, 210.8, 210.9, 210.10, and 210.11 consolidated and redesignated as Sec. 210.3 [see those sections for prior legislative history]; Table 210.3 added; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Table 210.3 amended; Note (18) added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Table 210.3 amended; second Note (18) added; Ord. 213-16, Eff. 12/4/2016. Table 210.3 amended; Notes (1), (2), (12), (13), and (16) amended; second Note (18) renumbered as (19); Note (20) added; Ord. 105-17, Eff. 6/25/2016. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Table 210.3 amended; Note (21) added; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Note (19) amended; Ord. 61-19, Eff. 5/5/2019. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Table 210.3 amended; Note (22) added; Ord. 164-20, Oper. 10/25/2020. Table 210.3 and Notes (11) and (20) amended; Ord. 111-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Table 210.3 amended; Note (23) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Table 210.3 and Note (23) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Table 210.3 amended; Note (24) added; Ord. 190-22, Eff. 10/17/2022. Table 210.3 and Note (22) amended; Ord. 215-22, Eff. 11/28/2022. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 264-22, Eff. 1/22/2023. Table 210.3 amended; Note (19) deleted; Ord. 248-23, Eff. 1/14/2024. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 249-23, Eff. 1/14/2024. Table 210.3 and Note (15) amended; Note (25) added; Ord. 33-24, Eff. 3/23/2024. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 47-24, Eff. 4/15/2024; and Ord. 54-24, Retro. 3/30/2024. Table 210.3 and Note (24) amended; Ord. 50-24, Eff. 4/15/2024. Table 210.3 amended; Ord. 113-24, Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024.

CODIFICATION NOTES

1. So in Ord. 33-16.

2 . So in Ord. 248-23.

Editor's Note:
The following explanatory note is included at the direction of the Office of the City Attorney: "See Ord. 26-15, App. 3/6/15, amending the Planning Code to designate Office Use as a conditional use (C) in designated landmark buildings in PDR-1-D and PDR-1-G Districts, subject to Section 803.9(h)."

SEC. 210.3A. NON-ACCESSORY USE SIZE LIMITS FOR CERTAIN RETAIL AND OFFICE USES IN PDR-1-B AND PDR-2 DISTRICTS.

In order to preserve land and building space for light industrial activities, certain non-accessory Retail and Office Uses that exceed the square footage stated in the table below shall not be permitted in PDR-1-B and PDR-2 Districts. The use area shall be measured as the Occupied Floor Area of all retail or offices activities on a lot that have a (1) or (2) in the respective zoning district's use control column in Table 210.3 (Zoning Control Table for PDR Districts). Additionally, a cumulative use size maximum applies in PDR-1-B and PDR-2 Districts, such that the combined floor area of any and all uses permitted by Table 210.3 with a (1) or (2) in the respective zoning district’s use control column may not exceed the limits stated in the table below for any given lot. The size limits in this Section 210.3A shall not apply to uses permitted by Table 210.3 that do not have a (1) or (2) in the respective zoning district’s use control column.

These use size maximum limits shall not apply to accessory uses, as defined in Section 204.3 of this Code.

Table 210.3A

District	Cumulative Use Size Limit, All Uses in Chart 210.3 followed by a (1)	Cumulative Use Size Limit, All Uses in Chart 210.3 followed by a (2)	Total Size Maximum, All Uses in Chart 210.3 followed by a (1) or (2) Combined
PDR-1-B	2,500 sq. ft.	5,000 sq. ft.	7,500 sq. ft.
PDR-2	2,500 sq. ft.	5,000 sq. ft.	5,000 sq. ft.

(Added by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; amended by Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 164-20, File No. 200852, App. 9/24/2020, Eff. 10/25/2020, Oper. 10/25/2020)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Section header added; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015. First introductory paragraph amended; Ord. 164-2, Oper. 10/25/2020.

SEC. 210.3B. OFFICE USES IN LANDMARK BUILDINGS IN THE PDR-1-D AND PDR-1-G DISTRICTS.

In order for a proposed project to receive a Conditional Use authorization for the provision of office space in landmark buildings in the PDR-1-D and PDR-1-G Districts:

(a) The applicant must submit a Historic Structures Report (HSR) to the Planning Department.

(1) The scope of the HSR will be developed in consultation with Planning Department Staff.

(2) The HSR must be prepared by a licensed historic architect who meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards.

(b) The Historic Preservation Commission shall review the HSR for the proposed project's ability to enhance the feasibility of preserving the building.

(c) The Historic Preservation Commission shall review the proposal, including any proposed work related to the change in use, for its compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards (36 C.F.R. § 67.7 (2001)).

(d) The Planning Commission shall consider the following Conditional Use criteria, in addition to the criteria set forth in Section 303(c) and (d):

(1) The Historic Preservation Commission's assessment of the proposed project's ability to enhance the feasibility of preserving the building;

(2) The Historic Preservation Commission's assessment of the proposed project's compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards;

(3) The economic need for the improvements relative to preservation of the building;

(4) The ability for the office tenants to be physically compatible with the PDR tenants;

(5) The relocation strategy for any displaced PDR tenants; and

(6) The impact of the proposed change on the surrounding community.

(e) Vertical Controls. Office Uses approved under this Section shall comply with the Vertical Controls for Office Uses in Section 803.9.

(Added as Sec. 219.2 by Ord. 26-15 , File No. 140876, App. 3/6/2015, Eff. 4/5/2015; redesignated and amended by Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Section redesignated; section header amended; division (e) added; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.

SEC. 210.3C. ALLOWANCE FOR USES TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PDR SPACE IN THE PDR-1-D AND PDR-1-G DISTRICTS.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this provision is to support the increase in the overall stock of PDR space in the City. Despite consistent and growing demand for PDR space in San Francisco, the economics of building new PDR space are very challenging, even in PDR zoning districts where these uses do not compete for land with other more economically-attractive uses. One way to make such development economically viable is to utilize the value of other non-residential space, such as office and institutional uses, to subsidize the construction of PDR space on properties that are largely vacant or substantially underutilized and that do not contain significant PDR space that would be demolished.

(b) Geography. This provision applies to parcels that meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Are located in either the PDR-1-D or PDR-1-G Districts;

(2) Are located north of 20th Street;

(3) Contain a floor area ratio of 0.3 gross floor area or less as of January 1, 2014; and

(4) Are 20,000 square feet or larger.

(c)1 Controls. The Planning Commission may permit, per the procedures described below in subsection (d), non-PDR uses on the subject lot pursuant to the following provisions:

(1) At least one-third of the total Gross Floor Area developed on the parcel shall contain PDR Uses.

(2) For purposes of this subsection (c), every square foot of Small Enterprise Workspace shall count as 0.5 square feet of PDR space and 0.5 square feet of non-PDR space as specified in subsection (c)(3) below.

(3) The non-PDR space may contain one or a combination of the following uses:

(A) Office Uses;

(B) Institutional Uses, except for Hospitals; and/or

(D) Any use otherwise Principally Permitted in the underlying PDR district.

(4) Uses other than those listed in subsections (c)(2) and (c)(3) above, such as Retail, are subject to the controls of the underlying district.

(5) No Residential Uses are permitted, even as part of an Institutional Use, except as allowed as Accessory Uses pursuant to Section 204.4.

(6) The PDR space in any building must be served by:

(A) Sufficient off-street loading, and

(B) One or more freight elevators, in accordance with Planning Code Section 155(j).

(7) The project shall meet the Transpor- tation Management Program requirements of Section 163(c) of the Planning Code.

(8) Accessory parking for Uses listed in subsection (c)(2) above may be permitted up to one space per each 1,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, and all such parking shall be subject to the pricing requirements of Section 155(g) of the Planning Code.

(9) The project sponsor must develop a "PDR Business Plan." The purpose of this PDR Business Plan is to maximize the potential for the project to produce new PDR space that is viable and affordable. The features of the PDR Business Plan should include, but are not limited to:

(A) Overall strategy to incorporate PDR businesses, including specifying which kinds of PDR businesses are the target for the development;

(B) A description of the kinds of non-PDR businesses intended for the site and a plan for how they will co-exist with the PDR businesses and any strategies required to achieve this balance;

(D) A description of how the development's design is suited to PDR businesses;

(E) A description of the rent/purchase price proposed by the developer for the PDR spaces and the approach to keep these rents affordable to PDR tenants over time;

(F) A detailed overview of the workforce and hiring strategy for the PDR businesses on the site, as well as for the non-PDR businesses, including how the project sponsor will abide by City programs such as the First Source Hiring Program; how the project sponsor might utilize other local, State, and federal subsidized hiring programs such as work opportunity tax credits, Jobs Now!, Hire SF, and the California employment tax credit set forth in Chapter 93 of the California 2013-2014 legislative session; and how the project sponsor will inform its tenants about other relevant public programs; and,

(G) A detailed community outreach plan, including a plan for engaging any specific community partners in the development, tenanting of the project, and ongoing management of the PDR portions of the property.

(10) The first Certificate of Occupancy for the PDR portion of the development must be issued by the Department of Building Inspection before or concurrently with the first Certificate of Occupancy for the non-PDR portion of the development unless the PDR and non-PDR portions are part of a single site or building permit.

(d) Referral to OEWD. Upon receiving an application for a project under this Section 210.3C, the Planning Department shall inform the Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) or successor agency, so that OEWD may inform the project sponsor of existing programs and requirements relevant to PDR businesses, including any existing economic incentive and hiring programs.

(e) Approvals.

(1) All projects seeking entitlement pursuant to this Section 210.3C shall be required to receive a Conditional Use authorization, per Section 303 of the Planning Code. In evaluating a proposed authorization under this Section, the Planning Commission shall consider:

(A) The likely viability of the new PDR space created by the development, as influenced by such factors as the content of the project sponsor's PDR Business Plan, and whether the project sponsor has the commitments of established PDR tenants and/or a demonstrated relationship with organizations established in the PDR community.

(B) Whether the project is an appropriate location and intensity for the proposed non-PDR use, including but not limited to whether the location of non-PDR uses would be compatible with or disruptive to PDR uses on the site and in the vicinity, recognizing that PDR uses may generate noise, vibrations, odors, trucking activity, or other PDR-related operational characteristics.

(2) A Notice of Special Restriction (“NSR”) shall be recorded on the title of any property receiving approval under this Section 210.3C. Such NSR shall:

(A) Designate the PDR portion of parcel, building, and/or development;

(B) State that the proportion of Gross Floor Area on the site dedicated to PDR uses shall never be less than one-third of the total Gross Floor Area on the parcel, including any future building or use alterations or expansions;

(C) Require the property owner to submit an annual report to the Planning Department and OEWD, on or before January 31 of each year, starting in the year after the Department of Building Inspection issues the first Certificate of Occupancy that applies to the PDR portion of the development, describing the status of the implementation of its PDR Business Plan, identifying PDR tenants on the property during the prior year, describing the rents for the PDR portions of the property and any lease terms, and providing information on their respective square footages, number of employees, contact information for each tenant, a description of the business or industry characteristics of each business, and the PDR space vacancy on the parcel as of the date of each report;

(D) Provide the Planning Department with the ability to enforce the provisions of this Section; and,

(E) Restrict the ability of the non-PDR portion of the development from limiting the PDR portion from undertaking activities necessary to maintain PDR business operations in such matters as trucking and noise generation.

(f) Uses Established Under This Section. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Code, Office Uses established pursuant to this Section 210.3C shall be deemed Code-conforming uses after the expiration of this Section and such uses shall not constitute nonconforming uses under the provisions of Article 1.7.

(Added as Sec. 219.1 by Ord. 71-14 , File No. 131205, App. 5/23/2014, Eff. 6/22/2014; amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; redesignated and amended by Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; amended by Ord. 105-17, File No. 170156, App. 5/26/2017, Eff. 6/25/2017; Ord. 145-18, File No. 180187, App. 6/27/2018, Eff. 7/28/2018; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 111-21, File No. 210285, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (c)(2) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated; divisions (c)(1), (c)(3)(A), (c)(3)(B), (e), and (g) amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015. Divisions (c)(3)–(c)(3)(B) and (c)(5) amended; division (c)(3)(C) added; Ord. 105-17, Eff. 6/25/2017. Divisions (c), (c)(2), (c)(4), (c)(6)(B), (c)(8), (c)(9)(E)-(F), (e)(2), (e)(2)(C), and (e)(2)(D) amended; former division (f) deleted; former division (g) redesignated as division (f); Ord. 145-18, Eff. 7/28/2018. Divisions (c)-(c)(2), (c)(3)(A)-(c)(5), (c)(8), (d), (e)(2), and (e)(2)(B) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Division (c)(3)(C) amended; division (c)(3)(D) added; Ord. 111-21, Eff. 9/4/2021.

CODIFICATION NOTE

1. Ordinance 71-14 included erroneously duplicated language in divisions (b) and (c) of this section. For clarity, the City Attorney removed the duplicative text when the ordinance was codified.

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