SEC. 710. NC-1 – NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL CLUSTER DISTRICT.

   NC-1 Districts are intended to serve as local neighborhood shopping districts, providing convenience retail goods and services for the immediately surrounding neighborhoods primarily during daytime hours.

   These NC-1 Districts are characterized by their location in residential neighborhoods, often in outlying areas of the City. The commercial intensity of these districts varies. Many of these districts have the lowest intensity of commercial development in the City, generally consisting of small clusters with three or more commercial establishments, commonly grouped around a corner; and in some cases short linear commercial strips with low-scale, interspersed mixed-use (residential-commercial) development.

   Building controls for the NC-1 District promote low-intensity development which is compatible with the existing scale and character of these neighborhood areas. Commercial development is limited to one story. Rear yard requirements at all levels preserve existing backyard space.

   NC-1 commercial use provisions encourage the full range of neighborhood-serving convenience retail sales and services at the first story provided that the use size generally is limited to 3,000 square feet. However, commercial uses and features which could impact residential livability are prohibited, such as auto uses, financial services, general advertising signs, drive-up facilities, hotels, and late-night activity; eating and drinking establishments are restricted, depending upon the intensity of such uses in nearby commercial districts.

   Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story in most districts. Existing residential units are protected by prohibitions of conversions above the ground story and limitations on demolitions. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the District pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.

 

Table 710. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL CLUSTER DISTRICT NC-1 ZONING CONTROL TABLE

		NC-1
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits.	§§ 102, 105, 106, 250–252, 260, 261.1, 270, 271. See also Height and Bulk District Maps	Varies, but generally 40-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets HT02-08, HT10-13 for more information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per § 261.1.
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses	§ 263.20	P(1) in some districts
Rear Yard	§§ 130, 134, 134(a)(e), 136	Required at Grade level and at each succeeding level or Story: 25% of lot depth, but in no case less than 15 feet
Front Setback and Side Yard	§§ 130, 131, 132, 133	Not Required.
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements	§ 138.1	Required
Street Frontage Requirements	§ 145.1	Required; controls apply to above-grade parking setbacks, parking and loading entrances, active uses, ground floor ceiling height, street-facing ground-level spaces, transparency and fenestration, and gates, railings, and grillwork. Exceptions permitted for historic buildings.
Ground Floor Commercial	§ 145.4	Required on some streets, see § 145.4 for specific districts.
Vehicular Access Restrictions	§ 155(r)	Restricted on some streets, see § 155(r) for specific districts
Miscellaneous
Lot Size (Per Development)	§§ 102, 121.1	P(2)
Planned Unit Development	§ 304	C
Awning	§ 136.1	P
Canopy or Marquee	§ 136.1	NP
Signs	§§ 262, 602-604, 607, 607.1, 608, 609	As permitted by § 607.1
General Advertising Signs	§§ 262, 602, 604, 608, 609, 610, 611	NP
Design Guidelines	General Plan Commerce and Industry Element	Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines

 

Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit]	§§ 135, 136	100 square feet if private, or 133 square feet if common, or the amount of open space required in the nearest Residential District, whichever is less.
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 145.1, 150, 151, 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5	No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151..1 Bike parking required per §155.2. If car parking is provided, car share spaces are required when a project has 50 units or more per §166.
Dwelling Unit Mix	§ 207.7	Generally required for creation of 10 or more Dwelling Units. No less than 25% of the total number of proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at least two Bedrooms, and no less than 10% of the total number of proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at least three Bedrooms.
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy	§§ 102; 202.10	P(11)2
Single Room Occupancy	§ 102	P
Student Housing	§ 102	P
Residential Uses		Controls by Story
		1st	2nd	3rd+
Residential Uses	§ 102	P	P	P
Accessory Dwelling Unit Density	§§ 102, 207.1, 207.2	P per Planning Code Sections 207.1 and 207.2.
Dwelling Unit Density	§§ 102, 207	1 unit per 800 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater.
Group Housing Density	§ 208	1 bedroom per 275 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater.
Homeless Shelters Density	§§ 102, 208	Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code
Senior Housing Density	§§ 102, 202.2(f), 207	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.
Loss of Dwelling Units		Controls by Story
		1st	2nd	3rd+
Residential Conversion	§ 317	C	NP	NP
Residential Demolition and Merger	§ 317	C	C	C

 

Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102 , 123, 124	1.8 to 1
Use Size	§ 102	P up to 2,999 square feet; C 3,000 square feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 145.1, 150, 151, 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5	No car parking required...1 Maximum permitted per § 151. Bike parking required per Section 155.2. Car share spaces required when a project has 25 or more parking spaces per §166.
Off-Street Freight Loading	§§ 150, 152, 153 - 155, 161, 204.5	None required if gross floor area is less than 10,000 square feet. Exceptions permitted per §§ 155 and 161.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility	§ 102	NP
Formula Retail	§§ 102, 303.1	C
Hours of Operation	§ 102	P 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.; C 11 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Maritime Use	§ 102	NP
Open Air Sales	§§ 102, 703(b)	See § 703(b)
Outdoor Activity Area	§§ 102, 145.2, 202.2	P if located in front of building or if it complies with Section 202.2(a)(7); C if located elsewhere.
Walk-up Facility	§ 102	P
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES		Controls by Story
		1st	2nd	3rd+
Agricultural Use Category
Agriculture, Industrial	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	NP	NP	NP
Agriculture, Large Scale Urban	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	C	C	C
Agriculture, Neighborhood	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	P	P	P
Automotive Use Category
Automotive Uses*	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location	§§102, 202.2(b), 202.13	C(13)3	C(13)	C(13)
Parking Garage, Private	§ 102	C	C	C
Parking Garage, Public	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Parking Lot, Private	§§ 102, 142, 156	C	C	C
Parking Lot, Public	§§ 102, 142, 156	C	NP	NP
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses*	§§ 102, 202.4	NP	NP	NP
Arts Activities	§ 102	P	P	P
Entertainment, General	§ 102	P	P	NP
Entertainment, Nighttime	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Movie Theater	§ 102, 202.4	C	C	C
Open Recreation Area	§ 102	C	C	C
Passive Outdoor Recreation	§ 102	C	C	C
Industrial Use Category
Industrial Uses	§ 102, 202.2(d)	NP	NP	NP
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*	§ 102	P	C	NP
Child Care Facility	§ 102	P	P	P
Community Facility	§ 102	P	P	P
Hospital	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Medical Cannabis Dispensary	§§ 102, 202.2(e)	NP(6)	NP(6)	NP
Public Facilities	§ 102	P	P	P
Religious Institution	§ 102	P	C	NP
Residential Care Facility	§ 102	P	P	P
Social Service or Philanthropic Facility	§ 102	P	P	P
Sales and Service Use Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(a), 202.3	P(3)	NP	NP
Adult Business	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Adult Sex Venue	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Animal Hospital	§ 102	P	P	P
Bar	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P(6)	NP	NP
Cannabis Retail	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	NP(6)	NP(6)	NP
Flexible Retail	§§ 102, 202.9	P	NP	NP
Gym	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Hotel	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Kennel	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Liquor Store	§ 102	P(6)(9)	NP	NP
Massage Establishment	§§ 102, 204, 703	P	NP(12)	NP(12)
Massage, Foot/Chair	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Mortuary	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Motel	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	NP	NP	NP
Restaurant	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P(3)	P(3)	NP
Restaurant, Limited	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P(3)	P(3)	NP
Services, Financial	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Services, Fringe Financial	§ 102	NP(10)	NP(10)	NP(10)
Services, Health	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Services, Limited Financial	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Services, Personal	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Services, Retail Professional	§ 102	P	P	P
Storage, Self	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Trade Shop	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Design Professional	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional	§ 102	C	P	NP
Trade Office	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*	§ 102	C(5)	C(5)	C(5)
Power Plant	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Public Utilities Yard	§ 102	NP	NP	NP

 

* Not listed below

(1)   Additional 5 feet for NC-1 parcels with a Commercial use on the ground floor within the following areas:    (a)   Within the boundaries of Sargent Street to Orizaba Avenue to Lobos Street to Plymouth Avenue to Farellones Street to San Jose Avenue to Alemany Boulevard to 19th Avenue to Randolph Street to Monticello Street and back to Sargent Street.    (b)   On Noriega, Irving, Taraval, and Judah Streets west of 19th Avenue.

(2)   C for 5,000 square feet and above if located within the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District established under Section 249.97.

(3)   TARAVAL STREET RESTAURANT SUBDISTRICT. Applicable only for the Taraval Street NC-1 District between 40th and 41st Avenues and between 45th and 47th Avenues as mapped on Sectional Maps 5 SU and 6 SU. Within the Taraval Street Restaurant Subdistrict, Formula Retail Restaurants and Formula Retail Limited Restaurants are NP. Formula Retail Restaurants and Formula Retail Limited Restaurants are NP if located within one quarter of one mile from the Taraval Street Restaurant Subdistrict.

(4)   [Note deleted.]

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

(6)   C in the area comprising all of that portion of the City and County commencing at the point of the intersection of the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean and a straight-line extension of Lincoln Way, and proceeding easterly along Lincoln Way to 17th Avenue, and proceeding southerly along 17th Avenue to Judah Street, and proceeding westerly along Judah Street to 19th Avenue, and proceeding southerly along 19th Avenue to Sloat Boulevard, and proceeding westerly along Sloat Boulevard, and following a straight-line extension of Sloat Boulevard to the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean and proceeding northerly along said line to the point of commencement.

(7)   [Note deleted.]

(8)   [Note deleted.]

(9)   C within that portion of the City and County bounded as follows: commencing at the intersection of Arguello Boulevard and Frederick Street, then proceeding southerly along Arguello Boulevard to Carl Street, then proceeding easterly along Carl Street to Hillway Avenue, then proceeding southerly along Hillway Avenue to Parnassus Avenue, then proceeding easterly along Parnassus Avenue to Clayton Street, then proceeding northerly along Clayton Street to Frederick Street, then proceeding easterly along Frederick Street to Buena Vista Avenue West, then proceeding generally northerly along Buena Vista Avenue West to Haight Street, then proceeding easterly along Haight Street to Baker Street, then proceeding northerly along Baker Street to Oak Street, then proceeding westerly along Oak Street to Stanyan Street, then proceeding southerly along Stanyan Street to Frederick Street, then proceeding westerly along Frederick Street to the point of commencement.

(10)   FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD). Fringe Financial Services are NP within any FFSRUD and its one-quarter mile buffer pursuant to Section 249.35. Outside any FFSRUD and its one-quarter mile buffer, Fringe Financial Services are P subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 249.35(c)(3).

(11)2   NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.

(12)   P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.

(13)3    P where existing use is any Automotive Use.

 

(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 42-89, App. 2/8/89; Ord. 229-99, File No. 990991, App. 8/20/99; Ord. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App. 11/17/2000; Ord. 275-05, File No. 051250, App. 11/30/2005; Ord. 289-06, File No. 050176, App. 11/20/2006; Ord. 269-07, File No. 070671, App. 11/26/2007; Ord. 244-08, File No. 080567, App. 10/30/2008; Ord. 245-08, File No. 080696; Ord. 51-09, File No. 081620, App. 4/2/2009; Ord. 5-10, File No. 090319, App. 1/22/2010; Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. 75-12 , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; Ord. 175-12 , File No. 120241, App. 8/7/2012, Eff. 9/6/2012; Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 287-13 , File No. 130041, App. 12/26/2013, Eff. 1/25/2014; Ord. 235-14 , File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 14-15 , File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015; Ord. 20-15 , File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; redesignated and amended by Ord. 30-15 , File No. 140954, App. 3/26/2015, Eff. 4/25/2015; amended by Ord. 161-15, File No. 150804, App. 9/18/2015, Eff. 10/18/2015; Ord. 33-16 , File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. 162-16 , File No. 160657, App. 8/4/2016, Eff. 9/3/2016; 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. 130-17, File No. 170204, 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. 199-18, File No. 180482, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; 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. 285-18, File No. 180806, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019; Ord. 303-18, File No. 180915, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; 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. 182-19, File No. 190248, App. 8/9/2019, Eff. 9/9/2019; Ord. 205-19, File No. 181211, App. 9/11/2019, Eff. 10/12/2019; 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; Proposition H , 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020; 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. 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. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Zoning Control Table: 710.69C and 710.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 710.10 and 710.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 710.68 added, 710.84 amended; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 710.43 and 710.44 amended, former categories 710.42, 710.67, and 710.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 710.40 through 710.44 amended; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 710.10 amended; Ord. 175-12 , Eff. 9/6/2012. Zoning Control Table: 710.13 and 710.69B amended; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 710.38 and 710.39 redesignated as 710.36 and 710.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 710.26 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 710.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 710.14, 710.15, 710.16, and 710.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 710.1); Zoning Control Table: 710.54, 710.91, and 710.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 710.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 710.91 added; Ord. 161-15 , Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 710.36 and 710.37 deleted, 710.96 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Specific Provisions: 710.91 amended; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 710.33A added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Zoning Control Table: 710.33A added; Ord. 166-16, Eff. 9/10/2016. New Zoning Control Table and notes added; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Previous Zoning Control Table and Specific Provisions deleted; Ord. 130-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; [former] Note (3) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4) deleted; Notes (5) and (6) redesignated as Notes (4) and (5); Note (6) added; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 199-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) added; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Zoning Control Table and Notes (6) and (7) amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 285-18, Eff. 1/7/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4) deleted; Ord. 303-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 311-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table and Notes (1)(b), (2), and (3) amended; Note (9) added; Ord. 205-19, Eff. 10/12/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (10) added; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (11)2 added; Ord. 78-20 , Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (11)2 added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) deleted; Proposition H , 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 111-21 , Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table and Note (11) amended; Ord. 136-21 , Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (12) added; Ord. 233-21 , Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (12) amended; Ord. 37-22 , Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22 , Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (13)3 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022.. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) added; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table and Note (3) amended; Notes (7) and (8) deleted; Ord. 249-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24 , Eff. 3/23/2024. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 62-24 , Eff. 4/28/2024.

CODIFICATION NOTES

1.   So in Ord. 311-18.

2.   Note “(11)” is referenced as “(10)” in Ord. 78-20. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(10)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 63-20.

3.   Note “(13)” is referenced as “(12)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(12)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.