Located in the southwestern part of the City, the West Portal Avenue Neighborhood Commercial District stretches for three long blocks along West Portal Avenue from Ulloa Street to 15th Avenue and extends one block east along Ulloa Street from the Twin Peaks Tunnel entrance to Claremont Boulevard. West Portal Avenue provides a selection of goods and services for customers coming mainly from the surrounding west of Twin Peaks and Sunset single-family residential neighborhoods. The lively, small-scale retail frontage is interrupted at several locations by large-scale financial institutions which take up a large amount of commercial ground-story frontage. More than half of the number of medical, professional and business offices are located at the ground level. Except for one three-movie theater complex, West Portal offers no entertainment uses and its restaurants are mainly family-oriented.
The West Portal Avenue District controls are designed to preserve the existing family-oriented, village character of West Portal Avenue. The building standards limit building heights to 26 feet and two stories and maintain the existing pattern of rear yards at the ground level and above. The height, bulk and design of new development, especially on large lots, should respect the small-scale character of the district and its surrounding residential neighborhoods. Lot mergers creating large lots are discouraged. Individual nonresidential uses require conditional use permits above 2,500 square feet and are restricted to 4,000 square feet as an absolute limit to conform with the existing small use sizes in the district.
Special controls on commercial uses are designed to protect the existing mix of ground-story retail uses and prevent further intensification and congestion in the district. Because the district and surrounding neighborhoods are well served by the existing number of eating and drinking establishments, new bars are discouraged: any proposed new establishment should be carefully reviewed to ensure that it is neighborhood-serving and family-oriented, and will not generate traffic, parking, or litter problems. Medical, business or professional services are permitted at the first two stories, but additional ground-story locations are to be closely monitored to ensure that the current balance between retail and office uses is maintained. Existing service stations are encouraged to continue operating, but changes in their size, operation, or location are subject to review. Other automotive uses are prohibited. The neighborhood-oriented, retail character of the district is further protected by prohibiting hotels and limiting nonretail uses. The daytime orientation of the district is maintained by prohibition of late-night commercial operating hours.
Housing development is limited. Existing residential units are protected by limitations on demolition and prohibition of upper-story conversions; new construction is to be carefully reviewed to ensure appropriate scale, design and compatibility with adjacent development. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
West Portal Avenue NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS |
West Portal Avenue NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | 26-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets HT06 and HT12 for more information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per § 261.1. | |
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses | § 263.20 | NP |
Rear Yard | 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 | 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 | Not Required |
Vehicular Access Restrictions | § 155(r) | See Section 155(r) |
Miscellaneous | ||
Planned Unit Development | § 304 | C |
Awning, Canopy or Marquee | § 136.1 | P |
Signs | As permitted by § 607.1 | |
General Advertising Signs | NP | |
Design Guidelines | General Plan Commerce and Industry Element | Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines |
Zoning Category | § References | Controls | ||
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES |
Zoning Category | § References | Controls | ||
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES | ||||
Development Standards | ||||
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit] | 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 | ||||
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 | P(5) | |||
Single Room Occupancy | § 102 | P | ||
Student Housing | § 102 | P | ||
Residential Uses | Controls By Story | |||
1st | 2nd | 3rd+ | ||
Residential Uses | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Accessory Dwelling Units | ||||
Dwelling Units | 1 unit per 800 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater. | |||
Group Housing | § 208 | 1 bedroom per 275 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater. | ||
Homeless Shelters | Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code | |||
Senior Housing | 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 |
Zoning Category | § References | Controls | ||
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES | ||||
Development Standards | ||||
Floor Area Ratio | 1.8 to 1 | |||
Use Size | P up to 2,499 square feet; C 2,500 to 3,999 square feet; NP 4,000 square feet and above | |||
Off-Street Parking Requirements | ||||
Off-Street Freight Loading | ||||
Commercial Use Characteristics | ||||
Drive-up Facility | § 102 | NP | ||
Formula Retail | C | |||
Hours of Operation | § 102 | P 6 a.m. - 2 a.m., NP 2:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. | ||
Maritime Use | § 102 | NP | ||
Open Air Sales | See 703(b) | |||
Outdoor Activity Area | P if located in front or it complies with Section 202.2(a)(7); C if located elsewhere. | |||
Walk-up Facility | § 102 | P | ||
Controls by Story | ||||
1st | 2nd | 3rd+ | ||
Agricultural Use Category | ||||
Agriculture, Industrial | NP | NP | NP | |
Agriculture, Large Scale Urban | C | C | C | |
Agriculture, Neighborhood | P | P | P | |
Automotive Use Category | ||||
Automotive Uses* | NP | NP | NP | |
Automotive Service Station | C | NP | NP | |
Electric Vehicle Charging Location | C(7) | C(7) | ||
Fleet Charging | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Private | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Parking Lot, Private | C | C | NP | |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment and Recreation Uses* | NP | NP | NP | |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Movie Theater | P | P | P | |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses* | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Child Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | C | C | NP | |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Residential Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Social Service or Philanthropic Facility | § 102 | C | P | P |
Sales and Service Use Category | ||||
Retail Sales and Service Uses* | P | P | NP | |
Adult Business | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Adult Sex Venue | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Animal Hospital | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Bar | C | NP | NP | |
Cannabis Retail | C | C | NP | |
Flexible Retail | P | NP | NP | |
Hotel | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Kennel | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Massage Establishment | P | C(6) | NP(6) | |
Massage, Foot/Chair | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Mortuary | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Motel | NP | NP | NP | |
Restaurant | P | P | NP | |
Restaurant, Limited | P | P | NP | |
Services, Financial | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Services, Health | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Services, Limited Financial | § 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 | P | NP |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | C | P | NP |
Trade Office | § 102 | C | P | NP |
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category | ||||
Utility and Infrastructure* | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Power Plant | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Public Utilities Yard | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facilities | § 102 | C(4) | C(4) | C(4) |
* Not listed below |
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 327-97, App. 8/8/97; Ord. 120-99, File No. 990188, Eff. 5/17/99; 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Zoning Control Table: 729.69C and 729.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 729.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 729.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 729.40, 729.43 and 729.44 amended, former categories 729.42, 729.67, and 729.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 729.40 deleted; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 729.13 and 729.69B amended; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 729.38 and 729.39 redesignated as 729.36 and 729.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 729.26 and 729.50 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 729.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 729.14, 729.15, 729.16, and 729.17 amended; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 729.1); Zoning Control Table: 729.54, 729.91, and 729.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 729.36 and 729.37 deleted, 729.96 and 729.97 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 729.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 729.91 added; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 729.33A 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; Note (1) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 285-18, Eff. 1/7/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) 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 amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (5) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (6) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7)1
added; Ord. 190-22
, Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22
, Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23
, Eff. 1/14/2024. Third introductory paragraph and Zoning Control Table amended; 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 NOTE
1. Note “(7)” is referenced as “(6)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(6)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.