Code Section: 136 (c)(2), (3)

Subject: Bays, not counted for front setback averaging

Effective Date: 7/88

Interpretation:

   See Interpretation 132(c)

Code Section: 136 (c)(2)

Subject: Bay window obstruction

Effective Date: 3/89

Interpretation:

   This Section allows bay windows to extend over the street or over the required front setback provided they have a certain amount of glazed area on their vertical surface which is a percentage of the sum of the total vertical surface. The area of such vertical surfaces shall be the interior surface rather than the exterior surface.

Code Section: 136 (c)(2)

Subject: Bay window in front setback over garage

Effective Date: 10/89

Interpretation:

   This Section allows a bay window as an obstruction into the front setback within certain limitations, one of which is the provision of 7.5 feet of headroom. A bay was proposed to project into the front setback area above the roof of a garage dug into the slope of more than 50 percent (per Section 136(c)(27)). The bay would clear the roof of the garage (which would not be developed as usable open space) by less than 7.5 feet. The 7.5-foot headroom applied to the clearance over the garage roof even though such clearance would not be required to accommodate pedestrian passage.

Code Section: 136 (c)(2), (3)

Subject: Bay windows and the bulk limit

Effective Date: 5/92

Interpretation:

   These provisions allow for bay windows to project over the street and other required open areas. Such projection is not allowed if the bay windows would violate the horizontal dimension limits of the bulk restrictions.

Code Section: 136 (c)(3)

Subject: Permitted obstructions, bay windows

Effective Date: 

Interpretation:

   If a bay window projecting into the rear yard requirement conforms to the more restrictive envelope of the previous Paragraph 136(c)(2) (which is permitted in both the front and rear setback) it still will be subject to the aggregate width limits of this Paragraph (3) (which is not permitted in the front setback). Being smaller than the envelope described by Paragraph (3), it therefore conforms to this paragraph and being located in the rear yard, it must conform to the aggregate width limits intended for such features in the rear yard.

Code Section: 136 (c)(4)

Subject: Fire escapes as permitted obstructions

Effective Date: 2/96

Interpretation:

   This Paragraph states that fire escapes leaving at least 7.5 feet of headroom may protrude into any of the required open areas no more than four feet. Normally, permitted obstructions that have a projection limit cannot be added to each other for a cumulated projection. Because the San Francisco Fire Department is requiring a large category of residences to be retrofitted with fixed ladders for fire escapes, it was thought desirable to relax this policy. Therefore, subject to Residential Design Guidelines, a fire escape that is required under City Code may be appended to certain other obstructions at maximum projection, if necessary to accommodate the fire escape, provided it is for an existing building, is no wider than necessary and in no case wider than four feet and is designed and located so as to provide the least obstruction of light and view from adjacent properties. A fire escape will generally not be allowed to be added to a bay window. It may extend only 20 inches beyond a deck with any required circulation space provided by the existing deck or decks. Further, for location only in a required yard, such obstruction need not provide 7.5 feet of headroom above grade or above a roof or deck.

Code Section: 136 (c)(14)

Subject: Permitted obstructions, funicular

Effective Date: 1/91

Interpretation:

   See Interpretation 133(d)

Code Section: 136 (c)(14)

Subject: Permitted obstructions

Effective Date: 4/87

Interpretation:

   See Interpretation 136(c)(25)