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In the Chinatown Community Business District, the Chinatown Visitor Retail District and the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial Districts established by the use provisions of Articles 2 and 8 of this Code, in order to insure consideration of sun access on adjacent public sidewalk as specified in Section 132.3, whenever a height limit of more than 35 feet is prescribed by the Height and Bulk District in which the property is located, any building or structure exceeding 35 feet shall be permitted only upon approval of a conditional use by the City Planning Commission, according to procedures for conditional use approval in Section 303 of this Code.
(Added by Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87)
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(a) Method of Measurement. The limits upon the height of buildings and structures shall be as specified on the Zoning Map, except as permitted by Section 206. In the measurement of height, the following rules shall be applicable:
(1) The point above which such measurements shall be taken shall be as specified as follows.
(A) In the case of either (B) or (C) below, such point shall be taken at the centerline of the building or, where the building steps laterally in relation to a street that is the basis for height measurement, separate points shall be taken at the centerline of each building step.
(B) Where the lot is level with or slopes downward from a street at the centerline of the building or building step, such point shall be taken at curb level on such a street. This point shall be used for height measurement only for a lot depth not extending beyond a line 100 feet from and parallel to such street, or beyond a line equidistant between such street and the street on the opposite side of the block, whichever depth is greater. Measurement of height for any portion of the lot extending beyond such line shall be considered in relation to the opposite (lower) end of the lot, and that portion shall be considered an upward sloping lot in accordance with Subsection (C) below, whether or not the lot also has frontage on a lower street.
(C) Where the lot slopes upward from a street at the centerline of the building or building step, such point shall be taken at curb level for purposes of measuring the height of the closest part of the building within 10 feet of the property line of such street; at every other cross-section of the building, at right angles to the centerline of the building or building step, such point shall be taken as the average of the ground elevations at either side of the building or building step at that cross-section. The ground elevations used shall be either existing elevations or the elevations resulting from new grading operations encompassing an entire block. Elevations beneath the building shall be taken by projecting a straight line between ground elevations at the exterior walls at either side of the entire building in the same plane.
(D) Where the lot has frontage on two or more streets, the owner may choose the street or streets from which the measurement of height is to be taken, within the scope of the rules stated above.
Where the height limits for buildings and structures are established by this Code, the upper points to be taken for measurement of height shall be as prescribed in the provisions relating to such height limits.
(2) The upper point to which such measurement shall be taken shall be the highest point on the finished roof in the case of a flat roof, and the average height of the rise in the case of a pitched or stepped roof, or similarly sculptured roof form, or any higher point of a feature not exempted under Subsection (b) below. For any building taller than 550 feet in height in the S-2 Bulk District, the height of the building shall be measured at the upper point of all features of the building and exempted features in such cases shall be limited to only those permitted in Subsection (b)(1)(M) and which are permitted by the Planning Commission according to the procedures of Section 309.
(3) In cases where the height limit is 65 feet or less and a street from which height measurements are made slopes laterally along the lot, or the ground slopes laterally on a lot that also slopes upward from the street, there shall be a maximum width for the portion of the building or structure that may be measured from a single point at curb or ground level, according to the definition of "height," as specified in the following table. These requirements shall not apply to any property to which the bulk limitations in Section 270 of this Code are applicable.
Average Slope of Curb or Ground From Which Height is Measured | Maximum Width for Portion of Building that May Be Measured from a Single Point |
5 percent or less | No requirement |
More than 5 percent but no more than 15 percent | 65 feet |
More than 15 percent but no more than 20 percent | 55 feet |
More than 20 percent but no more than 25 percent | 45 feet |
More than 25 percent | 35 feet
|
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(b) Exemptions. In addition to other height exceptions permitted by this Code, the features listed in this subsection (b) shall be exempt from the height limits established by this Code, in an amount up to but not exceeding that which is specified.
(1) The following features shall be exempt provided the limitations indicated for each are observed; and provided further that the sum of the horizontal areas of all features listed in this subsection (b)(1) shall not exceed 30% of the horizontal area of the roof above which they are situated, or, in C-3 Districts and in the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential District, where the top of the building has been separated into a number of stepped elements to reduce the bulk of the upper tower, of the total of all roof areas of the upper towers; and provided further that in any R, RC-3, or RC-4 District the sum of the horizontal areas of all such features located within the first 10 feet of depth of the building, as measured from the front wall of the building, shall not exceed 20% of the horizontal area of the roof in such first 10 feet of depth.
As an alternative, the sum of the horizontal areas of all features listed in this subsection (b)(1) may be equal to but not exceed 30% of the horizontal area permitted for buildings and structures under any bulk limitations in Section 270 of this Code applicable to the subject property.
Any such sum of 30% heretofore described may be increased to 40% by unroofed screening designed either to obscure the features listed under (A) and (B) below or to provide a more balanced and graceful silhouette for the top of the building or structure.
(A) Mechanical equipment and appurtenances necessary to the operation or maintenance of the building or structure itself, including chimneys, ventilators, plumbing vent stacks, cooling towers, water tanks, panels or devices for the collection of solar or wind energy, and window-washing equipment, together with visual screening for any such features. This exemption shall be limited to the top 16 feet of such features where the height limit is 65 feet or less, and the top 20 feet of such features where the height limit is more than 65 feet. In C-3 districts, for existing buildings whose height exceeds the permitted height limit, these exempted features shall be measured from the existing roofline instead of the height limit.
(B) Elevator, stair and mechanical penthouses, fire towers, skylights, and dormer windows. This exemption shall be limited to the top 16 feet of such features where the height limit is 65 feet or less, and the top 20 feet of such features where the height limit is more than 65 feet. However, for elevator penthouses, the exemption shall be limited to the top 16 feet and limited to the footprint of the elevator shaft, regardless of the height limit of the building. The design of all elevator penthouses in Residential Districts shall be consistent with the “Residential Design Guidelines” as adopted and periodically amended for specific areas or conditions by the Planning Commission. In C-3 districts, for existing buildings whose height exceeds the permitted height limit, these exempted features shall be measured from the existing roofline instead of the height limit.
The Zoning Administrator may, after conducting a public hearing, grant a further height exemption for an elevator penthouse for a building with a height limit of more than 65 feet but only to the extent that the Zoning Administrator determines that such an exemption is required to meet state or federal laws or regulations. All requests for height exemptions for elevator penthouses located in Residential or Neighborhood Commercial Districts shall be subject to the neighborhood notification requirements of Section 311 of this Code.
(C) Stage and scenery lofts.
(D) Ornamental and symbolic fea- tures of public and religious buildings and struc- tures, including towers, spires, cupolas, belfries and domes, where such features are not used for human occupancy.
(E) In any C-3 District, the CMUO District, and any MUR or MUG District within the Central SoMa Special Use District, enclosed space related to the recreational, Restaurant, or Bar use of the roof, not to exceed 16 feet in height. In C-3 districts, for existing buildings whose height exceeds the permitted height limit, these exempted features shall be measured from the existing roofline instead of the height limit.
(F) Rooftop enclosures and screening for features listed in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (B) above that add additional building volume in any C-3 District except as otherwise allowed in the S-2 Bulk district according to subsection (M) below or the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts. The rooftop enclosure or screen creating the added volume:
(ii) shall not exceed 20 feet in height, measured as provided in subsection (a) above;
(iii) may have a volume, measured in cubic feet, not to exceed three-fourths of the horizontal area of all upper tower roof areas multiplied by the maximum permitted height of the enclosure or screen;
(v) shall not be permitted within any setback required to meet the sun access plane requirements of Section 146; and
(vi) shall not be permitted within any setback required by Section 261.1.
(G) In any C-3 District except as otherwise allowed in the S-2 Bulk district according to subsection (M) below, vertical extensions to buildings, such as spires, which enhance the visual appearance of the structure and are not used for human occupancy may be allowed, pursuant to the provisions of Section 309, up to 75 feet above the height otherwise allowed. The extension shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this subsection, provided that the extension is less than 100 square feet in cross-section and 18 feet in diagonal dimension.
(H) In the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential District, enclosed space related to the recreational use of the roof, not to exceed 16 feet in height.
(I) In the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential District, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed under Subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this subsection but shall meet the requirements of Section 141, shall not exceed 10 percent of the total height of any building taller than 105 feet, shall have a horizontal area not more than 85 percent of the total area of the highest occupied floor, and shall contain no space for human occupancy. The features described in (b)(1)(B) shall not be limited to 16 feet for buildings taller than 160 feet, but shall be limited by the permissible height of any additional rooftop volume allowed by this Subsection.
(J) In the Van Ness Special Use District, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed under Subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above and to provide additional visual interest to the roof of the structure. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this Subsection, but shall meet the requirements of Section 141 and shall not exceed 10 feet in height where the height limit is 65 feet or less or 16 feet where the height limit is more than 65 feet, measured as provided in Subsection (a) above, and may not exceed a total volume, including the volume of the features being enclosed, equal to ¾ of the horizontal area of all upper tower roof areas of the building measured before the addition of any exempt features times 10 where the height limit is 65 feet or less or times 16 where the height limit is more than 65 feet.
(K) In the Northeast China Basin Special Use District, light standards for the purpose of lighting the ballpark.
(L) In the C-3-G District, on sites fronting on Van Ness Avenue in the 120-X height district, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed under subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above, to allow increased roof height for performance and common space, and to provide additional visual interest to the roof of the structure. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this subsection (b)(1)(L), but shall meet the requirements of Section 141 and shall not exceed 16 feet in height, measured as provided in subsection (a) above. Buildings that are eligible for this exemption are also eligible for exceptions to any quantitative standards set forth in Article 1.2 of this Code through Section 309 of this Code.
(M) In the Central SoMa Special Use District, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to the building, but shall meet the requirements of Section 141; shall not exceed 10% of the total height of any building taller than 200 feet; shall have a horizontal area not more than 100% of the total area of the highest occupied floor; and shall contain no space for human occupancy. The features described in subsection (b)(1)(B) shall not be limited to 16 feet for buildings taller than 200 feet, but shall be limited by the permissible height of any additional rooftop volume allowed by this subsection (M).
(N) In any S-2 Bulk District for any building which exceeds 550 feet in height, unoccupied building features including mechanical and elevator penthouses, enclosed and unenclosed rooftop screening, and unenclosed architectural features not containing occupied space that extend above the height limit, only as permitted by the Planning Commission according to the procedures of Section 309 and meeting all of the following criteria:
(i) such elements are demonstrated to not add more than insignificant amounts of additional shadow compared to the same building without such additional elements on any public open spaces as deemed acceptable by the Planning Commission; and
(ii) such elements are limited to a maximum additional height equivalent to 7.5% of the height of the building to the roof of the highest occupied floor, except that in the case of a building in the 1,000-foot height district such elements are not limited in height, and any building regardless of building height or height district may feature a single spire or flagpole with a diagonal in cross-section of less than 18 feet and up to 50 feet in height in addition to elements allowed according to this subsection (N); and
(iii) such elements are designed as integral components of the building design, enhance both the overall silhouette of the building and the City skyline as viewed from distant public vantage points by producing an elegant and unique building top, and achieve overall design excellence.
(O) In the Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District and only in the block/lot districts 85-X // 120/365-R-2, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to the building, but shall meet the requirements of Section 141; shall not exceed 10 percent of the total height of any building taller than 200 feet; shall have a horizontal area not more than 100 percent of the total area of the highest occupied floor; and shall contain no space for human occupancy that is enclosed or otherwise not open to the sky. The features described in subsection (b)(1)(B) shall not be limited to 16 feet for buildings taller than 200 feet but shall be limited by the permissible height of any additional rooftop volume allowed by this subsection (O).
(2) The following features shall be exempt, without regard to their horizontal area, provided the limitations indicated for each are observed:
(A) Railings, parapets and catwalks, with a maximum height of four feet.
(B) Open railings, catwalks and fire escapes required by law, wherever situated.
(C) Unroofed recreation facilities with open fencing, including tennis and basketball courts at roof level, swimming pools with a maximum height of four feet and play equipment with a maximum height of 10 feet.
(D) Unenclosed seating areas limited to tables, chairs and benches, and related windscreens, lattices and sunshades with a maximum height of 10 feet.
(E) Landscaping, with a maximum height of four feet for all features other than plant materials.
(F) Short-term parking of passenger automobiles, without additional structures or equipment other than trellises or similar overhead screening for such automobiles with a maximum height of eight feet.
(G) Amusement parks, carnivals and circuses, where otherwise permitted as temporary uses.
(H) Flagpoles and flags, clothes poles and clotheslines, and weathervanes.
(I) Wireless Telecommunications Services Facilities and other antennas, dishes, and towers and related screening elements, subject to any other applicable Planning Code provisions, including but not limited to applicable design review criteria and Planning Code Section 295.
(J) Warning and navigation signals and beacons, light standards and similar devices, not including any sign regulated by this Code.
(K) Public monuments owned by government agencies.
(L) Cranes, scaffolding and batch plants erected temporarily at active construction sites.
(M) Structures and equipment necessary for the operation of industrial plants, transportation facilities, public utilities and government installations, where otherwise permitted by this Code and where such structures and equipment do not contain separate floors, not including towers and antennae for transmission, reception, or relay of radio, television, or other electronic signals where permitted as principal or conditional uses by this Code.
(N) Buildings, structures and equipment of the San Francisco Port Commission, where not subject to this Code due to provisions of the San Francisco Charter or State law.
(O) Enclosed recreational facilities up to a height of 10 feet above the otherwise applicable height limit when located within a 65-U Height and Bulk District and an MUO District, and only then when authorized by the Planning Commission as a Conditional Use pursuant to Section 303 of this Code, provided that the project is designed in such a way as to reduce the apparent mass of the structure above a base 50-foot building height.
(P) Historic Signs and Vintage Signs permitted pursuant to Article 6 of this Code.
(Q) In the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, enclosed utility sheds of not more than 100 square feet, exclusively for the storage of landscaping and gardening equipment for adjacent rooftop landscaping, with a maximum height of 8 feet above the otherwise applicable height limit.
(R) Hospitals, as defined in this Code, that are legal non-complying structures with regard to height, may add additional mechanical equipment so long as the new mechanical equipment 1) is not higher than the highest point of the existing rooftop enclosure, excluding antennas; 2) has minimal visual impact and maximum architectural integration; 3) is necessary for the function of the building; and 4) no other feasible alternatives exist. Any existing rooftop equipment that is out of service or otherwise abandoned shall be removed prior to installation of new rooftop equipment.
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 532-85, App. 12/4/85; Ord. 537-88, App. 12/16/88; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Proposition B, 3/26/96; Proposition F, 6/3/97; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 269-05, File No. 050496, App. 11/30/2005; Proposition G, 6/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 252-14
, File No. 141096, App. 12/17/2014, Eff. 1/16/2015; Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 102-16
, File No. 160346, App. 6/24/2016, Eff. 7/24/2016; Ord. 143-16
, File No. 160687, App. 7/29/2016, Eff. 8/28/2016; Ord. 166-16
, File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 217-16, File No. 160424, App. 11/10//2016, Eff. 12/10/2016; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 58-18, File No. 180114, App. 4/12/2018, Eff. 5/13/2018; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 126-20, File No. 200559, App. 7/31/2020, Eff. 8/31/2020; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; 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)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Divisions (a)(2), (b)(1)(F), and (b)(1)(G) amended; division (b)(1)(M) added; Ord. 182-12
, Eff. 9/7/2012. Division (b)(2)(S) added; Ord. 252-14
, Eff. 1/16/2015. Division (a)(1) amended; divisions (a)(1)(A)-(D) added; division (b)(2)(I) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Divisions (b)(1) and (b)(1)(F) amended; Ord. 102-16
, Eff. 7/24/2016. Division (a) amended; Ord. 143-16
, Eff. 8/28/2016. Division (b)(2)(I) amended; Ord. 166-16
, Eff. 9/10/2016. Division (b)(2)(Q) amended; Ord. 217-16, Eff. 12/10/2016. Divisions (b) and (b)(2)(P) amended; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Divisions (b)(1), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(1)(L) amended; Ord. 58-18, Eff. 5/13/2018. Divisions (b)(1)(E) and (F) amended; second division (b)(1)(L) added, former division (b)(2)(O) deleted; former divisions (b)(2)(P)-(S) redesignated as divisions (b)(2)(O)-(R); current divisions (b)(2)(O) and (b)(2)(R) amended; Ord. 296-18
, Eff. 1/12/2019. Divisions (b)(1)(B) and (b)(1)(E) amended; second division (b)(1)(L) and division (b)(1)(M) redesignated as (b)(1)(M)-(N); current divisions (b)(1)(M) and (b)(1)(N)(ii) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. New division (b)(1)(N)1 added; Ord. 126-20
, Eff. 8/31/2020. Second division (b)(1)(N) redesignated as (b)(1)(O); Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Divisions (b)(1)-(b)(1)(B) and (b)(1)(E) amended; Ord. 122-23, Eff. 8/5/2023, and Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(a) General. Notwithstanding any other height limit established by this Article 2.5 to the contrary, the height of dwellings in certain use districts established by Article 2 of this Code shall be further limited by this Section 261. The measurement of such height shall be as prescribed by Section 260.
(b) Height Limits Applicable to the Entire Property.
(1) No portion of a dwelling in any RH-1(D), RH-1 or RH-1(S) District shall exceed a height of 35 feet, except that:
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(B) The permitted height shall be reduced to 30 feet where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is lower by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof; and
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(C) The permitted height shall be reduced to 25 feet where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is lower by 40 or more feet than at the front line thereof.
(2) No portion of a dwelling in any RH-2 District shall exceed a height of 40 feet, except that the permitted height shall be reduced to 35 feet where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is lower by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof.
(c) Height Limits Applicable to Front Portion of the Property. Except in cases where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is higher by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof, the following additional height limits shall apply to the front portion of properties containing dwellings in all RH-1(D), RH-1, RH-1(S) and RH-2 Districts:
(1) Basic Requirement. The height limit shall be 30 feet at the front lot line or, where the lot is subject to a legislated setback line or required front setback as described in Section 131 or Section 132 of this Code, then at such setback; and shall increase at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal toward the rear of the lot until the height limit prescribed by Subsection (b) above is reached.
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(2) Increase Based Upon Conditions on Adjacent Lots. At the front wall of the building, and at every vertical cross-section of the building, parallel to the front lot line, to which the limit prescribed by Paragraph (c)(1) above is applicable, said limit shall be increased to the average of the heights of the two adjacent buildings measured in the same vertical plane; or, if there is only one adjacent building, then to the height of the one adjacent building measured in the same vertical plane. For purposes of this provision, an adjacent building shall mean a building on a lot adjoining the subject lot along a side lot line.
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AMENDMENT HISTORY
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(a) Purpose. The intimate character of Narrow Streets, as defined in subsection (b), and Alleys is an important and unique component of the City and certain neighborhoods in particular. The scale of these streets should be preserved to ensure they do not become overshadowed or overcrowded. Heights along Alleys and Narrow Streets are hereby limited to provide ample sunlight and air, as follows:
(b) Definitions.
(1) "Narrow Street" shall be defined as a public right of way less than or equal to 40 feet in width, or any mid-block passage or alley that is less than 40 feet in width created under the requirements of Section 270.2.
(2) “Subject Frontage” shall mean:
(A) any building frontage in an RH-1(D), RH-1, or RH-1(S) District that abuts a Narrow Street and is more than 20 feet from an intersection with a street wider than 40 feet; or
(B) any building frontage in an RH-2, RH-3, RM, RTO, NC, NCT, Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District, or Eastern Neighborhood Mixed Use District that abuts a Narrow Street and that is more than 60 feet from an intersection with a Street wider than 40 feet.
(3) "East-West Narrow Streets" shall mean all Narrow Streets, except those created pursuant to Section 270.2, that are oriented at 45 degrees or less from a true east-west orientation or are otherwise named herein: Elm, Redwood, Ash, Birch, Ivy, Linden, Hickory, Lily, Rose, Laussat, Germania, Clinton Park, Brosnan, Hidalgo, and Alert Streets.
(4) “North-South Narrow Streets” shall mean all Narrow Streets, except those created pursuant to Section 270.2, that are oriented at 45 degrees or less from a true north-south orientation.
(5) Streets in the South of Market area that are perpendicular to Market Street are considered North-South Streets, and streets that are parallel to Market Street are considered East-West Streets.
(c) Applicability. The controls in this Section shall apply in all RH, RM, RTO, NC, NCT, the Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District, and Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, except in the Bernal Heights Special Use District. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the CS Bulk District these controls shall only apply on certain frontages as described in Section 270(h).
(d) Controls.
(1) General Requirement. Except as described below, all Subject Frontages shall have upper stories set back at least 10 feet at the property line above a height equivalent to 1.25 times the width of the abutting Narrow Street. Buildings of two stories above grade may be built without a second-story setback, regardless of the width of the street.
(2) Southern Side of East-West Narrow Streets. All Subject Frontages on the southerly side of an East-West Narrow Street shall have upper stories which are set back at the property line such that they avoid penetration of a sun access plane defined by an angle of 45 degrees extending from the most directly opposite property line (as illustrated in Figure 261.1A.) No part or feature of a building, including but not limited to any feature listed in Section 260(b), may penetrate the required setback plane.
(3) Narrow Streets Controls Within the Central SoMa SUD.
(A) Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1) above, buildings of 65 feet or more in height shall not be subject to the 10-foot setback requirement, but instead shall be subject to the Apparent Mass Reduction controls of Section 270(h).
(B) Frontages on the westerly side of a North-South Narrow Street shall meet the sun access plane requirements of subsection (d)(2) above.
(4) Mid-block Passages. Subject Frontages abutting a mid-block passage provided pursuant to the requirements of Section 270.2 shall have upper story setbacks as follows:
(A) for mid-block passages between 20 and 30 feet in width, a setback of not less than 10 feet above a height of 25 feet.
(B) for mid-block passages between 30 and 40 feet in width, a setback of not less than 5 feet above a height of 35 feet.
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(Added by Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 85-10, File No. 091271, App. 4/30/2010; amended by Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 206-19, File No. 190048, App. 9/13/2019, Eff. 10/14/2019; Ord. 126-20, File No. 200559, App. 7/31/2020, Eff. 8/31/2020; Ord. 47-21, File No. 201175, App. 4/16/2021, Eff. 5/17/2021)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Section header amended; division (b)(4) added; divisions (c), (d)(1), and (d)(2) amended; former division (d)(3) redesignated as division (d)(4) and amended; new divisions (d)(3)-(d)(3)(B) added; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019. Divisions (a), (c), (d)(1), and (d)(2) amended; division (b)(2) redesignated as (b)(2)- (b)(2)(B) and amended; Ord. 206-19, Eff. 10/14/2019. Divisions (b)(2)(B) and (c) amended; Ord. 126-20, Eff. 8/31/2020. Division (b)(5) added; divisions (d)(2) and (d)(3)-(d)(3)(B) amended; Ord. 47-21, Eff. 5/17/2021.
(a) Purpose. Folsom Street is intended to be the main street of the Western SoMa neighborhood, with neighborhood-serving uses and a high-quality pedestrian environment. As such, it is important to allow for appropriate development heights while also maximizing light and air to the sidewalks, parks, plazas, and frontages along the street.
(b) Controls. In the Folsom Street NCT District, any portion of a building above 55 feet in height shall be set back at least 15 feet from any property line fronting Folsom Street, except for those features listed in Section 260(b) of this Code.
(a) Purpose. Buchanan Street between Post Street and Sutter Street is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare lined with both neighborhood- and regional-serving retail uses. This block of Buchanan Street contains seating areas and culturally significant street furnishings, such as lighting and fountains. As such, it is important to allow for appropriate development heights while also maximizing light and air to the street.
(b) Controls. Along Buchanan Street between Post Street and Sutter Street, the portion of any building above 35 feet in height shall be set back one foot in height from the front property line for every foot above 35 feet, except for those exemptions listed in Section 260(b) of this Code.
(a) The height limits established by this Article 2.5 shall apply to all signs regulated by this Code, except for Historic Signs and Vintage Signs defined in Section 602, and Historic Movie Theater Projecting Signs and Historic Movie Theater Marquees defined in Section 188(e) of this Code. No sign shall be erected, placed, replaced, reconstructed or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this Article, whether such sign is freestanding or attached to a building or structure.
(b) The height of signs is also regulated by Article 6 of this Code, and in each case the most restrictive of the applicable height limitations shall prevail, except for Historic Signs, Vintage Signs, Historic Movie Theater Projecting Signs, and Historic Movie Theater Marquees which are exempt from height limits pursuant to Section 260 of this Code.
(Amended by Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Divisions (a) and (b) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020.
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