Code Section: 140 (a)

Subject: Dwellings to “face directly” onto an open area

Effective Date: 3/21

Interpretation:

   Planning Code Section 140 regulates exposure requirements for dwelling units and group housing. Exposure may be satisfied by having required windows (as defined by Section 504 of the San Francisco Housing Code) in a room of at least 120 square feet “face directly” onto a qualifying open area. These windows must “face directly” on the street, rear yard, or open area. A question arose as to what qualifies as facing directly onto one of these features. The Building Code contains provisions for depth of structural projections over windows in habitable rooms. The Building Code states that these shall not project greater than 9 feet from the required window and that the height of these projections shall not be less than 7 feet measured from the floor to the lowest projection above. A window (or windows) required to satisfy Section 140 may be located beneath such a projection and still be considered to “face directly” onto the street, rear yard, or open area. However, such area beneath a projection will not count towards the minimum dimensions for a qualifying open area.