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Northwest of the City's geographical center, the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, extending along Haight Street between Stanyan and Central Avenue, including a portion of Stanyan Street between Haight and Beulah. The shopping area provides convenience goods and services to local Haight-Ashbury residents, as well as comparison shopping goods and services to a larger market area. The commercial district is also frequented by users of Golden Gate Park on weekends and by City residents for its eating, drinking, and entertainment places. Numerous housing units establish the district's mixed residential-commercial character.
The Haight Street District controls are designed to protect the existing building scale and promote new mixed-use development which is in character with adjacent buildings. The building standards regulate large-lot and use development and protect rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. To promote the prevailing mixed-use character, most commercial uses are directed primarily to the ground story with some upper-story restrictions in new buildings. In order to maintain the balanced mix and variety of neighborhood-serving commercial uses and regulate the more intensive commercial uses which can generate congestion and nuisance problems, special controls limit additional drinking uses and tourist hotels. Prohibitions of most automobile and drive-up uses protect the district’s continuous retail frontage.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Existing residential units are protected by prohibition of upper-story conversions and limitations on demolitions. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
Haight Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS |
Haight Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | 40-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets HT06 and HT07 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] | 80 square feet if private, or 100 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(9) | |||
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 | ||||
Dwelling Unit Density | 1 unit per 600 square foot lot area or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater. | |||
Group Housing Density | § 208 | 1 bedroom per 210 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 Density | 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 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.; C 2 a.m. - 6 a.m. | ||
Maritime Use | § 102 | NP | ||
Open Air Sales | See Section 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 Repair | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Electric Vehicle Charging Location | C(11) | C(11) | ||
Fleet Charging | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Private | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Public | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Lot, Private | C | C | C | |
Parking Lot, Public | C | C | C | |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Movie Theater | P | P | P | |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | C |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | C | C |
Child Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Job Training | § 102 | P | C | C |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | DR | DR | NP | |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
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* | P | C | 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 | |
Grocery, General | P(3) | C(3) | NP | |
Grocery, Specialty | § 102 | P(3) | C(3) | NP |
Hotel | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Kennel | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Massage Establishment | C(10) | C(10) | NP(10) | |
Massage, Foot/Chair | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Mortuary | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Motel | NP | NP | NP | |
Pharmacy | P(3) | C(3) | NP | |
Restaurant | P(3) | NP | NP | |
Restaurant, Limited | P | P | P | |
Retail Sales and Service, General | § 102 | P(3) | C(3) | NP |
Services, Financial | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP(5) | NP(5) | NP(5) |
Services, Health | § 102 | NP | C | 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(6) | C(6) | C(6) |
Trade Shop | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Design Professional | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | C | P | NP |
Trade Office | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category | ||||
Utility and Infrastructure* | § 102 | C(7) | C(7) | C(7) |
Power Plant | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Public Utilities Yard | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
* Not listed below |
(3) HAIGHT STREET ALCOHOL RESTRICTED USE SUBDISTRICT: Retail establishments selling off-sale or on-sale alcoholic beverages are permitted as a Conditional Use pursuant to Section 781.9. |
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District. |
(6) TOBACCO PARAPHERNALIA ESTABLISHMENTS – A special definition of “Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments” applicable to the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District is set forth in Section 102. In the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District, the period of non-use for a non-conforming Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment to be deemed discontinued shall be 18 months. |
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 88-08, File No. 071669, App. 5/21/2008; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 229, 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. 88-08, File No. 071669, App. 5/21/2008; 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. 151-09, File No. 090141, App. 7/10/2009; 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. 223-14
, File No. 140804, App. 11/7/2014, Eff. 12/7/2014; 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. 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. 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. 142-23, File No. 230410, App. 7/26/2023, Eff. 8/26/2023; 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: 719.69C and 719.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 719.10, 719.17, 719.69, and 719.69A amended; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 719.41, 719.43, and 719.44 amended, former categories 719.42, 719.67, and 719.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 719.42 and 719.44 amended; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 719.13, 719.54, and 719.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 719.54 added; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 719.38 and 719.39 redesignated as 719.36 and 719.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 719.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 719.48 added; Ord. 223-14
, Eff. 12/7/2014. Zoning Control Table: 719.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 719.54 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 719.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 719.14, 719.15, 719.16, and 719.17 amended; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 719.1); Zoning Control Table: 719.54, 719.91, and 719.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 719.36 and 719.37 deleted, 719.96 and 719.97 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 719.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 719.91 added; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 719.33A 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; Note (8) replaced; Ord. 205-19, Eff. 10/12/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (5) and (9) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (10) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (10) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (11)2
added; Ord. 190-22
, Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22
, Eff. 1/22/2023. Note (6) amended; Ord. 142-23
, Eff. 8/26/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23
, Eff. 1/14/2024. Second introductory paragraph, Zoning Control Table, and Note (3) amended; Note (4) 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
2. Note “(11)” is referenced as “(10)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(10)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
The Excelsior Outer Mission Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located along Mission Street between Alemany Boulevard and the San Francisco-San Mateo county line. Outer Mission Street is mixed use, combining street-fronting retail businesses on the ground floor and housing on upper floors. The range of comparison goods and services offered is varied and often includes specialty retail stores, restaurants, and neighborhood-serving offices. The area is transit-oriented and the commercial uses serve residents of the area as well as residents and visitors from adjacent and other neighborhoods.
The Excelsior Outer Mission Street Neighborhood Commercial District is intended to provide convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhoods as well as limited comparison shopping goods for a wider market. Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the second story. Existing residential units are protected by limitations on demolitions and upper-story conversions. Parking for residential and commercial uses is not required. Buildings range in height, with height limits generally allowing up to four stories. Lots vary in size, generally small- or medium-sized with some very large parcels.
Excelsior Outer Mission NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS |
Excelsior Outer Mission NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | Generally 40-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets HT11 and HT12 for more information. Height Sculpting on Alleys per § 261.1. | |
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses | § 263.20 | P |
Rear Yard | Required at the Second Story and at each succeeding level or Story of the building, and at the First Story if it contains a Dwelling Unit: 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 | ||
Lot Size (Per Development) | P up to 9,999 square feet; C 10,000 square feet and above | |
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] | 80 square feet if private, or 100 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 | P |
Accessory Dwelling Unit | ||||
Dwelling Units | 1 unit per 600 square foot lot area | |||
Group Housing | § 208 | 1 bedroom per 210 square foot lot area | ||
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 | C | C |
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 | 3.6 to 1 | |||
Use Size | P up to 5,999 square feet; C 6,000 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.; C 2 a.m. - 6 a.m. | ||
Maritime Use | § 102 | NP | ||
Open Air Sales | See § 703.2 | |||
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* | C | NP | NP | |
Automotive Repair | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Electric Vehicle Charging Location | C(7) | C(7) | ||
Fleet Charging | § 102 | C | C | C |
Service, Motor Vehicle Tow | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Service, Parcel Delivery | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Vehicle Storage Garage | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Vehicle Storage Lot | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Movie Theater | § 102 | P | P | P |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | P | P | P |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | C | C | C |
Job Training | § 102 | C | P | P |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary** | DR | DR | DR | |
Private Community Facility | § 102 | C | C | C |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Religious Institution | § 102 | C | C | C |
Social Service or Philanthropic Facility | § 102 | C | P | P |
Sales and Service Use Category | ||||
Retail Sales and Service Uses* | P | P | P | |
Adult Business | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Adult Sex Venue | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Animal Hospital | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Bar | P | P | NP | |
Cannabis Retail | C | C | NP | |
Flexible Retail | P | NP | NP | |
Grocery, General | P(1) | P(1) | P(1) | |
Grocery, Specialty | § 102 | P(1) | P(1) | P(1) |
Hotel | § 102 | C | C | C |
Kennel | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | NP(1) | NP(1) | NP(1) |
Massage Establishment | P | C(6) | NP(6) | |
Massage, Foot/Chair | § 102 | C | C | C |
Mortuary | § 102 | C | C | C |
Motel | NP | NP | NP | |
Restaurant | P | P | P | |
Restaurant, Limited | P | P | NP | |
Services, Financial | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP(2) | NP(2) | NP(2) |
Services, Limited Financial | § 102 | C | C | C |
Services, Personal | § 102 | P(4) | P(4) | P(4) |
Services, Retail Professional | § 102 | P | P | P |
Storage, Self | § 102 | C | C | C |
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Design Professional | § 102 | P | P | P |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | C | P | C |
Storage, Commercial | § 102 | C | C | C |
Trade Office | § 102 | P | P | P |
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category | ||||
Utility and Infrastructure* | § 102 | C(3) | C(3) | C(3) |
Power Plant | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Public Utilities Yard | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
* Not listed below |
Note deleted. |
Controls: (a) New Liquor Store uses with Type 20 or Type 21 ABC licenses are not permitted in the district; provided, however, that any use within the District with an existing Type 20 or Type 21 ABC license may obtain a new license, if required by the ABC, after it has been closed temporarily for repair, renovation, remodeling, or reconstruction. (b) Liquor Store uses may relocate within the district with Conditional Use authorization. (c) General Grocery, Specialty Grocery, and Liquor Store uses with off-sale alcohol licenses shall observe the following good neighbor policies: (i) Liquor establishments shall provide outside lighting in a manner sufficient to illuminate street and sidewalk areas and adjacent parking, as appropriate to maintain security, without disturbing area residences; (ii) Advertisements in windows and clear doors are not permitted, and no more than 25% of the square footage of the windows and clear doors of liquor establishments shall bear signage of any sort, and all signage shall be placed and maintained in a manner that ensures that law enforcement personnel have a clear and unobstructed view of the interior of the premises, including the area in which the cash registers are maintained, from the exterior public sidewalk or entrance to the premises. |
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, properties within the Excelsior Outer Mission Street Neighborhood Commercial District. |
(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. 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. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; 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; renamed and amended in full by Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; amended by 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. 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. 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: 720.69C and 720.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 720.17 and 720.39a amended; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 720.43 and 720.44 amended, former categories 720.42, 720.67, and 720.69A deleted; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 720.13, 720.13a, 720.13b, 720.13c, 720.54, and 720.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 720.54 added; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 720.38, 720.39, and 720.39a redesignated as 720.36, 720.37, and 720.38 and amended; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 720.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 720.54 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 720.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 720.14, 720.15, 720.16, and 720.17 amended; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 720.1); Zoning Control Table: 720.54, 720.91, and 720.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 720.36, 720.37, and 720.38 deleted, 720.96, 720.97, and 720.98 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 720.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 720.91 added; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 720.33A added; Ord. 166-16
, Eff. 9/10/2016. Section renamed and amended in full; 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; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (1) deleted; Notes (2)-(4) redesignated as Notes (1)-(3); Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4) added; Ord. 199-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. 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; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (2) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (5) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (2) and (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)2
added; Ord. 190-22
, Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22
, Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 249-23
, Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24
, Eff. 3/23/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 62-24
, Eff. 4/28/2024.
CODIFICATION NOTES
2. 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.
**Editor’s Note:
Ordinance 186-17, effective October 15, 2017, requires that “No more than three MCDs shall be permitted at any given time within the boundaries of Supervisorial District 11.”
Ordinance 186-17, effective October 15, 2017, requires that “No more than three MCDs shall be permitted at any given time within the boundaries of Supervisorial District 11.”
The Japantown Neighborhood Commercial District extends between Geary Boulevard and Post Street from Fillmore Street to Laguna Street, the north side of Post Street from Webster Street to Laguna Street, and Buchanan Street from Post Street to midway between Sutter Street and Bush Street. The character of these streets is largely commercial, including large malls, although there are some residential units above the ground story. Buildings are typically two- to four-stories, although there are two taller hotels. Geary Boulevard, Fillmore Street, and Sutter Street are important public transit corridors. The commercial district provides convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhoods as well as shopping, cultural, and entertainment uses that attract visitors from near and far.
The Japantown Neighborhood Commercial District controls are designed to encourage and promote development that enhances the walkable, commercial character of this area and to support its local and regional role. New commercial development is required on the ground floor and permitted above. Most neighborhood- and visitor-serving businesses are strongly encouraged, including eating, drinking, and retail uses, as long as they do not create a nuisance. Less active commercial uses are encouraged above the ground floor, along with housing and institutional uses.
Japantown NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS |
Japantown NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | 50-X, and 65-A along Fillmore Street. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT02 for more information. Along Buchanan Street between Post and Sutter, an upper story setback of one foot for every foot above 35 feet in height from the front property line is required. Height Sculpting on Alleys per § 261.1. | |
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses | § 263.20 | P |
Rear Yard | Required at the lowest Story containing a Dwelling Unit, and at each succeeding level or Story of the Building: 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, Above Grade Parking Setback and Active Uses | § 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. |
Street Frontage, Ground Floor Commercial | § 145.4 | Required on Buchanan Street between Post Street and Sutter Street and Post Street between Fillmore Street and Laguna Street on the south side, between Webster Street and Laguna Street on the north side. |
Vehicular Access Restrictions | § 155(r) | Prohibited on the north side of Post Street from Webster Street to Laguna Street; the south side of Post Street from Fillmore Street to Webster Street; and Buchanan Street from Post Street to Sutter Street. |
Miscellaneous | ||
Planned Unit Development | § 304 | C |
Awning, Canopy or Marquee | § 136.1 | P |
Signs | ||
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 (1) | 2nd | 3rd+ | ||
Residential Uses | § 102 | P | P | P |
Accessory Dwelling Unit | ||||
Dwelling Units | 1 unit per 400 square foot lot area | |||
Group Housing | § 208 | 1 bedroom per 210 square foot lot area | ||
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 (1) | 2nd | 3rd+ | ||
Residential Conversion | § 317 | C | C | C |
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 | 3.6 to 1 | |||
Use Size | P up to 2,499 square feet; C 2,500 square feet and above | |||
Off-Street Parking Requirements | ||||
Off-Street Freight Loading | None required if gross floor area is less than 10,000 square feet. Exceptions permitted per § 155. | |||
Commercial Use Characteristics | ||||
Drive-up Facility | § 102 | NP | ||
Formula Retail | C | |||
Hours of Operation | § 102 | P 6 a.m. - 2 a.m.; C 2 a.m. - 6 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 (1) | 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 Repair | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Automotive Sale/Rental | § 102 | C | 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 | C |
Parking Garage, Public | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Lot, Private | C | C | C | |
Parking Lot, Public | C | C | C | |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P(2) | P(2) | P(2) |
Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | P(2) | P(2) | C(2) |
Movie Theater | P | P | P | |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | C |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | DR | DR | NP | |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Social Service or Philanthropic Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Sales and Service Use Category | ||||
Retail Sales and Service Uses* | P | P | C | |
Adult Business | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Adult Sex Venue | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Animal Hospital | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Bar | P(2) | C(2) | C(2) | |
Cannabis Retail | C | C | NP | |
Flexible Retail | P | NP | NP | |
Hotel | § 102 | C | C | C |
Kennel | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Massage Establishment | C(6) | C(6) | NP(6) | |
Massage, Foot/Chair | § 102 | P | C | C |
Mortuary | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Motel | NP | NP | NP | |
Restaurant | P(2) | P(2) | C(2) | |
Restaurant, Limited | P(2) | P(2) | C(2) | |
Services, Financial | § 102 | P(3) | C(3) | C(3) |
Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Services, Health | § 102 | C | P | P |
Services, Limited Financial | § 102 | C | P | P |
Services, Retail Professional | § 102 | P | P | P |
Storage, Self | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Trade Shop | § 102 | P(2) | P(2) | P(2) |
Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Design Professional | § 102 | C | P | P |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | C | P | C |
Trade Office | § 102 | C | P | P |
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category | ||||
Utility and Infrastructure* | § 102 | C(4) | C(4) | C(4) |
Power Plant | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Public Utilities Yard | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
* Not listed below |
(2) No noise or music associated with these uses shall exceed the low frequency ambient noise level defined in Section 2901(f) of the Police Code by more than 8 dBA. |
(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. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App. 11/17/2000; Ord. 101-05, File No. 041741, App. 6/2/2005; 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. 25-11, File No. 101464, App. 2/24/2011; 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. 83-13
, File No. 120901, App. 5/15/2013, Eff. 6/14/2013; 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; renamed and amended in full by Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; amended by 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. 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. 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: 721.69C and 721.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 721.10 and 721.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 721.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 721.43 and 721.44 amended, former categories 721.42, 721.67, and 721.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 721.44 added; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 721.13, 721.13a, 721.13b, 721.13c, 721.54, and 721.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 721.44 amended, 721.54 added; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Introductory material amended; Ord. 83-13
, Eff. 6/14/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 721.38, 721.39, and 721.39a redesignated as 721.36, 721.37, and 721.38 and amended; new category 721.39 added; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 721.26 and 721.49 amended; Specific Provisions: 721.54 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 721.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 721.14, 721.15, 721.16, and 721.17 amended; Specific Provisions: former 721.31 and 721.32 deleted; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 721.1); Zoning Control Table: 721.54, 721.91, and 721.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 721.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 721.91 added; Ord. 161-15
, Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 721.36, 721.37, 721.38, and 721.39 deleted, 721.96, 721.97, and 721.98 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Specific Provisions: 721.91 amended; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 721.33A added; Ord. 166-16
, Eff. 9/10/2016. Section renamed and amended in full; 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; 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; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 205-19, Eff. 10/12/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (5) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; 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. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 249-23
, Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24
, Eff. 3/23/2024. 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.
The North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District is a nonlinear district centered on Columbus Avenue, located in the valley between Telegraph Hill and Russian Hill north of Broadway. North Beach functions as a neighborhood-serving marketplace, citywide specialty shopping, and dining district, and a tourist attraction, as well as an apartment and residential hotel zone. Traditionally, the district has provided most convenience goods and services for residents of North Beach and portions of Telegraph and Russian Hills. North Beach’s eating, drinking, and entertainment establishments remain open into the evening to serve a much wider trade area and attract many tourists. The balance between neighborhood-serving convenience stores and Citywide specialty businesses has shifted, as convenience stores have been replaced by restaurants and bars. The proliferation of financial services, limited financial services, and professional services has also upset the district’s balance of uses. The relocation of business and professional offices from downtown to North Beach threatens the loss of upper-story residential units.
The North Beach District controls are designed to ensure the livability and attractiveness of North Beach. Building standards limit new development to a small to moderate scale. Rear yards are protected above the ground story and at residential levels. Active commercial uses shall be required at the ground floor. Small-scale, neighborhood-serving businesses are strongly encouraged and formula retail uses are prohibited. To preserve and maintain the district’s small-scale, fine grain storefronts, the consolidation or merger of existing retail or commercial spaces or storefronts are prohibited, and Use Sizes are controlled to encourage conversion back to the traditional small-scale commercial spaces. Special controls are necessary because an over-concentration of food and beverage service establishments limits neighborhood-serving retail sales and personal services in an area that needs them to thrive as a neighborhood. In order to maintain neighborhood-serving retail sales and personal services and to protect residential livability, additional eating and drinking establishments are prohibited in spaces that have been occupied by neighborhood-serving retail sales and personal services. Special controls prohibit new walk-up facilities. Financial services, limited financial services, and ground-story business and professional office uses are prohibited from locating in the portion of the district south of Greenwich Street, while new financial services locating in the portion of the district north of Greenwich Street are limited. Restrictions on automobile and drive-up uses are intended to promote continuous retail frontage and maintain residential livability.
In keeping with the district’s existing mixed-use character, housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground floor. Existing residential units are protected by prohibitions of upper-story conversions, mergers, removals, and demolitions. Per Section 207.1 of this Code, Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the existing building envelope, but may not eliminate or reduce ground-story retail or commercial space.
North Beach NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
North Beach NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | 40-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT01 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 the Second Story and at each succeeding level or Story of the building, and at the First Story if it contains a Dwelling Unit: 25% of lot depth, but in no case less than 15 feet | |
Front Setback and Side Yard | Not Required. | |
Street Frontage and Public Realm | ||
Restrictions on Lot Mergers | § 121.7 | Restrictions on lot mergers resulting in a lot with a single public street or private frontage greater than 25 feet. For lots that do not have a street frontage, the merger would not result in a lot width greater than 25 feet. |
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 | Required within the entire District. Consolidation of ground floor Retail or Commercial spaces is prohibited. | |
Vehicular Access Restrictions | § 155(r) and(t) | Prohibited on Columbus Avenue between Washington and North Point Streets, Grant Avenue between Columbus Avenue and Filbert Street, and Green Street between Grant Avenue and Columbus/Stockton streets, and Alleys in the NBNCD and Telegraph Hill-NB Residential SUD. Mandatory discretionary review required to install garages in buildings with two or more units. |
Miscellaneous | ||
Lot Size (Per Development) | P(16) | |
Planned Unit Development | § 304 | NP |
Awning, Canopy or Marquee | § 136.1 | P |
Signs | ||
General Advertising Signs | NP | |
Design Guidelines | General Plan Commerce and Industry Element | Subject to the General Plan’s Urban Design Guidelines and historic resource consideration. Properties in this District have been identified as potentially eligible for National Register or California Register. |
Zoning Category | § References | Controls | ||
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES |
Zoning Category | § References | Controls | ||
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES | ||||
Development Standards | ||||
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit] | 60 square feet if private, or 80 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(13) | |||
Single Room Occupancy | § 102 | P | ||
Student Housing | § 102 | P | ||
Residential Uses | Controls By Story | |||
1st | 2nd | 3rd+ | ||
Residential Uses | § 102 | NP(11) | P | P |
Accessory Dwelling Units | ||||
Dwelling Units | 1 unit per 400 square foot lot area or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater. | |||
Group Housing | § 208 | 1 bedroom per 140 square foot lot area. | ||
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 | C | NP | NP | |
Residential Demolition and Merger | C | NP | NP | |
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 1,999 square feet; C 2,000 square feet to 3,999 square feet; NP 4,000 square feet and above. Specialty Grocery use shall not exceed a Use Size of 1,000 square feet within the North Beach Special Use District.(5) | |||
Off Street Parking Requirements | ||||
Off-Street Freight Loading | ||||
Storefront Mergers | § 780.3(c)(3) | Storefront mergers NP and Specialty Grocery use shall not exceed a Use Size of 1,000 square feet within the North Beach Special Use District. | ||
Commercial Use Characteristics | ||||
Drive-up Facility | § 102 | NP | ||
Formula Retail | NP | |||
Hours of Operation | § 102 | P 6 a.m. - 2 a.m.; NP 2 a.m. - 6 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 | NP (2) | ||
Controls by Story | ||||
1st | 2nd | 3rd+ | ||
Agricultural Use Category | ||||
Agriculture Uses* | NP | NP | NP | |
Agriculture, Neighborhood Agriculture | P | P | P | |
Automotive Use Category | ||||
Automotive Uses* | NP(11) | NP | NP | |
Electric Vehicle Charging Location | C(15) | C(15) | ||
Fleet Charging | § 102 | C | C | C |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Movie Theater | P | P | P | |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | C |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | C | C |
Child Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | DR | DR | NP | |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Residential Care Facility | NP | P | P | |
Social Service or Philanthropic Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Sales and Service Use Category | ||||
Retail Sales and Service Uses* | P(10) | P(10) | NP | |
Adult Business | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Adult Sex Venue | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Animal Hospital | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Bar | ||||
C | C | NP | ||
Flexible Retail | NP | NP | NP | |
Hotel | § 102 | C | C | C |
Kennel | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | C(12) | NP | NP |
Massage Establishment | C(14) | C(14) | NP(14) | |
Massage, Foot/Chair | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Mortuary | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Motel | NP | NP | NP | |
Restaurant | ||||
C(5) | NP | NP | ||
Services, Financial | C(7) | NP | NP | |
Services, Fringe Financial | NP(8) | NP(8) | NP(8) | |
Services, Health | § 102 | NP | C | C |
Services, Limited Financial | ||||
C(7) | P | P | ||
Specialty Food Manufacturing | § 780.3(c) | C | NP | NP |
Storage, Self | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Trade Shop | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Design Professional | C(7) | P | NP | |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | NP | P | NP |
Trade Office | C(7) | P | NP | |
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category | ||||
Utility and Infrastructure* | § 102 | C(9) | C(9) | C(9) |
Power Plant | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Public Utilities Yard | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Utility Installation | NP | NP | NP | |
* Not listed below |
(1) NORTH BEACH OFF-STREET PARKING, RESIDENTIAL (Section 155(t)) Boundaries: North Beach NCD, North-Beach Telegraph Hill SUD Controls: (a) Installing a garage in an existing or proposed residential building of two or more units requires a mandatory Discretionary Review by the Planning Commission. In order to approve the installation of any garage in these districts, the City shall find that: (i) the proposed garage opening/addition of off-street parking will not cause the elimination or reduction of ground-story retail or commercial space; (ii) the proposed garage opening/addition of off-street parking will not eliminate or decrease the square footage of any dwelling unit; (iii) the building has not had two or more evictions, with each eviction associated with a separate unit(s) within the past 10 years, (iv) the garage would not front on an Alley pursuant to Section 155(r)(2) of this Code or on a public right-of-way narrower than 41 feet, and (v) the proposed garage/addition of off-street parking is consistent with the Priority Policies of Section 101.1 of this Code. (b) Prior to issuance of any required notification under Section 311 of this Code, the Department shall require a signed affidavit by the project sponsor attesting to (i) (ii) and (iii) 2
above, which the Department shall independently verify, and the Department shall determine whether the project complies with (iv) and (v) above. If the project sponsor does not provide such affidavit or the Department determines that the garage would violate subsection (iv) above, the Department shall disapprove the application and no Planning Commission hearing shall be required. |
(5) NORTH BEACH SPECIAL USE DISTRICT (Section 780.3): Restaurants, Limited Restaurants and Bars may be permitted as a Conditional Use on the First Story through the procedures set forth in Section 303 only if the Zoning Administrator first determines that the proposed new Restaurant, Limited Restaurant, or Bar would occupy a space that is currently or was last legally occupied by one of the uses described below; provided that its last use has not been discontinued or abandoned pursuant to Sections 186.1(d) or 178(d) of this Code and that the proposed new use will not enlarge the space; and provided further that no Conditional Use shall be required if the use remains the same as the prior authorized use, with no enlargement or intensification of use: (A) A Bar may occupy a space that is currently or last legally occupied by a Bar; (B) A Restaurant may occupy a space that is currently or was last legally occupied by a Restaurant or Bar; and (C) A Limited Restaurant may occupy a space that is currently or was last legally occupied by a Limited Restaurant, Restaurant or Bar. (D) Except as provided herein, no other use shall be allowed to convert to a Limited Restaurant, Restaurant or Bar. |
(6) NORTH BEACH LIQUOR LICENSES FOR RESTAURANTS (Section 780.3): A Restaurant Use may only add ABC license types 02, 23, 41, 47, 49, 59 or 75 as a Conditional Use on the First Story if, in addition to the criteria set forth in Section 303, the Planning Commission finds that the Restaurant is operating as a Bona Fide Eating Place as defined in Section 102. Should a Restaurant fail to operate as a Bona Fide Eating Place for any length of time, the Conditional Use authorization shall be subject to immediate revocation. To verify that the Restaurant is continuing to operate as a Bona Fide Eating Place, records of the Restaurant’s gross receipts or gross sales shall be provided to the Department upon request. All records and information shall be submitted to the Department under penalty of perjury. |
(7) NORTH BEACH FINANCIAL SERVICE, LIMITED FINANCIAL SERVICE, AND BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SUBDISTRICT (Section 781.6) Boundaries: Applicable only for portions of the North Beach NCD south of Greenwich Street as mapped on Sectional Map SU01. Controls: Financial Services and Limited Financial Services are NP at all stories; Retail Professional Services, Design Professional, and Trade Offices are NP at the First story. |
(8) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD) SECTION 249.35 Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District. |
(10) Per the North Beach Special Use District in Section 780.3(c)(3) of this Code, Specialty Grocery use shall not exceed a Use Size of 1,000 square feet in order to preserve and maintain the district’s small-scale, fine grain storefronts. |
Boundaries: North Beach NCD Controls: Unless otherwise prohibited or limited by Section 780.3, Section 722, or any other section of this Code, to promote active, pedestrian-oriented streetscape, Active Commercial uses shall be required at the Ground Floor pursuant to Section 145.4. Per Section 145.4(c)(1), “active commercial uses” shall not include Automotive Uses except for Automobile Sale or Rental uses where curb-cuts, garage doors, or loading access are not utilized or proposed and such sales or rental activity is entirely within an enclosed building and does not encroach on surrounding sidewalks or open spaces. |
(12) Temporary closures of existing liquor stores located in the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District, for reconstruction or repair after a fire, shall not be considered an abandonment of such use pursuant to Section 178 of this Code, for up to six years from the date of the fire, unless the original liquor store elects to relocate somewhere else permanently. Temporary relocation of liquor stores in the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District that have been closed as a result of a fire to another location in the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District shall not require a new Conditional Use Permit for the duration of up to six years of interim relocation, from the date of the fire. |
(16) C for 2,500 square feet and above if located within the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District established under Section 249.97. |
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 445-87, App. 11/23/87; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 272-93, App. 8/25/93; Ord. 312-99, File No. 991586, App. 12/3/99; 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. 87-08, File No. 071674, App. 5/13/2008; 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. 77-10, File No. 091165, App. 4/16/2010; 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. 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. 227-14
, File No. 120796, App. 11/13/2014, Eff. 12/13/2014; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; 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. 162-15
, File No. 150805, 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. 196-17, File No. 170419, App. 10/5/2017, Eff. 11/4/2017; Ord. 229-17, File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 47-18, File No. 171108, App. 3/16/2018, Eff. 4/16/2018; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 263-18, File No. 180861, App. 11/2/2018, Eff. 12/3/2018; 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. 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; Ord. 117-20, File No. 200114, App. 7/31/2020, Eff. 8/31/2020; Ord. 182-20, File No. 200673, App. 10/2/2020, Eff. 11/2/2020; 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. 95-22, File No. 220342, App. 6/24/2022, Eff. 7/25/2022; 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; Ord. 85-24, File No. 231221, App. 4/26/2024, Eff. 5/27/2024)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Zoning Control Table: 722.69C and 722.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 722.10, 722.17, and 722.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 722.65 deleted, 722.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 722.43 and 722.44 amended, former categories 722.42, 722.67, and 722.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 722.43, 722.44 amended; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 722.13, 722.40, 722.54, and 722.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 722.43, 722.44 amended, 722.54 added; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 722.38 and 722.39 redesignated as 722.36 and 722.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 722.22 amended; Ord. 227-14
, Eff. 12/13/2014. Zoning Control Table: 722.22 and 722.94 amended; Specific Provisions: 722.94 amended; Ord. 232-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Specific Provisions: 722.54 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 722.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 722.14, 722.15, 722.16, and 722.17 amended; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 722.1); Zoning Control Table: 722.54, 722.91, and 722.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 722.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 722.91 added; Ord. 162-15
, Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 722.36 and 722.37 deleted, 722.96 and 722.97 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Specific Provisions: 722.91 amended; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 722.33A added; Ord. 166-16
, Eff. 9/10/2016. Introductory material amended; 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 (3) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table and Note (1) amended; Ord. 196-17, Eff. 11/4/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Table Notes (5) and (6) amended; Ord. 47-18, Eff. 4/16/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (12) added; Ord. 263-18, Eff. 12/3/2018. 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 (4) deleted; Ord. 303-18, 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 Note (8) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (13) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. 117-20, Eff. 8/31/2020. Note (6) amended; Ord. 182-20, Eff. 11/2/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (1) and (13) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (14) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (14) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Note (12) amended; Ord. 95-22, Eff. 7/25/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (15)3
added; Ord. 190-22
, Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22
, Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (16) added; Ord. 248-23
, Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table and Notes (5), (6), and (7) 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. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 85-24
, Eff. 5/27/2024.
CODIFICATION NOTES
1. So in Ord. 63-20.
2. So in Ord. 196-17.
3. Note “(15)” is referenced as “(14)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(14)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
(a) Background. Sitting in the gulch between Nob and Russian Hills and Pacific Heights, the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District extends for a mile as a north-south linear strip, and includes a portion of Larkin Street between Post and California Streets. Polk Street’s dense mixed-use character consists of buildings with residential units above ground-story commercial use. The district has an active, pedestrian-oriented, and continuous commercial frontage along Polk Street for almost all of its length. Larkin Street and side streets in the district have a greater proportion of residences than Polk Street itself. California Street and Hyde Street also have active, pedestrian-oriented, and commercial frontage that is small-scale. The district is well served by transit and includes the historic California Cable Car. To preserve and maintain the district’s small-scale, fine grain storefronts, the consolidation or merger of existing retail or commercial spaces or storefronts is generally prohibited and lot mergers are controlled. The district provides convenience goods and services to the residential communities in the Polk Gulch neighborhood and to the residents on the west slopes of Nob and Russian Hills. It has many apparel and specialty stores, as well as some automobile uses, which serve a broader trade area. Commercial uses also include offices, as well as movie theaters, restaurants, and bars which keep the district active into the evening.
(b) Controls.
(1) Purposes. The Polk Street District controls are designed to encourage and promote development that is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The building standards monitor large-scale development and protect rear yards at residential levels. Consistent with Polk Street’s existing mixed-use character, new buildings may contain most commercial uses at the First Story. The controls encourage neighborhood-serving businesses. They also prohibit new adult entertainment uses. Restrictions on drive-up and most automobile uses protect the district’s continuous retail frontage and prevent further traffic congestion.
Housing developed in new buildings is encouraged above the First Story, especially in the less intensely developed portions of the district along Larkin Street and on large lots throughout the district. New housing development requires 40% or more two-bedroom plus units to encourage families to live in the district. Parking is limited in new developments given the district’s transit access and the proximity to bus rapid transit along Van Ness Avenue parallel to the district. Existing housing units are protected by prohibitions on demolitions and upper-story conversions. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
(2) Replacement of a Legacy Business Requires Conditional Use Authorization. Where an immediately prior use was a Legacy Business, as defined under Administrative Code Section 2A.242, the controls require any new Non-Residential use to obtain Conditional Use authorization; provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply where: (A) the subject non-residential space has had no occupant and has not been open to the public for three or more years from the date the application for the new use is filed, (B) the Legacy Business has removed itself or has been otherwise removed from the Legacy Business Registry, or (C) the Legacy Business is an existing General Grocery use and is replaced by another business classified as a General Grocery use, and only if the existing General Grocery use is expanded into a building on the same Lot.
(3) Merger of Storefronts Prohibited. To preserve and maintain the district’s small-scale, fine grain storefronts, the consolidation or merger of existing ground floor retail or commercial spaces or storefronts shall be prohibited, except that two adjacent storefronts may be consolidated or merged if: (A) the storefronts are for a Legacy Business on a corner lot within the same building and Block and Lot number, and provided that the consolidation or merger of storefronts would not result in a use size in excess of the principally permitted use size within the Polk Street NCD, (B) the storefronts are merged by a General Grocery use in association with the replacement of a Legacy Business that is also a General Grocery use, and the expansion of the General Grocery use is within a building on the same Lot, and is consistent with the size limitations in Section 121.2, or (C) the storefronts are merged by a Limited Restaurant use that relocates within the Polk Street NCD, and is designated as a Legacy Business as of the effective date of the ordinance in Board File No. 240411.
(4) Loss of Residential Units. To prevent the loss of existing Residential Units, the removal, demolition, merger, or conversion of Residential Units above the First Story are prohibited even if such loss of Residential Units would otherwise be allowed pursuant to Section 317 of this Code.
(5) Neighborhood Commercial Design Guidelines. The construction of new buildings and alteration of existing buildings in the Polk Street NC District shall be consistent with the design policies and guidelines of the General Plan and with the “Polk/Pacific Special Area Design Guidelines” as adopted by the Planning Commission. The Planning Director may require modifications to the exterior of a proposed new building or proposed alteration of an existing residential building in order to bring it into conformity with the “Polk/Pacific Special Area Design Guidelines” and with the General Plan. These modifications may include, but are not limited to, changes in siting, building envelope, scale texture and detailing, openings, and landscaping.
Polk Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
Polk Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | 65-A, 80-A, and 130-E. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT02 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 the lowest Story containing a Dwelling Unit, and at each succeeding level or Story of the Building: 25% of lot depth, but in no case less than 15 feet | |
Front Setback and Side Yard | Not Required. | |
Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements | § 138.1 | Required |
Street Frontage and Public Realm | ||
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 any street frontage that is in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District. |
Vehicular Access Restrictions | § 155(r) | CU required for the entirety of California Street. |
Lot Size (Per Development) | P(12) | |
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 and the Polk/Pacific Special Area Design Guidelines | Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines and the Polk/Pacific Special Area 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] | 60 square feet if private, or 80 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 | §§ 207.6 | Generally Required for creation of five or more Dwelling Units. No less than 40% of the total number of proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at least two bedrooms; or no less than 30% of the total number of proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at least three bedrooms. | ||
Use Characteristics | ||||
Intermediate Length Occupancy | P(8) | |||
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 Units | ||||
Dwelling Units | 1 unit per 400 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 | |||
Residential Density, Group Housing | § 208 | 1 bedroom per 140 square foot lot area or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater. | ||
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 and Division of Dwelling Units | Controls by Story | |||
1st | 2nd | 3rd+ | ||
Residential Conversion | § 317 | NP | NP | NP |
Residential Demolition and Merger | § 317 | NP | NP | NP |
Division of Dwelling Units | § 207.8 | Division of existing Dwelling Units P per §207.8. | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls | ||
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES (7) |
Zoning Category | § References | Controls | ||
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES (7) | ||||
Development Standards | ||||
Floor Area Ratio | 2.5 to 1 | |||
Use Size | P up to 1,999 square feet; C 2,000 to 3,999 square feet; NP 4,000 square feet and above (2) | |||
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.; C 2 a.m. - 6 a.m. | ||
Maritime Use | § 102 | NP | ||
Open Air Sales | See Section 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 Repair | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Electric Vehicle Charging Location | C(11) | C(11) | ||
Fleet Charging | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Private | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Public | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Lot, Private | C | C | C | |
Parking Lot, Public | C | C | C | |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Movie Theater | P (2) | P | P | |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | C |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | C | C |
Child Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | DR | DR | NP | |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
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* | P | P | NP | |
Adult Business | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Adult Sex Venue | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Animal Hospital | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Bar | C(1) | NP | NP | |
Cannabis Retail | C | C | NP | |
Flexible Retail | P | NP | NP | |
Grocery, General | P (2) | P | NP | |
Hotel | § 102 | C | C | C |
Kennel | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | C(9) | NP | NP |
Massage Establishment | C(10) | NP(10) | ||
Massage, Foot/Chair | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Mortuary | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Motel | NP | NP | NP | |
Restaurant | P | P | NP | |
Restaurant, Limited | P(2) | P | NP | |
Services, Financial | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP(4) | NP(4) | NP(4) |
Services, Health | § 102 | NP(3) | C | C |
Services, Limited Financial | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Services, Retail Professional | § 102 | NP(3) | P | P |
Storage, Self | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment | § 102 | NP(5) | NP(5) | NP(5) |
Trade Shop | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Design Professional | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | P | NP | |
Trade Office | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category | ||||
Utility and Infrastructure* | § 102 | C(6) | C(6) | C(6) |
Power Plant | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Public Utilities Yard | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
* Not listed below |
(1) Temporary closures of existing liquor establishments located within the Lower Polk Alcohol Restricted Use District for repair, renovation, or remodeling that meet the requirements of Section 788(d)(2)(B) shall not be considered enlargement, alteration, intensification, abandonment, or a change of use of a conditional use permit pursuant to Section 178 of this Code, provided that any demolition permits required for the repair, renovation, or remodeling work have been submitted by January 1, 2018. |
(2) USE SIZE EXEMPTION: Per Planning Code Section 121.2(a), a Conditional Use Authorization is not required for any Limited Restaurant use that relocates within the Polk Street NCD, and is designated as a Legacy Business as of the effective date of the ordinance in Board File No. 240411. Per Planning Code Section 121.2(b), Use Size shall generally not exceed 4,000 square feet except that a Movie Theater as defined in Section 102 may exceed 4,000 square feet. In addition, the enlargement of an existing General Grocery use on the same Lot, and in association with the replacement of a Legacy Business that is also a General Grocery use, may exceed 4,000 square feet. |
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its ¼ mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, properties within the North of Market Residential Special Use District; and includes some properties within the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District. |
(5) TOBACCO PARAPHERNALIA ESTABLISHMENTS PROHIBITION– Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments are not permitted in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District and within one-quarter mile of the boundaries of that Neighborhood Commercial District. A special definition of “Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments” applicable to the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District is set forth in Section 102. In the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District, the period of non-use for a non-conforming Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment to be deemed discontinued shall be 18 months. |
(7) REPLACEMENT OF LEGACY BUSINESSES REQUIRES CONDITIONAL USE AUTHORIZATION. Where an immediately prior use was a Legacy Business, as defined under Administrative Code Section 2A.242, the controls require any new Non-Residential Use to obtain Conditional Use authorization; this requirement shall not apply where: (A) the subject non-residential space has had no occupant and has not been open to the public for three or more years from the date the application for the new use is filed, or (B) where the Legacy Business has removed itself or has been otherwise removed from the Legacy Business Registry. |
(9) Temporary closures of up to three years, measured from the effective date of the ordinance in Board of Supervisors File No. 210287 enacting this note, of existing liquor stores located in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District, during construction of a development project on the site of the existing liquor store, shall not be considered an abandonment of such use pursuant to Section 178 of this Code, unless the original liquor store elects to relocate somewhere else permanently. Temporary relocation of liquor stores in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District to another location in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District during construction of a development project on the site of said liquor stores shall not require a new Conditional Use Permit for the duration of up to three years, measured from the effective date of the ordinance in Board of Supervisors File No. 210287 enacting this note, of interim relocation. |
(12) C for 2,500 square feet and above if located within the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District established under Section 249.97. |
(13)4
Conditionally permitted on properties that do not have any frontage on Polk Street, California Street, or Hyde Street. |
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 445-87, 11/12/87; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; 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. 251-07, File No. 070851, App. 11/7/2007; 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. 3-10, File No. 090962, App. 1/15/2010; Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; 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. 74-13
, File No. 121065, App. 4/30/2013, Eff. 5/30/2013; 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. 162-15
, File No. 150805, 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. 205-17, File No. 170418, App. 11/3/2017, Eff. 12/3/2017; Ord. 229-17, File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 114-18, File No. 180190, App. 5/9/2018, Eff. 6/9/2018; 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. 201-19, File No. 190661, 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. 76-21, File No. 210287, App. 5/28/2021, Eff. 6/28/2021; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 197-21, File No. 210600, App. 11/5/2021, Eff. 12/6/2021; 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. 11-23, File No. 221023, App. 2/9/2023, Eff. 3/12/2023; Ord. 142-23, File No. 230410, App. 7/26/2023, Eff. 8/26/2023; 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; Ord. 85-24, File No. 231221, App. 4/26/2024, Eff. 5/27/2024; Ord. 169-24, File No. 240411, App. 7/12/2024, Eff. 8/12/2024; Ord. 297-24, File No. 241055, App. 12/19/2024, Eff. 1/19/2025)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Zoning Control Table: 723.69C and 723.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 723.43 and 723.44 amended, former categories 723.42, 723.67, and 723.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 723.44 added; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 723.13, 723.54, and 723.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 723.54 added; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Specific Provisions: 723.69 amended; Ord. 74-13
, Eff. 5/30/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 723.38 and 723.39 redesignated as 723.36 and 723.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 723.26 and 723.49 amended; Specific Provisions: 723.54 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 723.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 723.14, 723.15, 723.16, and 723.17 amended; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 723.1); Zoning Control Table: 723.54, 723.91, and 723.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 723.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 723.91 added; Ord. 162-15
, Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 723.36 and 723.37 deleted, 723.96 and 723.97 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Specific Provisions: 723.91 amended; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 723.33A 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 * added; Note (1) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Divisions (a), (b), and (b)(1) designated and amended; divisions (b)(2)-(4) added; Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 205-17, Eff. 12/3/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (1) added; Ord. 114-18, Eff. 6/9/2018. 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. Division (b)(5) added; Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 201-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (4) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Division (b)(1) and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9) added; Ord. 76-21, Eff. 6/28/2021. Zoning Control Table and Notes (4) and (8) amended; Note (2) added; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Division (b)(3) amended; Ord. 197-21, Eff. 12/6/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (10)2 added; Ord. 233-21
, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (10)2 amended; Ord. 37-22
, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22
, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (11)3
added; Ord. 190-22
, Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22
, Eff. 1/22/2023. Divisions (a), (b)(2), and (b)(3), Zoning Control Table, and Note (2) amended; Ord. 11-23
, Eff. 3/12/2023. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Note (3) added; Ord. 142-23
, Eff. 8/26/2023.. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (12) added; Ord. 248-23
, Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table and Note (3) amended; Note (13)4 added; 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. Zoning Control Table and Notes (3) and (13) amended; Ord. 85-24
, Eff. 5/27/2024. Division (b)(3), Zoning Control Table, and Note (2) amended; Ord. 169-24
, Eff. 8/12/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 297-24
, Eff. 1/19/2025.
CODIFICATION NOTES
Located in the Presidio Heights neighborhood in north-central San Francisco, the Sacramento Street Neighborhood Commercial District functions as a small-scale linear shopping area. It extends along Sacramento Street between Lyon and Spruce Streets. Interspersed among residential buildings and garages, the district’s daytime-oriented retail stores provide a limited array of convenience goods to the immediate neighborhood. Sacramento Street also has many elegant clothing, accessory, and antique stores and services, such as hair salons, which attract customers from a wider trade area. Its numerous medical and business offices draw clients from throughout the City. Evening activity in the district is limited to one movie theater, a few restaurants, and some stores near Presidio Avenue.
The Sacramento Street District controls are designed to promote adequate growth opportunities for development that is compatible with the surrounding low-density residential neighborhood. The building standards monitor large-scale development and protect rear yards at the grade level and above. Most new commercial development is permitted at the first story; general retail uses are permitted at the second story only if such use would not involve conversion of any existing housing units. Special controls are designed to protect existing neighborhood-serving ground-story retail uses. Limits on financial service uses are intended to minimize the environmental impacts generated by the growth of such uses. The daytime orientation of the district is encouraged by requiring conditional use authorization for bars and restricting late-night commercial activity. New hotels and parking facilities are limited in scale and operation to minimize disruption to the neighborhood. Most new automobile and drive-up uses are prohibited to promote continuous retail frontage.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the second story. Existing residential units are protected by limitations on demolitions and prohibitions of upper-story conversions. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
Sacramento Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
Sacramento Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | 40-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets HT02 and HT03 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. |
Street Frontage, 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(6) | |||
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 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. | ||
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 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. - 12 a.m.; C 12 a.m. - 6 a.m. | ||
Maritime Use | § 102 | NP | ||
Open Air Sales | See Section 703(b) | |||
Outdoor Activity Area | P | |||
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 | |
Electric Vehicle Charging Location | C(8) | C(8) | ||
Fleet Charging | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Private | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Public | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Lot, Private | C | C | C | |
Parking Lot, Public | C | C | C | |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Movie Theater | P | NP | NP | |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | C |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | C | C |
Child Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | DR | DR | NP | |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
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* | P | C | 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 | |
Gym | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Hotel | § 102 | C | C | NP |
Kennel | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Massage Establishment | C(7) | NP(7) | ||
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 | P | NP | NP |
Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP(3) | NP(3) | NP(3) |
Services, Health | § 102 | P | P | P |
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 |
Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Design Professional | § 102 | C(4) | NP | NP |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | C | P | NP |
Trade Office | § 102 | C(4) | 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 |
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Sacramento Street Neighborhood Commercial District. |
(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. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App. 11/17/2000; Ord. 243-05, File No. 051248, App. 10/21/2005; 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. 63-13
, File No. 130042, App. 4/10/2013, Eff. 5/10/2013; 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. 23-17, File No. 160656, App. 2/10/2017, Eff. 3/12/2017; 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. 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. 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: 724.69C and 724.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 724.10, 724.17, and 724.69 amended; Specific Provisions: 724.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 724.43 and 724.44 amended, former categories 724.42, 724.67, and 724.69A deleted; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 724.13 and 724.69B amended; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 724.51 amended; Specific Provisions: 724.51 added; Ord. 63-13
, Eff. 5/10/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 724.38 and 724.39 redesignated as 724.36 and 724.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 724.26, 724.49, and 724.50 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 724.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 724.14, 724.15, 724.16, and 724.17 amended; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 724.1); Zoning Control Table: 724.54, 724.91, and 724.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 724.36 and 724.37 deleted, 724.96 and 724.97 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 724.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 724.91 added; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 724.33A added; Ord. 166-16
, Eff. 9/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 724.51 amended; Specific Provisions: 724.51 amended; Ord. 23-17, Eff. 3/12/2017. Introductory material amended; 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 and Note (3) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 111-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table and Notes (3) and (6) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table and Note (4) amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Notes (4) and (7) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8)2
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. Second introductory paragraph and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4) 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
2. Note “(8)” is referenced as “(7)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(7)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
The Union Street Commercial District is located in northern San Francisco between the Marina and Pacific Heights neighborhoods. The district lies along Union Street between Van Ness Avenue and Steiner, including an arm extending north on Fillmore Street to Lombard. The shopping area provides limited convenience goods for the residents of sections of the Cow Hollow, Golden Gate Valley, and Pacific Heights neighborhoods immediately surrounding the street. Important aspects of Union Street's business activity are eating and drinking establishments and specialty shops whose clientele comes from a wide trade area. There are also a significant number of professional, realty, and business offices. Many restaurants and bars as well as the district's two movie theaters are open into the evening hours, and on weekends the street's clothing, antique stores and galleries do a vigorous business.
The Union Street District controls are designed to provide sufficient growth opportunities for commercial development that is in keeping with the existing scale and character, promote continuous retail frontage, and protect adjacent residential livability. Small-scale buildings and neighborhood-serving uses are promoted, and rear yards above the ground story and at all residential levels are protected. Most commercial development is permitted at the first two stories of new buildings, while retail service uses are monitored at the third story and above. Controls are necessary to preserve the remaining convenience businesses and to reduce the cumulative impacts which the growth of certain uses have on neighborhood residents. Such controls require Conditional Use authorization for additional drinking establishments and limit additional entertainment, and financial service uses. Most automobile and drive-up uses are prohibited in order to maintain continuous retail frontage and minimize further traffic congestion.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the second story. Existing residential units are protected by limitations on demolitions and upper-story conversions. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
Union Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS |
Union Street NCD | ||
Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
Massing and Setbacks | ||
Height and Bulk Limits. | 40-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT02 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 the Second Story and at each succeeding level or Story of the building, and at the First Story if it contains a Dwelling Unit: 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] | 80 square feet if private, or 100 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 | ||||
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 Units | ||||
Dwelling Units | 1 unit per 600 square foot lot area or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater. | |||
Group Housing | § 208 | 1 bedroom per 210 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 | C | C |
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 | 3.0 to 1 | |||
Use Size | P up to 2,499 square feet; C 2,500 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.; C 2 a.m. - 6 a.m. | ||
Maritime Use | § 102 | NP | ||
Open Air Sales | See Section 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 | |
Electric Vehicle Charging Location | C(8) | C(8) | ||
Fleet Charging | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Private | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Garage, Public | § 102 | C | C | C |
Parking Lot, Private | C | C | C | |
Parking Lot, Public | C | C | C | |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | ||||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Movie Theater | P | P | P | |
Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | C |
Industrial Use Category | ||||
Industrial Uses | NP | NP | NP | |
Institutional Use Category | ||||
Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | C | C |
Child Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | DR | DR | NP | |
Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
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* | 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 | |
Gym | § 102 | P | P | C |
Hotel | § 102 | C | C | C |
Kennel | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Liquor Store | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Massage Establishment | P | NP(7) | ||
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 | P | C | NP |
Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP(4) | NP(4) | NP(4) |
Services, Health | § 102 | P | P | C |
Services, Limited Financial | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
Services, Personal | § 102 | P | P | C |
Services, Retail Professional | § 102 | P | P | P |
Storage, Self | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
Trade Shop | § 102 | P | C | NP |
Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
Design Professional | § 102 | P | P | C |
Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | C | P | NP |
Trade Office | § 102 | P | P | C |
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) Any Massage Establishment that has continually operated without the benefit of a building permit within the Union Street NCD since prior to December 31, 2017 shall not require a Conditional Use authorization to legally establish the Massage Establishment. However, such establishments must file a building permit application by May 1, 2020 to legally establish the Massage Establishment use, and such building permit application will be subject to neighborhood notification pursuant to Planning Code Section 311. |
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Union Street Neighborhood Commercial District. |
(6)2
NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units. |
(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. 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. 8-09, File No. 080872, App. 1/16/2009; Ord. 51-09, File No. 081620, App. 4/2/2009; Ord. 98-09, File No. 090274, App. 6/19/2009; 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. 214-12
, File No. 120773, App. 10/9/2012, Eff. 11/8/2012; 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. 219-18, File No. 180053, App. 9/21/2018, Eff. 10/22/2018; 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. 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. 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: 725.69C and 725.69D added; Ord. 66-11
, Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 725.10, 725.17, and 725.42 amended; Specific Provisions: 725.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 725.43 and 725.44 amended, former categories 725.42, 725.67, and 725.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 725.44 amended, 725.44, 725.69B deleted; Ord. 75-12
, Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 725.43 and 725.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 725.44 amended; Ord. 214-12
, Eff. 11/8/2012. Zoning Control Table: 725.13 and 725.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 725.44 amended; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 725.38 and 725.39 redesignated as 725.36 and 725.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13
, Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 725.26 and 725.49 amended; Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 725.92b added; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 725.14, 725.15, 725.16, and 725.17 amended; Ord. 20-15
, Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 725.1); Zoning Control Table: 725.54, 725.91, and 725.92 amended; Ord. 30-15
, Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 725.36 and 725.37 deleted, 725.96 added; Ord. 33-16
, Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 725.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 725.91 added; Ord. 162-16
, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 725.33A 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; Note (1) added; Ord. 219-18, Eff. 10/22/2018. 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 and Note (4) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6)2 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 amended; Ord. 111-21
, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table and Notes (4) and (6) amended; Ord. 136-21
, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 233-21
, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (7) amended; Ord. 37-22
, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22
, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8)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. Second 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 NOTES
1. Note “(8)” is referenced as “(7)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(7)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
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