SEC. 840. WMUO – WSOMA MIXED USE-OFFICE DISTRICT.

   The WSoMa Mixed Use-Office (WMUO) runs predominantly along the Townsend Street corridor between 4th Street and 7th Street and on 11th Street, from Harrison Street to the north side of Folsom Street. The WMUO is designed to encourage office uses along with small-scale light manufacturing, entertainment, cultural, and arts activities.

   Office, general commercial, most retail, production, distribution, and repair uses are also principally permitted uses. Residential uses, large hotels, adult entertainment and heavy manufacturing uses are not permitted.

   Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.

Table 840 WMUO – WSOMA MIXED USE-OFFICE DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Zoning Category	§ References	Western SoMa Mixed Use-Office District Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits	§§ 261.1, 270, 270.1, 270.2, 271	Varies; see also Height and Bulk District Maps. Height sculpting required on Alleys as set forth in § 261.1. Horizontal mass reduction required as set forth in §270.1. Mid-block alleys required as set forth in §270.2.
Rear Yards	§§ 130, 134, 136	Not required
Front Setback and Side Yards	§§ 130, 132, 133	Front setbacks for residential uses are governed by the Ground Floor Residential Guidelines. Otherwise not required.
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements	§ 138.1	As required by Section 138.1
Street Frontage Requirements	§ 145.1	Required; controls apply to above-grade parking setbacks, parking and loading entrances, active uses, street-facing ground-level spaces, ground-floor ceiling heights, transparency and fenestration, and gates, railings, and grillwork. Exceptions permitted for historic buildings.
Active street-facing ground-floor uses	§ 145.4	None required
Parking and Loading Access Restrictions	§ 155(r)	As required by Section 155(r). Driveway access restrictions apply to Automotive Service Station and Gas Station uses in the Western SoMa SUD.
Usable Open Space for Non-Residential Uses	§§ 135.3, 426	As required by §§135.3 and 426; amount varies based on use; may also pay in-lieu fee.
Artworks and Recognition of Artists and Architects	§ 429	Required for new buildings and building additions of 25,000 square feet or more.
Miscellaneous
Design Guidelines	General Plan Commerce and Industry Element.	Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines.
Large Project Review	§§ 329, 249.39	As required by § 329. (5).
Planned Unit Development	§ 304	NP
Awning or Canopy	§ 136, 136.1	P
Marquee	§ 136, 136.1	NP
Signs	§ 607.2	As permitted by § 607.2.

 

Zoning Category	§ References	Western SoMa Mixed Use-Office District Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit or Group Housing Room]	§§ 135, 136, 249.39	80 square feet if private, 54 square feet if publicly accessible.
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 150-151.1, 153 - 156, 166, 167, 204.5	No car parking required. Maximum permitted as set forth in § 151. Bike parking required by § 155.2. If car parking is provided, car share spaces are required when a project has 50 units or more as set forth in § 166.
Off-Street Freight Loading, Residential	§§ 150, 152, 152.3, 153 - 155, 204.5	None required if Occupied Floor Area is less than 100,000 square feet. Exceptions permitted per §152.3.
Residential Conversion, Demolition, or Merger	§ 317	C for Removal of one or more Residential Units or Unauthorized Units.
Dwelling Unit Mix	§ 207.6	At least 40% of all Dwelling Units must contain two or more bedrooms or 30% of all Dwelling Units must contain three or more bedrooms.
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy	§§ 102, 202.10	P(3)
Single Room Occupancy	§ 102, 249.39	NP
Student Housing	§ 102	NP
Residential Uses
Dwelling Units	§ 102	NP
Group Housing	§ 102	NP
Homeless Shelter	§§ 102, 208	C(5)
Homeless Shelter1	§§ 102, 208	Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code.

 

Zoning Category	§ References	Western SoMa Mixed Use-Office District Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102, 123, 124	Section 124 sets forth the Basic FAR based on height.
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 150, 151.1, 153 - 156, 166, 204.5	No car parking required. Maximum permitted as set forth in § 151. Bike parking required by § 155.2. If car parking is provided, car share spaces are required when a project has 25 parking spaces or more as set forth in § 166.
Off-Street Freight Loading, Non-Residential	§§ 150, 152, 153 - 155, 204.5	None required if Occupied Floor Area is less than 10,000 square feet.
Use Size Limits	§ 121.6	As indicated in this table by end note (7), certain uses are limited to a total of 25,000 per lot.
Ground Floor Ceiling Height	§ 145.1(c)(4)	Required minimum floor-to-floor height of 14 feet, as measured from grade.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility	§ 102	NP
Formula Retail	§§ 102, 303.1	C(7)
Hours of Operation	§ 102	No limit
Maritime Use	§ 102	NP
Open Air Sales	§ 102	P
Outdoor Activity Area	§ 102, 145.2	P if in front or it complies with Section 202.2(a)(7), C if elsewhere.
Walk-up Facility	§ 102	P
Agricultural Use Category
Agricultural Uses	§§ 102, 202.2(c)	P
Automotive Use Category
Automotive Uses*	§ 102	P(8)
Ambulance Service	§ 102	C(7)
Automobile Sale or Rental	§ 102	P(6)(8)
Motor Vehicle Tow Service	§ 102	C
Private Parking Garage	§ 102	C
Private Parking Lot	§ 102	NP
Public Parking Garage	§ 102	C
Public Parking Lot	§ 102	NP
Service, Parcel Delivery	§§ 102, 303(cc)	C
Vehicle Storage Garage	§ 102	C
Vehicle Storage Lot	§ 102	NP
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses*	§ 102, 803.9(b)	P(9)
Movie Theater	§ 102	P, up to three screens
Outdoor Entertainment	§ 102	NP
Sports Stadium	§ 102	NP
Industrial Use Category
Industrial Uses	§ 102	NP
Light Manufacturing	§ 102	P
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses	§§ 102, 202.2(e), 803.9(b)	P
Hospital	§ 102	NP
Post-Secondary Educational Institution	§ 102	C
Residential Care	§ 102	NP
School	§ 102	C
Sales and Service Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P(6)(7)
Adult Business	§ 102	NP
Adult Sex Venue	§ 102	P
Hotel	§ 102	P up to 75 rooms.
Massage Establishment	§ 102	NP
Mortuary	§ 102	NP(1)
Self Storage	§ 102	NP(1)
Trade Shop	§ 102	P
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	P
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure uses*	§ 102	NP
Internet Services Exchange	§ 102	C
Public Transportation Facility	§ 102	P
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility	§ 102	C(2)

 

* Not listed below

(1)   P in historic buildings per § 803.9(b).

(2)   P if the facility is a Micro WTS Facility.

(3)   NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.

(4)   For projects within the Western SoMa SUD, see specific requirements in Section 249.39.

(5)   Each such use shall (a) operate for no more than four years, and (b) be owned or leased by, operated by, and/or under the management or day-to-day control of the City and County of San Francisco. If such a use is to be located within a building or structure, the building or structure must be either (a) preexisting, having been completed and previously occupied by a use other than a Homeless Shelter, or (b) temporary. In this District, new Homeless Shelter is not permitted.

(6)   P up to a total of 10,000 gsf per lot; C up to a total of 25,000 gsf.

(7)   NP above a total of 25,000 gsf per lot.

(8)   P only if use has no auto access/ingress on Alleyways, as defined in the Western SoMa Community Plan, containing RED or RED-MX Districts.

(9)   Nighttime Entertainment is subject to restrictions in Section 249.6(c)(9).

 

(Added as Sec. 845 by Ord. 42-13, File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; amended by Ord. 71-14, File No. 131205, App. 5/23/2014, Eff. 6/22/2014; Ord. 204-14, File No. 140724, App. 10/9/2014, Eff. 11/8/2014; 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. 188-15, File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; 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. 213-16, File No. 160960, App. 11/4/2016, Eff. 12/4/2016; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; 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. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 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. 22-23, File No. 221104, App. 2/23/2023, Eff. 3/26/2023; redesignated and amended by Ord. 70-23, File No. 220340, App. 5/3/2023, Eff. 6/3/2023; Ord. 47-24, File No. 231223, App. 3/15/2024, Eff. 4/15/2024; Ord. 54-24, File No. 240169, App. 3/22/2024, Eff. 4/22/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 113-24, File No. 240193, App. 6/13/2024, Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024)

(Former Sec. 840 added by Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; amended by Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord. 196-11 , File No. 110786, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; Ord. 75-12 , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; Ord. 188-12 , File No. 111374, App. 9/11/2012, Eff. 10/11/2012; Ord. 62-13 , File No. 121162, App. 4/10/2013, Eff. 5/10/2013; Ord. 71-14 , File No. 131205, App. 5/23/2014, Eff. 6/22/2014; 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; 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. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; 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. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 303-18, File No. 180915, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 47-21, File No. 201175, App. 4/16/2021, Eff. 5/17/2021; 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; redesignated as Sec. 831 by Ord. 70-23, File No. 220340, App. 5/3/2023, Eff. 6/3/2023)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Zoning Control Table: former category 845.88 deleted; Ord. 71-14, Eff. 6/22/2014. Zoning Control Table: 845.56 amended; Ord. 204-14, Eff. 11/8/2014. Zoning Control Table: 845.46 amended; Ord. 235-14, Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 845.23b added; Ord. 14-15, Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 845.23b designation corrected; Ord. 188-15, Eff. 12/4/2015. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 845.24 amended; Specific Provisions: 845.24 added; Ord. 162-16, Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 845.92 amended; former category 845.93 deleted; 845.99 added; Ord. 166-16, Eff. 9/10/2016. Zoning Control Table: 845.23b amended; Specific Provisions: 845.23b, 890.88(d) added; Ord. 213-16, Eff. 12/4/2016. Zoning Control Table: 845.10, 845.40, 845.41, and 845.71 amended; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Zoning Control Table: 845.35 amended; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table: 845.36, 845.87, 845.97b, and 845.97c amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table: 845.09, 845.45, 845.96, and 845.98 amended; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019. Introductory material amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table: 845.50 added; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table: 845.76 and 845.77 added; Ord. 190-22, Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table: 845.56 amended; Note (1) added; Ord. 22-23, Eff. 3/26/2023. Section redesignated as Sec. 840; undesignated introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table 845 and Specific Provisions deleted; Table 840 and Notes * and (1)-(9) added; Ord. 70-23, Eff. 6/3/2023. Table 840 amended; Ord. 47-24, Eff. 4/15/2024; and Ord. 54-24, Retro. 3/30/2024. Introductory material amended; Ord. 62-24, Eff. 4/28/2024. Table 840 amended; Ord. 113-24, Eff. 7/14/2024, Retro. 3/30/2024.

CODIFICATION NOTE

1.   So in Ord. 70-23.