715
CASTRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
San Francisco Planning Code · SF Planning Code § 715
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SEC. 715. CASTRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. (a) The Castro Street District. The Castro Street District is situated in Eureka Valley, close to the geographic center of San Francisco between the Mission District, Twin Peaks, and Upper Market Street. The physical form of the district is a crossing at Castro and 18th Streets, the arms of which contain many small, but intensely active commercial businesses. The multi- purpose commercial district provides both convenience goods to its immediate neighborhood as well as comparison shopping goods and services on a specialized basis to a wider trade area. Commercial businesses are active both in the daytime and late into the evening and include a number of gay-oriented bars and restaurants, as well as several specialty clothing and gift stores. The district also supports a number of offices in converted residential buildings. (b) Intent of Controls. The Castro Street District controls are designed to accommodate various scales of development and promote a balanced mix of uses. Building standards permit small- and mid-scale buildings and uses and protect rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. In new buildings, most commercial uses are permitted at the ground and second stories. Special controls are necessary to preserve the existing equilibrium of neighborhood-serving convenience and specialty commercial uses. In order to maintain convenience stores and protect adjacent residential livability, controls authorize some additional drinking establishments with a conditional use, permit self-service specialty food establishments, and permit with certain limitations new late-night uses, adult and other entertainment, and financial service uses. The continuous retail frontage is maintained by prohibiting most automobile and drive-up uses. Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the second story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Table 715. CASTRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE Castro Street NCD Zoning Category § References Controls BUILDING STANDARDS Castro Street NCD Zoning Category § References Controls BUILDING STANDARDS Massing and Setbacks Height and Bulk Limits. §§ 102, 105, 106, 250–252, 260 , 263.19 , 261.1, 270, 270.3, 271. See also Height and Bulk District Maps Varies. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT07 for more information. Height Sculpting on Alleys per § 261.1 5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses § 263.20 P Rear Yard § 130 § 134, 134(a)and(e) 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 §§ 130, 131, 132, Generally not required; however, if the existing sidewalk does not meet the recommended width required by the Better Streets Plan, a front setback shall be provided so that, when combined with the existing sidewalk, the total distance from the curb to the building frontage meets or exceeds the required recommended width under the Better Streets Plan. This setback is required only up to 15 feet above street grade. See § 132(e). 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) Prohibited on Market Street from Castro Street to the Embarcadero Miscellaneous Planned Unit Development § 304 C Awning, Canopy or Marquee § 136.1 P Signs §§ 262, 602- 604, 607, 607.1, 608, 609 As permitted by § 607.1 General Advertising Signs §§ 262, 602, 604, 608, 609, 610, 611 NP
Design Guidelines and Standards General Plan Commerce and Industry Element Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines, Citywide Design Standards, and any other applicable design guidelines that have been approved by the Planning Commission. Housing Choice-SF § 206.10 Form-based density, additional height, and other zoning modifications for eligible projects in the R-4 Height and Bulk District.
Zoning Category § References Controls RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES Zoning Category § References Controls RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES Development Standards Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit] §§ 135, 136 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 §§ 145.1, 150, 151.1 , 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5 No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1 . Bike parking required per § 155.2. If car parking is provided, car share spaces are required when a project has 50 units or more per § 166. 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 §§ 102; 202.10 P(7)2 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 §§102, 207.1, 207.2 P per Planning Code §§ 207.1 and 207.2. Dwelling Unit Density, General §§ 102, 207 Form-Based Density.(2) Minimum Dwelling Unit Densities, if Applicable § 207.9 Varies depending on project location, but generally ranges between 50 and 100 dwelling units per acre. Maximum Dwelling Unit Size §§ 207.10, 317 P up to 4,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area or an equivalent Floor Area Ratio for any individual Dwelling Unit of 1.2:1. C for Dwelling Units that exceed the greater of those thresholds. Group Housing Density § 208 Form-Based Density.(2) Homeless Shelter Density §§ 102, 208 Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code Senior Housing Density §§ 102, 202.2(f), Form-Based Density.(2) Loss of Dwelling Units: Conversion, Demolition, or Merger of Dwelling Units, including Residential Flats § 317 C
Zoning Category § References Controls NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES Zoning Category § References Controls NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES Development Standards Floor Area Ratio §§ 102, 123, 124 , 207.9 3.0 to 1 4 For Office Uses minimum intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9. Use Size §§102, 121.2, 121.5 P up to 2,000 square feet; C 2,001 square feet to 4,000 square feet; NP 4,001 square feet and above (1). Division of large use sizes per § 121.5. Off-Street Parking Requirements §§ 145.1, 150, 151.1 , 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5 No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1 . Bike parking required per Section 155.2. Car share spaces required when a project has 25 or more parking spaces per § 166. Off-Street Freight Loading §§ 150, 152, 153 - 155, 161, 204.5 None required if gross floor area is less than 10,000 square feet. Exceptions permitted per §§ 155 and 161. Commercial Use Characteristics Drive-up Facility § 102 NP Formula Retail §§ 102, 303.1 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 § 102, 703(b) See Section 703(b) Outdoor Activity Area §§ 102, 145.2, 202.2 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+ Uses in Historic Buildings Historic Buildings § 202.11 In Historic Buildings, Uses listed below as NP are C and Uses listed below as C are P, except Cannabis Retail, Hotel, and certain Industrial Uses, as specified in § 202.11. Agricultural Use Category Agriculture, Industrial §§ 102, 202.2(c) NP NP NP Agriculture, Large Scale Urban §§ 102, 202.2(c) C C C Agriculture, Neighborhood §§ 102, 202.2(c) P P P Automotive Use Category Automotive Uses* §§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b) NP NP NP Electric Vehicle Charging Location §§ 102, 202.2(b), 202.13 C(9)3 C(9) C(9) Fleet Charging § 102 C C C Parking Garage, Private § 102 C C C Parking Garage, Public § 102 C C C Parking Lot, Private §§ 102, 142, 156 C C C Parking Lot, Public §§ 102, 142, 156 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 C NP Movie Theater §§ 102, 202.4 P P P Open Recreation Area § 102 C C C Passive Outdoor Recreation § 102 C C C Industrial Use Category Industrial Uses §§ 102, 202.2(d) 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 §§ 102, 202.2(e) 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* §§ 102, 202.2(a), 202.3 P P NP Adult Business § 102 C NP NP Adult Sex Venue §§ 102; 202.2(a)(8) P P P Animal Hospital § 102 P P NP Bar §§ 102, 202.2(a) C C NP Cannabis Retail §§ 102, 202.2(a) C C NP Flexible Retail §§ 102, 202.9 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 §§ 102 1 204, 303(n), 703 P C(8) NP(8) Massage, Foot/Chair § 102 P C NP Mortuary § 102 NP NP NP Motel §§ 102, 202.2(a) NP NP NP Reproductive Health Clinic §§ 102, 202.5 P P P Restaurant §§ 102, 202.2(a) P P NP Restaurant, Limited §§ 102, 202.2(a) P P NP Services, Financial § 102 C C NP Services, Fringe Financial § 102 NP(5) NP(5) NP(5) Services, Health § 102 P P C Services, Limited Financial § 102 C 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 C P C Service, Non-Retail Professional § 102 C P NP Trade Office § 102 C P C 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) USE SIZE EXEMPTION Per Planning Code Section 121.2(d), Use Size shall generally not exceed 4,000 square feet except that a Child Care Facility, School, Post-Secondary Educational Institution, Religious Institution, Social Service or Philanthropic Facility, Community Facility, or a Residential Care Facility as defined in Section 102 that is operated by a non-profit and is neighborhood-serving may exceed 4,000 square feet by Conditional Use authorization. The non-residential use size limitation shall not apply to Article 10 Landmark buildings located in the Castro NCD. (2) (2)4 For Lots outside the R-4 Height and Bulk District the density limits shall be: one Dwelling Unit per 600 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater; up to one Group Housing bedroom per 210 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater; for 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). (3) [Note deleted.] (4) [Note deleted.] (5) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD). Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Broadway Neighborhood Commercial District. Controls: Fringe Financial Services are NP within any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer pursuant to Section 249.35. Outside any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer, Fringe Financial Services are P subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 249.35(c)(3). (6) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility. (7)2 NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units. (8) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service. (9)3 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(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. 132-94, App. 4/1/94; Ord. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 198-00, File No. 992321, Appl. 8/18/2000; 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. 139-09, File No. 090402, App. 7/2/2009; Ord. 229-10, File No. 100434, App. 9/16/2010; 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. 226-12 , File No. 120774, App. 10/29/2012, Eff. 11/28/2012; Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 154-13 , File No. 130263, App. 7/25/2013, Eff. 8/24/2013; Ord. 287-13 , File No. 130041, App. 12/26/2013, Eff. 1/25/2014; Ord. 49-14, File No. 131063, App. 4/17/2014, Eff. 5/17/2014; 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. 76-15 , File No. 150017, App. 6/12/2015, Eff. 7/12/2015; 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; 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. 10-22, File No. 211093, App. 2/4/2022, Eff. 3/7/2022; 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. 225-23, File No. 220709, App. 11/9/2023, Eff. 12/10/2023; 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. 173-25, File No. 250634, App. 9/5/2025, Eff. 10/6/2025; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026; Ord. 1-26, File No. 250385, App. 1/8/2026, Eff. 2/8/2026; Ord. 37-26, File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026, Eff. 4/11/2026) AMENDMENT HISTORY Zoning Control Table: 715.69C and 715.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 715.10 and 715.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 715.43 and 715.44 amended, former categories 715.42, 715.67, and 715.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 715.44 added; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 715.10 amended; Ord. 226-12 , Eff. 11/28/2012. Zoning Control Table: 715.13, 715.21, 715.54, and 715.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 715.54 added; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: 715.21 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.21 added; Ord. 154-13 , Eff. 8/24/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 715.38 and 715.39 redesignated as 715.36 and 715.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Formerly undesignated introductory material designated as divisions (a) and (b); division (c) added; Zoning Control Table: categories 715.91, 715.93, and 715.94 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.54 amended, 715 ("In-Law Units") added; Ord. 49-14, Eff. 5/17/2014. Zoning Control Table: 715.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 715.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 715.14, 715.15, 715.16, and 715.17 amended; Specific Provisions: former 715.31 and 715.32 deleted; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 715.1); division (b) amended and former division (c) deleted; Zoning Control Table: 715.12, 715.54, 715.91, and 715.92 amended; Specific Provisions: 715, 715.12, 715.91, 715.93, 715.94 ("Accessory Dwelling Units") amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: 715.53 amended; Ord. 76-15 , Eff. 7/12/2015. Specific Provisions: 715, 715.12, 715.91, 715.93, 715.94 ("Accessory Dwelling Units") amended; Ord. 161-15, Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 715.36 and 715.37 deleted, 715.96 and 715.97 added; Ord. 33-16, Eff. 4/10/2016. Specific Provisions: 715.91 amended; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 715.33A 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 (2) 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 (3) 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 (5) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7)2 added; Ord. 78-20 , Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4) 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 (5) and (7) amended; Ord. 136-21 , Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 233-21 , Eff. 1/22/2022. Division (b) and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 10-22 , Eff. 3/7/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (8) amended; Ord. 37-22 , Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22 , Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9)3 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table and Note (1) amended; Ord. 225-23 , Eff. 12/10/2023. 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. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 62-24 , Eff. 4/28/2024. Zoning Control Table and Note (1) amended; Ord. 173-25, Eff. 10/6/2025. Division (b) and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) added; Ord. 245-25 , Eff. 1/12/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 1-26 , Eff. 2/8/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026. CODIFICATION NOTES 1. So in Ord. 233-21 and Ord. 37-22. 2. Note “(7)” is referenced as “(6)” in Ord. 78-20. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(6)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 129-17. 3. Note “(9)” is referenced as “(8)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(8)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21. 4. So in Ord. 245-25. SEC. 716. INNER CLEMENT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. The Inner Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located on Clement Street between Arguello Boulevard and Funston Avenue in the eastern portion of the Richmond District of northwest San Francisco. The District provides a wide selection of convenience goods and services for the residents of the Inner Richmond neighborhood. Inner Clement Street