743
LOWER HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
San Francisco Planning Code · SF Planning Code § 743
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SEC. 743. LOWER HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. The Lower Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located along Haight Street between Webster and Steiner Streets. The District is a small-scale linear shopping street which provides convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhood as well as limited comparison shopping goods for a wider market. The District controls provide for mixed-use buildings which approximate or moderately exceed the standard development pattern. Rear yard requirements above the ground story and at residential levels preserve open space corridors of interior blocks. Most new commercial development is permitted at the ground and second stories. Neighborhood-serving businesses are strongly encouraged. The second story may be used by some retail stores, personal services, and medical, business and professional offices. Parking and hotels are monitored at all stories. Limits on late-night activity, drive-up facilities, and other automobile uses protect the livability within and around the District, and promote continuous retail frontage. Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted. Table 743. LOWER HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE Table 743. LOWER HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE Lower Haight 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 required on Alleys per § 261.1. 5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses Zoned 40-X or 50- X § 263.20 P Rear Yard §§ 130, 134, 134(a) (e), 136 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 Required on some streets, see § 145.4 for specific districts. Vehicular Access Restrictions § 155(r) Restricted on some streets, see § 155(r) for specific districts 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 Zoning Category § References Controls RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES Development Standards Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit] §§ 135, 136 100 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 §§ 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 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. 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. Homeless Shelter Density §§ 102, 208 Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code Senior Housing Density §§ 102, 202.2(f), Form-Based Density. Loss of Dwelling Units: Conversion, Demolition, or Merger of Dwelling Units, including Residential Flats § 317 C
Zoning Category § References Controls Zoning Category § References Controls NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES Development Standards Floor Area Ratio §§ 102, 123, 124 , 207.9 2.5 to 1. For Office Uses minimum intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9. Use Size §§ 102, 121.2 P up to 4,000 square feet; C 4,001 square feet and above Off-Street Parking Requirements §§ 145.1, 150, 151.1 , 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5 No car parking. 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 § 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 NON-RESIDENTIAL USES 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 NP NP NP Automotive Repair § 102 C NP NP Automotive Service Station §§ 102, 202.2(b) C NP NP Electric Vehicle Charging Location §§ 102 , 202.2(b), 202.13 C(4)1 C(4) C(4) Fleet Charging § 102 C C C Gas Station §§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b) C NP NP 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 P NP 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 NP NP NP Adult Sex Venue § 102 NP NP NP Animal Hospital § 102 P P NP Bar §§ 102, 202.2(a) P NP NP Cannabis Retail §§ 102, 202.2(a) C C NP Flexible Retail §§ 102, 202.9 P NP NP Hotel § 102 C C C Kennel § 102 C NP NP Liquor Store § 102 P NP NP Massage Establishment §§ 102, 204, 303(n), P C(3) NP(3) Massage, Foot/Chair § 102 P NP 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 P C NP Services, Fringe Financial § 102 P(1) NP 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 NP NP 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 C P NP
Trade Office § 102 P P NP Utility and Infrastructure Use Category Utility and Infrastructure* § 102 C(2) C(2) C(2) Power Plant § 102 NP NP NP Public Utilities Yard § 102 NP NP NP
* Not listed below (1) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT. Fringe Financial Services are NP within any FFSRUD and its one-quarter mile buffer pursuant to Section 249.35. Outside any FFSRUD and its one-quarter mile buffer, Fringe Financial Services are P subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 249.35(c)(3). (2) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility. (3) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service. (4)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(Added by Ord. 7-20, File No. 191260, App. 1/31/2020, Eff. 3/2/2020; amended by 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. 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) (Former Sec. 743 added by Ord. 42-13 , File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; amended by 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. 102-16 , File No. 160346, App. 6/24/2016, Eff. 7/24/2016; 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; redesignated as Section 757 and amended 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) AMENDMENT HISTORY Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (3) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4)1 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. 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 amended; Ord. 173-25; Eff. 10/6/2025. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; 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 NOTE 1. Note “(4)” is referenced as “(3)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(3)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21. SEC. 744. LOWER POLK STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. The Lower Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located along Polk Street and includes non-contiguous parcels from Geary Street to Golden Gate Avenue with frontage on Geary Street, Golden Gate Avenue, and other side streets. The District is located along a heavily trafficked thoroughfare which also serves as a major transit route. In addition to providing convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhood, the District offers a wide variety of comparison and specialty goods and services to a population greater than the immediate neighborhood. The building standards permit moderately large commercial uses and buildings. Rear yards are protected at residential levels. A diversified commercial environment is encouraged for the District, and a wide variety of uses are permitted with special emphasis on neighborhood-serving businesses. Financial service, and certain auto uses generally are permitted with certain limitations at the first and second stories. Other retail businesses, personal services, and offices are permitted at all stories of new buildings. Limited storage and administrative service activities are permitted with some restrictions. 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 Sections 207.1 and 207.2 of this Code. Table 744. LOWER POLK STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE Table 744. LOWER POLK STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE Lower Polk Street NCD Zoning Category § References Controls BUILDING STANDARDS Massing and Setbacks Height and Bulk Limits §§ 102, 105, 106, 250–252, 260, 261.1, 270, 271. See also Height and Bulk District Maps Varies, but generally 130-E. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT02 more information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per § 261.1. 5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses § 263.20 P in some districts Rear Yard §§ 130, 134, 134(a) (e), 136 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. (6) 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