NCT-1 – NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT CLUSTER DISTRICT

SF Planning Code § 750

in effect

SEC. 750. NCT-1 – NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT CLUSTER DISTRICT.

NCT-1 Districts are intended to serve as local neighborhood shopping districts, providing convenience retail goods and services for the immediately surrounding neighborhoods primarily during daytime hours. NCT-1 Districts are located near major transit services. They are small mixed-use clusters, generally surrounded by residential districts, with small-scale neighborhood-serving commercial uses on lower floors and housing above. Housing density is limited not by lot area, but by the regulations on the built envelope of buildings, including height, bulk, setbacks, and lot coverage, and standards for residential uses, including open space and exposure, and urban design guidelines. There are prohibitions on access (i.e. driveways, garage entries) to off-street parking and loading on critical stretches of commercial and transit street frontages to preserve and enhance the pedestrian-oriented character and transit function. Residential parking is not required and generally limited. Commercial establishments are discouraged from building excessive accessory off-street parking in order to preserve the pedestrian-oriented character of the district and prevent attracting auto traffic. NCT-1 Districts are generally characterized by their location in residential neighborhoods. The commercial intensity of these districts varies. Many of these districts have the lowest intensity of commercial development in the City, generally consisting of small clusters with three or more commercial establishments, commonly grouped around a corner; and in some cases short linear commercial strips with low-scale, interspersed mixed-use (residential-commercial) development. Building controls for the NCT-1 District promote low-intensity development which is compatible with the existing scale and character of these neighborhood areas. Commercial development is limited to one story, with certain exceptions. Rear yard requirements at all levels preserve existing backyard space. NCT-1 commercial use provisions encourage the full range of neighborhood-serving convenience retail sales and services at the First Story provided that the Use Size generally is limited to 3,000 square feet. However, commercial uses and features which could impact residential livability are prohibited, such as auto uses, general advertising signs, drive-up facilities, hotels, and late-night activity. Table 750. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT CLUSTER DISTRICT NCT-1 ZONING CONTROL TABLE NCT-1 Zoning Category § References Controls BUILDING STANDARDS NCT-1 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 Sheets HT11 and HT12 for more information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per § 261.1. 5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses § 263.20 P Rear Yard §§ 130, 134, 134(a) (e), 136 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 §§ 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 certain streets, see § 145.4 for more information. Vehicular Access Restrictions § 155(r) Required on certain streets, see 155(r) for more information. Miscellaneous Lot Size (Per Development) § 102, 121.1 P(12) Planned Unit Development § 304 C Canopy or Marquee § 136.1 NP(2) Awning § 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, 136 100 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, 166, 204.5 Car parking not required. P up to one space for each two Dwelling Units; C up to 0.75 spaces for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(f); NP above 0.75 spaces per Dwelling Unit. 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 §§ 207.6 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 §§ 102; 202.10 P(9) Single Room Occupancy § 102 P Student Housing § 102 P Residential Uses Controls By Story 1st 2nd 3rd+ Residential Uses § 102 P(1) P P Accessory Dwelling Unit §§ 102, 207.1, 207.2 P per Planning Code §§ 207.1 and 207.2. Dwelling Units, Senior Housing, and Group Housing, Generally § 102, 202.2(f), 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. Homeless Shelters §§ 102, 208 Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code Loss of Dwelling Units: Conversion, Demolition, or Merger of Dwelling Units, including Residential Flats § 317 C Division of Dwelling Units § 207.8 Division of existing Dwelling Units P per § 207.8 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 1.8 to 1 2 For Office Uses minimum intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9. Use Size §§ 102, 121.2 P up to 3,000 square feet; C 3,001 square feet and above Off-Street Parking Requirements §§ 145.1, 150, 151.1, 153 - 156, 166, 204.5 Car parking not required. Limits set forth in Section 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. - 11 p.m.; C 11 p.m. - 2 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 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(11)1 C(11) C(11) Fleet Charging § 102 C C C Parking Garage, Private § 102 C C C Parking Garage, Public § 102 C NP NP Parking Lot, Private §§ 102, 142, 156 C C C Parking Lot, Public §§ 102, 142, 156 C NP NP Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* §§ 102, 202.4 NP NP NP Arts Activities § 102 P P P Entertainment, General § 102 P P NP Entertainment, Nighttime § 102 C NP NP Movie Theater §§ 102, 202.4 C C C 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 NP 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) NP NP 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(4) NP NP Adult Business § 102 NP NP NP Adult Sex Venue § 102 NP NP NP Animal Hospital § 102 C C NP Cannabis Retail §§ 102, 202.2(a) NP NP NP Flexible Retail §§ 102, 202.9 P NP NP Gym § 102 P NP NP Hotel § 102 NP NP NP Kennel § 102 NP NP NP Liquor Store § 102 P NP NP Massage Establishment §§ 102, 204, 303(n), P NP(10) NP(10) Massage, Foot/Chair § 102 NP 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 C NP NP Services, Fringe Financial § 102 NP NP NP Services, Health § 102 P NP NP Services, Instructional § 102 P NP NP 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 Trade Shop § 102 P NP NP Non-Retail Sales and Service* § 102 NP NP NP Design Professional § 102 P NP NP Service, Non-Retail Professional § 102 C P NP Trade Office § 102 P NP 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) C required for ground floor Residential Use when street frontage is listed in Section 145.4(b). (2) Canopy is P if required as a wind mitigation feature. (3) [Note deleted.] (4) P if located more than ¼ mile from any NC District or Restricted Use Subdistrict with more restrictive controls; otherwise, same as more restrictive control. (5) [Note deleted.] (6) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility. (7) [Note deleted.] (8) [Note deleted.] (9) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units. (10) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service. (11)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use. (12) C for 5,000 square feet and above if located within the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District established under Section 249.97. (Added by Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; amended by 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. 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. 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 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; Notes (7) and (8) added; 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. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table 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; Notes (5) and (8) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Note (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)1 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (12) added; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Third introductory paragraph and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) deleted; 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. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 173-25; Eff. 10/6/2025. Undesignated introductory material, Zoning Control Table, and Note (1) 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. 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. 2. So in Ord. 245-25.

SEC. 751. NCT-2 – SMALL-SCALE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT.

NCT-2 Districts are transit-oriented mixed-use neighborhoods with small scale commercial uses near transit services. The NCT-2 Districts are mixed use districts that support neighborhood-serving commercial uses on lower floors and housing above. These Districts are well-served by public transit and aim to maximize residential and commercial opportunities on or near major transit services. The District’s form is generally linear along transit-priority corridors, though may be concentric around transit stations or in broader areas where multiple transit services criss-cross the neighborhood. Housing density is limited not by lot area, but by the regulations on the built envelope of buildings, including height, bulk, setbacks, and lot coverage, and standards for residential uses, including open space and exposure, and urban design guidelines. There are prohibitions on access (e.g., driveways, garage entries) to off-street parking and loading on critical stretches of commercial and transit street frontages to preserve and enhance the pedestrian-oriented character and transit function. Residential parking is not required and generally limited. Commercial establishments are discouraged from building excessive accessory off-street parking in order to preserve the pedestrian-oriented character of the district and prevent attracting auto traffic. NCT-2 Districts are intended to provide convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhoods as well as limited comparison shopping goods for a wider market. The range of comparison goods and services offered is varied and often includes specialty retail stores, restaurants, and neighborhood-serving offices. The small-scale district controls provide for mixed- use buildings, which approximate or slightly 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 751. SMALL-SCALE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT NCT-2 ZONING CONTROL TABLE NCT-2 Zoning Category § References Controls BUILDING STANDARDS NCT-2 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 Sheets HT08, HT11, and HT12 for more information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per § 261.1. 5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses § 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 certain streets Vehicular Access Restrictions § 155(r) Required on certain streets, see 155(r) for more information. Miscellaneous Lot Size (Per Development) §§ 102, 121.1 P(10) 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.

Source: SF Municipal Code PDF (amlegal)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_planning/0-0-0-1Fetched: 7/4/2026