SEC. 209.1. RH (RESIDENTIAL, HOUSE) DISTRICTS.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
These Districts are intended to recognize and enhance areas characterized by dwellings in the form of houses and small multi-family buildings, usually with one, two, or three units with
separate entrances, and limited scale in terms of building width and height, and characterized by rear yards and a pattern of mid-block open spaces. Such areas tend to have similarity of
building styles and predominantly contain large units suitable for family occupancy, considerable open space, and limited nonresidential uses. In all RH Districts, multi-family buildings
with four or more units are permitted under various provisions of this Code. The RH Districts are composed of five separate classes of districts, as follows:
RH-1(D) Districts: One-Family (Detached Dwellings). These Districts are characterized by lots of greater width and area than in other parts of the City, and by single-family houses
with side yards. The structures are relatively large, but rarely exceed 35 feet in height. Ground level open space and landscaping at the front and rear are usually abundant. Much of the
development has been in sizable tracts with similarities of building style and narrow streets following the contours of hills.
RH-1 Districts: One-Family. These Districts have been occupied almost entirely by single-family houses on lots 25 feet in width, without side yards. Floor sizes and building styles vary,
but tend to be uniform within tracts developed in distinct time periods. Though built on separate lots, the structures have the appearance of small-scale row housing, rarely exceeding 35 feet
in height. Front setbacks are common, and ground level open space is generous.
RH-1(S) Districts: One-Family with Minor Second Unit. These Districts are similar in character to RH-1 Districts, except that a small second dwelling unit has been installed in many
structures, usually by conversion of a ground-story space formerly part of the main unit or devoted to storage. The second unit remains subordinate to the owner's unit, and may house one
or two persons related to the owner or be rented to others. Despite these conversions, the structures retain the appearance of single-family dwellings.
RH-2 Districts: Two-Family. These Districts have been historically developed with one-family and two-family houses, with the latter commonly consisting of two large flats, one
occupied by the owner and the other available for rental. Structures are finely scaled and usually do not exceed 25 feet in width or 40 feet in height. Building styles are often more varied
than in historically single-family areas, but certain streets and tracts are quite uniform. Considerable ground-level open space is available, and it frequently is private for each unit. The
Districts may have easy access to shopping facilities and transit lines. In some cases, Group Housing and institutions are found in these areas, although nonresidential uses tend to be quite
limited.
RH-3 Districts: Three-Family. These Districts have many similarities to RH-2 Districts, but structures with three units are common in addition to one-family and two-family houses. The
predominant form has historically been large flats rather than apartments, with lots 25 feet wide, a fine or moderate scale, and separate entrances for each unit. Building styles tend to be
varied but complementary to one another. Outdoor space is available at ground level, and also on decks and balconies for individual units. Nonresidential uses are more common in these
areas than in RH-2 Districts.
Table 209.1
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR RH DISTRICTS
Zoning Category
§ References
RH-1(D)
RH-1
RH-1(S)
RH-2
RH-3
Zoning Category
§ References
RH-1(D)
RH-1
RH-1(S)
RH-2
RH-3
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits
§§ 102, 105, 106, 250-252,
253, 260, 261 , 261.1,
263.19, 270, 270.3, 271.
See also Height and Bulk
District Maps.
No portion of a Dwelling may be taller than 35 feet. Structures with uses other than
Dwellings may be constructed to the prescribed height limit, which is generally 40
feet. Per § 261 the height limit may be decreased or increased based on the slope of
the lot.
Varies, but generally 40
feet. Structures with uses
other than Dwellings may
be constructe d to the
prescribed height limit.
Per § 261 the height limit
may be decreased based on
the slope of the lot.
Varies, but generally 40
feet. Height sculpting on
Alleys per § 261.1.
Front Setback
§§ 130, 131, 132
Required. Based on the front setback of the adjacent property with the shortest front setback or if subject property has a Legislated Setback.
When front setback is based on adjacent properties, in no case shall the required setback be greater than 10 feet.
Rear Yard
§§ 130, 134
30% of lot depth, but in no case less than 15 feet.
Side Yard
§§ 130, 133
Required for Lots 28 feet
and wider. Width of side
setback depends on width of
lot.
Not Required
Design Guidelines and Standards
§ 311
Subject to the Residential Design Guidelines and Citywide Design Standards and any other applicable design guidelines that have been
approved by the Planning Commission.
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Front Setback Landscaping and Permeability
Requirements
§ 132
Required. At least 50% of Front Setback shall be permeable so as to increase storm water infiltration and 20% of Front Setback shall be unpaved
and devoted to plant material.
Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements (Street Trees)
§ 138.1
Required.
Street Frontage Requirements
§ 144
§ 144 applies generally. Additional requirements apply to Limited Commercial Uses, as specified in § 186.
Street Frontage, Parking and Loading Access Restrictions § 155(r)
As specified in § 155(r)
Miscellaneous
Planned Unit Development
§ 304
C
C
C
C
C
Awning
§ 136.1
NP (1)
NP (1)
NP (1)
NP (1)
NP (1)
Canopy or Marquee
§ 136.1
NP (2)
NP NP1 (2)
NP (2)
NP (2)
NP (2)
Signs
§ 606
As permitted by § 606.
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.
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space
[Per Dwelling Unit]
§§ 135, 136
At least 300 square feet if
private, and 400 square feet
if common.
At least 300 square feet if
private, and 400 square feet
if common.
At least 300 square feet for
the first unit and 100 for the
minor second unit if private,
and 400 square feet for the
first unit and 133 square feet
for the second unit if
common.
At least 125 square feet if
private, and 166 square feet
if common.
At least 100 square feet if
private, and 133 square feet
if common.
Parking Requirements
§§ 151.1, 161
None required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1.
Residential Conversion, Demolition, or Merger of
Dwelling Units, including Residential Flats
§ 317
C
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy
§§102, 202.10
P(9)
P(9)
P(9)
P(9)
P(9)
Single Room Occupancy
§ 102
P
P
P
P
P
Student Housing
§ 102
P
P
P
P
P
Residential Uses
Dwelling Unit Density, General (6) (11)
§§ 102, 207
P up to one unit per lot, or
one unit per 3,000 square
feet of lot area, with no
more than three units per
lot.
P up to one unit per lot, or
up to one unit per 3,000
square feet of lot area.
P up to two units per lot, if
the second unit is 600 sq. ft.
or less, or up to one unit per
3,000 square feet of lot area,
with no more than three
units per lot.
P up to two units per lot, or
up to one unit per 1,500
square feet of lot area.
P up to three units per lot, or
up to one unit per 1,000
square feet of lot area.
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.
Senior Housing Density
§§ 102, 202.2(f) , 207
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.
Group Housing Density
§ 208
NP (3) (10)
NP (3) (10)
NP (3) (10)
P, up to one bedroom for
every 415 square feet of lot
area.
P, up to one bedroom for
every 275 square feet of lot
area.
Homeless Shelter
§§ 102, 208
P
P
P
P
P
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123, 124
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
Use Size
§§ 102, 121.5
Division of large use sizes per § 121.5
Off-Street Parking
§§ 150, 151.1, 161
None required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1.
Limited Commercial Uses
§ 186
Continuing nonconforming uses are permitted, subject to the requirements of § 186.
Limited Corner Commercial Uses
§ 231
P on a Corner Lot, with no part of the use extending more than 50 feet in depth from said corner; NP if the LCCU would require the Residential
Conversion of a Residential Unit or Unauthorized Unit under Planning Code Section 317, unless the space proposed for conversion is occupied
by a garage or storage space located in the Basement or First Story.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility
§ 102
NP
Formula Retail
§§ 102, 303.1
NP
Hours of Operation
§§ 102, 186, 231
For Limited Corner Commercial Uses under § 231 and Limited Commercial Uses under § 186: P 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; NP 10:00 p.m. to 6:00
a.m.
Maritime Use
§ 102
NP
Open Air Sales
§ 102
NP
Outdoor Activity Area
§§ 102, 145.2, 186, 202.2,
P if located in front of building; NP if elsewhere.
Walk-up Facility
§ 102
NP
Non-Residential Uses
Uses in Historic Buildings
Historic Buildings
§§ 202.11 ; 710
In Historic Buildings, any Use listed as NP below is C, if it is C or P on the ground floor in the NC-1 District, except for certain Uses and areas,
as specified in § 202.11 (8) .
Agricultural Use Category
Agricultural Uses*
§§ 102, 202.2(c)
C
C
C
C
C
Agriculture, Industrial
§§ 102, 202.2(c)
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Agriculture, Neighborhood
§§ 102, 202.2(c)
P
P
P
P
P
Automotive Use Category
Automotive Uses*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Parking Garage, Private
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Parking Lot, Private
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Parking Lot, Public
§§ 102, 142, 156
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Open Recreation Area
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Passive Outdoor Recreation
§ 102
P
P
P
P
P
Industrial Use Category
Industrial Uses*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Child Care Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
P
P
Community Facility
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Hospital
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Post-Secondary Ed. Institution
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Public Facilities
§ 102
P
P
P
P
P
Religious Institution
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Residential Care Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
P
P
School
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Sales and Service Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Hotel
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
C (4)
C (4)
Mortuary
§ 102
C (5)
C (5)
C (5)
C (5)
C (5)
Non-Retail Sales and Service*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
Internet Service Exchange
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Utility Installation
§ 102
C
C
C
C
C
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility
§ 102
C or P (7)
C or P (7)
C or P (7)
C or P (7)
C or P (7)
* Not listed below.
(1) P if required as a wind mitigation feature. Additionally, P for Limited Commercial Uses and Limited Corner Commercial Uses per Section 136.1.
(2) Canopy is P if required as a wind mitigation feature.
(3) C pursuant to Sections 202.11 and 710.
(4) C for five or fewer guest rooms or suites of rooms; NP for six or more guest rooms.
(5) Must be located on a landmark site, and where the site is within a Height and Bulk District of 40 feet or less, and where a columbarium use has lawfully and continuously operated
since the time of designation.
(6) Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units may be permitted pursuant to Sections 207.1 and 207.2.
(7) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(8) The controls for Historic Buildings modified by Section 202.11 do not apply in portions of the RH-2 and RH-3 Districts that are located both in the area bounded by Valencia, 13th,
Harrison, and Cesar Chavez Streets and in the Calle 24 Special Use District, for the following Uses: Adult Business, Adult Sex Venue, Bar, Chair and Foot Massage, Cannabis Retail,
Electric Vehicle Charging Location, Fleet Charging, Fringe Financial Service, Gym, Hotel, Laboratory, Life Science, Liquor Store, Massage Establishment, Nighttime Entertainment,
Office, Private Community Facility, Restaurant, and Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment, and all Uses within the Industrial Use category other than Agricultural and Beverage Processing
1 and Light Manufacturing.
(9) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units; C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(10) Group Housing permitted at one room per 415 sq. ft. of lot area according to the provisions in Planning Code Section 207(c)(8).
(11) P for up to four dwelling units per lot, excluding Corner Lots, and P for up to six dwelling units in Corner Lots, pursuant to Section 207(c)(8).
(Added as Sec. 206.1 by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; redesignated and amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; amended by Ord. 161-15, File No. 150804, App. 9/18/2015, Eff. 10/18/2015; Ord. 162-15 , File No.
150805, App. 9/18/2015, Eff. 10/18/2015; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; 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. 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. 168-18 , File No. 180191, App. 7/17/2018, Eff. 8/17/2018; 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. 206-19, File No. 190048, App. 9/13/2019, Eff. 10/14/2019; 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. 136-21, File No. 210674, App.
8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 149-21, File No. 210535, App. 9/29/2021, Eff. 10/30/2021; Ord. 210-22, File No. 210866, App. 10/28/2022, Eff. 11/28/2022; 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. 85-24, File No. 231221, App. 4/26/2024, Eff. 5/27/2024; Ord. 297-24,
File No. 241055, App. 12/19/2024, Eff. 1/19/2025; 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. 37-26, File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026,
Eff. 4/11/2026)
(Former Sec. 209.1 added by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; amended by Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 130-10, File No. 090906, App. 6/24/2010; repealed by Ord. 22-15, File
No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Former Sec. 206.1 redesignated as Sec. 209.1; Table 209.1 added; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Note (7) added; Ords. 161-15 and 162-15 , Eff. 10/18/2015. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 33-16 ,
Eff. 4/10/2016. Note (7) amended; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Table 209.1 amended; second Note (7) added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Table 209.1 amended; Note (5) deleted; Note (6) and first Note (7) redesignated as Notes (5) and (6); Ord.
129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Table 209.1 amended; Note (2) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Table 209.1 and Notes (3) and (4) amended; Note
(8) added; Ord. 168-18 , Eff. 8/17/2018. Note (6) amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 206-19, Eff. 10/14/2019. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Table 209.1 amended; Note (9) added; Ord. 78-20,
Eff. 6/22/2020. Note (9) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Table 209.1 amended; Note (3) deleted; Ord. 149-21, Eff. 10/30/2021. Undesignated introductory paragraphs and Table 209.1 amended; Notes (10) and (11) added; Ord. 210-22, Eff.
11/28/2022. Table 209.1 and Note (10) amended; Ord. 248-23, Eff. 1/14/2024. Undesignated introductory paragraphs, Table 209.1, and Note (1) amended; Ord. 249-23, Eff. 1/14/2024. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 33-24, Eff. 3/23/2024. Note (6)
amended; Ord. 62-24, Eff. 4/28/2024. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 85-24, Eff. 5/27/2024. Note (8) expired 8/17/2024. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 297-24, Eff. 1/19/2025. Table 209.1 amended; Ord. 173-25, Eff. 10/6/2025. Undesignated
introductory paragraphs, Table 209.1, and Note (1) amended; Note (2) added; Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026. Table 209.1 amended; Notes (3) and (8) added; Ord. 37-26, Eff. 4/11/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTE
1. So in Ord. 245-25.