SEC. 714. BROADWAY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
The Broadway Neighborhood Commercial District, located in the northeast quadrant of San Francisco, extends along Broadway from east of Columbus Avenue to Osgood Place. It is part
of a larger commercial area which includes North Beach to the north, Chinatown to the south and west, and Jackson Square to the southeast. Broadway's fame and popularity as a Citywide
and regional entertainment district is derived from a concentration of nightclubs, music halls, adult theaters, bars, and restaurants between Grant Avenue and Montgomery Street. These
places attract locals and visitors alike, mainly in the evening and late-night hours. In addition to the entertainment and some retail businesses, Broadway contains many upper-story
residential hotels. Due to its proximity to downtown, there is strong pressure to develop upper-story offices.
The Broadway District controls are designed to encourage development that is compatible with the existing moderate building scale and mixed-use character, and maintain the district’s
balance of entertainment uses, restaurants, and small-scale retail stores. New buildings exceeding 40 feet in height will be carefully reviewed and rear yards at residential levels are
protected. Most commercial uses in new buildings are permitted at the first two stories. Neighborhood-serving businesses are strongly encouraged. In order to protect the livability of the
area, limitations apply to new formula retail restaurants and adult entertainment uses at the first and second stories, as well as late-night activity. Financial services are allowed on the
ground story subject to certain limitations. Nonretail offices are prohibited on the first story and above the second story in order to prevent encroachment of the adjoining downtown office
uses. Due to the high traffic volume on Broadway, most automobile and drive-up uses are prohibited in order to prevent further traffic congestion. Parking garages are permitted if their
ingress and egress do not disrupt the traffic flow on Broadway.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the second story. Existing housing is protected by limitations on demolitions and upper-story conversions. Accessory
dwelling units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
Table 714. BROADWAY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Broadway NCD
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Broadway 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
40-X and 65-A. See Height and Bulk Map
Sheet HT01 for more information. Height
sculpting required on Alleys per §261.1.
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active
Ground Floor Uses
§ 263.20
NP
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.
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 Columbus Avenue between
Washington and North Point Streets, and on
Broadway between Embarcadero and Polk
Street
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
Urban Design Guidelines, Citywide Design
Standards, historic resource consideration,
and any other applicable design guidelines
that have been approved by the Planning
Commission. Properties in this District have
been identified as potentially eligible for the
National Register or California Register.
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
60 square feet if private, or 80 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
No car parking required (2). P up to one car
for each two Dwelling or SRO Units; C up
to 0.75 cars for each Dwelling Unit, subject
to the criteria and procedures of Section
151.1(g); NP above 0.75 cars for each
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
§ 207.7
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(8)
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
1 unit per 400 square foot lot area, or the
density permitted in the nearest R District,
whichever is greater.
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
1 bedroom per 140 square foot lot area, or
the density permitted in the nearest R
District, whichever is greater.
Homeless Shelter Density
§§ 102, 208
Density limits regulated by the
Administrative Code
Senior Housing Density
§§ 102, 202.2(f),
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.
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
2.5 to 1 3 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
§ 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(4)
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
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(10)2
C(10)
C(10)
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
P
P
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
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
C
C
C
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
C
NP
Adult Sex Venue
§ 102
C
C
NP
Animal Hospital
§ 102
P
P
NP
Bar
§ 102
C
C
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
C
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102 1 204,
303n,1 703
P
C
NP(9)
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(4)
P(4)(5)
NP
Restaurant, Limited
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P(4)
P(4)
NP
Services, Financial
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
NP(6)
NP(6)
NP(6)
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
NP
P
NP
Trade Office
§ 102
P
P
NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*
§ 102
C(7)
C(7)
C(7)
Power Plant
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Public Utilities Yard
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
* Not listed below
(1) BROADWAY OFF-STREET PARKING RESIDENTIAL
Boundaries: Broadway NCD.
Controls: Installing a garage in an existing residential building of four or more units requires a mandatory
discretionary review by the Planning Commission; Section 311 notice is required for a building of less
than four units. In approving installation of the garage, the Commission shall find that:
(a) the proposed garage opening/addition of off-street parking will not cause the “removal” or
“conversion of residential unit,” as those terms are defined in Section 317 of this Code.
(b) the proposed garage opening/addition of off-street parking will not substantially decrease the
livability of a dwelling unit without increasing the floor area in a commensurate amount;
(c) the building has not had two or more “no-fault” evictions, as defined in 37.9(a)(7)-(12) of the
Administrative Code, with each eviction associated with a separate unit(s) within the past ten years;
(d) the garage would not front on a public right-of-way narrower than 41 feet; and
(e) the proposed garage/addition of off-street parking installation is consistent with the Priority Policies
of Section 101.1 of this Code.
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) [Note deleted.]
(4) Formula Retail NP for Restaurants and Limited Restaurants
(5) [Note deleted.]
(6) 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).
(7) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(8) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(9) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(10)2 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 272-93, App. 8/25/93; Ord. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App. 11/17/2000; 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. 77-10, File No. 091165, App. 4/16/2010; 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. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 287-13 , File No. 130041, App. 12/26/2013, Eff. 1/25/2014; Ord. 227-14 , File No. 120796, App. 11/13/2014, Eff. 12/13/2014; Ord. 232-14 ,
File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; 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. 162-15 , File No. 150805, 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. 47-18, File No. 171108, App. 3/16/2018, Eff. 4/16/2018; 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. 205-19, File No. 181211, App. 9/11/2019, Eff. 10/12/2019; 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. 333-24, 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. 13-26, File No. 251099, App. 2/13/2026,
Eff. 3/16/2026; Ord. 37-26, File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026, Eff. 4/11/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Zoning Control Table: 714.69C and 714.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 714.10, 714.17, and 714.69A amended; Specific Provisions: 714.65 deleted, 714.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control
Table: 714.40, 714.43 and 714.44 amended, former categories 714.42, 714.67, and 714.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 714.44 ("Broadway Liquor Licenses") added; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control
Table: 714.13, 714.54, and 714.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 714.54 added, designation of 714.94 corrected; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 714.38 and 714.39 redesignated as 714.36 and 714.37 and
amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 714.22 amended; Ord. 227-14 , Eff. 12/13/2014. Zoning Control Table: 714.22 and 714.94 amended; Specific Provisions: 714.94 amended; Ord. 232-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning
Control Table: 714.26, 714.49, and 714.50 amended; Specific Provisions: 714.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 714.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 714.14, 714.15, 714.16, and
714.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 714.1); Zoning Control Table: 714.54, 714.91, and 714.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 714.91
amended; Specific Provisions: 714.91 added; Ord. 162-15 , Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 714.36 and 714.37 deleted, 714.96 and 714.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Specific Provisions: 714.91 amended; Ord.
162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 714.33A 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. Table Note (5) amended; Ord. 47-18, Eff. 4/16/2018. Zoning Control Table and Note (5)
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. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 205-19, Eff. 10/12/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (6) amended; Ord. 63-20,
Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (5) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (1), (6), and (8) amended;
Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (9) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022.
Zoning Control Table amended; Note (10)2 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Second introductory paragraph and
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. 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 and Note (4) amended; Ord. 13-26 , Eff. 3/16/2026.
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 “(10)” is referenced as “(9)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(9)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
3. So in Ord. 245-25.