SEC. 718. UPPER FILLMORE STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
The Upper Fillmore Street Neighborhood Commercial District is situated in the south-central portion of Pacific Heights. It runs north-south along Fillmore Street from Jackson to Bush
and extends west one block along California and Pine Streets. This medium-scaled, multi-purpose commercial district provides 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 during both day and evening and include a number of bars,
restaurants, specialty groceries, and specialty clothing stores.
The Upper Fillmore District controls are designed to reflect the existing building scale and promote new mixed-use development which is in character with adjacent buildings. Building
standards regulate large lot and use development and protect rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. Most commercial uses are permitted at the first two stories of new
buildings. Special controls are designed to preserve an equilibrium of neighborhood-serving convenience and specialty commercial uses. In order to maintain convenience stores and protect
adjacent livability, additional bars (unless part of a restaurant) and formula retail establishments are prohibited, and financial service uses are limited. In order to promote continuous retail
frontage, drive-up and most automobile uses are prohibited.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the second story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Table 718. UPPER FILLMORE STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Upper Fillmore 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
HT02 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 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)
CU required for the entirety of California
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
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
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)
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
2.5 to 1 2 For Office Uses minimum
intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size
§§ 102, 121.2
P up to 2,500 square feet; C 2,501 square
feet and above
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(5)
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)1
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
NP
NP
Movie Theater
§§ 102, 202.4
P(4)3
P(4)
P(4)
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
P
Bar
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C(3)
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
C
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
P
C(8)
NP(8)
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(5)
P(5)
NP
Restaurant, Limited
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P(5)
P(5)
NP
Services, Financial
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
NP
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
NP
NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Design Professional
§ 102
P
P
NP
Office, General
§ 102
NP(1)
NP(1)
NP(1)
Service, Non-Retail Professional
§ 102
C
P
NP
Trade Office
§ 102
P
P
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) A General Office use that provides executive, management, administrative, and clerical services and
support related to philanthropic activities that serve non-profit institutions and organizations, including
activities that may include funding and support of educational, medical, environmental, cultural, and social
services institutions and organizations, is a Permitted Use. Such Uses (a) may not be located on the First
Story of buildings where the most recent prior Use was any Use other than Residential or Office and (b)
may be located in a single undivided space not physically separated from a Residential Use. Any
Residential Conversion above the First Story, associated with, or following commencement of such Use,
shall be considered a Conditional Use requiring approval pursuant to Section 317.
(2)(2)2 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) A new bar will be allowed with a Conditional Use authorization from the Planning Commission only
in conjunction with a Restaurant use.
(4)3 A Movie Theater may serve beer and/or wine for on-site consumption to both ticketed and non-
ticketed guests as a minor and incidental use so long as it operates as a Bona Fide Eating Place as defined
in Section 102 of this Code. A Movie Theater that complies with these conditions is not subject to the non-
residential use size limits in this Zoning Control Table or in Section 121.2 of this Code.
(5) Formula Retail NP for Restaurants and Limited Restaurants
(6) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(7) 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)1 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. 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.
161-09, File No. 090367, App. 7/15/2009; Ord. 56-11, File No. 110070, App. 3/23/2011; 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. 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. 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. 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. 13-26, File No. 251099, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026;
Ord. 29-26, File No. 251103, App. 2/27/2026, Eff. 3/30/2026; Ord. 37-26, File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026, Eff. 4/11/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Zoning Control Table: 718.69C and 718.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 718.10 and 718.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 718.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 718.43 and 718.44
amended, former categories 718.42, 718.67, and 718.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 718.43, 718.44 (Upper Fillmore NCD) added; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 718.13, 718.54, and 718.69B amended; Specific Provisions:
718.54 added; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 718.38 and 718.39 redesignated as 718.36 and 718.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 718.26, 718.49 and 718.50 amended;
Specific Provisions: 718.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 718.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 718.14, 718.15, 718.16, and 718.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section
redesignated (formerly Sec. 718.1); Zoning Control Table: 718.54, 718.91, and 718.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 718.36 and 718.37 deleted, 718.96 and 718.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff.
4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 718.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 718.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 718.33A 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 (1) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table
amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Second undesignated introductory paragraph and 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 (2) 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; Note (1) added; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning
Control Table amended; Note (4) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Note (7) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. 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)1 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. 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; Note (2) added; Ord. 245-25 , Eff.
1/12/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 1-26 , Eff. 2/8/2026. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. 13-26 , Eff. 3/16/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4)3 added; Ord. 29-26 , Eff. 3/30/2026. Zoning Control Table
amended; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTES
1. 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.
2. So in Ord. 245-25.
3. Note “(4)” is referenced as “(2)” in Ord. 29-26. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(2)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 245-25.