SEC. 729. WEST PORTAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
Located in the southwestern part of the City, the West Portal Avenue Neighborhood Commercial District stretches for three long blocks along West Portal Avenue from Ulloa Street to
15th Avenue and extends one block east along Ulloa Street from the Twin Peaks Tunnel entrance to Claremont Boulevard. West Portal Avenue provides a selection of goods and services
for customers coming mainly from the surrounding west of Twin Peaks and Sunset single-family residential neighborhoods. The lively, small-scale retail frontage is interrupted at several
locations by large-scale financial institutions which take up a large amount of commercial ground-story frontage. More than half of the number of medical, professional and business offices
are located at the ground level.
The West Portal Avenue District controls are designed to preserve the existing family-oriented, village character of West Portal Avenue. The height, bulk and design of new development,
especially on large lots, should respect the small- to mid-scale character of the district and its surrounding residential neighborhoods. Lot mergers creating large lots are discouraged.
Individual nonresidential uses require conditional use permits above 2,500 square feet.
Special controls on commercial uses are designed to protect the existing mix of ground-story retail uses and prevent further intensification and congestion in the district. Because the
district and surrounding neighborhoods are well served by the existing number of eating and drinking establishments, new bars are discouraged: any proposed new establishment should be
carefully reviewed to ensure that it is neighborhood-serving and family-oriented, and will not generate traffic, parking, or litter problems. Medical, business or professional services are
permitted at the first two stories, but additional ground-story locations are to be closely monitored to ensure that the current balance between retail and office uses is maintained. Existing
service stations are encouraged to continue operating, but changes in their size, operation, or location are subject to review. Other automotive uses are prohibited. The neighborhood-
oriented, retail character of the district is further protected by prohibiting hotels and limiting nonretail uses. The daytime orientation of the district is maintained by prohibition of late-night
commercial operating hours.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged.;2 new construction should ensure appropriate scale, design and compatibility with adjacent development. Accessory Dwelling
Units are permitted.
Table 729. WEST PORTAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
West Portal Avenue NCD
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
West Portal Avenue 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 Sheets
HT06 and HT12 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 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
Not Required
Vehicular Access Restrictions
§ 155(r)
See Section 155(r)
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
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
Intermediate Length Occupancy
§§ 102; 202.10
P(5)
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 Density
§§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 Shelters
§§ 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
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 2,500 square feet; C 2,501 square
feet and above. Division of large use sizes
per § 121.5.
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
Hours of Operation
§ 102
P 6 a.m. - 2 a.m., NP 2:00 a.m. - 6:00 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, 142, 156,
187.1, 202.2(b)
NP
NP
NP
Automotive Service Station
§§ 102, 187.1,
202.2(b)
C
NP
NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102 , 202.2(b),
202.13
C(7)1
C(7)
C(7)
Fleet Charging
§ 102
C
C
C
Parking Garage, Private
§ 102
C
C
NP
Parking Lot, Private
§§ 102, 142, 156
C
C
NP
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment and Recreation
Uses*
§§ 102, 202.4
NP
NP
NP
Arts Activities
§ 102
P
P
P
Entertainment, General
§ 102
P
P
NP
Movie Theater
§§ 102, 202.4
P
P
P
Open Recreation Area
§ 102
C
C
NP
Passive Outdoor Recreation
§ 102
C
C
NP
Industrial Use Category
Industrial Uses*
§§ 102, 202.2(d)
NP
NP
NP
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*
§ 102
C
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)
C
C
NP
Public Facilities
§ 102
P
P
P
Residential Care Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Social Service or Philanthropic
Facility
§ 102
C
P
P
Sales and Service Use Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*
§§ 102 , 121.2,
202.2(a), 202.3
P
P
NP
Adult Business
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Adult Sex Venue
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Bar
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C
NP
NP
Cannabis Retail
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C
C
NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P
NP
NP
Hotel
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Kennel
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
P
C(6)
NP(6)
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
Services, Financial
§ 102
C
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
Service, Non-Retail Professional
§ 102
C
P
NP
Trade Office
§ 102
C
P
NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*
§ 102
C
C
NP
Power Plant
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Public Utilities Yard
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Wireless Telecommunications
Services Facilities
§ 102
C(4)
C(4)
C(4)
* Not listed below
(1) [Note deleted.]
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) [Note deleted.]
(4) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(5) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(6) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(7)1 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. 327-97, App. 8/8/97; Ord. 120-99, File No. 990188, Eff. 5/17/99; 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. 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. 2-25, File No. 240903, App. 2/7/2025, Eff. 3/10/2025; 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. 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: 729.69C and 729.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 729.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 729.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 729.40, 729.43 and 729.44
amended, former categories 729.42, 729.67, and 729.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 729.40 deleted; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 729.13 and 729.69B amended; Ord. 56-13 , Eff.
4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 729.38 and 729.39 redesignated as 729.36 and 729.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 729.26 and 729.50 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning
Control Table: 729.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 729.14, 729.15, 729.16, and 729.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 729.1); Zoning Control Table: 729.54, 729.91, and
729.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 729.36 and 729.37 deleted, 729.96 and 729.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 729.91 amended;
Specific Provisions: 729.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 729.33A 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. 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; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table
amended; Note (5) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff.
9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (6) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table
amended; Note (7)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. Third 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. 2-25
, Eff. 3/10/2025. Second introductory paragraph and 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 NOTES
1. Note “(7)” is referenced as “(6)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(6)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
2. So in Ord. 245-25.