SEC. 757. FOLSOM STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT.
The Folsom Street Neighborhood Commercial Transit District (Folsom Street NCT) is located along Folsom Street in the Western SoMa area, generally between 7th Street and 10th
Streets.
The Folsom Street NCT has a pattern of ground floor commercial and upper story residential units. Controls are designed to permit moderate-scale buildings and uses, protecting rear
yards above the ground story and at residential levels. Active, neighborhood-serving commercial development is required at the ground story where transparency and fenestration
requirements add to the activation at the street level. While offices and general retail sales uses may locate on the second story, most commercial uses are prohibited above the second story.
In order to protect the balance and variety of retail use, bars and restaurants are permitted on the ground floor, and liquor stores are allowed with a conditional use. Continuous non-
residential frontage is promoted by prohibiting drive-up facilities, some automobile uses, and permitting a mix of commercial and production, distribution, and repair uses. Parking is
required to be setback if above grade or locate below ground. Active, pedestrian-oriented ground floor uses are required.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story, and student housing is only permitted in newly constructed buildings. Housing density is not controlled by
the size of the lot or by density controls, but by bedroom counts. Given the area’s central location and accessibility to the City’s transit network, parking for residential and commercial uses
is not required. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
Table 757. FOLSOM STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Folsom Street NCT
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Folsom Street NCT
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits.
§§ 102, 105, 106,
250–252, 260,
261.1, 263.29, 270,
271, 823(c)(11). See
also Height and
Bulk District Maps
65-X to 75-X. See Height and Bulk Map
Sheets HT01, HT07, and HT08 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, 823(c)
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)
See Section 155(r)
Miscellaneous
Lot Size (Per Development)
§ 102, 121.1
P up to 9,999 square feet; C 10,000 square
feet and above
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
§ 823(b), and
General Plan
Commerce and
Industry Element
WSoMa Design Standards, Urban Design
Guidelines, Citywide Design Standards, and
any other applicable design guidelines that
have been approved by the Planning
Commission..4
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, 823(c)
(2)
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. Roof decks do not
qualify.
Off-Street Parking Requirements
§§ 145.1, 150,
151.1, 153 - 156,
166, 204.5
Car parking not required. P up to 0.5 spaces
per Dwelling Unit; C up to 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(10)
Single Room Occupancy
§§ 102, 823(c)(7)
P
Student Housing
§ 102
C in newly constructed buildings, NP
otherwise.
Residential Uses
Controls By Story
1st
2nd
3rd+
Residential Uses (except for Group
Housing, see below)
§ 102
P
P
P
Group Housing
§§ 102, 208
C(1)(7)
C
C
Accessory Dwelling Unit
§§ 102, 207.1, 207.2
P per Planning Code Sections 207.1 and
207.2.
Dwelling Units, Senior Housing,
Group Housing, Generally
§§ 102, 202.2(f),
207, 208
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
2.5 to 1 4 For Office Uses minimum
intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size
§ 102, 121.2
P up to 4,000 square feet; C 4,001 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,
823(c)(10)
C
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 at 1st and 2nd Floors 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
Automotive Repair
§ 102
C(2)
NP
NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102, 202.2(b),
202.13
C(12)1
C(12)
C(12)
Fleet Charging
§ 102
C
C
C
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
P
Entertainment, Nighttime
§ 102
NP(13)2
NP(13)
NP(13)
Entertainment, Nighttime3
§ 102
NP(3)
NP(3)
NP(3)
Livery Stable
§ 102
P(4)
NP
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, 202.2(d)
NP
NP
NP
Manufacturing, Light
§§ 102, 202.2(d)
P
P
NP
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Child Care Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Community Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Community Facility, Private
§ 102
P
P
NP
Job Training
§ 102
P
P
C
Medical Cannabis Dispensary
§§ 102, 202.2(e)
DR
DR
NP
Public Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Residential Care Facility
§ 102
NP
C
C
School
§ 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; 202.2(a)(8)
P
P
P
Animal Hospital
§ 102
P(4)
P
NP
Bar
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P
P
NP
Cannabis Retail
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C
C
NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P
NP
NP
Gym
§ 102
P(8)
P
NP
Hotel
§ 102
P(5)
P(5)
P(5)
Kennel
§ 102
P(4)
NP
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
P(7)(8)
C(11)
NP(11)
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(6)
P
NP
Restaurant, Limited
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P(6)
P
NP
Services, Financial
§ 102
P(7)(8)
NP
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Services, Health
§ 102
P(7)(8)
NP
NP
Services, Limited Financial
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Services, Personal
§ 102
P(8)
P(8)
NP
Services, Retail Professional
§ 102
P
P
P
Storage, Self
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Tobacco Paraphernalia
Establishment
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Trade Shop
§ 102
P
C
NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Design Professional
§ 102
P(7)
NP
NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional
§ 102
C
P
NP
Trade Office
§ 102
P(7)
NP
NP
Wholesale Sales
§ 102
P
P
NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*
§ 102
C(9)
C(9)
C(9)
Power Plant
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Public Utilities Yard
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
* Not listed below
(1) NP on 1st floor on lots with more than 25 feet of street frontage
(2) Ingress/egress onto alleys, as defined in the Western SoMa Community Plan, containing RED or
RED-MX Districts is NP
(3)3 P for properties fronting Folsom Street between 7th Street and Division Street.
(4) P for grooming and daycare only; no 24 hour care.
(5) NP above 25 rooms per Hotel.
(6) NP above 10,000 Gross Square Feet per Lot.
(7) P in Historic Buildings pursuant to Section 202.11.
(8) P on first or second floor, but not both.
(9) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(10) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling
Units.
(11) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(12)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(13)2 P on properties fronting Folsom Street between 7th Street and Division Street.
(Added by Ord. 42-13 , File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; amended by 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. 102-16 , File No. 160346,
App. 6/24/2016, Eff. 7/24/2016; 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; redesignated and amended by Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff.
7/30/2017; amended by 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. 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. 111-21, File No. 210285, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; 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. 22-23, File No. 221104, App. 2/23/2023, Eff. 3/26/2023; Ord. 70-23, File No. 220340, App. 5/3/2023, Eff. 6/3/2023; 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: 743.26 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 743.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 743.14, 743.15, 743.16, and 743.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section
redesignated (formerly Sec. 743.1); Zoning Control Table: 743.54, 743.91, and 743.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 743.37, 743.38, and 743.39 deleted, 743.96, 743.97, and 743.98 added; Ord.
33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Zoning Control Table: 743.10 amended; Ord. 102-16 , Eff. 7/24/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 743.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 743.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning
Control Table: 743.33A added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Section redesignated (formerly Section 743); 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; 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 (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 (10) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition
H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 111-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table and Note (10) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (11) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff.
1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (11) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (12)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 (13)2 added; Ord. 22-23 , Eff. 3/26/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) added; Ord. 70-23 , Eff. 6/3/2023. 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. 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 amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTES
1. Note “(12)” is referenced as “(11)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(11)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
2. Note “(13)” is referenced as “(10)” in Ord. 22-23. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(10)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 78-20.
3. So in Ord. 70-23.
4. So in Ord. 245-25.
Editor’s Note:
See also Sec. 703.9, “Preservation of Historic Buildings Within the Folsom Street NCT and RCD Districts.”