FILE NO. 250634
AMENDED IN COMMITTEE
7/28/2025
ORDINANCE NO.
173-25
[Planning Code - Use Size Limits]
Ordinance amending the Planning Code to eliminate limits on Non-Residential Use
Sizes in the Castro Street Neighborhood Commercial District (NCO), Pacific Avenue
NW-Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD}, Polk Street NCD, West Portal Avenue
NCD, North Beach NCD and North Beach Special Use District, Regional Commercial
Districts, and Residential-Commercial District; allow specified Non-Residential Uses
that exceed the Use Size limits to divide into smaller spaces that may continue to
exceed the Use Size limits, without conditional use authorization; adjust the Use Size
limit in all NCDs to a round number; affirming the Planning Department's determination
under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with
the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and
making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning
Code, Section 302.
NOTE:
Unchanged Code text and uncodified text are in plain Arial font.
Additions to Codes are in single-underline italics Times New Roman font.
Deletions to Codes are in strikethrough ita#cs Times Alew Roman font.
Board amendment additions are in double-underlined Arial font.
Board amendment deletions are in strikethrough Arial font.
Asterisks (* * * *) indicate the omission of unchanged Code
subsections or parts of tables.
Be it ordained by the People of the City and County of San Francisco:
Section 1. Environmental and Land Use Findings.
(a) The Planning Department has determined that the actions contemplated in this
ordinance comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources
Code Sections 21000 et seq.). Said determination is on file with the Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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Supervisors in File No. 250634 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Board affirms
this determination.
(b) On July 17, 2025, the Planning Commission, in Resolution No. 21782, adopted
findings that the actions contemplated in this ordinance are consistent, on balance, with the
City's General Plan and eight priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1. The Board
adopts these findings as its own. A copy of said Resolution is on file with the Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors in File No. 250634, and is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Pursuant to Planning Code Section 302, this Board finds that this ordinance will
serve the public necessity, convenience, and welfare for the reasons set forth in Planning
Commission Resolution No. 21782, and incorporates such reasons by this reference thereto.
A copy of said resolution is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in File No.
250634.
Section 2. Background and General Findings.
(a) In November 2024, the Controller's Office of Economic Analysis released a report
on the status of the City's economy, finding that new business formation remained far below
pre-pandemic rates, especially in the retail trades and restaurant/bar categories. Retail
vacancy rates vary across the City, with some neighborhoods, such as Union Square (22%)
and the Van Ness corridor (over 50%), suffering higher rates than the Citywide average
(7.7%). High vacancy rates harm surrounding neighborhoods by reducing economic activity,
which results in less visitors to the neighborhood and harms the businesses that remain.
(b) Small businesses tend to operate in smaller retail spaces due to lower overhead
costs, as larger retail spaces are often cost prohibitive. Facilitating small businesses' access
to small retail spaces is consistent with the City's post-pandemic economic recovery efforts.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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For example, the City's "Vacant to Vibrant" program helped small businesses fill large vacant
spaces around Union Square with smaller pop-up shops.
(c) Nearly all zoning districts in the City contain use size limits that apply to
Non-Residential Uses. In these districts, Non-Residential Uses that exceed a certain gross
square footage must obtain a Conditional Use Authorization. This CUA requirement makes it
more costly and time-intensive to divide existing large retail spaces, which in turn reduces the
amount of small retail spaces available to local businesses. This ordinance would enable a
property owner to divide a large commercial space into smaller spaces without obtaining a
CUA, even if more than one of the resulting spaces exceeds the use size threshold.
Facilitating the division of large commercial spaces not only assists small businesses and the
City's economic recovery, but it also brings these larger spaces into closer conformity with the
Planning Code. This ordinance only concerns use size limits that apply to individual uses; it
does not exempt uses from size limits that apply across an entire lot.
(d) In addition to conditionally authorized use size limits, several zoning districts
prescribe maximum Non-Residential Use sizes that cannot be exceeded. Though these hard
caps serve important goals of ensuring that large-format retailers and businesses do not
displace smaller businesses, economic conditions have changed such that many of these
larger uses are needed to provide neighborhood-serving goods, as demonstrated by recent
legislation to enable a grocery store to exceed these caps in the Polk Street NCO and
separate legislation to allow a Health Service Use in the West Portal Avenue NCO. Hard caps
on use sizes limit the ability for middle-sized businesses to expand in order to accommodate
local, evolving consumer needs. To balance the need for larger-format retail with community
input, this ordinance would eliminate hard caps on Non-Residential Use sizes and instead
provide that uses above that threshold are subject to a Conditional Use Authorization. This
ordinance does not alter any restrictions on Formula Retail.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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Section 3. Articles 1.2, 1. 7, 2, and 7 of the Planning Code are hereby amended by
revising Sections 121.2, 121.6, 178, 186.1, 209.1, 209.2, 209.3, 209.4, 210.3, 210.4, 715,
722, 723, 729, 758, and 780.3, and adding Section 121.5, to read as follows:
SEC. 121.2. NON-RESIDENTIAL USE SIZE LIMITS IN NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICTS.
(a) In order to protect and maintain a scale of development appropriate to each
district, Non-Residential Uses Sizes efthe s€lnre si::e or larger than the square footage stated in
the table below may be permitted only as Conditional Uses, subject to the exception in Section
121.2@. The use area Non-Residential Use Size shall be measured as the Gross Floor Area for
each individual Non-Residential Use.
District
Castro Street:
North Beach
Pacific Avenue
Polk Street*:
24th Street-Mission
24th Street-Noe Valley
Haight Street
Inner Clement Street
Inner Sunset
Japantown
Outer Clement Street
Sacramento Street
Union Street
Upper Fillmore Street
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Use Size Limits
2,000 sq. ft.
2,500 sq. ft.
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West Portal Avenue*
NC-1, NCT-1
3,000 sq. ft.
Broadway
Hayes-Gough
Upper Market Street
Valencia Street
NC-2, NCT-2
4,000 sq. ft.
Divisadero Street
Folsom Street
Glen Park
Irving Street
Judah Street
Noriega Street
Ocean Avenue
SoMa
Taraval Street
NC-3, NCT-3
6,000 sq. ft.
Excelsior Outer Mission Street
Fillmore Street
Mission Street
NC-S
Regional Commercial District
10,000 sq. ft.
* Subject to Section 121.2(d).
*: Conditional Use not required for any Limited Restaurant use that relocates within the Polk
Street NCO, and is designated as a Legacy Business as of the effective date of the
ordinance in Board File No. 240411, or any Health Service use in the West Portal Avenue
Neighborhood Commercial District located at Assessor's Parcel Block No. 2989B, Lot 17.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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In addition to the criteria of Section 303(c) of this Code, the Commission shall consider
the extent to which the following criteria are met:
(1) The intensity of activity in the district is not such that allowing the larger use
will be likely to foreclose the location of other needed neighborhood-serving uses in the area.
(2) The proposed use will serve the neighborhood, in whole or in significant
part, and the nature of the use requires a larger size in order to function.
(3) The building in which the use is to be located is designed in discrete
elements which respect the scale of development in the district.
(b) Notwithstanding Sections 121.2(a). 178. and 186.1, existingNon-Reside,wCILUses that are
larger them the use size limits in subsection (a) may be divided into two or more smaller Non-
Residential Uses that are larger than the use size limits in subsection (a). and such a division shall not
require a Conditional Use Authorization provided the division does not cause a Net Addition of Gross
Floor Area.
(b) In o,··der te p·etect and ,•Haintain e sesle of development ctpp1·0priaM ~o e&eh d-istricl, lV<m
Residential uses that exceed the sqMare foetage staled in the tabte beJ.ow shall not be permiUed, except
i,·1 the following circumsUmces:
(1) In :he Castro St.reel ]'>kif;f1bo;·hood Commercial District, a Child Care Facility
School, Pest Seeo,'tdary Ethreatio;~al Institution, Religious [ns.'ihxtion, Social &n,•tce or PhUantfowopic
NK:i!lty, Comrmmity Facilif}~ or e1 Reside.ntial Qwe Facili.'y as defined ln Section l 02 efthis Cede th0:1
is opereted by a n0n prefi! clnd is neighberhood servi,'ig mcty exceed this subsecN011 121. 2(b) ·with
Ce,'ldUionel Use eu,'hori::ation.
(2) In .'he Regio,"!el Cornrnercial District, &hools end C.¼Udeare Facilities €15 defined in
Section 102 ,•1u1y exceed this subsection l2l.2(b) 1ri#1 Conditional Use 6'1:,·theri::ation.
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(3)
'n •¼e '>.el'< S•ree' 'N.eig¼btr¼ood Co-r1"fle•·ci0l Distric 1 •l,zi5· si·bsection 1 2 1 2(b)
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shal1 not epply lo a 1\10vie The€l,ter use, or !he expension ofan existilqg General G,··ece,,· Use, t.'S
defined irl Secfio,·1102 ofthis Code, a1?dptws~ta.n: to the controls ofSection 723.
(4) In Ehe Wes.' P.ortal ,'/\Je,ighborhoed Commercial Distric{, Heal.'h Services Uses
!:ocated al Assesso;· 's Parcel Biock l\'o. 2989B, Lot I 7 l'IU:l)' exceed !he Umi! b1 :he table below, bt,'.~ shall
"lO' 11ave a G··oss "1oo·· 4··ee grea' 1110'9. 5 000 sqt·a··e fee•
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The use area s,¼all be mefl!iured 615 the Gross Ffoor.Are6·fer each individ-ual 1'1on Reside1uia!
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lhe She .J.imit§
Wes11 Po~·lel ,4~-'ef'll;tC
4, 000 square feet
.¥er.th Beeeh
CastFe Street
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RegiOv'lal Gommereial Dis1~·ic1'
j.j, 000 sqtrBre fee!
(c) In order to protect the pedestrian scale of the Mission Street NCT and provide
space for small businesses, the following control shall apply in the Mission Street NCT:
(1) Applicability. Lot mergers pursuant to Section 121. 7(f) and any project
located on a parcel that was created as a result of a lot merger pursuant to Section 121 . 7(f).
(2) Control. Any such project that does not include at least one non-residential
space of no more than 2,500 square feet, located on the ground floor and fronting directly
onto Mission Street, shall require a conditional use authorization. In considering whether to
grant such conditional use authorization, the Commission shall consider the criteria in
Sections 121.2(a) and 303(c).
(d) In order to protect and maintain the pedestrian scale of the Castro Street
Neighborhood Commercial District and provide space for small businesses. Non-Residential
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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Use Sizes larger than 4,000 square feet shall not be permitted. with the exception that a Child
Care Facility, School. Post-Secondary Educational Institution, Religious lnstit_ution. Social
Service or Philanthropic Facility. Community Facility. or a Residential Care Facility as defined
in Section 102 of this Code that is operated by a non-profit and is neighborhood-serving may
exceed this Non-Residential Use Size limit with Conditional Use authorization.
SEC. 121.5. DIVISION OF SPACES EXCEEDING NON-RESIDENTIAL USE SIZE LIMITS.
(a) An existing Non-Residential Use with Non-Residential Use Size larger /hem principallv
permitted (i.e., a use size that is either conditionallv permitted or not permitted) may be divided into
two or more smaller Non-Residential Uses where this Section 121.5 is referenced in the use size
controls applicable to the district. Conditional Use Authorization is not required for such a division or
for the individual resulting Non-Residential Use Sizes. provided the division does~1Qt cause a Net
Addition of Gross Floor Area.
(b) Regardless of whether Section 121.5 is referenced in the applicable usJ~ sl~ controls
pursuant to subsection (a). this Section does not apply lo:
(1) Use size limits set forth in Special Use Districts:
(2) Use size limits that apply per lot:
(3) Districts established pursuant to a development agreement or redevelopment plan,·
(4) P (Public) Districts (Section 211 ): and
(5) Chinatown Mixed Use Districts (Sections 810. 811. and 812).
SEC. 121.6. LARGE-SCALE RETAIL USES.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, establishment of a single retail use in
excess of 50,000 gross square feet in any zoning district other than the C-3 Zoning Districts
shall require conditional use authorization pursuant to Section 303 unless such use already is
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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prohibited. This Section 121 .6 shall apply to the establishment of a new use and the
expansion of an existing use. For purposes of this Section single "retail use" shall include,
except for Hotels and Motels, all Retail Sales and Service Uses listed in Section 102 and retail
uses identified in Article 8 of this Code. Notwithstanding this Section 121. 6. division o(Non-
Residential Use Sizes is permitted lo the extent provided in Section 121.5.
SEC. 178. CONDITIONAL USES.
The following provisions shall apply to conditional uses:
(a) Definition. For the purposes of this Section, a permitted conditional use shall refer
to:
(1) Any use or feature authorized as a conditional use pursuant to Article 3 of
this Code, provided that such use or feature was established within the time limits specified as
a Condition of Approval or, if no time limit was specified, within a reasonable time from the
date of authorization; or
(2) Any use or feature that is classified as a conditional use in the district in
which it is located and that lawfully existed either on the effective date of this Code, or on the
effective date of any amendment imposing new conditional use requirements upon such use
or feature; or
(3) Any use deemed to be a permitted conditional use pursuant to Section 179
of this Code.
* * * *
(e) Changes in Use. The following provisions shall apply to permitted conditional
uses with respect to changes in use, except as further limited by the change of use
procedures for Formula Retail uses set forth in Section 303.1 of this Code.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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(1) A permitted conditional use may be changed to another use listed in
Section 102 and Articles 7 or 8 of this Code as a principal use for the district in which it is
located and the new use may thereafter be continued as a permitted principal use.
(2) A permitted conditional use may be changed to another use listed in
Section 102 and Articles 7 or 8 of this Code as a conditional use for the district in which the
property is located, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Code, only upon approval
of a new conditional use application, pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this Code.
(3) A permitted conditional use may not be changed to another use not
permitted or prohibited by the Zoning Control Table for the district in which the lot is located. If
a permitted conditional use has been wrongfully changed to another use in violation of the
foregoing provisions and the violation is not immediately corrected when required by the
Zoning Administrator, the wrongful change shall be deemed to be a discontinuance or
abandonment of the permitted conditional use.
(4) Once a permitted conditional use has been changed to a principal use
permitted in the district in which the property is located, or brought closer in any other manner
to conformity with the use limitations of this Code, the use of the property may not thereafter
be returned to its former permitted conditional use status, except upon approval of a new
conditional use application pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this Code.
(5) In. the .¥orth Beech .Veighborh00d CemHwrcial District, tmy use thet exceeds the
l:tSe size pmvisiens efSection l 2l. 2(s) or 121. 2(h) mey be changed to a new use enly l;tf)OH «ppJ'0',1al of
a new eomiihonel use epplication. The Commission's Bppre,:al efs~wh cenditienal use ttpplication
shall explicitly address the use size.findings ofSectio}q 3()3(c).
(6) In lhe Castro Street ,'hf.eig,½borhood Cemmerciel Di:stricL, c1ny me Jhat exceeds the
use si::e provisieRS a/Section 121. 2(s), but is smoller them lhe maxi,'1ntm use si::e limit of SecNon
!21.2(h), m6y be changed to 8 ne:w ·use only upon ctpproWJ.1 ofe new eond-itionat use 8ppliceUon. The
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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Commission's eppro·;el 0:fsueh cond-i:imu1.l use 6lfJPlieetion shell expi.'eilly edeh·ess the use sizefindin.gs
0fSeelio,•:i, 303(c).
* *
* *
SEC. 186.1. EXEMPTION OF NONCONFORMING USES IN NEIGHBORHOOD
COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
* * * *
(a) Expansion. A nonconforming use may expand in floor area as provided in
Subsection (b) below, but may not expand beyond the lot which it occupies, nor may the
boundaries of such lot be expanded for purposes of expanding the use; nor may the use
expand upward above the story or stories which it lawfully occupies, except as provided in
Section 186.2 below.
(b) Enlargements or Alteration.
(1) A nonconforming use may not be significantly altered; enlarged or
intensified, except upon approval of a Conditional Use application pursuant to the provisions
of Section 303 of this Code, provided that the use not have or result in a greater height, bulk
or floor area ratio, less required rear yard or open space, or less required off-street parking
space or loading space than permissible under the limitations set forth in this Code for the
district or districts in which such use is located.
(2) A nonconforming use may expand to include public sidewalk space
provided that such space is only occupied with tables and chairs as permitted by this
Municipal Code.
(3) No existing use or structure which fails to meet the requirements of this
Code in any manner as described above in this subsection (b) shall be constructed,
reconstructed, enlarged, alteredl. or relocated so as to increase the discrepancy, or to create a
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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new discrepancy, at any level of the structure, between existing conditions on the lot and the
required standards for new construction set forth in this Code. However._Q_ Non-ResidentiaLUse
that fails to meet the Non-Residential Use Size requirements of this Code m~ay be divided into smaller
uses S_i_zes, consistent ivith Sec:lions 121.2 and 121.5.
(c) Changes in Use. A nonconforming use may be changed to another use or feature
as described below.
(1) A nonconforming use may be changed to a use listed in Article 7 of this
Code as a Principal Use for the district in which the property is located, and the new use may
thereafter be continued as a Principally Permitted Use.
(2) A nonconforming use may be changed to a use listed in Article 7 of this
Code as a Conditional Use for the district in which the use is located, only upon approval of a
Conditional Use application pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this Code, and the new
use may thereafter be continued as a permitted Conditional Use, subject to the provisions of
Section 178 of this Code.
(3) A nonconforming use may be changed to a use which is not permitted in
that Neighborhood Commercial District as described below, only upon approval of a
Conditional Use application, pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this Code:
(A) Any Bar, Limited Restaurant, or Restaurant use may change to
another Bar, Limited Restaurant, or Restaurant use, even though such other use is not
permitted in that Neighborhood Commercial District, unless such other use is located in an
Alcohol Restricted Use Subdistrict and is prohibited by the provisions governing that Alcohol
Restricted Use Subdistrict.
(8) Any Business Service, Health Service, Personal Service, or Retail
Professional Service use may change to another such use, even though such other use is not
permitted in that Neighborhood Commercial District.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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(C) Any Automotive Repair, Automotive Service Station, or Gas Station
use may be demolished and reconstructed as the same use or may change to another such
use, even though such other use is not permitted in that Neighborhood Commercial District.
The new use shall still be classified as a nonconforming use.
The changes in use described in this subsection (c)(3) shall include
remodeling activities involving the demolition and replacement of structures that result in a
change of use.
(D) With regard to Formula Retail uses, a change of owner or operator of
a Formula Retail establishment is determined to be an intensification of use and a new
Conditional Use authorization shall be required as provided in Section 178( c) of this Code.
(4) ln the North Beech 1Veighb0.'·hood Commeretel District, €lnJ/ use that exceeds #w
a'SC si::e pro .. •isions in the Nert,¼ Be6Cl"l Zoning C0ntrol T0ble may be chtm-geri to a new use only ttpon
the spproy;a/ of a new Con6'-iHonet Use epplication. The CoH1,"Rission 's spproi?-81 o-fsuch CmulWonel
Use etpplieehon shsll e;cplicitly address tl'ie use s.'zefimiings ofSec:ion 303fc). l."1 the ,¥orth Be-filch
N-eighbo,·hood Cm11me,·ciel District, a ,umcmifermil'lg t,'Se C€HV'lot be elwnged ~o any use thet is not 6l
pe,•·miNed i,se muter SectioH 722 (Nerth Beach Co,1trols).
(5) fn the Cestro Street Jlkighborhood Commercict:l Dislriet, 61J'ly' use in this Di.strict
that exceeds the maximum i""lcm Residential Use Si::e li,'i'fit ofSeetion l2l.2(b) 11uty nol be cha,rtged to a
new !<Se. The only »wthod_f'or changing a l'IOHcor.fonning t,·se identified in this subsection (c) is to
ret:hwe :he ,"lonco,eforming use:
M) to c1 corjormh<tg t,'Se si::e; or
(B)
10 8 size specifi·ed .'Jq &,bsectiol'l 12l.2(a)p1:wsr1c1n( lo Conditione1l Use
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Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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Sectim~ J 02, #Ul)' change .'O Gmether !,'Se ecJtegery enum.erated in the definitio~'l e.f General Retail Sales
and Seri•ice ss Ieng as ,•he use si;::e is ne,' increased Gmd .'he Commissien appr0·i1es a ConditionGll Use
applica.'ionfor s'tfch change. The Col'l'lmission 's epp1·0w1l 0-fsuch Co1<tditional Use eppliealion sfamU
explieill)' address the use sizefindbtgs efSecfion 303(€).
(d) Discontinuance. A nonconforming use that is discontinued for a period of three
years, or otherwise abandoned or changed to another use that is listed in Article 7 of this
Code as a Principal or Conditional Use for the district in which the use is located shall not be
reestablished, except in the following instances:
(1) In the North Beach, Polk Street, Castro Street, and Haight Street
Neighborhood Commercial Districts the period of non-use for a nonconforming use to be
deemed discontinued shall be 18 months.
(2) In the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District, the period of non-use
for a nonconforming Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment use to be deemed discontinued
shall be 18 months.
(3) For Formula Retail uses in any district that prohibits or requires Conditional
Use authorization for Formula Retail uses, the period of non-use to be deemed discontinued
is 18 months.
(e) Relocation. A nonconforming use in a Neighborhood Commercial District may be
reestablished at another location within that Neighborhood Commercial District only upon
approval of a new conditional use application pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this
Code, provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) The original premises shall not be occupied by an establishment of the
same type of use as the relocating use unless by another establishment that is relocating from
within the district; and
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
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(2) No final permits to operate the relocated use at the new premises are
granted prior to the issuance of a certificate of final completion of any work to the original
premises which is required as conditions attached to the approval of the conditional use
application; and
(3) Deed restrictions are recorded for the original premises in the Official
Records of the City and County of San Francisco, which restrictions prohibit for the duration of
the Code sections prohibiting the use for the district in which the use is located, the
establishment and operation of a new use of the same type of use as the relocated use,
unless such new use is relocating from within the district.
SEC. 209.1. RH (RESIDENTIAL, HOUSE) DISTRICTS.
* * * *
Table 209.1
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR RH DISTRICTS
Zoning
§ References
RH-1(D)
RH-1
RH-
Category
1(5)
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123,
Use Size
00 102, 121.5
* * * *
* * * *
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
Division oflarcze use sizes ver o 121.5
RH-2
RH-3
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
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SEC. 209.2. RM (RESIDENTIAL, MIXED) DISTRICTS.
* * * *
Table 209.2
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR RM DISTRICTS
Zoning Category
§ References
RM-1
I RM-2 I RM-3 I RM-4
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
* * * *
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123, 124
1.8 to 1 I 1 . 8 to 1 I 3. 6 to 1 14. 8 to 1
Use Size
~~ 102, 121.5
Division o[_large use sizes '[l_er ~ 121.5
* * * *
* * * *
SEC. 209.3. RC (RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL) DISTRICTS.
* * * *
Table 209.3
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
Zoning Category
§ References
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
* * * *
,¥-0n Resid-enU€ll Use Size Limits
* * * *
* * * *
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
§§ 102, 121.5, 121.6
RC-3
I
RC-4
P if Jess th€l19, up to 6,000 square feet; C
if lclrger Mum 6,00lf) square feet or
above leFge-F. ]'1/P ifgre£J:ter them 120,0iJ0
gr0ss !:ifjttarefeet. Division oflarge use
sizes per ~ 121.5.
Page 16
SEC. 209.4. RTO (RESIDENTIAL TRANSIT ORIENTED) DISTRICTS.
* * * *
Table 209.4
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR RTO DISTRICTS
Zoning Category
§ References
RTO
RTO-M
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123,
1.8 to 1
1.8 to 1
Use Size
H 102, 121.5
Division o[_large use sizes 'fl._er f 121. 5
* * * *
* * * *
SEC. 210.3. PDR DISTRICTS.
* * * *
Table 210.3
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FOR PDR DISTRICTS
Zoning
§ References
PDR-1-B
PDR-1-D
PDR-1-G
PDR-2
Category
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
* * *
*
Use Size
See Table
5,000 gross
2,500 gross See Table
Limits for
§f 210.3A, 121.5 10.3A.
square feet per lot, square feet 210.3A.
Retail Sales
see reference (10) per lot, see
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 17
and Service
below.
reference
Uses
(9) below.
Use Size
Limits for
Non-Retail
§i 210.3A 121.5 See Table
N/A
N/A
See Table
Sales and
210.3A.
210.3A.
Service
Uses
Use Size
~§'. 102, 121.5
Division o[.large use sizes {2er §: 121.5
* * * *
* * * *
SEC. 210.4. M DISTRICTS: INDUSTRIAL.
* * * *
Table 210.4
ZONING CONTROL TABLE FORM DISTRICTS
Zoning Category
§ References
M-1
I
M-2
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123, 124
5 to 1
I
5 to 1
Use Size
~~ 102, 121.5
Division o[_large use sizes {2er i 121.5
* * * *
* * * *
SEC. 715. CASTRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
* * * *
(b) Intent of Controls. The Castro Street District controls are designed to maintain
existing small-scale development and promote a balanced mix of uses. Building standards
permit small-scale buildings and uses, conditionally permit larger uses, and protect rear yards
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 18
above the ground story and at residential levels. In new buildings, most commercial uses are
permitted at the ground and second stories. Special controls are necessary to preserve the
existing equilibrium of neighborhood-serving convenience and specialty commercial uses. In
order to maintain convenience stores and protect adjacent residential livability, controls
authorize some additional drinking establishments with a conditional use, permit self-service
specialty food establishments, and permit with certain limitations new late-night uses, adult
and other entertainment, and financial service uses. The continuous retail frontage is
maintained by prohibiting most automobile and drive-up uses. Housing development in new
buildings is encouraged above the second story. Existing housing units are 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 715. CASTRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
* * * *
Use Size
§§ 102, 121.2, 121.5
P ,to !, 999 sqi;iare feel; C 2,000 sq1;~arefeet t-0
J,91).9 sqitfli1·e feet; Pll1(-,.1..) },000 Sifti•are--feel fliid
ebtwe- P ue. to 2. 000 sg_uare {§et: C 2, 00 l
square {§et and aboi.i:e to 4.000 square feet:
NP ~.001 square feet and above (1 ).
Division o[...large use sizes aer ~ 121. 5.
* * * *
* * * *
(1) [Reserved] USESIZEEXEAfPTl-0-iV USE SIZE EXEMPTION
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 19
Per PlcEnning Code Sec!io,''l 12!. J(h), Use Si.:e shall generally not exceed 4, (}(){) sq!~arefeet
excep: that a Chil-d Care Facility, School, Post SecoMdary Educati0,u1l lnstitl;{tion, Religious Insti.'utim9,
Secisl Sen·ice 01· P,¼ilanthropic Faeilily, Cmmmmity facility, 0,·· e Residential Ctn-e Facility as defined
in Section 102 thet is opernted h:y a no,2 pff>.fit and is ,wighhorh0od seriJiJ-?g may exceed 4,000 sqi1are
feel hy• Conditionet Use e11;aho1'i=eti0n. The non residentit1l 1;{5C si=e limi,<etiort shell not ttpply to Arlick
JO le11u:blwrk hull-dings footded b'i the Cestro ,VCD.
Per Planning Code Section 121.2(d). Use Size shall generally not exceed 4.000 square
feet except that a Child Care Facility. School. Post-Secondary Educational Institution.
Religious Institution. Social Service or Philanthropic Facility. Community Facility. or a
Residential Care Facility as defined in Section 102 that is operated by a non-profit and is
neighborhood-serving may exceed 4.000 square feet by Conditional Use authorization. The
non-residential use size limitation shall not apply to Article 10 Landmark buildings located in
the Castro NCO_.
* * * *
SEC. 722. NORTH BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
The North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District is a nonlinear district centered on
Columbus Avenue, located in the valley between Telegraph Hill and Russian Hill north of
Broadway. North Beach functions as a neighborhood-serving marketplace, citywide specialty
shopping, and dining district, and a tourist attraction, as well as an apartment and residential
hotel zone. Traditionally, the district has provided most convenience goods and services for
residents of North Beach and portions of Telegraph and Russian Hills. North Beach's eating,
drinking, and entertainment establishments remain open into the evening to serve a much
wider trade area and attract many tourists. The balance between neighborhood-serving
convenience stores and Citywide specialty businesses has shifted, as convenience stores
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 20
have been replaced by restaurants and bars. The proliferation of financial services, limited
financial services, and professional services has also upset the district's balance of uses. The
relocation of business and professional offices from downtown to North Beach threatens the
loss of upper-story residential units.
The North Beach District controls are designed to ensure the livability and
attractiveness of North Beach. Building standards limit new development to a small to
moderate scale. Rear yards are protected above the ground story and at residential levels.
Active commercial uses shall be required at the ground floor. Small-scale, neighborhood-
serving businesses are strongly encouraged and formula retail uses are prohibited. To
preserve and maintain the district's small-scale, fine grain storefronts, the consolidation or
merger of existing retail or commercial spaces or storefronts are prohibited, and Use Sizes
are controlled to encourage conversion back to the traditional small-scale commercial spaces.
Special controls are necessary because an over-concentration of food and beverage service
establishments limits neighborhood-serving retail sales and personal services in an area that
needs them to thrive as a neighborhood. In order to maintain neighborhood-serving retail
sales and personal services and to protect residential livability, additional eating and drinking
establishments are prohibited in spaces that have been occupied by neighborhood-serving
retail sales and personal services. Special controls prohibit new walk-up facilities. Financial
services, limited financial services, and ground-story business and professional office uses
are prohibited from locating in the portion of the district south of Greenwich Street, while new
financial services locating in the portion of the district north of Greenwich Street are limited.
Restrictions on automobile and drive-up uses are intended to promote continuous retail
frontage and maintain residential livability.
In keeping with the district's existing mixed-use character, housing development in new
buildings is encouraged above the ground floor. Existing residential units are protected by
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 21
prohibitions of upper-story conversions, mergers, removals, and demolitions. Per
Section 207.1 of this Code, Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the existing building
envelope, but may not eliminate or reduce ground-story retail or commercial space.
Table 722. NORTH BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
*
*
*
*
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
*
*
*
*
Use Size
§§ 102, 121.2, 780.3(c)(3),. P up to .J-,9!)9 2, 000 square feet; C
121.5
2,0010 square feet w 3,999 squ€l,-efeet;
NF 4,().().(). sqitarefeei and above. {1Q)_
Speeiell:J,· Greee,,y 'tffle -si¼eU r10l e.~eed- 9
ld-se $.i:e ef-,1, ()()() sq !~are feel wUhi;it ihe
,Verth Beach Speeiel Use District.(5)
DivisiQn o{_large use sizes e.er f 121.5.
*
*
*
*
* Not listed below
* * * *
(5) NORTH BEACH SPECIAL USE DISTRICT (Section 780.3): Restaurants, Limited
Restaurants and Bars may be permitted as a Conditional Use on the First Story through the
procedures set forth in Section 303 only if the Zoning Administrator first determines that the
proposed new Restaurant, Limited Restaurant, or Bar would occupy a space that is currently
or was last legally occupied by one of the uses described below; provided that its last use has
not been discontinued or abandoned pursuant to Sections 186.1 (d) or 178(d) of this Code and
that the proposed new use will not enlarge the space; and provided further that no Conditional
Use shall be required if the use remains the same as the prior authorized use, with no
enlargement or intensification of use:
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 22
(A) A Bar may occupy a space that is currently or last legally occupied by a Bar;
(B) A Restaurant may occupy a space that is currently or was last legally occupied
by a Restaurant or Bar; and
(C) A Limited Restaurant may occupy a space that is currently or was last legally
occupied by a Limited Restaurant, Restaurant or Bar.
(D) Except as provided herein, no other use shall be allowed to convert to a Limited
Restaurant, Restaurant or Bar.
*
* * *
(10) Per the North Beach Special Use District in Section 780.3(c)(3) of this Code,
Specialty Grocery use shell not exeeed e ·with a Non-Residential Use Size ef larger than 1,000
square feet requires Conditional Use authorization in erder Jo presen•e and ~~qaimaiR the district 's
smell scale, fine grein slorcfronts.
*
* * *
SEC. 723. POLK STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
* *
* *
Table 723. POLK STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Zoning Category
§ References
*
*
*
*
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES (7)
Development Standards
*
*
*
*
Use Size
§§ 102, 121.2, 121.5
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Controls
P up to 4-,9-9!) 2,000 square
feet; C 2,0010 t-e J,999
squerefeet; NP 4,000
square feet and above,.
(2) Division o[..large use
sizes 12.er ~ 121. 5.
Page 23
* * * *
* * * *
(2) USE SIZE EXEMPTION: Per Planning Code Section 121 .2(a), a Conditional Use
Authorization is not required for any Limited Restaurant use that relocates within the Polk
Street NCO, and is designated as a Legacy Business as of the effective date of the ordinance
in Board File No. 240411. Per Plam1.if1.g Cede Section l21.2(h), Use Size s,",9/d generally 1,z0t exceed
if, 000 squffi•efeet e.wepl that a 1~fovte The9ler 85 defined in Section 102 mey eNeeed 4, 000 sqMare feet.
In additi0n, the enlarge,-nent efan existing Ge)'ierel Groee,•7• we on the same Lot, end .in essoeia.'ifm
11vith the repleeement ofe Legecy Bwiness 1-hat is Q/so a General Grocery· use, nuzy &ceed 4,000
square feet.
* * * *
SEC. 729. WEST PORTAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
* * * *
The West Portal Avenue District controls are designed to preserve the existing family-
oriented, village character of West Portal Avenue. The building standards limit building heights
to 26 feet and two stories and maintain the existing pattern of rear yards at the ground level
and above. The height, bulk and design of new development, especially on large lots, should
respect the small-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 and ere resh'ieteti ffl 4,000 SfJ~tere feet es an
e-hs0h,r-e limit to conform with the e::istfrig SR'iall use si=es ii? the district.
* * * *
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 24
Table 729. WEST PORTAL AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
* * * *
P up to 2,50049-9 square feet;
Use Size
§§ 102, 121.2,121.5
C 2,5010 t-o 3,999 square feet;'-N:P
4, 000 square feel and above. Division of
large use sizes e_er §_ 1 21. 5.
* * * *
* * * *
SEC. 758. REGIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
* * * *
Table 758. REGIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Zoning Category
§ References
* * * *
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
* * * *
Use Size
f§ 102, 121.2, 121.5
* * * *
* * * *
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Controls
Pup to 10,000 square feet; C 10,001
square feet and above,_.; NP abe-Pe 25, 000
S€J'bl:8re feet exeeptfer &heels and Chikl
Gere ,.~e#Uies Division o[_large use sizes
e_er§..121.5.
Page 25
SEC. 780.3. NORTH BEACH SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
* * * *
(c) Controls. The following provisions shall apply within such District:
* * * *
(3) Storefronts. To preserve and maintain the District's small-scale, fine grain
storefronts, (A) the consolidation or merger of existing retail or commercial spaces or
storefronts is prohibited, and (B) Specialty Groceries shall ,wt exeeed with a Non-Residential
Use Size ef larger than 1,000 square feet shall require Conditional Use authorization.
* * * *
Section 4. Non-Residential Use Size in Article 7 Zoning Control Tables.
Article 7 of the Planning Code is hereby amended by revising the Zoning Control
Tables for Sections 710-714, 716-721, 724-728, 730-746, 750-757, and 759-764, under the
Non-Residential Standards and Uses heading and the Development Standards subheading,
in the Controls column of the Use Size row, to read as follows, as further shown in the Sample
Zoning Control Table below:
Planning Code Section
Old Text
Controls
SEC. 710. NC-1 -
P up ,t0 2, 999 squeli"e fee.'; C
Neighborhood Commercial
3,000 sq1,1:are feet and 8:80\'C
Cluster District.
SEC. 711. NC-2 - Small-
P up !e> 3,999 square feet; C
Scale Neighborhood
'I, 0()0 square feel a,ui
Commercial District.
ahe,;e
SEC. 712. NC-3 - Moderate-
Pup 105,999 squarefeet; C
Scale Neighborhood
6, 0()() sqt1are feel aiul ah0w
Commercial District.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
New Text
Controls
P U[l. to 3. 000 square {get; C 3,001
SC£UClre {get and above
P u12.. to 4, 000 square &et: C 4.001
square &et and above
P u12. to 6,000 square [§,et: C 6.001
square &et and above
Page 26
SEC. 713. NC-S -
P up to 5,999 squcwe feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
6, 000 sqt1are fee.' and dbove
Shopping Center District.
SEC. 714. Broadway
P t{p t0 2,999 square feet: C
Neighborhood Commercial
3,000 square fee! and cibo~•e
District.
SEC. 716. Inner Clement
P t{jJ t-0 2, '199 squere fee/; C
Street Neighborhood
2,500 square feel and above
Commercial District.
SEC. 717. Outer Clement
P t{jJ to 1, 199 S€fucwe feet; C
Street Neighborhood
2,500 sqt.ta-re feet and
Commercial District.
€l8fWC
SEC. 718. Upper Fillmore
P up :o 2, /99 squere feet: C
Street Neighborhood
2,500 sqc1are feet cmd a.bore
Commercial District.
SEC. 719. Haight Street
P i1p to ? ,,99 r;quc.·re ~e 1• C
l
-
,
fl"
•
...
J
1.
Neighborhood Commercial
?,500 !ffJUare fee.' ami
District.
€l80'rC
SEC. 720. Excelsior Outer
P up ,'0 5,999 squere feet; C
Mission Neighborhood
6,000 squCfre J~et and c1bove
Commercial District.
SEC. 721. Japan town
P ·up .'o 2, 199 squc:u feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
2,500 squerefeel and ab01·e
District.
SEC. 724. Sacramento
P up to 2, r/99 squarefeet; C
Street Neighborhood
2,500 squarefee.' €t1'l:d
Commercial District.
Cl00're
SEC. 725. Union Street
P up t0 2, ,,t99 Sf[IH?tre feel: C
Neighborhood Commercial
2,500 squarefeet emcl ab0ve
District.
SEC. 726. Pacific Avenue
Pup to 1,999 square.fee:; C
Neighborhood Commercial
2,000 square.feel ami
District.
Cl00'P'e
SEC. 727. Lakeside Village
P u-p to 2,999 square feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
3,000 square J~et and ehove
District.
SEC. 728. 24th Street - Noe
Pup 10 2 "'99 squtre '"ee'· C
:1
l
I r
I'
J'
~,
Valley Neighborhood
2. 5 00 squc1re feet cmcl c1hove
Commercial District.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
P u12. to 6,000 square fj.et; C 6.001
sg_uare '[get and above
P Uf2. to 3. 000 square (get,· C 3,001
square '{get and above
P Uf2. to 2.500 square (§et; C 2,501
SC[uare {'get and above
P u12. to 2,500 square feet: C 2.501
square (get and above
Pue. to 2,500 sctuare (get: C 2.501
square {'get and above
P u12. to 2.500 square &et; C 2,501
square {§et and above
P u12. to 6. 000 square (get; C 6,001
SC[uare {get and above
Pue to 2.500 square '{get: C 2.501
square (get and above
P Uf2. IO 2.500 sctuare {§et: C 2.501
square &et and above
P u12. to 2,500 square (get: C 2.501
sctuare {§et and above
P U(Z. to 2. 000 square (get,· C 2,001
square (§et and above
P u12. to 3.000 sg_uare {get: C 3.001
square (get and above
P u12. to 2.500 square (get: C 2.501
square {get and above
Page 27
SEC. 730. Inner Sunset
0 ip •e :2
199 sqz•are .fee•· C
1.
,
r
- , r
l
J
i ,
Neighborhood Commercial
2,500 sqt1cwefee: and above
District
SEC. 731. Noriega Street
P 1:ifJ J0 3,999 scrucwefee.'; C
Neighborhood Commercial
i, 000 squarefeet cmd abore
District.
SEC. 732. Irving Street
Pup ffJ 3,999 SCJ:Uare fee/; C
Neighborhood Commercial
l, 000 squcwefect and ab0ve
District.
SEC. 733. Taraval Street
Pup to 3,999 square feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
I, 000 SCJUClrefeet and Cfhove
District.
SEC. 734. Judah Street
P up :0 3,999 S€JH6lre fee.t,· C
Neighborhood Commercial
!, 000 squcwefee: ar1d abm·e
District.
SEC. 735. Inner Balboa
P up ffJ 3,999 squcwe feet; C
Street Neighborhood
I, 000 sq1;1CFrefeet and ebf:J\'C
Commercial District.
SEC. 736. Outer Balboa
P up lo 3,999 square feet; C
Street Neighborhood
!, 000 sq1:1e-re feet and above
Commercial District.
SEC. 737. Bayview
P t,p l0 5,999 S(Jucu-efeet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
(j, 00() square fee.' and c1b0ve
District.
SEC. 738. Cortland Avenue
Pup to 3,999 SfJ:Uare.feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
!, 000 square.fee,' and ab0ve
District.
SEC. 739. Geary Boulevard
P ~IP !0 5,999 square feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
6, 0()() square feel CHUI, abo\·e
District.
SEC. 740. Mission Bernal
P up lo 5,999 square J-leet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
(j, 000 square fee.' and abo·.·e
District.
SEC. 741. San Bruno
Pup lo 3,999 squa,•·efeet; C
Avenue Neighborhood
/, 000 squerefee: a1~cl abo·:e
Commercial District.
SEC. 742. Cole Valley
P up 10 2,999 square J-leet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
3, OOQ square feet tmd above
District.
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Pup to 2,500 square feet: C 2,501
square feet and above
P u12. to 4,000 square {iel: C 4. 00 I
square {§et and above
P U[2 to 4,000 square (get: C 4. 001
square [§et and above
P u12. to 4.000 square (get: C 4,001
square {§et and above
P u12. to 4.000 square &et: C 4.001
square feet and above
P u12. to 4,000 sg_uare &et: C 4. 001
sctuare teet and above
P lll2 to 4. 000 square {§et: C 4. 00 I
square fiet and above
P Uf2. to 6. 000 square (get; C 6,001
square feet and above
P U[l_ to 4. 000 square {§et: C 4.001
sctuare &et and above
P Uf2. to 6,000 square {iet: C 6. 001
sg_uare {§et and above
P ll{2 to 6. 000 square {get; C 6,001
square feet and above
P Uf2. to 4.000 square feet: C 4.001
sctuare {get and above
P u12. to 3. 000 scluare &et; C 3,001
square fiet and above
Page 28
SEC. 743. Lower Haight
P up to 3,999 S€Jblewe .feet; C
Street Neighborhood
!, 00() sq1;1e,··efeet cmd ctbove
Commercial District.
SEC. 744. Lower Polk Street
P tlfJ to 5,999 squerefeet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
6, 000 square feel and abo-,.;,e
District.
SEC. 745. Inner Taraval
P up w 3,999 sql:tare feet; C
Street Neighborhood
I, 000 sqtw,··e feet e1nd c:bo,·e
Commercial District.
SEC. 7 46. Leland Avenue
P up 10 3,999 sq1:1are fee.'; C
Commercial District.
·( (}.(}.{) 5·qt1ewe feet eml- eluwe
SEC. 750. NCT-1 -
P ·up lo 2,999 sqtrcwe feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
3, 00(}. s·q!wre feet end above
Transit Cluster District.
SEC. 751. NCT-2 - Small-
P 1:fJJ i'o 3,999 square feet; C
Scale Neighborhood
1, (}.00 S€Jliare feet cmd abo•,,e
Commercial Transit District.
SEC. 752. NCT-3 -
P up to 5,999 sqt1are feet; C
Moderate-Scale
6, (}.OO square feet and above
Neighborhood Commercial
Transit District.
SEC. 753. Soma
P ttp to 3,999 sqt:tClrefeet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
!, 000 squcwe feet and above
Transit District.
SEC. 754. Mission Street
P up to 5,999 square feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
6, 000 squarefeet and abore
Transit District.
SEC. 755. Ocean Avenue
P up fo 3,999 SEfbletrefeet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
'/, 000 squa,··e feet and above
Transit District.
SEC. 756. Glen Park
Pup f:e 3,999 sq-uere f:"eet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
1, 000 sq1;1cwe fee.' and ebo-;e
Transit District.
SEC. 757. Folsom Street
Pup lo 3,999 squce·efee!; C
Neighborhood Commercial
'/, 000 square feet m1d above
Transit District.
SEC. 759. Divisadero Street
P up t-o 3,999 Sffuer-e feet; C
Neighborhood Commercial
1, 000 Sff t1are feet and
Transit District.
abfwe
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
P u12. to 4.000 sctuare {§et: C -I. 001
square {§et and above
P u12. to 6.000 square {§et: C 6.001
square &et and above
P u12. to 4.000 square fret: C 4.001
SC£Uare {§et and above
P u12. to 4. 000 square fret,· C 4,001
square {§et and above
P Uf2. to 3.000 square fiet; C 3,001
sctuare &et and above
P u12. to 4. 000 square {§el: C -I. 001
sg_uare {eet and above
P u12. to 6. 000 sctuare &et: C 6,001
square &et and above
P u12. to 4. 000 square {§et: C 4. 001
sczuare (§et and above
P u12. to 6. 000 square &et,· C 6,001
sctuare {§et and above
P Uf2 to 4. 000 square {§et; C 4. 001
SC£Uare {eel and above
P llf2. l0 4,000 square &et: C 4,001
square &et and above
P Uf2 to 4. 000 square &et: C 4.001
square &et and above
P u72 to 4,000 square &et; C 4.001
sguare {§et and above
Page 29
SEC. 760. Fillmore Street
P ttp ~o 5,999 square.feet C P u72. to 6.000 sg_uare &et: C 6.001
Neighborhood Commercial
6, 000 square feel and abevc
square &et and above
Transit District.
SEC. 761. Hayes-Gough
P l:lfJ ~o 2,999 square.feet; C P up to 3. 000 SC£Uctre [§et: C 3.001
Neighborhood Commercial
3. 000 square feet and eborc
square &et and above
Transit District.
SEC. 762. Valencia Street
P tip .to 2,999 squ0refcet: C P u72. to 3.000 square (§et: C 3.001
Neighborhood Commercial
3,000 S(jbi'CH"C Jee! cmcl 61.bo·.ie
square &et and above
Transit District.
SEC. 763. 24th Street -
P up 10 J, ·/99 square.feet; C P Uf2. to 2,500 square &et,· C 2,501
Mission Neighborhood
2,50() sq'bi•cwc feet and abo,.,e
sctuau {§et and above
Commercial Transit District.
SEC. 764. Upper Market
P l:lfJ fO 2,999 square feet,· C P Uf2. IO 3.000 square fret: C 3.001
Street Neighborhood
3. 000 SCJ'Uare feet cmd ebrne
square (§et and above
Commercial Transit District.
[Sample Table]
Table [ ]. [ ] DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE
* * * *
* * * *
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
* * * *
Pt1pt0{
1 56Jl'fJ'"e-feet· C r
y
t
i
J
I
L
)square
Use Size
* * * *
feet and abo,;e P up to f l square &et: C
r l square &et and above
* * * *
Section 5. Non-Residential Use Size in Article 2 and 8 Zoning Control Tables.
Articles 2 and 8 of the Planning Code are hereby amended by revising the Zoning
Control Tables for Sections 210.1, 210.2, 827, 829, 831, 832, and 834, under the Non-
Residential Standards and Uses heading and the Development Standards subheading, in the
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 30
§ References column and Controls column of the Use Size row, to read as follows, as further
shown in the Sample Zoning Control Table below:
Planning Code
Use Size
Section
Row
SEC. 210.1. C-2
Use Size
Districts: Community
Limits
Business
SEC. 210.2. C-3
Use Size
Districts: Downtown
Limits
Commercial
SEC. 827. Rincon
Use Size
Hill Downtown
[Non-
Residential Mixed
Residential]
Use District (RH-
DTR)
SEC. 829. South
Use Size
Beach Downtown
[Non-
Residential Mixed
Residential]
Use District (SB-
DTR)
SEC. 831. Mixed
Use Size
Use - General
Limits
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Revised Text
Revised Text for [District]
for
Controls
§ References
§§ 121.6; 121.5
C required for single Retail Use
greater than 50,000 gross square
feet. NP above 120,000 gross
square feet. Division o[_large use sizes
eer §: 121.5.
§§ 121.6,· 121.5
C required for single retail use over
90,000 gross square feet. Single
Retail Uses in excess of 120,000
gross square feet that sell groceries;
contain more than 20,000
Stockkeeping Units (SKUs); and
devote more than 5% of its total
sales floor area to the sale of non-
taxable merchandise are NP.
Division o[large use sizes eer § 121.5.
§§ 890.130;
P for non-residential uses up to
121.5, 145.14
25,000 sq. ft., C above. No individual
ground floor tenant may occupy
more than 75' of frontage for a depth
of 25' from Folsom Street.
§§ 145.14. Division o[large use sizes
{2_er § 121.5.
§§ 890.130,:_
P for non-residential uses up to
121.5
25,000 sq. ft., C above. Division of
large use sizes 12.er fl2 1.5.
§§ 121.6,· 121.5
C required for single retail use over
50,000 gross square feet. Single
Retail Uses in excess of 120,000
gross square are NP. Division of
large use sizes e.er § 121.5.
Page 31
SEC. 832. Mixed
Use Size
§§: 121.6,· 121.5
C required for single retail use over
Use - Office
Limits
50,000 gross square feet. Single
Retail Uses in excess of 120,000
gross square feet are NP. Division of
large use sizes f2.er ~ I 21. 5.
SEC. 834.
Use Size
§§: 121.6,· 121.5
C required for single retail use over
Residential Enclave
Limits
50,000 gross square feet. Division of
District
large use sizes f2.er f 121.5.
[Sample Table]
Table [ ]. [ ] DISTRICT ZONING CONTROL TABLE
* * * *
* * * *
Zoning Category
§ References
[District] Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
* * * *
Use Size
* * * *
* * * *; 121.5
* * * *
Division o[.large use sizes eer { 121. 5
* * * *
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after
enactment. Enactment occurs when the Mayor signs the ordinance, the Mayor returns the
ordinance unsigned or does not sign the ordinance within ten days of receiving it, or the Board
of Supervisors overrides the Mayor's veto of the ordinance.
Section 7. Scope of Ordinance. In enacting this ordinance, the Board of Supervisors
intends to amend only those words, phrases, paragraphs, subsections, sections, articles,
numbers, punctuation marks, charts, diagrams, or any other constituent parts of the Municipal
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 32
Code that are explicitly shown in this ordinance as additions, deletions, Board amendment
additions, and Board amendment deletions in accordance with the "Note" that appears under
the official title of the ordinance.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DAVID CHIU, City Attorney
By:
/s/ HEATHER GOODMAN
HEATHER GOODMAN
Deputy City Attorney
n:\legana\as2025\2500199\01858102.docx
Supervisors Melgar; Sherrill, Sauter, Dorsey
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 33
City and County of San Francisco
Tails
Ordinance
City Hall
I Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689
File Number:
250634
Date Passed: September 02, 2025
Ordinance amending the Planning Code to eliminate limits on Non-Residential Use Sizes in the Pacific
Avenue Neighborhood Commercial District (NCO), Polk Street NCO, West Portal Avenue NCO, North
Beach NCO and North Beach Special Use District, Regional Commercial Districts, and
Residential-Commercial District; allow specified Non-Residential Uses that exceed the Use Size limits
to divide into smaller spaces that may continue to exceed the Use Size limits, without conditional use
authorization; adjust the Use Size limit in all NCDs to a round number; affirming the Planning
Department's determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of
consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101 .1; and
making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning Code, Section 302.
July 28, 2025 Land Use and Transportation Committee - DUPLICATED
July 28, 2025 Land Use and Transportation Committee - AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT OF
THE WHOLE BEARING NEW TITLE
July 28, 2025 Land Use and Transportation Committee - REFERRED WITHOUT
RECOMMENDATION AS AMENDED AS A COMMITTEE REPORT
July 29, 2025 Board of Supervisors - NOT CONTINUED ON FIRST READING
Ayes: 4 - Chan, Chen, Fielder and Walton
Noes: 7 - Dorsey, Engardio, Mahmood, Mandelman, Melgar, Sauter and Sherrill
July 29, 2025 Board of Supervisors - PASSED ON FIRST READING
Ayes: 9 - Dorsey, Engardio, Fielder, Mahmood, Mandelman, Melgar, Sauter, Sherrill
and Walton
Noes: 2 - Chan and Chen
September 02, 2025 Board of Supervisors - FINALLY PASSED
City and County of San Francisco
Ayes: 9 - Dorsey, Engardio, Fielder, Mahmood, Mandelman, Melgar, Sauter, Sherrill
and Walton
Noes: 2 - Chan and Chen
Page I
Printed at 12:05 pm on 913/25
File No. 250634
City and County of San Francisco
Daniel Lurie
Mayor
Page2
I hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance was FINALLY PASSED on
9/2/2025 by the Board of Supervisors of the
City and County of San Francisco.
~~
Angela Calvillo
Clerk of the Board
Cl. S". zc,2<
Date Approved
Printed aJ 12:05 pm on 9/3/25
