SEC. 743. LOWER HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
The Lower Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located along Haight Street between Webster and Steiner Streets. The District is a small-scale linear shopping street which
provides convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhood as well as limited comparison shopping goods for a wider market.
The District controls provide for mixed-use buildings which approximate or moderately exceed the standard development pattern. Rear yard requirements above the ground story and at
residential levels preserve open space corridors of interior blocks.
Most new commercial development is permitted at the ground and second stories. Neighborhood-serving businesses are strongly encouraged. The second story may be used by some
retail stores, personal services, and medical, business and professional offices. Parking and hotels are monitored at all stories. Limits on late-night activity, drive-up facilities, and other
automobile uses protect the livability within and around the District, and promote continuous retail frontage.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Table 743. LOWER HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ZONING
CONTROL TABLE
Table 743. LOWER HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ZONING
CONTROL TABLE
Lower Haight Street NCD
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits.
§§ 102, 105, 106,
250–252, 260 ,
263.19, 261.1, 270,
270.3 , 271. See
also Height and
Bulk District Maps
Varies. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet
HT07 for more information. Height
sculpting required on Alleys per § 261.1.
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active
Ground Floor Uses Zoned 40-X or 50-
X
§ 263.20
P
Rear Yard
§§ 130, 134, 134(a)
(e), 136
Required at the Second Story and at each
succeeding level or Story of the building,
and at the First Story if it contains a
Dwelling Unit: 25% of lot depth, but in
no case less than 15 feet
Front Setback and Side Yard
§§ 130, 131, 132,
Generally, not required; however, if the
existing sidewalk does not meet the
recommended width required by the
Better Streets Plan, a front setback shall
be provided so that, when combined with
the existing sidewalk, the total distance
from the curb to the building frontage
meets or exceeds the required
recommended width under the Better
Streets Plan. This setback is required only
up to 15 feet above street grade. See §
132(e).
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Streetscape and Pedestrian
Improvements
§ 138.1
Required
Street Frontage Requirements
§ 145.1
Required; controls apply to above-grade
parking setbacks, parking and loading
entrances, active uses, ground floor
ceiling height, street-facing ground-level
spaces, transparency and fenestration, and
gates, railings, and grillwork. Exceptions
permitted for historic buildings.
Ground Floor Commercial
§ 145.4
Required on some streets, see § 145.4 for
specific districts.
Vehicular Access Restrictions
§ 155(r)
Restricted on some streets, see § 155(r)
for specific districts
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
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
Single Room Occupancy
§ 102
P
Student Housing
§ 102
P
Residential Uses
Controls by Story
1st
2nd
3rd+
Residential Uses
§ 102
P
P
P
Accessory Dwelling Unit
§§ 102, 207.1, 207.2
P per Planning Code §§ 207.1 and 207.2.
Dwelling Unit Density, General
§§ 102, 207
Form-Based Density.
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 Shelter Density
§§ 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
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123, 124 ,
207.9
2.5 to 1. 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, 161,
166, 204.5
No car parking. 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.; C 2 a.m. - 6 a.m.
Maritime Use
§ 102
NP
Open Air Sales
§§ 102, 703(b)
See § 703(b)
Outdoor Activity Area
§§ 102, 145.2 ,
202.2
P if located in front or it complies with
Section 202.2(a)(7); C if located
elsewhere.
Walk-up Facility
§ 102
P
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES
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
NP
NP
NP
Automotive Repair
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Automotive Service Station
§§ 102, 202.2(b)
C
NP
NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102 , 202.2(b),
202.13
C(4)1
C(4)
C(4)
Fleet Charging
§ 102
C
C
C
Gas Station
§§ 102, 187.1,
202.2(b)
C
NP
NP
Parking Garage, Private
§ 102
C
C
C
Parking Garage, Public
§ 102
C
C
C
Parking Lot, Private
§§ 102, 142, 156
C
C
C
Parking Lot, Public
§§ 102, 142, 156
C
C
C
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation
Uses*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Arts Activities
§ 102
P
P
P
Entertainment, General
§ 102
P
P
NP
Entertainment, Nighttime
§ 102
P
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
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*
§ 102
P
C
C
Child Care Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Community Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Hospital
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Medical Cannabis Dispensary
§§ 102, 202.2(e)
DR
DR
NP
Public Facilities
§ 102
P
P
P
Residential Care Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Social Service or Philanthropic
Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Sales and Service Use Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*
§§ 102, 202.2(a),
202.3
P
P
NP
Adult Business
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Adult Sex Venue
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Animal Hospital
§ 102
P
P
NP
Bar
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P
NP
NP
Cannabis Retail
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C
C
NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P
NP
NP
Hotel
§ 102
C
C
C
Kennel
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
P
C(3)
NP(3)
Massage, Foot/Chair
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Mortuary
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Motel
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
NP
NP
NP
Reproductive Health Clinic
§§ 102, 202.5
P
P
P
Restaurant
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P
P
NP
Restaurant, Limited
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P
P
NP
Services, Financial
§ 102
P
C
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
P(1)
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
C
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
P
P
NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*
§ 102
C(2)
C(2)
C(2)
Power Plant
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Public Utilities Yard
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
* Not listed below
(1) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT. Fringe Financial Services are NP
within any FFSRUD and its one-quarter mile buffer pursuant to Section 249.35. Outside any FFSRUD and
its one-quarter mile buffer, Fringe Financial Services are P subject to the restrictions set forth in Section
249.35(c)(3).
(2) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(3) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(4)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(Added by Ord. 7-20, File No. 191260, App. 1/31/2020, Eff. 3/2/2020; amended by 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. 248-23, File No. 230446, App.
12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 249-23, File No. 230701, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 33-24, File No. 231144, App. 2/21/2024, Eff. 3/23/2024; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 173-25, File No.
250634, App. 9/5/2025, Eff. 10/6/2025; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026; Ord. 1-26, File No. 250385, App. 1/8/2026, Eff. 2/8/2026; Ord. 37-26, File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026, Eff. 4/11/2026)
(Former Sec. 743 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 as Section 757 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)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022.
Zoning Control Table and Note (3) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4)1 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table
amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 249-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24 , Eff. 3/23/2024. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 62-
24 , Eff. 4/28/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 173-25; Eff. 10/6/2025. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; 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 NOTE
1. Note “(4)” is referenced as “(3)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(3)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.