SEC. 758. REGIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
The Regional Commercial District (RCD) is located along the 9th Street and 10th Street corridors, generally running from Mission Street to Harrison Street, and provides for a wide
variety of commercial uses and services to a population greater than the immediate neighborhood. While providing convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhood, the
RCD corridors are also heavily trafficked thoroughfares into and out of the City that serve shoppers from other neighborhoods and cities.
Large-scale lots and buildings and wide streets distinguish the RCD from smaller-scaled neighborhood commercial streets, although the district also includes small as well as moderately
scaled lots. Buildings typically range in height from two to four stories with occasional taller structures.
A diverse commercial environment is encouraged for the RCD. Eating and drinking establishments, general retail, office, certain auto uses, and production, distribution, and repair uses
generally are permitted with certain limitations at the first and second stories. Arts Activities are encouraged on all floors and Nighttime Entertainment uses are allowed on the First and
Second Stories in historic buildings with Conditional Use authorization, except that Nighttime Entertainment uses are Principally Permitted in Article 10 Landmark Building No. 120
(currently St. Joseph’s Church at 1401 Howard Street) and on properties fronting Folsom Street between 7th Street and Division Street.
Housing development is encouraged at the second story and above, and permitted on the ground floor on smaller lots. Student housing is not permitted, and existing residential units are
protected by limitations on demolitions and conversions. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.
Table 758. REGIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Regional Commercial District
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Regional Commercial District
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
55-X, 65-X. See Height and Bulk Map
Sheets HT07 and HT08 for more
information. Height sculpting required on
narrow streets
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
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..2
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 per unit if private, or 100
square feet per unit if common - 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(9)
Single Room Occupancy
§§ 102, 823(c)(7)
P, except on the ground floor
Student Housing
§ 102
NP
Residential Uses
Controls By Story
1st
2nd
3rd+
Residential Uses (Except for Group
Housing, see below)
§ 102
P
P
P
Accessory Dwelling Unit
§§ 102, 207.1, 207.2
P per Planning Code Sections 207.1 and
207.2.
Group Housing
§§ 102, 208
C(1) (12)3
C
C
Dwelling Units, Group Housing and
Senior 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 2 For Office Uses minimum
intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size
§ 102, 121.2
P up to 10,000 square feet; C 10,001 square
feet and above. Division of large use sizes
per § 121.5.
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(11)1
C(11)
C(11)
Fleet Charging
§ 102
C
C
C
Parking Garage, Private
§ 102, 158.1
C
NP
NP
Parking Garage, Public
§ 102, 158.1
C
NP
NP
Parking Lot, Private
§§ 102, 142, 156,
158.1
C
NP
NP
Parking Lot, Public
§§ 102, 142, 156,
158.1
C
NP
NP
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
C(4)
C(4)
NP
Entertainment, Nighttime
§ 102
NP(3)(4)
NP(3)(4)
NP(3)(4)
Movie Theater
§§ 102, 202.4
C
C
C
Open Recreation Area
§ 102
P
P
P
Passive Outdoor Recreation
§ 102
P
P
P
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, 202.2(e)
NP
NP
NP
Child Care Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Community Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Community Facility, Private
§ 102
C
C
C
Job Training
§ 102
P
P
P
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
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
Hotel
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Kennel
§ 102
P(8)
NP
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
P(6)(7)
C(7)(10)
NP(7)(10)
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(5)
P
NP
Restaurant, Limited
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P(5)
P
NP
Services, Financial
§ 102
P(6)(7)
NP
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Services, Health
§ 102
P(6)(7)
NP
NP
Services, Limited Financial
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Services, Personal
§ 102
P(7)
P
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(6)
NP
NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional
§ 102
P
P
NP
Storage, Commercial
§ 102
P
C
NP
Trade Office
§ 102
P(6)
NP
NP
Wholesale Sales
§ 102
P
P
NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*
§ 102
P
P
P
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) Allowed with C so long as there is no ingress/ egress onto alleys, as defined in the Western SoMa
Community Plan, containing RED or RED-MX Districts
(3) C on First and Second Story in historic buildings and P in Article 10 Landmark Building No. 120 (St.
Joseph’s Church at 1401 Howard Street) per Section 703.9, and P on properties fronting Folsom Street
between 7th Street and Division Street.
(4) P for properties fronting Folsom Street between 7th Street and Division Street.
(5) P up to 10,000 gross square feet per lot; NP above.
(6) P when primarily open to the general public on a client-oriented basis.
(7) P on first or second floor, but not on both; P on all floors in Historic Buildings.
(8) P for grooming and daycare only; no 24 hour care.
(9) C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(10) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(11)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(12)3 P in Historic Buildings pursuant to Section 202.11.
(Added by Ord. 42-13 , File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; amended by Ord. 204-14 , File No. 140724, App. 10/9/2014, Eff. 11/8/2014; Ord. 235-14 , File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; 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. 115-
19, File No. 181153, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; 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. 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)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Zoning Control Table: 744.21 amended; Ord. 42-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: 744.21 amended; Ord. 204-14 , Eff. 11/8/2014. Zoning Control Table: 744.26 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 744.14,
744.15, 744.16, and 744.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 744.1); Zoning Control Table: 744.54, 744.91, and 744.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories
744.37, 744.38, and 744.39 deleted, 744.96, 744.97, and 744.98 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Zoning Control Table: 744.10 amended; Ord. 102-16 , Eff. 7/24/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 744.91 amended;
Specific Provisions: 744.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 744.33A added ; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Section redesignated (formerly Section 744); new Zoning Control Table and notes added; Ord. 129-17, Eff.
7/30/2017. Previous Zoning Control Table deleted; Ord. 130-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; [former] Note (3) 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 (4) deleted; Ord. 303-18, Eff.
1/21/2019. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) added; Ord. 115-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. 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 amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (10) added; Ord.
233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (10) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (11)2 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022.
Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Introductory material and Note (3) amended; Ord. 22-23 , Eff. 3/26/2023. Zoning Control Table and Note (3) amended; Note (4) added; Ord. 70-23 , Eff. 6/3/2023. Zoning Control
Table amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 249-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24 , Eff. 3/23/2024. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended;
Ord. 62-24 , Eff. 4/28/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 173-25; Eff. 10/6/2025. 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 (12)3 added; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTES
1. Note “(11)” is referenced as “(10)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(10)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
2. So in Ord. 245-25.
3. Note “(12)” is referenced as “(7)” in Ord. 37-26. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(7)” already existed.
Editor’s Note:
See also Sec. 703.9, “Preservation of Historic Buildings Within the Folsom Street NCT and RCD Districts.”