SEC. 713. NC-S – NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL SHOPPING CENTER DISTRICT.
NC-S Districts are intended to serve as small shopping centers or supermarket sites which provide retail goods and services for primarily car-oriented shoppers. They commonly contain
at least one anchor store or supermarket, and some districts also have small medical office buildings. The range of services offered at their retail outlets usually is intended to serve the
immediate and nearby neighborhoods. These districts encompass some of the most recent (post-1945) retail development in San Francisco's neighborhoods and serve as an alternative to the
linear shopping street.
Shopping centers and supermarket sites contain mostly one-story buildings which are removed from the street edge and set in a parking lot. Outdoor pedestrian activity consists primarily
of trips between the parking lot and the stores on-site. Ground and second stories are devoted to retail sales and some personal services and offices.
The NC-S standards and use provisions allow for medium-size commercial uses. Most neighborhood-serving retail businesses are permitted at the first and second stories.
Housing development in new buildings is permitted. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Table 713. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL SHOPPING CENTER DISTRICT NC-S
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
NC-S
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
NC-S
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits.
§§ 102, 105, 106,
250–252, 260,
263.19, 261.1, 270,
270.3, 271. See also
Height and Bulk
District Maps
Varies. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets
HT02-05, HT07, and HT10-13 for more
information. Height sculpting required on
Alleys per §261.1.
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active
Ground Floor Uses
§ 263.20
NP
Rear Yard
§§ 130, 134, 134(a)
(e), 136
Required at 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 certain streets, see § 145.4 for
specific districts.
Vehicular Access Restrictions
§ 155(r)
Restricted on some streets, see § 155(r) for
specific districts
Miscellaneous
Lot Size (Per Development)
§ 102, 121.1
N/A
Planned Unit Development
§ 304
C
Awning, Canopy, or Marquee
§§ 102, 136
P
Signs
§§ 262, 602-604,
607, 608, 609
As permitted by § 607.1
General Advertising Signs
§§ 262, 602, 604,
608, 609, 610, 611
NP(1)
Design Guidelines and Standards
General Plan
Commerce and
Industry Element
Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines,
Citywide Design Standards, and any other
applicable design guidelines that have been
approved by the Planning Commission.
Housing Choice-SF
§ 206.10
Form-based density, additional height, and
other zoning modifications for eligible
projects in the R-4 Height and Bulk District.
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling
Unit]
§§ 135, 136
Generally, either 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. (1)
Off-Street Parking Requirements
§§ 145.1, 150, 151.1
, 153 - 156, 161,
166, 204.5
No car parking required. Maximum
permitted per § 151.1 . Bike parking
required per § 155.2. If car parking is
provided, car share spaces are required
when a project has 50 units or more per §
166.
Dwelling Unit Mix
§ 207.7
Generally required for creation of 10 or
more Dwelling Units. No less than 25% of
the total number of proposed Dwelling
Units shall contain at least two Bedrooms,
and no less than 10% of the total number of
proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at
least three Bedrooms.
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy
§§ 102; 202.10
P(8)
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
1 unit per 800 square feet lot area, or the
density permitted in the nearest R District,
whichever is greater.(1)(4)
Form-Based Density applies within the R-4
Height and Bulk District (§§ 263.19,
270(i)).
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.
Form-Based Density applies within the R-4
Height and Bulk District (§§ 263.19,
270(i)).
Group Housing Density
§ 208
1 bedroom per 275 square foot lot area, or
the density permitted in the nearest R
District, whichever is greater.(1)
Homeless Shelter Density
§§ 102, 208
Density limits regulated by the
Administrative Code
Senior Housing Density
§§ 102, 202.2(f),
P up to twice the number of dwelling units
otherwise permitted as a Principal Use in
the district and meeting all the requirements
of § 202.2(f)(1). C up to twice the number
of dwelling units otherwise permitted as a
Principal Use in the district and meeting all
requirements of § 202.2(f)(1), except for §
202.2(f)(1)(D)(iv), related to location.
Form-Based Density applies within the R-4
Height and Bulk District (§§ 263.19,
270(i)).
Loss of Dwelling Units:
Conversion, Demolition, or Merger
of Dwelling Units, including
Residential Flats
§ 317
C
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123, 124 ,
207.9
1.8 to 1 3 For Office Uses minimum
intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size
§ 102, 121.2
P up to 6,000 square feet; C 6,001 square
feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements
§§ 145.1, 150, 151.1
, 153-156, 161, 166,
204.5
No car parking required 1 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
C
Formula Retail
§§ 102, 303.1
C
Hours of Operation
§ 102
P 6 a.m. - 2 a.m., C 2 a.m. - 6 a.m. (1)
Maritime Use
§ 102
NP
Open Air Sales
§§ 102, 703(b)
See § 703(b)
Outdoor Activity Area
§§ 102, 145.2(a),
202.2
P if located in front or it complies with
Section 202.2(a)(7); C if located elsewhere.
Walk-up Facility
§§ 102, 145.2(b)
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 Sale/Rental
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Automotive Service Station
§§ 102, 202.2(b)
P
NP
NP
Automotive Wash
§§ 102, 202.2(b)
C
NP
NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102, 202.2(b),
202.13
C(10)2
C(10)
C(10)
Gas Station
§§ 102, 187.1,
202.2(b)
C
NP
NP
Parking Garage, Private
§ 102
C
C(1)
C(1)
Parking Garage, Public
§ 102
P
P
NP
Parking Lot, Private
§§ 102, 142, 156
C
C(1)
C(1)
Parking Lot, Public
§§ 102, 142, 156
P
P
NP
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(1)
P(1)
NP
Entertainment, Nighttime
§ 102
P(1)
P(1)
NP
Movie Theater
§§ 102, 202.4
P(1)
P(1)
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(1)
P(1)
NP(1)
Child Care Facility
§ 102
P(1)
P(1)
P(1)
Community Facility
§ 102
P
P
P
Hospital
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Medical Cannabis Dispensary**
§§ 102, 202.2(e)
C
C
NP
Public Facilities
§ 102
C
C
C
Residential Care Facility
§ 102
P(1)
P(1)
P(1)
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(1)
P(1)
NP
Cannabis Retail
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C
C
NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P
NP
NP
Hotel
§ 102
C(4)
C(4)
C(4)
Kennel
§ 102
C
C
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
P
C(9)
NP(9)
Massage, Foot/Chair
§ 102
P
C
NP
Mortuary
§ 102
C(1)
C(1)
NP
Motel
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
NP(4)
NP(4)
NP(4)
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
P
NP(1)
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Services, Health
§ 102
P
P
NP(1)
Services, Limited Financial
§ 102
P
P
NP
Services, Personal
§ 102
P
P
NP(1)
Services, Retail Professional
§ 102
P
P
P
Storage, Self
§ 102
C
C
NP
Tobacco Paraphernalia
Establishment
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Design Professional
§ 102
P
P
NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional
§ 102
C
P
NP(1)
Trade Office
§ 102
P
P
NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*
§ 102
C(5)
C(5)
C(5)
Power Plant
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Public Utilities Yard
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
* Not listed below
(1) LAKESHORE PLAZA SPECIAL USE DISTRICT
Boundaries: Applicable only for the Lakeshore Plaza NC-S District as mapped on Sectional Map SU13
and HT13.
Controls: Special controls on various features and uses, and residential standards per Section 780.1, and
special Height controls per Section 253.3.
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) [Note deleted.]
(4) BAYSHORE-HESTER SPECIAL USE DISTRICT
Boundaries: Applicable only for the Bayshore-Hester Special Use District NC-S District as mapped on
the Sectional Map 10SU.
Controls: Hotels and Motels may be permitted as a Conditional Use.
(5) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(6) [Note deleted.]
(7) [Note deleted.]
(8) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(9) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(10)2 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 42-89, App. 2/8/89; Ord. 331-97, App. 8/19/97; Ord. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App.
11/17/2000; Ord. 275-05, File No. 051250, App. 11/30/2005; Ord. 289-06, File No. 050176, App. 11/20/2006; Ord. 269-07, File No. 070671, App. 11/26/2007; Ord. 244-08, File No. 080567, App. 10/30/2008; Ord. 245-08, File No. 080696; Ord.
51-09, File No. 081620, App. 4/2/2009; Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord. 47-12 , File No. 111315, App. 3/16/2012, Eff. 4/15/2012; Ord. 75-12 , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; Ord. 56-13 ,
File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 287-13 , File No. 130041, App. 12/26/2013, Eff. 1/25/2014; Ord. 235-14 , File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 14-15 , File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015;
Ord. 20-15 , File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; redesignated and amended by Ord. 30-15 , File No. 140954, App. 3/26/2015, Eff. 4/25/2015; amended by Ord. 161-15, File No. 150804, App. 9/18/2015, Eff. 10/18/2015; Ord. 33-16
, File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. 162-16 , File No. 160657, App. 8/4/2016, Eff. 9/3/2016; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017;
Ord. 130-17, File No. 170204, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 189-17, File No. 170693, App. 9/15/2017, Eff. 10/15/2017; Ord. 229-17, File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff.
9/10/2018; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 285-18, File No. 180806, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019; Ord. 303-18, File No. 180915, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App.
12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 182-19, File No. 190248, App. 8/9/2019, Eff. 9/9/2019; Ord. 205-19, File No. 181211, App. 9/11/2019, Eff. 10/12/2019; 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. 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: 713.69C and 713.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 713.61 amended; Ord. 47-12 , Eff. 4/15/2012. Zoning Control Table: 713.43 and 713.44 amended, former categories 713.42, 713.67, and
713.69A deleted; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 713.13, 713.54, and 713.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 713.54 added; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 713.38 and 713.39
redesignated as 713.36 and 713.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 713.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 713.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 713.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff.
3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 713.14, 713.15, 713.16, 713.17, and 713.30 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 713.1); Zoning Control Table: 713.54, 713.91, and 713.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff.
4/25/2015. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 713.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 713.91 ("Accessory Dwelling Units") added; Ord. 161-15 , Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 713.36 and 713.37
deleted, 713.96 and 713.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Specific Provisions: 713.91 amended; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 713.33A added ; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. New Zoning
Control Table and notes added; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Previous Zoning Control Table and Specific Provisions deleted; Ord. 130-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) 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; Notes (6) and (7) added; 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. 311-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table
amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 205-19, Eff. 10/12/2019. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 78-
20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) deleted; 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 (8) amended;
Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (9) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022.
Zoning Control Table amended; Note (10)2 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) 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. Undesignated introductory material
and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 245-25 , Eff. 1/12/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 1-26 , Eff. 2/8/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTES
1. So in Ord. 311-18.
2. Note “(10)” is referenced as “(9)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(9)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
3. So in Ord. 245-25.
**Editor’s Note:
Ordinance 186-17, effective October 15, 2017, requires that “No more than three MCDs shall be permitted at any given time within the boundaries of Supervisorial District 11.”