SEC. 759. DIVISADERO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT.
The Divisadero Street Neighborhood Commercial Transit District (“Divisadero Street NCT”) extends along Divisadero Street between Haight and O’Farrell Streets. Divisadero Street’s
dense mixed-use character consists of buildings with residential units above ground-story commercial use. The District has an active and continuous commercial frontage along Divisadero
Street for most of its length. Divisadero Street is an important public transit corridor and throughway street. The commercial district provides convenience goods and services to the
surrounding neighborhoods as well as limited comparison shopping goods for a wider market.
The Divisadero Street NCT controls are designed to encourage and promote development that enhances the walkable, mixed-use character of the corridor and surrounding neighborhoods.
Rear yard requirements above the ground story and at residential levels preserve open space corridors of interior blocks. Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the
ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Consistent with Divisadero Street’s existing mixed-use character, new commercial development is permitted at the ground and second stories. Most neighborhood-serving businesses are
strongly encouraged. Controls on new Formula Retail uses are consistent with Citywide policy for Neighborhood Commercial Districts. The second story may be used by some retail stores,
personal services, and medical, business and professional offices. Additional flexibility is offered for second-floor Eating and Drinking, Entertainment, and Trade Shop uses in existing non-
residential buildings to encourage the preservation and reuse of such buildings. 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.
If the Planning Department determines that any site proposed for residential development and located within the Divisadero Street NCT has received a 50% or greater increase in
residential densities over prior zoning through the adoption of Ordinance No. 127-15, any development project that is subject to the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program on such site
shall pay the Affordable Housing Fee, or provide one of the Alternatives to Payment of the Affordable Housing Fee, set forth in Planning Code Sections 415 et seq., except that the amount
of the Affordable Housing Fee or Alternatives to Payment of the Affordable Housing Fee shall be modified as set forth in Planning Code Sections 428 et seq.
Table 759. DIVISADERO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Divisadero St. NCT
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Divisadero St. NCT
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits.
§§ 102, 105, 106,
250–252, 260, 261.1
, 263.19, 270, 270.3
, 271. See also
Height and Bulk
District Maps
Varies. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets
HT02 and HT07 for more information.
Height sculpting required on Alleys per
§261.1.
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active
Ground Floor Uses
§ 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 along Divisadero Street for the
entirety of the District
Vehicular Access Restrictions
§ 155(r)
See Section 155(r)
Miscellaneous
Lot Size (Per Development)
§§ 102, 121.1
P(11)
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
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
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,
166, 204.5
Car parking not required. P up to 0.5 spaces
per Dwelling Unit, C up to 0.75 cars per
Dwelling Unit; NP above. 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(8)
Single Room Occupancy
§ 102
P
Student Housing
§ 102
P
Residential Uses
Controls By Story
1st
2nd
3rd+
Residential Uses
§ 102
P(1)
P
P
Accessory Dwelling Unit
§§ 102, 207.1, 207.2
P per Planning Code Sections 207.1 and
207.2.
Dwelling Units, Senior Housing,
Group Housing, Generally
§§ 102, 202.2(f),
207, 208
Form-Based Density
Minimum Dwelling Unit Densities,
if Applicable
§ 207.9
Varies depending on project location, but
generally ranges between 50 and 100
dwelling units per acre.
Maximum Dwelling Unit Size
§§ 207.10, 317
P up to 4,000 square feet of Gross Floor
Area or an equivalent Floor Area Ratio for
any individual Dwelling Unit of 1.2:1. C for
Dwelling Units that exceed the greater of
those thresholds.
Homeless Shelters
§§ 102, 208
Density limits regulated by the
Administrative Code
Loss of Dwelling Units:
Conversion, Demolition, or Merger
of Dwelling Units, including
Residential Flats
§ 317
C
Division of Dwelling Units
§ 207.8
Division of existing Dwelling Units P per §
207.8
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio
§§ 102, 123, 124 ,
207.9
2.5 to 1 2 For Office Uses minimum
intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size
§§ 102, 121.2
P up to 4,000 square feet; C 4,001 square
feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements
§§ 145.1, 150,
151.1, 153 - 156,
166, 204.5
Car parking not required. Limits set forth in
Section 151.1. Bike parking required per
Section 155.2. Car share spaces required
when a project has 25 or more parking
spaces per § 166.
Off-Street Freight Loading
§§ 150, 152, 153 -
155, 161, 204.5
None required if gross floor area is less
than 10,000 square feet. Exceptions
permitted per §§ 155 and 161.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility
§ 102
NP
Formula Retail
§§ 102, 303.1
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
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, 202.2(b)
NP
NP
NP
Automotive Repair
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Automotive Service Station
§§ 102, 187.1,
202.2(b)
C
NP
NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102, 202.2(b),
202.13
C(10)1
C(10)
C(10)
Fleet Charging
§ 102
C
C
C
Gas Station
§§ 102, 187.1,
202.2(b)
C
NP
NP
Parking Garage, Private
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Parking Garage, Public
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Parking Lot, Private
§§ 102, 142, 156
C
NP
NP
Parking Lot, Public
§§ 102, 142, 156
C
NP
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
P(2)
NP
Entertainment, Nighttime
§ 102
P
P(2)
NP
Movie Theater
§§ 102, 202.4
P
P(2)
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
P(2)
NP
Cannabis Retail
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C
C
NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P
NP
NP
Grocery, General
§§ 102, 202.3
P(5)
P(5)
NP
Grocery, Specialty
§ 102
P(5)
P(5)
NP
Hotel
§ 102
C
C
C
Kennel
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
NP(5)
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
P
C(9)
NP(9)
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(2)
NP
Restaurant, Limited
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P
P(2)
NP
Retail Sales and Service, General
§§ 102, 202.3
P(5)
P(5)
NP
Services, Financial
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
NP(6)
NP(6)
NP(6)
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
P(2)
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(7)
C(7)
C(7)
Power Plant
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Public Utilities Yard
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
* Not Listed Below
(1) C required for ground floor residential use when street frontage is listed in 145.4(b)
(2) P on the Second Story of existing buildings which have had no immediately prior second-story
Residential Use, otherwise NP.
(3) [Note deleted.]
(4) [Note deleted.]
(5) (a) Liquor Stores are not permitted within the Divisadero Street NCT, except Liquor Stores are P for
the buildings located on Assessor’s Block 1215 Lots 018-089. Liquor Store uses which become inactive
for more than 180 days may not be reestablished. A lawfully existing Liquor Store may relocate within the
district with Conditional Use authorization;
(b) Liquor Stores, General Grocery Stores, and Specialty Grocery Stores shall comply with the
following Good Neighbor requirements:
(i) The business operator shall maintain the main entrance to the building and all sidewalks abutting
the subject property in a clean and sanitary condition in compliance with the Department of Public Works
Streets and Sidewalk Maintenance Standards. In addition the operator shall be responsible for daily
monitoring of the sidewalk within a one-block radius of the subject business to maintain the sidewalk free
of litter associated with the business during business hours in accordance with Article 1 Section 34 of the
San Francisco Police Code. For information about compliance, contact Bureau of Street Use and Mapping,
Department of Public Works.
(ii) The business operator shall provide outside lighting in a manner sufficient to illuminate street and
sidewalk areas and adjacent parking as appropriate to maintain security, without disturbing area
residences.
(iii) No more than one-third of the square footage of the windows and clear doors of the business
shall bear advertising or signage of any sort and all advertising and signage shall be placed and maintained
in a manner that ensures that law enforcement personnel have a clear and unobstructed view of the interior
of the premises including the area in which the cash registers are maintained from the exterior public
sidewalk or entrance to the premises.
(6) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD)
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, properties within the
Divisadero Street NCD.
Controls: Fringe Financial Services are NP within any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer pursuant to
Section 249.35. Outside any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer, Fringe Financial Services are P subject to
the restrictions set forth in Section 249.35(c)(3).
(7) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(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)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(11) C for 10,000 square feet and above if located within the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use
District established under Section 249.97.
(Added by Ord. 227-14, File No. 120796, App. 11/13/2014, Eff. 12/13/2014; redesignated and amended by Ord. 127-15 , File No. 150082, App. 7/17/2015, Eff. 8/16/2015; amended by 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; 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. 295-18, File No. 151258, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019; Ord. 303-18, File No. 180915, App.
12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 182-19, File No. 190248, App. 8/9/2019, Eff. 9/9/2019; Ord. 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. 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. 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. 117-24, File No. 240263, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024; 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
Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 746.1); section header and introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 746.91 and 746.92 amended; Ord. 127-15 , Eff. 8/16/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 746.36, 746.37, 746.38,
and 746.39 deleted, 746.96, 746.97, and 746.98 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 746.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 746.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table:
746.33A added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Section redesignated (formerly Section 746); 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 (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. Fourth paragraph added to introductory material; Ord. 295-18, Eff. 1/7/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4) deleted; Ord. 303-18,
Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19 , Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 205-19, Eff. 10/12/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (6)
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; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and
Notes (6) and (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)1 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (11) added; 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. Note (5)
amended; Ord. 117-24 , Eff. 7/22/2024. 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. 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.
2. So in Ord. 245-25.