SEC. 719. HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
Northwest of the City’s geographical center, the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, extending along Haight Street between
Stanyan and Central Avenue, including a portion of Stanyan Street between Haight and Beulah. The shopping area provides convenience goods and services to local Haight-Ashbury
residents, as well as comparison shopping goods and services to a larger market area. The commercial district is also frequented by users of Golden Gate Park on weekends and by City
residents for its eating, drinking, and entertainment places. Numerous housing units establish the District’s mixed residential-commercial character.
The Haight Street District controls are designed to reflect the existing building scale and promote new mixed-use development which is in character with adjacent buildings. The building
standards regulate large-lot and use development and protect rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. To promote the prevailing mixed-use character, most commercial
uses are directed primarily to the ground story with some upper-story restrictions in new buildings. In order to maintain the balanced mix and variety of neighborhood-serving commercial
uses and regulate the more intensive commercial uses which can generate congestion and nuisance problems, special controls limit additional drinking uses and tourist hotels. Prohibitions
of most automobile and drive-up uses protect the District’s continuous retail frontage.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Table 719. HAIGHT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
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 Sheets
HT06 and HT07 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)
Required at Grade level and at each
succeeding level or Story: 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
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
80 square feet if private, or 100 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
Intermediate Length Occupancy
§§ 102; 202.10
P(9)
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.(1)
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.(1)
Homeless Shelters
§§ 102, 208
Density limits regulated by the
Administrative Code
Senior Housing Density
§§ 102, 202.2(f),
Form-Based Density.(1)
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 2,500 square feet; C 2,501 square
feet and above
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 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 Section 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, 187.1,
202.2(b)
NP
NP
NP
Automotive Repair
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102, 202.2(b),
202.13
C(11)2
C(11)
C(11)
Fleet Charging
§ 102
C
C
C
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
C
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
Job Training
§ 102
P
C
C
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 1 202.2(a)
P
C
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)
C
NP
NP
Cannabis Retail
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C
C
NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P
NP
NP
Grocery, General
§ 102, 202.3
P(3)
C(3)
NP
Grocery, Specialty
§ 102
P(3)
C(3)
NP
Hotel
§ 102
C
C
NP
Kennel
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102, 204, 303(n),
C(10)
C(10)
NP(10)
Massage, Foot/Chair
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Mortuary
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Motel
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
NP
NP
NP
Pharmacy
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P(3)
C(3)
NP
Reproductive Health Clinic
§§ 102, 202.5
P
P
P
Restaurant
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P(3)
NP
NP
Restaurant, Limited
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
P
P
P
Retail Sales and Service, General
§ 102
P(3)
C(3)
NP
Services, Financial
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
NP(5)
NP(5)
NP(5)
Services, Health
§ 102
NP
C
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(6)
C(6)
C(6)
Trade Shop
§ 102
P
NP
NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Design Professional
§ 102
P
C
NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional
§ 102
C
P
NP
Trade Office
§ 102
P
C
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) (1)3 For Lots outside the R-4 Height and Bulk District the density limits shall be: one Dwelling Unit
per 600 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater; up to
one Group Housing bedroom per 210 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R
District, whichever is greater; for Senior Housing, 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).
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) HAIGHT STREET ALCOHOL RESTRICTED USE SUBDISTRICT: Retail establishments selling
off-sale or on-sale alcoholic beverages are permitted as a Conditional Use pursuant to Section 781.9.
(4) [Note deleted.]
(5) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD)
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Haight Street
Neighborhood Commercial District.
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).
(6) TOBACCO PARAPHERNALIA ESTABLISHMENTS – A special definition of “Tobacco
Paraphernalia Establishments” applicable to the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District is set
forth in Section 102. In the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District, the period of non-use for a
non-conforming Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment to be deemed discontinued shall be 18 months.
(7) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(8) Within the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District, a General Entertainment use comprised
of mechanical amusement game devices is principally permitted on the first story.
(9) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(10) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(11)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. 88-08, File No. 071669, App. 5/21/2008; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 229, File No. 990991, App. 8/20/99; 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. 88-08, File No. 071669, App. 5/21/2008;
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. 151-09, File No. 090141, App. 7/10/2009; Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord.
140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; 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. 223-14 , File No. 140804, App. 11/7/2014, Eff. 12/7/2014; 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. 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. 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. 142-23, File No. 230410, App. 7/26/2023, Eff. 8/26/2023;
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: 719.69C and 719.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 719.10, 719.17, 719.69, and 719.69A amended; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 719.41, 719.43, and 719.44 amended,
former categories 719.42, 719.67, and 719.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 719.42 and 719.44 amended; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 719.13, 719.54, and 719.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 719.54 added; Ord. 56-13 ,
Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 719.38 and 719.39 redesignated as 719.36 and 719.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 719.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 719.48 added; Ord. 223-
14 , Eff. 12/7/2014. Zoning Control Table: 719.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 719.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 719.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 719.14, 719.15, 719.16,
and 719.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 719.1); Zoning Control Table: 719.54, 719.91, and 719.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 719.36 and 719.37
deleted, 719.96 and 719.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 719.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 719.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 719.33A 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 (1) 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 (2) 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; Note (8) replaced; Ord. 205-19, Eff. 10/12/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table
amended; Note (9) 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 (5) and (9) 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. Note (6) amended; Ord. 142-23 , Eff. 8/26/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Second
introductory paragraph, Zoning Control Table, and Note (3) amended; Note (4) 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; Note (1) added; 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. 233-21 and Ord. 37-22.
2. 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.
3. So in Ord. 245-25.