SEC. 716. INNER CLEMENT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
The Inner Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located on Clement Street between Arguello Boulevard and Funston Avenue in the eastern portion of the Richmond
District of northwest San Francisco. The District provides a wide selection of convenience goods and services for the residents of the Inner Richmond neighborhood. Inner Clement Street
has one of the greatest concentrations of restaurants of any commercial street in San Francisco, drawing customers from throughout the City and region. There are also a significant number
of professional, realty, and business offices as well as financial institutions. The pleasant pedestrian character of the district is derived directly from the intensely active retail frontage on
Clement Street.
The District controls are designed to promote development that is consistent with its existing land use patterns and to maintain a harmony of uses that supports the District’s vitality. The
building standards allow small- to mid-scale buildings and uses, protecting rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. In new development, most commercial uses are
permitted at the first two stories, although certain limitations apply to uses at the second story. Special controls are necessary to preserve the equilibrium of neighborhood-serving
convenience and comparison shopping businesses and protect adjacent residential livability. These controls limit additional financial service uses, additional eating and drinking
establishments, and late-night commercial uses. In order to maintain the street’s active retail frontage, controls also prohibit most new automobile and drive-up uses.
Housing development is encouraged in new buildings above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Table 716. INNER CLEMENT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Inner Clement Street
Zoning Category
§ References
Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Inner Clement Street
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
HT03 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
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(7)
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
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
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102, 202.2(b),
202.13
C(9)2
C(9)
C(9)
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
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
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(3)
NP
NP
Cannabis Retail
§§102, 202.2(a)
C
C
NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P
NP
NP
Hotel
§ 102
C
C
NP
Kennel
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
C
NP
NP
Massage Establishment
§§ 102 1 204,
303(n), 703
P
C(8)
NP(8)
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
C
NP
NP
Services, Fringe Financial
§ 102
NP(5)
NP(5)
NP(5)
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
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
C
C
Power Plant
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
Public Utilities Yard
§ 102
NP
NP
NP
* Not listed below
(1) [Note deleted.]
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) INNER CLEMENT STREET LIQUOR LICENSES FOR BARS
(a) In order to allow wine and/or beer bars to seek an ABC license type 42 so that wine and beer (but
not hard spirits) may be served for drinking on the premises, a Bar as defined in Section 102 may be
permitted as a Conditional Use on the ground level if, in addition to the criteria set forth in Section 303, the
Planning Commission finds that:
(1) The Bar function is operated as a wine and beer bar with an ABC license type 42, which may
include incidental food services; and
(2) The establishment maintains only an ABC license type 42. Other ABC license types, except those
that are included within the definition of a Restaurant pursuant to Section 102, are not permitted for those
uses subject to this Section.
(b) Subsequent to the granting of a Conditional Use authorization under this Section, the Planning
Commission may consider immediate revocation of the previous Conditional Use authorization should an
establishment no longer comply with any of the above criteria for any length of time.
(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 Inner Clement 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) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(7) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(8) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(9)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. 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. 250-07, File No. 070738, App. 11/7/2007; 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. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. 170-11 , File No. 110592, App. 8/8/2011, Eff. 9/7/2011; Ord. 75-12 , File
No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; Ord. 92-12 , File No. 111247, App. 5/21/12, Eff. 6/20/12; 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. 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. 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. 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: 716.69C and 716.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 716.10 and 716.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 716.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 716.43, 716.44, 716.67
and 716.69A amended; Specific Provisions: 716.41 (full-service restaurants) and 716.41 (eating and drinking uses) amended; Ord. 170-11 , Eff. 9/7/2011. Zoning Control Table: 716.43 and 716.44 amended, former categories 716.42, 716.67, and
716.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 716.41 through 716.44 amended; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 716.10 amended; Ord. 92-12 , Eff. 6/20/12. Zoning Control Table: 716.13, 716.54, and 716.69B amended; Specific
Provisions: 716.41 amended, 716.54 added; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 716.38 and 716.39 redesignated as 716.36 and 716.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 716.26
and 716.50 amended; Specific Provisions: 716.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 716.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 716.14, 716.15, 716.16, and 716.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff.
3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 716.1); Zoning Control Table: 716.54, 716.91, and 716.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 716.36 and 716.37 deleted, 716.96 and 716.97 added; Ord.
33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 716.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 716.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 716.33A 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 * added; 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 and Note (5) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table
amended; Note (4) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (5) and (7) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning
Control Table and Note (8) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9)2 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord.
264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Second introductory paragraph and 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 NOTES
1. So in Ord. 233-21 and Ord. 37-22.
2. Note “(9)” is referenced as “(8)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(8)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
3. So in Ord. 245-25.