San Francisco County Municipal Code Art. 1.2 Dimensions, Areas, and Open Spaces

Sec. 121. Minimum Lot Width and Area. Sec. 121.1. Development of Large Lots in Neighborhood Commercial Districts Located in the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District. Sec. 121.2. Non-Residential Use Size Limits in Neighborhood Commercial and Neighborhood Commercial Transit Districts. Sec. 121.3. Development of Large Lots, Chinatown Mixed Use Districts. Sec. 121.4. Non-Residential Use Size Limits in Mixed Use Districts. Sec. 121.5. [Division of Spaces Exceeding Non-Residential Use Size Limits.] Sec. 121.6. Large-Scale Retail Uses. Sec. 121.7. Restriction of Lot Mergers in Certain Districts, on Pedestrian-Oriented Streets, and for Lots with Historic Buildings. Sec. 121.9. Subdivision of Large Lots, PDR Districts. Sec. 122. Height and Bulk Limitations. Sec. 123. Maximum Floor Area Ratio. Sec. 124. Basic Floor Area Ratio. Sec. 124.1. Floor Area Ratio Exceptions: Chinatown. Sec. 125. Floor Area Premiums, Districts Other than NC, C-3 and Mixed Use. Sec. 127. Transfer of Permitted Basic Gross Floor Area. Sec. 128. Transfer of Development Rights in C-3 Districts. Sec. 128.1. Transfer of Development Rights in the Central SoMa Special Use District. Sec. 130. Yard and Setback Requirements, General. Sec. 131. Legislated Setback Lines. Sec. 132. Front Setback Areas in RTO, RH, and RM Districts and for Required Setbacks for Projects in NC and RTO-C Districts, and Planned Unit Developments. Sec. 132.1. Setbacks and Streetwall Articulation: C-3 Districts. Sec. 132.3. Sun Access for Sidewalks Setbacks – Chinatown. Sec. 132.4. Setbacks, Streetwall Articulation, and Tower Separation in the Central SoMa Special Use District. Sec. 133. Side Yards, RH-1(D) Districts. Sec. 134. Rear Yards in R, RC, RTO, NC, M, CMUO, MUG, MUO, MUR, RED, RED-MX, SPD, UMU, and WMUG Districts; and Lot Coverage Requirements in C Districts. Sec. 134.1. Site Coverage in Chinatown Mixed Use Districts. Sec. 135. Usable Open Space for Dwelling Units and Group Housing, R, NC, Mixed Use, C, and M Districts. Sec. 135.1. Open Space Requirements for Uses Other than Residential in Chinatown. Sec. 135.2. Usable Open Space for Live/Work Units in Newly Constructed Buildings or Expansions of Existing Buildings. Sec. 135.3. Usable Open Space for Non-Residential Uses in the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use and DTR Districts. Sec. 136. Obstructions Over Streets and Alleys and in Required Setbacks, Yards, and Usable Open Space. Sec. 136.1. Awnings, Canopies and Marquees. Sec. 136.2. Window Replacement Requirements.

Sec. 137. Modification of Certain Plazas, Arcades, and Sidewalks. Sec. 138. Privately-Owned Public Open Space (POPOS) Requirements. Sec. 138.1. Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements. Sec. 139. Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings. Sec. 140. All Dwelling Units in All Use Districts to Face on an Open Area. Sec. 141. Screening of Rooftop Features in R, NC, C, M, WMUG, WMUO, RED, RED-MX, SALI and Mixed Use Districts. Sec. 142. Screening and Greening of Parking and Vehicular Use Areas. Sec. 144. Street Frontages in RH, RTO, and RM Districts. Sec. 144.1. Moderation of Building Fronts in RM-1 and RM-2 Districts. Sec. 145. Frontages, Outdoor Activity Areas, Walkup Facilities, and Ground Floor Uses and Standards in Commercial, Residential-Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Mixed Use, and Industrial Districts. Sec. 145.1. Street Frontages in Neighborhood Commercial, Residential-Commercial, Commercial, and Mixed Use Districts. Sec. 145.2. Outdoor Activity Areas in NC Districts. Sec. 145.3. Maximum Street Frontages – Chinatown. Sec. 145.4. Required Ground Floor Commercial Uses. Sec. 145.5. Ground Floor Standards in Industrial and PDR Districts. Sec. 146. Sunlight Access to Public Sidewalks in C-3 Districts. Sec. 147. Reduction of Shadows on Certain Public or Publicly Accessible Open Spaces in C-3 and Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts. Sec. 148. Reduction of Ground-Level Wind Currents for Buildings Taller than 85 Feet in Certain Districts. Sec. 149. Better Roofs; Living Roof Alternative.

(The diagrams in this Article are illustrative only, and not a part of the adopted ordinance.) 300 for first unit; 100 for minor second unit 125 100 100 80 60 36

(Added as Sec. 121.5 by Ord. 99-08, File No. 080339, App. 6/11/2008; redesignated and amended by Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; amended by Ord. 196-11 , File No. 110786, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; repealed by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)

Buildings and structures shall be subject to the height and bulk limits established by Article 2.5 of this Code for use districts and for height and bulk districts. (Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78)

In any district other than an NC, C-3, or Mixed Use District in which a floor area ratio limit applies, the following premiums, where applicable, may be added to the basic floor area ratio limit to determine the maximum floor area ratio for a building or development: (a) For a lot or portion thereof which is defined by this Code as a corner lot, a floor area premium may be added by increasing the area of the lot or portion, for purposes of floor area computation, by 25 percent; (b) For a lot or portion thereof which is defined by this Code as an interior lot, and which abuts along its rear lot line upon a street or alley, a floor area premium may be added by increasing the depth of the lot or portion along such street or alley, for purposes of floor area ratio computation, by one-half the width of such street or alley or 10 feet, whichever is the lesser. (Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87)

(See Interpretations related to this Section.) (a) The legislated setback lines along specific street and alley frontages established by ordinance and resolution pursuant to former Article 4 of the City Planning Code and earlier provisions of law are hereby continued in effect as regulations of the City Planning Code, regardless of the regulations for the use districts in which such street and alley frontages are located, and said ordinances and resolutions are expressly incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth. (b) The obstructions permitted within such legislated setback lines shall be as described in Sections 132 and 136 of this Code. No other obstruction shall be constructed, placed or maintained within a legislated setback line. (c) The procedures for establishment, abolition or modification of a legislated setback line shall be as specified in Sections 302 and 306 through 306.5 for amendments to this Code. (d) In case of any conflict between the requirements of a legislated setback line and a front setback area established by Section 132 of this Code, the more restrictive requirements shall prevail. (Added by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78)

(Added by Ord. 165-85, App. 3/28/85; amended by Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; repealed by Ord. 248-23, File No. 230446, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024)

In the Chinatown Community Business District, Chinatown Visitor Retail District and the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial District at the lowest level occupied for dwelling, the site coverage shall be no more than 75%. The noncovered area requirement may be provided in a location other than the rear yard including balconies and rooftop terraces if the new structure does not significantly impede the access of light and air to adjacent properties, as determined by the Zoning Administrator. Factors to be considered in such determination shall include, but shall not be limited to: preservation of light and air to existing windows and openings in the vicinity; usability of the noncovered space for residential open space purposes; and sun access to the noncovered space and ad-jacent sidewalks. (Added by Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87; amended by Ord. 208-19, File No. 190594, App. 9/20/2019, Eff. 10/21/2019) AMENDMENT HISTORY Section header and first undesignated paragraph amended; Ord. 208-19, Eff. 10/21/2019.

36 (1) 1.33 (1) C-2 Same as for the R District establishing the dwelling unit density ratio for the C-2 District property. Group Housing requirement is per bedroom and 1/3 the amount required for a Dwelling Unit. (1) NC Districts As specified in the Zoning Control Table for the district Mixed Use Districts established in Article 8 See the Zoning Control Table for the District DTR This table not applicable. 75 square feet per dwelling. See Sec. 135(d)(4). (1) In accordance with Section 210.5, usable open space shall not be required for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects.

TABLE 135B MINIMUM USABLE OPEN SPACE FOR DWELLING UNITS AND GROUP HOUSING IN THE EASTERN NEIGHBORHOODS MIXED USE DISTRICTS Square feet of usable open space per dwelling unit, if not publicly accessible Square feet of usable open space per dwelling unit, if publicly accessible Percent of open space that may be provided off site 80 square feet 54 square feet 50%

(e) Slope. The slope of any area credited as either private or common usable open space shall not exceed 15%. (f) Private Usable Open Space: Additional Standards.

(1) Minimum Dimensions and Minimum Area. Any space credited as private usable open space shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of three feet and a minimum area of 27 square feet if located on a deck, balcony, porch or roof, and shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of 10 feet and a minimum area of 100 square feet if located on open ground, a terrace or the surface of an inner or outer court. (2) Exposure. To be credited as private usable open space, an area must be kept open in the following manner: (A) For decks, balconies, porches and roofs, at least 30 percent of the perimeter must be unobstructed except for necessary railings. (B) In addition, the area credited on a deck, balcony, porch or roof must either face a street, face or be within a rear yard, or face or be within some other space which at the level of the private usable open space meets the minimum dimension and area requirements for common usable open space as specified in Paragraph 135(g)(1) below.

(C) Areas within inner and outer courts, as defined by this Code, must either conform to the standards of subsection (f)(2)(B) or subsection (g)(2).
(3) Fire Escapes as Usable Open Space. Normal fire escape grating shall not be considered suitable surfacing for usable open space. The steps of a fire escape stairway or ladder, and

any space less than six feet deep between such steps and a wall of the building, shall not be credited as usable open space. But the mere potential use of a balcony area for an emergency fire exit by occupants of other dwelling units (or bedrooms in group housing) shall not prevent it from being credited as usable open space on grounds of lack of privacy or usability. (4) Use of Solariums. In C-3 Districts, the area of a totally or partially enclosed solarium shall be credited as private usable open space if (i) such area is open to the outdoors through openings or clear glazing on not less than 50 percent of its perimeter and (ii) not less than 30 percent of its overhead area and 25 percent of its perimeter are open or can be opened to the air. (g) Common Usable Open Space: Additional Standards. (1) Minimum Dimensions and Minimum Area. Any space credited as common usable open space shall be at least 15 feet in every horizontal dimension and shall have a minimum area of 300 square feet. (2) Use of Inner Courts. The area of an inner court, as defined by this Code, may be credited as common usable open space, if the enclosed space is not less than 20 feet in every horizontal dimension and 400 square feet in area. Exceptions from these requirements for certain qualifying historic buildings may be permitted, subject to the requirements and procedures of Section 307(h) of this Code.

(3) Use of Solariums. The area of a totally or partially enclosed solarium may be credited as common usable open space if the space is not less than 15 feet in every horizontal

dimension and 300 square feet in area; and if such area is exposed to the sun through openings or clear glazing on not less than 30 percent of its perimeter and 30 percent of its overhead area. (h) Publicly-Accessible Usable Open Space Standards. In DTR Districts and the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, some or all of the usable open space requirements may be fulfilled by providing privately-owned public open space. Any space credited as publicly-accessible usable open space, where permitted or required by this Code, shall meet the following standards: (1) Types of Open Space. Open space shall be of one or more of the following types: (A) An unenclosed park or garden at street grade or following the natural topography, including improvements to hillsides or other unimproved public areas; (B) An unenclosed plaza at street grade, with seating areas and landscaping and no more than 10 percent of the total floor area devoted to facilities for food or beverage service, exclusive of seating areas as regulated in Section 138(d); (C) An unenclosed pedestrian pathway which complies with the standards of Section 270.2 and which is consistent with applicable design guidelines. (D) Streetscape improvements with landscaping and pedestrian amenities that result in additional pedestrian space beyond the pre-existing sidewalk width and conform to the Better Streets Plan and any other applicable neighborhood streetscape plans pursuant to Section 138.1 or other related policies such as those associated with sidewalk widenings or building setbacks, other than those intended by design for the use of individual ground floor residential units; and (2) Standards of Open Space. Open space shall meet the standards described in Section 138(d). (3) Maintenance. Maintenance requirements for open space in these areas are subject to Section 138(h) of this Code. (4) Informational Plaque. Signage requirements for open space in these areas are subject to Section 138(i) of this Code. (5) Open Space Provider. Requirements regarding how to provide and maintain open space are subject to Section 138(f) of this Code. (6) Approval of Open Space Type and Features. Approval of open space in these areas is subject to requirements of Section 138 ( )1 of this Code. (i) Off-Site Provision of Required Usable Open Space. (1) Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts. In the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, the provision of off-site publicly accessible open space may be credited toward the residential usable open space requirement, subject to Section 329 for projects to which that Section applies and Section 307(h) for other projects. Any such space shall meet the publicly accessible open space standards set forth in Section 135(h) and shall be within the following distance of the principal project: for principal projects that are not within the Central SoMa SUD such space shall be within 800 feet of said principal project; for principal projects that are within the Central SoMa SUD, the space shall be within the Central SoMa Plan Area or no greater than ¼-mile outside the Central SoMa Plan Area boundary, without regard to distance from the principal project. The distance between the principal project and the offsite open space shall be measured by the direct distance between the closest boundary of the principal project or, as applicable the closest edge of the Central SoMa Plan Area boundary, and the closest boundary of the off-site open space. No more than 50 percent of a project’s required usable open space shall be off-site. The publicly accessible off-site usable open space shall be

constructed, completed, and ready for use no later than the project itself, and shall receive its Certificate of Final Completion from the Department of Building Inspection prior to the issuance of any Certificate of Final Completion or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for the project itself. (2) DTR Districts. In DTR Districts the provision of off-site publicly accessible open space may be counted toward the requirements of residential open space per the procedures of Section 309.1 provided it is within the individual DTR district of the project or within 500 feet of any boundary of the individual DTR district of the project, and meets the standards of subsection (h). (A) On Site. At least 36 square feet per residential unit of required open space must be provided on-site. Pursuant to the procedures of Section 309.1, the Planning Commission may reduce the minimum on-site provision of required residential open space to not less than 18 square feet per unit in order to both create additional publicly-accessible open space serving the district and to foster superior architectural design on constrained sites. (B) Open Space Provider. The open space required by this Section may be provided individually by the project sponsor or jointly by the project sponsor and other project sponsors, provided that each square foot of jointly developed open space may count toward only one sponsor's requirement. With the approval of the Planning Commission, a public or private agency may develop and maintain the open space, provided that (i) the project sponsor or sponsors pay for the cost of development of the number of square feet the project sponsor is required to provide, (ii) provision satisfactory to the Commission is made for the continued maintenance of the open space for the actual lifetime of the building giving rise to the open space requirement, and (iii) the Commission finds that there is reasonable assurance that the open space to be developed by such agency will be developed and open for use by the time the building, the open space requirement of which is being met by the payment, is ready for occupancy. (3) Ocean Avenue NCT. In the Ocean Avenue NCT District, the provision of off-site publicly accessible open space may be credited toward the residential usable open space requirement subject to the procedures of Section 303. Any such open space shall meet the publicly accessible open space standards set forth in Section 135(h) and be provided within 800 feet of the project. No more than 50 percent of a project's usable open space requirement may be satisfied off-site. The publicly accessible off-site usable open space shall be constructed, completed, and ready for use no later than the project itself, and shall receive its certificate of final completion from the Department of Building Inspection prior to the issuance of any certificate of final completion or temporary certificate of occupancy for the project itself. (4) Historic Buildings. For a landmark building designated per Article 10 of this Code, a contributing building located within a designated historic district per Article 10, or any building designated Category I-IV per Article 11 of this Code, the provision of off-site publicly accessible open space may be credited toward the residential usable open space requirement subject to the procedures of Section 307(h) of this Code. (Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 532-85, App. 12/4/85; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87; Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 368-94, App. 11/4/94; Ord. 262-00, File No. 001426, App. 11/17/2000; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 61-09, File No. 090181, App. 4/17/2009; renumbered by Ord. 108-10, File No. 091275, App. 5/25/2010; amended by Ord. 310-10, File No. 101194, App. 12/16/2010; Ord. 196-11 , File No. 110786, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; Ord. 35-12 , File No. 111305, App. 2/21/2012, Eff. 3/22/2012; Ord. 188-12 , File No. 111374, App. 9/11/2012, Eff. 10/11/2012; Ord. 228-12 , File No. 120220, App. 11/14/2012, Eff. 12/14/2012; Ord. 242-12 , File No. 120996, App. 12/7/2012, Eff. 1/6/2013; Ord. 42-13 , File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 227-14 , File No. 120796, App. 11/13/2014, Eff. 12/13/2014; Ord. 232-14 , File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 14-15 , File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015; Ord. 189-17, File No. 170693, App. 9/15/2017, Eff. 10/15/2017; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 47-21, File No. 201175, App. 4/16/2021, Eff. 5/17/2021; Ord. 122-23, File No. 230371, App. 7/5/2023, Eff. 8/5/2023; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 248-23, File No. 230446, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026) AMENDMENT HISTORY Division (d) amended; Ord. 196-11 , Eff. 11/3/2011. Table 135A amended; Ord. 35-12 , Eff. 3/22/2012. Division (d)(2) amended; Ord. 188-12 , Eff. 10/11/2012. Divisions (a), (d)(5), (h), and (h)(1) through (5) amended; former divisions (h)(2)(A) through (I) deleted; division (h)(6) added; Ord. 228-12 , Eff. 12/14/2012. Division (d)(3) amended; division (d)(6) added; Ord. 242-12 , Eff. 1/6/2013. Table 135A amended; Ord. 42-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Table 135A amended; Ord. 227-14 , Eff. 12/13/2014. Divisions (d), (d)(3), (g)(2), (i)(2)(A), and Table 135A amended; division (i)(4) added; Ord. 232-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Division (d)(7) added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Division (c) amended; divisions (c)(1) through (3) added; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Undesignated introductory material amended; division (d)(5) amended and redesignated as (d)(5)-(d)(5)(B)(i); divisions (d)(5)(B)(ii)-(iii) added; Table 135A amended; divisions (h)(1)(B), (h)

e 135A amended; division (i)(4) added; Ord. 232-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Division (d)(7) added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Division (c) amended; divisions (c)(1) through (3) added; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Undesignated introductory material amended; division (d)(5) amended and redesignated as (d)(5)-(d)(5)(B)(i); divisions (d)(5)(B)(ii)-(iii) added; Table 135A amended; divisions (h)(1)(B), (h)(1)(D), and (h)(2) amended; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019. Divisions (h)(6) and (i)(1) amended; Ord. 47-21, Eff. 5/17/2021. Division (d) and Table 135A amended; table note (1) added; Ord. 122-23, Eff. 8/5/2023, and Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023. Divisions (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(2) (C), and (g)(2) amended; Ord. 248-23, Eff. 1/14/2024. Divisions (a), (d)(3), (e), and Table 135A amended; divisions (d)(6)-(d)(6)(C) deleted; division (d)(7) redesignated as (d)(6); Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026. CODIFICATION NOTES

1. So in Ord. 47-21.
2. So in Ord. 245-25. Editor's Note: Former division (j) of this section was redesignated as Sec. 427 by Ord. 108-10.

(Added by Ord. 345-87, App. 8/21/87; repealed by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)

In C-3 Districts, modifications and improvements of plazas, arcades, and/or sidewalks designed to make the spaces more attractive and useful may be approved, in accordance with the provisions of Section 309, by application of the standards contained in and the guidelines adopted pursuant to Section 138 and Section 138.1 of this Code and the objectives and policies of the Downtown Plan, a component of the General Plan, or any amendment thereto, notwithstanding the fact that such modifications and improvements would not have been permitted under former Sections 126(b)(5) and (b)(7) of this Code. (Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 314-95, App. 10/6/95; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015) AMENDMENT HISTORY Section amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.

(Requirement varies by street type: see the Better Streets

Plan) (1) The City shall not require physical elements beyond the subject frontage with the exception of raised crosswalks and curb ramps. (2) The City shall require raised crosswalks only when the subject right-of-way is 40-feet or less and the crosswalk is installed at a street corner. (c) Required streetscape and pedestrian improvements. Development projects shall include streetscape and pedestrian improvements on all publicly accessible right-of-ways directly fronting the property as follows: (1) Street trees. Project Sponsors shall plant and establish street trees as set forth in Article 16, Sections 805(a) and 806(d) of the Public Works Code; provided, however, that where a property owner is either (A) adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit pursuant to Section 207.1 or 207.2 of this Code or (B) legalizing a Dwelling Unit pursuant to Section 207.3 of this Code, the owner may elect to pay the in-lieu fee authorized by Section 807(f) of the Public Works Code. (2) Other streetscape and pedestrian elements for large projects. (A) Application. (i) In any district, streetscape and pedestrian elements in conformance with the Better Streets Plan shall be required, if the following conditions are present: a. The project is on a lot that is greater than one-half acre in total area; or includes more than 50,000 gross square feet of new construction; or contains 150 feet of total lot frontage on one or more publicly-accessible right-of-ways; or its frontage encompasses the entire block face between the nearest two intersections with any other publicly-accessible right- of-way; and b. The project includes new construction of 10 or more Dwelling Units; or new construction of 10,000 gross square feet or greater of non-residential space; or an addition of 20% or more of Gross Floor Area to an existing building; or a Change of Use of 10,000 gross square feet or greater of a PDR use to a non-PDR use. (ii) Project sponsors that meet the thresholds of this Subsection shall submit a streetscape plan to the Planning Department showing the location, design, and dimensions of all existing and proposed streetscape elements in the public right-of-way directly adjacent to the fronting property, including street trees, sidewalk landscaping, street lighting, site furnishings, utilities, driveways, and curb lines, and the relation of such elements to proposed new construction and site work on the subject property.

(B) Standards. (i) Required streetscape elements. A continuous soil-filled trench parallel to the curb shall connect all street tree basins for those street trees required under the Public Works Code. The trench may be covered only by Permeable Surfaces as defined in Section 102 of the Planning Code, except at required tree basins, where the soil must remain uncovered. The Director of Planning, or his or her designee, may modify or waive this requirement where a continuous trench is not possible due to the location of existing utilities, driveways, sub- sidewalk basements, or other pre-existing surface or sub-surface features. (ii) Additional streetscape elements. The Department may require a project to construct any Standard Streetscape Element listed in Table 1, above, including benches, bicycle racks, curb ramps, corner curb extensions, specified bulb-outs, stormwater facilities, lighting, sidewalk landscaping, special sidewalk paving, and other site furnishings. a. Streetscape elements shall be selected from a City-approved palette of materials and furnishings, where applicable, and shall be subject to approval by all applicable City agencies. b. Additionally, streetscape elements shall be consistent with the overall char- acter and materials of the district, and shall have a logical transition or termination to the sidewalk and/or roadway adjacent to the fronting property. (iii) Sidewalk widening. The Planning Department, in consultation with other agencies, shall evaluate whether sufficient roadway space is available for sidewalk widening for the entirety or a portion of the fronting public right-of-way in order to meet or exceed the recommended sidewalk widths for the appropriate street type per Table 2 and the Better Streets Plan and/or to provide additional space for pedestrian and streetscape amenities. If it is found that sidewalk widening is feasible and desirable, the Planning Department shall require the owner or developer to install such sidewalk widening as a condition of approval, including all associated utility re-location, drainage, and street and sidewalk paving. (iv) Minimum sidewalk width. New publicly-accessible right-of-ways proposed as part of development projects shall meet or exceed the recommended sidewalk widths for the appropriate street type per Table 2. Where a consistent front building setback of 3 feet or greater extending for at least an entire block face is provided, the recommended sidewalk width may be reduced by up to 2 feet. Where a Board of Supervisors adopted streetscape plan or community-based plan recommends a sidewalk width greater than the recommended sidewalk width in Table 2 below, the City may require development projects to meet the greater of the two widths.

Table 2. Recommended Sidewalk Widths by Street Type Street Type (per Better Streets Plan) Recommended Sidewalk Width (Minimum required for new streets) Street Type (per Better Streets Plan) Recommended Sidewalk Width (Minimum required for new streets) Commercial Downtown commercial For Downtown Commercial Streets that are sited within the Downtown Streetscape Plan Area, the recommended sidewalk width shall be the width recommended in the Downtown Streetscape Plan. For Downtown Commercial Streets that are sited outside of the Downtown Streetscape Plan Area, the recommended sidewalk width shall be 15 feet.

Commercial throughway 15 feet

Neighborhood commercial 15 feet Residential Downtown residential 15 feet

Residential throughway 15 feet

Neighborhood residential 12 feet Industrial/Mixed-Use Industrial 10 feet

Mixed-use 15 feet Special Parkway 17 feet

Park edge (multi-use path) 25 feet

Multi-way boulevard 15 feet

Ceremonial varies Small Alley 9 feet

Shared public way n/a

Paseo varies (C) Review and approvals. (i) The project sponsor shall submit to the Planning Department the streetscape plan required by this section with the project’s first Development Application as defined in Section 401, and the Planning Department or Commission shall consider it for approval at the time of other project approval actions. Prior to making its determination about required streetscape and pedestrian elements, the Planning Department shall consult with other City agencies tasked with the design, permitting, use, and maintenance of the public right-of-way. If, after this consultation, any of the affected agencies find that the project sponsor cannot install one or more of the Standard Streetscape Elements due to physical constraints of or other complications related to the site or the public right-of-way surrounding or in the vicinity of the project, then the Department may impose alternative streetscape improvement requirements that provide equivalent or better protection to pedestrians, bicyclists, or transit movement, and/or reduce conflicts among transportation modes. However, such alternative improvements shall cost no more than Standard Streetscape Elements that would have been required and shall be approved only after consultation with the affected agencies. (ii) Final approval by the affected agencies and construction of such streetscape improvements shall be completed prior to the issuance of the first Certificate of Occupancy or temporary Certificate of Occupancy for the project, unless otherwise extended by the Zoning Administrator. Should conditions, policies, or determinations by other City agencies require a change to the streetscape plan after approval of the streetscape plan but prior to commencement of construction of the streetscape improvements, the Planning Department shall have the authority to require revision to such streetscape plan. In such case, the Zoning Administrator shall extend the timeframe for completion of such improvements by an appropriate duration as necessary. (iii) Should the construction timeline for a development project be shorter than the construction timeline for the associated streetscape improvement, such as for a change-of-use project, the Zoning Administrator may extend the timeframe for completion of such improvements by an appropriate duration as necessary. As a condition of any such extension, the Zoning Administrator can require the project sponsor to post a bond in the amount of such improvement and subject to the terms that the Zoning Administrator deems appropriate. (iv) Waiver. Any City agency tasked with the design, permitting, use, and maintenance of the public right-of-way, may waive any or all Department required improvements of the streetscape plan as described in this Subsection under that agency’s jurisdiction if said agency determines that such improvement or improvements is inappropriate, interferes with utilities to an extent that makes installation financially infeasible, or would negatively affect the public welfare. Any such waiver shall be from the Director or General Manager of the affected agency, shall be in writing to the applicant and the Department, and shall specify the basis for the waiver. Waivers, if any, shall be obtained prior to commencement of construction of the streetscape improvements unless extenuating circumstances arise during the construction of said improvements. If such a waiver is granted, the Department reserves the right to impose alternative streetscape improvement requirements that provide equivalent or better protection to pedestrians, bicyclists, or transit movement, and/or reduce conflicts among transportation modes. However, such alternative requirements shall cost no more than element or elements that have been waived in the adopted streetscape plan and shall be approved only after consultation with the affected agencies. This Subsection shall not apply to the waiver of the street tree requirement set forth in Section 138.1(c)(1). (d) Neighborhood Streetscape Plans. In addition to the requirements listed in Subsection 138.1(c), the Planning Department in coordination with other city agencies, and after a public hearing, may adopt streetscape plans for particular streets, neighborhoods, and districts, containing standards and guidelines to supplement the Better Streets Plan. Development projects in areas listed in this subsection that propose or are required through this section to make pedestrian and streetscape improvements to the public right-of-way shall conform with the standards and guidelines in the applicable neighborhood streetscape plan in addition to those found in the Better Streets Plan. (1) Downtown Streetscape Plan. (A) In any C-3 District sidewalk paving as set forth in the Downtown Streetscape Plan shall be installed by the applicant under the following conditions:

(i) Any new construction; (ii) The addition of Gross Floor Area equal to 20 percent or more of an existing building; or (iii) A Change of Use of 10,000 or more gross square feet of PDR use to a non-PDR use. (B) In accordance with the provisions of Section 309 of the Planning Code governing C-3 Districts, when a permit is granted for any project abutting a public sidewalk in a C-3 District, the Planning Commission may impose additional requirements that the applicant install sidewalk improvements such as benches, bicycle racks, lighting, special paving, seating, landscaping, and sidewalk widening in accordance with the guidelines of the Downtown Streetscape Plan if it finds that these improvements are necessary to meet the goals and objectives of the General Plan of the City and County of San Francisco. In making this determination, the Planning Commission shall consider the level of street as defined in the Downtown Streetscape Plan. (C) If a sidewalk widening or a pedestrian street improvement is used to meet the open space requirement, it shall conform to the guidelines of Section 138. (D) The Planning Commission shall determine whether the streetscape improvements required by this Section may be on the same site as the building for which the permit is being sought, or within 900 feet, provided that all streetscape improvements are located entirely within the C-3 District. (2) Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan. In the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential Mixed Use (RH-DTR) and Folsom and Main Residential/Commercial Special Use Districts, the boundaries of which are shown in Section Map No. 1 of the Zoning Map, for all frontages abutting a public sidewalk, the project sponsor is required to install sidewalk widening, street trees, lighting, decorative paving, seating and landscaping in accordance with the approved Streetscape Master Plan of the Rincon Hill Area Plan for: (A) any new construction; or (B) the addition of Gross loor1 Area equal to 20 percent or more of an existing building, or (C) a Change of Use of 10,000 or more square feet from a PDR use to a non-PDR use. (e) Additional provisions. (1) Maintenance. Unless otherwise determined, fronting property owners shall maintain all streetscape improvements required by this section, including landscaping, bicycle racks, benches, special paving, and other site furnishings at no public expense per the requirements of the Public Works Code and the Better Streets Plan for sidewalks and street furnishings, except for street trees and standard street lighting from a City-approved palette of street lights and any improvements within the roadway. Conditions intended to assure continued maintenance of the improvements for the actual lifetime of the building giving rise to the streetscape improvement requirement may be imposed as a condition of approval by the Planning Department. (2) For any streetscape and/or pedestrian improvements installed pursuant to this section, the abutting property owner or owners shall hold harmless the City and County of San Francisco, its officers, agents, and employees, from any damage or injury caused by reason of the design, construction or maintenance of the improvements, and shall require the owner or owners or subsequent owner or owners of the respective property to be solely liable for any damage or loss occasioned by any act. This requirement shall be deemed satisfied if City permits for the improvements include indemnification and hold harmless provisions. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, an applicant shall apply for and obtain all required permits and approvals for changes to the legislated sidewalk widths and street improvements. (f) Removal and modification of private encroachments on public rights-of-way. (1) Applicability. This section shall apply to developments that: (A) construct new buildings; (B) include building alterations which increase the gross square footage of a structure by 20 percent or more; (C) add off-street parking or loading; or (D) remove off-street parking or loading. (2) Requirements. As a condition of approval for the applicable developments in subsection (b), the Planning Department may require the project sponsor to: (A) reduce the number or width of driveway entrances to a lot, to comply with the streetscape requirements of this Code and the protected street frontages of Section 155(r); (B) remove encroachments onto or over sidewalks and streets that reduce the pedestrian path of travel, or reduce the sidewalk area available for streetscape amenities such as landscaping, street trees and outdoor seating; (C) remove or reduce in size basements which extend under public rights-of-way. (3) Standards. In instances where such encroachments are removed, the Planning Department shall require that the replacement curbs, sidewalks, street trees, and landscaping shall meet the standards of the Better Streets Plan and of any applicable neighborhood streetscape plans. (Added by Ord. 314-95, App. 10/6/95; amended by Ord. 310-10, File No. 101194, App. 12/16/2010 ; Ord. 232-14 , File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 119-15 , File No. 150221, App. 7/15/2015, Eff. 8/14/2015; Ord. 123-15 , File No. 150357, App. 7/17/2015, Eff. 8/16/2015; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 195-18, File No. 180268, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 218-18, File No. 180752, App. 9/14/2018, Eff. 10/15/2018; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024) AMENDMENT HISTORY Subdivision designations corrected throughout divisions (c) and (d); former divisions (c)(1)(B)-(D) and division (d)(1)(A) amended; division

-18, File No. 180752, App. 9/14/2018, Eff. 10/15/2018; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024) AMENDMENT HISTORY Subdivision designations corrected throughout divisions (c) and (d); former divisions (c)(1)(B)-(D) and division (d)(1)(A) amended; division (f) added; Ord. 232-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Division (c)(1) amended; former divisions (c)(1)(A)-(D) deleted; division (c)(2)(B) amended; new division (c)(2)(B)(i) added and former divisions (c)(2)(B)(i)-(iii) redesignated as (c)(2)(B)(ii)-(iv); current division (c)(2)(B)(ii) amended; Ord. 119-15 , Eff. 8/14/2015. Division (d)(2) amended; Ord. 123- 15 , Eff. 8/16/2015. Table 1 amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015. Nonsubstantive amendment to division (c)(1); Ord. 195-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Division (c)(1) amended; Ord. 218-18, Eff. 10/15/2018. Divisions (b)(3), (c)(2)(A)(i)a. and b., (c)(2) (C)(iii), and (d)(1)(A)(iii) added; former division (c)(2)(C)(iii) redesignated as (c)(2)(C)(iv) and amended; Tables 1 and 2 amended; divisions (c)(1), (c)(2)(A)(i), (c)(2)(B)(i)-(iv), (c)(2)(C)(i), (d)(1)(A)(ii), (d)(2), (e)(1), and (f)(1) amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Table 2 amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Division (c)(1) amended; Ord. 62-24, Eff. 4/28/2024. CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 277-18.

(Added by Ord. 242-12 , File No. 120996, App. 12/7/2012, Eff. 1/6/2013; repealed by Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)

(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 84-10, File No. 091453, App. 4/22/2010; renumbered by Ord. 108-10, File No. 091275, App. 5/25/2010) Editor's Note: Former Sec. 143 was redesignated as Sec. 428 by Ord. 108-10, App. 5/25/2010.

USES AND STANDARDS IN COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL, MIXED USE, AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS. The purpose of the following controls is to preserve, enhance and promote attractive, clearly defined street frontages that are pedestrian-oriented, fine-grained, and which are appropriate and compatible with the buildings in Commercial, Residential-Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Mixed Use, or Industrial Districts. (Added by Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011) AMENDMENT HISTORY New Sec. 145 added and former Sec. 145 renumbered as new Sec. 144.1; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011.

(a) General. In the Chinatown Mixed Use Districts, including the Chinatown Community Business District, the Chinatown Visitor Retail District and the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial Districts, the street frontage of a building shall not exceed 50 feet in width. Street frontage exceptions may be approved as a conditional use in accordance with procedures and criteria of Section 303 of this Code and the criteria set forth in Subsection (b) below. (b) Criteria for Exceptions. (1) Projects having more than 50 feet of street frontage shall be divided in architectural treatment to appear as two or more independent buildings reflecting the typical scale of older buildings in the Chinatown area. Architectural treatments may include varied types of windows and entries, individual storefronts and the use of differing colors and textures. (2) Flat facade surfaces shall be broken up at least every 30 feet by the projection of bay windows or by vertical recesses. (3) Facade divisions shall be reinforced by matching changes in height for portions of the building. (Added by Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87)

All new buildings constructed in Industrial Districts and PDR Districts, as defined in Section 201, shall provide ground floor spaces with a minimum floor-to-floor height of 17 feet, as measured from grade. In existing buildings, a minimum clear ceiling height of 15 feet shall be retained where currently existing. Any building permit which seeks to reduce the floor-to- floor height to less than 17 feet shall require a variance as set forth in Section 305 of this Code. (Added by Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; amended by Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 196-11, File No. 110786, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; Ord. 33-24, File No. 231144, App. 2/21/2024, Eff. 3/23/2024) AMENDMENT HISTORY Section header and section amended; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. Section amended; Ord. 196-11, Eff. 11/3/2011. Section header and section amended; Ord. 33-24, Eff. 3/23/2024.

SPACES IN C-3 AND EASTERN NEIGHBORHOODS MIXED USE DISTRICTS. New buildings and additions to existing buildings in C-3 and Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts where the building height exceeds 50 feet shall be shaped, consistent with the dictates of good design and without unduly restricting the development potential of the site in question, to reduce substantial shadow impacts on public plazas and other publicly accessible spaces other than those protected under Section 295. In determining the impact of shadows, the following factors shall be considered: The amount of area shadowed, the duration of the shadow, and the importance of sunlight to the type of open space being shadowed. Determinations under this Section with respect to C-3 Districts shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 309 of this Code. Determinations under this Section with respect to Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 307 of this Code. (Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 13-26, File No. 251099, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026) AMENDMENT HISTORY Section header and section amended; Ord. 13-26, Eff. 3/16/2026.

(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 275-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 77-04, File No. 031930, App. 5/6/2004; redesignated as Sec. 429 by Ord. 108-10, File No. 091275, App. 5/25/2010)