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Article 1.2 — DIMENSIONS, AREAS, AND OPEN SPACES

San Francisco Planning Code § 121 Minimum Lot Width and Area

San Francisco Planning Code · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-09-23 · San Francisco

Cite as: San Francisco Planning Code § 121 · Text as of 2026-09-23

(See Interpretations related to this Section.)

The following requirements for minimum lot width and area shall apply to all properties in the City, regardless of the use of the property, regardless of the zoning district in which the property is located, and regardless of whether the ownership or use is public or private. The provisions of Article 1.7 of this Code, and especially Sections 173, 180 and 189 thereof, shall also be applicable with respect to lot width and area.

(a) Frontage. Every newly created lot shall have and maintain frontage on a public street or alley as defined by this Code, or on some other permanent right-of-way from which there shall be vehicular access to such lot, and in each case such frontage shall have a minimum width of 16 feet. Where an existing lot of record does not have such frontage, but has other access from a street or alley, such other access shall be maintained for such lot.

(b) Subdivisions and Lot Splits. Subdivisions and lot splits shall be governed by the Subdivision Code of the City and County of San Francisco and by the Subdivision Map Act of California. In all such cases the procedures and requirements of said Code and said Act shall be followed, including the requirement for consistency with the General Plan of the City and County of San Francisco.

(c) Measurement. The lot width shall be measured as a horizontal distance between the side lot lines. The lot area shall be measured as a horizontal plane enclosed by the lot lines. Where a lot is not in the form of an ordinary rectangle, the specified minimum lot width shall be maintained for a sufficient depth on the lot to enable the minimum lot area requirement to be satisfied within the portion of the lot having such minimum lot width.

(d) Minimum Lot Width. The minimum lot width shall be 20 feet.:1

(e) Minimum Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall be 1,200 sq. ft.

(Added by Ord. 381-79, App. 7/13/79; amended by Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 248-23, File No. 230446, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (b) amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015. Divisions (b), (d), and (e) amended; divisions (d)(1)-(2), (e)(1)-(2), and (f) deleted; Ord. 248-23, Eff. 1/14/2024.

CODIFICATION NOTE

  1. So in Ord. 248-23

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