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Article 1.2 — DIMENSIONS, AREAS, AND OPEN SPACES›SEC. 124. BASIC FLOOR AREA RATIO.

SEC. 124.1. FLOOR AREA RATIO EXCEPTIONS: CHINATOWN.

San Francisco Planning Code · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco

(See Interpretations related to this Section.)

(a) The floor area ratios set forth for the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial District shall not apply to projects which have received commitment for Community Development Block Grant funds as of January 10, 1985 for creation of new housing. The applicable floor area ratios shall be those in effect on January 9, 1985.

(b) In the Chinatown Community Business District, Chinatown Visitor Retail District and the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial District, mezzanine commercial space and institutional use shall not be included in computation of the floor area ratios. A deed restriction limiting the space to institutional use shall be recorded on the property by the property

owner.

(c) The floor area ratios set forth for the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial District shall not apply to hospitals or medical centers. The applicable floor area ratio for hospitals or medical centers shall be 4.8.

(d) The floor area ratios set forth for the Chinatown Mixed Use District shall not apply to any existing business originally located within or partially within a Chinatown Mixed Use District as of the effective date of this ordinance which must relocate as a result of acquisition by the City and County of San Francisco of the real property on which the business is situated. Such use must be the same as that use existing on the effective date of the ordinance. The applicable floor area ratio shall be a maximum of 4.8 or a lesser amount sufficient to accommodate replacement of improved property and parking used on a regular basis in connection with the business needing to relocate as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

(Added by Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87)

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▸ Contents — San Francisco Planning Code
San Francisco Planning Code
  1. Article 1 — GENERAL ZONING PROVISIONS
  2. ▸ Article 1.2 — DIMENSIONS, AREAS, AND OPEN SPACES
    Overview
    1. SEC. 121. MINIMUM LOT WIDTH AND AREA.
    2. ▸ SEC. 124. BASIC FLOOR AREA RATIO.
      Overview
      1. SEC. 124.1. FLOOR AREA RATIO EXCEPTIONS: CHINATOWN.
    3. SEC. 128. TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS IN C-3 DISTRICTS.
    4. SEC. 132. FRONT SETBACK AREAS IN RTO, RH, AND RM DISTRICTS AND…
    5. SEC. 134. REAR YARDS IN R, RC, NC, M, CMUO, MUG, MUO, MUR, RED…
    6. SEC. 135. USABLE OPEN SPACE FOR DWELLING UNITS AND GROUP HOUSI…
    7. SEC. 136. OBSTRUCTIONS OVER STREETS AND ALLEYS AND IN REQUIRED…
    8. SEC. 138. PRIVATELY-OWNED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE (POPOS) REQUIREMEN…
    9. SEC. 140. ALL DWELLING UNITS IN ALL USE DISTRICTS TO FACE ON A…
    10. SEC. 144. STREET FRONTAGES IN RH, RTO, RTO-M, AND RM DISTRICTS.
    11. SEC. 145. FRONTAGES, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY AREAS, WALKUP FACILITIES…
  3. Article 1.5 — TRANSPORTATION, OFF-STREET PARKING, AND LOADING
  4. Article 1.7 — COMPLIANCE
  5. Article 2 — USE DISTRICTS
  6. Article 2.5 — HEIGHT AND BULK DISTRICTS
  7. Article 3 — ZONING PROCEDURES
  8. Article 3.5 — FEES
  9. Article 4 — DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES AND PROJECT REQUIREMENTS T…
  10. Article 5 — [RESERVED] ARTICLE 6: SIGNS
  11. Article 7 — NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
  12. Article 8 — MIXED USE DISTRICTS
  13. Article 9 — MISSION BAY DISTRICTS
  14. Part I — SCOPE, PURPOSE AND RELATIONSHIPS
  15. Part II — USES
  16. Part III — DENSITY
  17. Part IV — HEIGHT
  18. Part V — BUILDING FORM
  19. Part VI — OPEN AREAS
  20. Part VII — PARKING
  21. Part VIII — SIGNS
  22. Part X — OFFICE SPACE LIMITATION
  23. Part XI — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  24. Part XII — RULES FOR NONCONFORMING USES AND NONCOMPLYING STRUC…
  25. Part XIII — COMPLIANCE, PERMIT APPROVAL AND ENFORCEMENT
  26. Part XIV — FEES
  27. Part XV — DEFINITIONS
  28. Part XVI — SEVERABILITY

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