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Article 2 — USE DISTRICTSSEC. 211. P (PUBLIC) DISTRICTS.

SEC. 211.1. PRINCIPAL USES PERMITTED, P DISTRICTS.

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

The following uses are principally permitted in all P Districts when found to be in conformity with the General Plan:

(a) Structures and uses of governmental agencies not subject to regulation by this Code.

(b) Public structures and uses of the City and County of San Francisco, and of other governmental agencies that are subject to regulation by this Code, including Neighborhood Agriculture, as defined in Section 102 of this Code; and,

(c) Accessory nonpublic uses, which in P Districts may or may not be related to the Principal Use, provided that they meet the following standards:

(1) If the accessory nonpublic use is located on a lot with an OS Height and Bulk designation per Section 290 of this Code, it shall occupy a de minimis amount of space so that it does not detract from the lot’s principal or exclusive purpose as open space. In no case may accessory nonpublic uses occupy more than one-third of the total lot area occupied by the Principal Use;

(2) If the accessory nonpublic use is located on a lot without an OS Height and Bulk designation, it shall not occupy more than 1/3 of the total occupied floor area of the principle use;

(3) If the accessory nonpublic use is located within 1/4 mile of a Restricted Use Subdistrict listed in Article 2 or 7, then no use prohibited in such Subdistrict may be permitted as an accessory nonpublic use;

(4) The accessory nonpublic use is principally permitted within the closest non-Residential District. The closest non-Residential district is defined as the non-Residential zoning district that is the shortest distance between any area occupied by the accessory nonpublic use and a parcel with a non-Residential zoning designation. If there is more than one non-Residential district that meets this definition, the more permissive zoning district shall apply; and,

(5) The proposed Accessory use is not a Formula Retail use as defined in Section 102 of this Code.

(d) Neighborhood Agriculture, as defined in Section 102 of this Code;

(e) City Plazas, as defined in Section 94.1 of the Administrative Code.

(f) Any temporary use identified in Sections 205 et seq. of this Code, regardless of the zoning district specified in that Section but subject to the time limits specified in that Section for such temporary use;

(g) Any temporary use not considered in Subsection (f) above for which an enabling action is taken by either the Board of Supervisors, the Recreation and Parks Commission, the Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors, or other City Board or Commission with jurisdiction over the property. Temporary uses authorized under this Subsection (g) shall be:

(1) Limited to a renewable period of no more than three years as approved by the Zoning Administrator, and

(2) Of a nature such that the property on which the temporary use is located can be readily returned to the state in which it existed immediately prior to the commencement of the temporary use.

(h) A publicly-owned and operated Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility used primarily for public communication systems.

(i) Residential Uses in 100% Affordable Housing Projects and Educator Housing Projects, as defined in Section 206.9, unless such property is under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and used as a public park. Except for modifications otherwise allowed by this Code, any such Residential Uses shall comply with controls and notification requirements for the closest zoning district that allows Residential Uses.

(Formerly codified as Sec. 234.1; amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord. 80-14, File No. 140062, App. 6/13/2014, Eff. 7/13/2014; Ord. 235-14, File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; redesignated and amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; amended by Ord. 166-16, File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Proposition E, 11/5/2019, Eff. 12/20/2019)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (b) amended; Ord. 66-11, Eff. 5/20/2011. Undesignated introductory material added; division (b) amended; divisions (c)-(g) added; Ord. 80-14, Eff. 7/13/2014. References amended in division (c)(5); Ord. 235-14, Eff. 12/26/2014. Section redesignated; divisions (b) and (c) amended; Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015. Division (h) added; Ord. 166-16, Eff. 9/10/2016. Divisions (c) and (c)(1) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Divisions (g)(A) and (B) redesignated as (g)(1) and (2); division (i) added; Proposition E, Eff. 12/20/2019.

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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
  3. Article 1.5 — TRANSPORTATION, OFF-STREET PARKING, AND LOADING
  4. Article 1.7 — COMPLIANCE
  5. Article 2 — USE DISTRICTS
    Overview
    1. SEC. 202. PERMITTED BY THIS CODE.
    2. SEC. 204. ACCESSORY USES, GENERAL.
    3. SEC. 205. TEMPORARY USES, GENERAL.
    4. SEC. 207. DWELLING UNIT DENSITY LIMITS.
    5. SEC. 209. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF RESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTI…
    6. SEC. 210. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, A…
    7. SEC. 211. P (PUBLIC) DISTRICTS.
    8. SEC. 218. [REPEALED.]
    9. SEC. 219. [REPEALED.]
    10. SEC. 221. [REPEALED.]
    11. SEC. 226. [REPEALED.]
    12. SEC. 234. [REDESIGNATED.]
    13. SEC. 244. RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER DISTRICTS.
    14. SEC. 249.1. FOLSOM AND MAIN RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL SPECIAL USE…
    15. SEC. 249.2. THE VILLAGE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    16. SEC. 249.3. OCEANVIEW LARGE RESIDENCE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    17. SEC. 249.4. ALEXANDRIA THEATER SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    18. SEC. 249.5. NORTH OF MARKET RESIDENTIAL SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    19. SEC. 249.6. SOUTH OF MARKET HALL OF JUSTICE LEGAL SERVICES SPE…
    20. SEC. 249.8. [ NON-PROFIT ARTS EDUCATION SPECIAL USE]. [1]
    21. SEC. 249.9. STONESTOWN SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    22. SEC. 249.10. 600 TOWNSEND STREET WEST SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    23. SEC. 249.11. 530 SANSOME MIXED-USE TOWER AND FIRE STATION SPEC…
    24. SEC. 249.12. 1500 MISSION STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    25. SEC. 249.13. GEARY BOULEVARD/DIVISADERO STREET SPECIAL USE DIS…
    26. SEC. 249.14. THIRD STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    27. SEC. 249.15. MISSION AND 9TH STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    28. SEC. 249.16. OAKDALE AVENUE AND QUINT STREET AFFORDABLE HOUSIN…
    29. SEC. 249.17. THIRD STREET AND ARMSTRONG AVENUE AFFORDABLE HOUS…
    30. SEC. 249.18. NORTHEAST CHINA BASIN SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    31. SEC. 249.19. NEW ASIA SENIOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIAL USE DI…
    32. SEC. 249.20. GEARY-MASONIC SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    33. SEC. 249.21. CALIFORNIA STREET AND PRESIDIO AVENUE - COMMUNITY…
    34. SEC. 249.22. [REPEALED.]
    35. SEC. 249.23. FOURTH AND FREELON STREETS SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    36. SEC. 249.24. HAIGHT STREET SENIOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIAL U…
    37. SEC. 249.25. JACKSON SQUARE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    38. SEC. 249.26. [REPEALED.]
    39. SEC. 249.27. ALABAMA AND 18TH STREETS AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECI…
    40. SEC. 249.28. TRANSBAY C-3 SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    41. SEC. 249.30. THIRD STREET AND OAKDALE AVENUE AFFORDABLE HOUSIN…
    42. SEC. 249.31. JAPANTOWN SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    43. SEC. 249.32. LAGUNA, HAIGHT, BUCHANAN AND HERMANN STREETS SPEC…
    44. SEC. 249.34. TRINITY PLAZA SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    45. SEC. 249.35. FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT.
    46. SEC. 249.36. [REPEALED.]
    47. SEC. 249.37. INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIES SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    48. SEC. 249.38. SOMA YOUTH AND FAMILY SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    49. SEC. 249.40. POTRERO CENTER MIXED-USE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    50. SEC. 249.41. 901 BUSH STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    51. SEC. 249.42. INDIA BASIN INDUSTRIAL PARK SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    52. SEC. 249.43. THIRD STREET AND LE CONTE AVENUE AFFORDABLE HOUSI…
    53. SEC. 249.44. HUNTERS VIEW SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    54. SEC. 249.45. VISITACION VALLEY/SCHLAGE LOCK SPECIAL USE DISTRI…
    55. SEC. 249.46. VETERANS COMMON SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    56. SEC. 249.47. 1500 PAGE STREET AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIAL USE D…
    57. SEC. 249.49. TELEGRAPH HILL – NORTH BEACH RESIDENTIAL SPECIAL …
    58. SEC. 249.50. CANDLESTICK POINT ACTIVITY NODE SPECIAL USE DISTR…
    59. SEC. 249.51. HUNTERS POINT SHIPYARD PHASE 2 SPECIAL USE DISTRI…
    60. SEC. 249.53. PRESIDIO-SUTTER SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    61. SEC. 249.54. EXECUTIVE PARK SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    62. SEC. 249.55. LOMBARD AND SCOTT STREET AFFORDABLE GROUP HOUSING…
    63. SEC. 249.59. CALLE 24 SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    64. SEC. 249.60. MISSION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    65. SEC. 249.61. 17TH AND RHODE ISLAND STREET GROCERY STORE SPECIA…
    66. SEC. 249.62. THIRD STREET ALCOHOL RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT.
    67. SEC. 249.63. CAYUGA/ALEMANY SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    68. SEC. 249.64. PARKMERCED SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    69. SEC. 249.65. BAYSHORE BOULEVARD HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL USE D…
    70. SEC. 249.66. CHINATOWN TRANSIT STATION SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    71. SEC. 249.67. ART & DESIGN EDUCATIONAL SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    72. SEC. 249.68. CESAR CHAVEZ/VALENCIA STREETS MEDICAL USE SPECIAL…
    73. SEC. 249.69. CHINESE HOSPITAL SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    74. SEC. 249.70. [EXPIRED.]
    75. SEC. 249.71. YERBA BUENA CENTER MIXED-USE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    76. SEC. 249.73. JEWISH HOME OF SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    77. SEC. 249.74. FIFTH AND MISSION SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    78. SEC. 249.75. SUNNYDALE HOPE SF SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    79. SEC. 249.76. POTRERO HOPE SF SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    80. SEC. 249.77. CORONA HEIGHTS LARGE RESIDENCE SPECIAL USE DISTRI…
    81. SEC. 249.78. CENTRAL SOMA SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    82. SEC. 249.79. PIER 70 SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    83. SEC. 249.80. MISSION ROCK SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    84. SEC. 249.81. 1629 MARKET STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    85. SEC. 249.82. 430 29TH AVENUE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    86. SEC. 249.84. INDIA BASIN SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    87. SEC. 249.85. 1550 EVANS AVENUE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    88. SEC. 249.86. 3333 CALIFORNIA STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    89. SEC. 249.87. POTRERO POWER STATION SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    90. SEC. 249.89. 2000 MARIN STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    91. SEC. 249.90. BALBOA RESERVOIR SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    92. SEC. 249.91. 2500-2530 18TH STREET AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIAL …
    93. SEC. 249.92. CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOODS LARGE RESIDENCE SPECIAL USE…
    94. SEC. 249.93. GROUP HOUSING SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    95. SEC. 249.94. FAMILY AND SENIOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITY SPECIAL USE…
    96. SEC. 249.95. 900 KEARNY STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    97. SEC. 249.96. WAWONA STREET AND 45TH AVENUE CULTURAL CENTER SPE…
    98. SEC. 249.97. PRIORITY EQUITY GEOGRAPHIES SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    99. SEC. 249.98. POTRERO YARD SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
    100. SEC. 249.99. 30 VAN NESS AVENUE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
  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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