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Article 2 — USE DISTRICTS

SEC. 249.13. GEARY BOULEVARD/DIVISADERO STREET SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.

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

(a) General. A Special Use District entitled the Divisadero Street/Geary Boulevard Special Use District, consisting of Lots 5, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9A, 10, 11 and 12 of Assessor's Block 1079 is hereby established for the purposes set forth below.

(b) Purposes. The following controls, imposed in the Geary Boulevard/Divisadero Street Special Use District, will advance the policies of the Commerce and Industry Element of the City's General Plan in that they will encourage the expansion of needed health services, yet manage such expansion ensuring the preservation and integrity of residential neighborhoods in the City, and will promote the provision of adequate health services to all geographical districts and cultural groups within the City.

(c) Controls. The specific controls set forth herein shall apply only to the development of out-patient facilities affiliated with and operated by a health maintenance organization solely for the benefit of its members. Any development which does not meet the purposes set forth herein shall be governed by the underlying zoning controls.

(1) Design Review By Planning Commission. An applicant submitting an application for a proposed development and use pursuant to this Section shall be required to submit an application for design review by the Planning Commission. The design review application may be submitted concurrently with or before a building permit application.

(2) Fees. In addition to the building permit review fee set forth in Section 352, the project sponsor shall pay a fee of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) per application to compensate the Planning Department for compliance with this Section.

(3) Principal Permitted Uses. Ground floor uses shall be limited to those set forth for NC-3 Districts. Upper floor uses shall be limited to out-patient facilities, including physicians' offices needed to providing preventive health-care, and accessory administrative uses affiliated with and operated by a health maintenance organization, provided however that the accessory administrative use shall not occupy more than 15 percent of the floor area subject to the floor area ratio. For the purposes of interpreting "out-patient facilities" under this section, such facilities shall not be deemed an office use subject to the provisions of Sections 309 through 325 et seq .

(4) Basic Floor Area Ratio. The basic floor area ratio shall be six (6) to one (1). The definitions for Gross Floor Area and Occupied Floor Area in Section 102 of this Code shall be used for calculating the floor area ratio. In addition to the floor area excluded from the floor area ratio calculation set forth in the definitions for Gross Floor Area (Subsections (b)(1) through (14) inclusive), and Occupied Floor Area, dwelling units and other residential uses as defined in this Section 249.13 shall be exempted from the floor area calculation.

Section 102 of this Code shall be used for calculating the floor area ratio. In addition to the floor area excluded from the floor area ratio calculation set forth in the definitions for Gross Floor Area (Subsections (b)(1) through (14) inclusive), and Occupied Floor Area, dwelling units and other residential uses as defined in this Section 249.13 shall be exempted from the floor area calculation.

(5) Dwelling Unit Density and Residential Use. The dwelling unit density shall be governed by the underlying zoning classification as set forth in the Zoning Control Table for the district in which the lot is located. For the purposes of this section, residential use shall include rooms or beds used by out-patients receiving medical treatment at the health maintenance organization, including but not limited to patients receiving treatment at the AIDS infusion center, or receiving chemotherapy treatment, regardless of the length of stay of such out-patients.

(6) Height And Bulk Restrictions. The applicable Height and Bulk for this Special Use District shall be 105-X.

(7) Rear Yards. The requirements of this Code applicable to rear yards and applicable to dwelling units or other residential use may be modified by the Planning Commission as part of the design review, if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The interior block open space formed by the rear yards of the abutting properties will not be adversely affected;

(B) A comparable amount of usable open space is provided elsewhere on the lot or within the development where it is more accessible to the residents; and

(C) The access to light and air for abutting properties will not be significantly impeded.

(8) Required Setbacks. The Planning Commission may impose a side setback of up to 15 feet above the building height of 65 feet if it determines that this requirement is necessary to achieve a superior architectural design.

(9) Demolitions. Demolition of any building containing residential uses and any conversion from residential to non-residential uses above the ground floor shall be permitted provided that the notice and relocation assistance provisions of Chapter 37 of the San Francisco Administrative Code (The San Francisco Residential Rent Arbitration and Stabilization Ordinance)

are met.

If the Commission determines, during its design review, that the public benefits to be gained do not outweigh the adverse impacts from the demolition of the residential units, the Commission may impose conditions to reduce such adverse impact. The conditions may require that the applicant pay to the City Controller the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to mitigate the loss of housing units. Said amount paid to the City shall thereafter be used exclusively for the development of housing affordable to individuals or households with income not to exceed 80 percent of the median income of the San Francisco Standard Metropolitan Areas as defined by HUD.

hat the applicant pay to the City Controller the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to mitigate the loss of housing units. Said amount paid to the City shall thereafter be used exclusively for the development of housing affordable to individuals or households with income not to exceed 80 percent of the median income of the San Francisco Standard Metropolitan Areas as defined by HUD.

(10) Parking. One (1) off-street parking space for every 500 square feet of occupied floor area of out-patient facility space and accessory use space shall be provided. The provisions of Section 151 of this Code shall govern off-street parking requirements for all other allowable uses in this Special Use District. The Planning Commission may reduce the off-street parking requirement if it finds that all or part of the off-street parking requirement is provided by existing off-street parking serving the health maintenance organization, and that such offstreet parking is located within one block of the Special Use District.

(11) Appeal. The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within fifteen (15) days after action by the Planning Commission on the design review application. The procedure for appeal shall be as described in Section 308.2. The decision of the Planning Commission, or that of the Board of Appeals on appeal shall constitute a final determination on all land use and Planning Code issues, except for review by a court of competent jurisdiction. Review by the Board of Appeals on the issuance of a building or site permit for a proposed structure for this Special Use District shall be limited to issues arising out of the San Francisco Building Code, Health Code and Fire Code.

(Added by Proposition K, 11/3/92; amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Divisions (b), (c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(11) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015.

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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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