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Article 2 — USE DISTRICTS

SEC. 249.62. THIRD STREET ALCOHOL RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT.

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

There is an unusually large number of establishments dispensing alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, for both on-site and off-site consumption in the Bayview area. The existence of this many alcoholic beverage establishments appears to contribute directly to numerous peace, health, safety and general welfare problems in the area, including loitering, littering, drug trafficking, prostitution, public drunkenness, defacement and damaging of structures, pedestrian obstructions, as well as traffic circulation, parking and noise problems on public streets and neighborhood lots. The existence of such problems creates serious impacts on the health, safety and welfare of residents of nearby single- and multiple-family areas, including fear for the safety of children, elderly residents and of visitors to the area. The problems also contribute to the deterioration of the neighborhood and concomitant devaluation of property and destruction of community values and quality of life. The number of establishments selling alcoholic beverages and the associated problems discourage more desirable and needed commercial uses in the area.

(a) In order to preserve the residential character and the neighborhood-serving commercial uses of the area, the Third Street Alcohol Restricted Use District (“Third Street Alcohol RUD”) is hereby established for the property in the area generally bounded by Islais Creek to the north, Quint Street, Phelps Street, Tampa Street, Bridgeview Drive, Newhall Street, Venus Street, and Egbert Avenue to the west, US Highway 101 to the south, and Mendell Street, La Salle Avenue, Keith Street, Palou Street, Jennings Street, and Ingalls Street to the east, as designated on Sectional Map Numbers 8 and 10.

(1) No new on-sale or off-sale Liquor Establishment shall be permitted in the Third Street Alcohol RUD.

(2) The prohibition on Liquor Establishments in subsection (a)(1) shall not be interpreted to prohibit the following:

(A) Temporary uses, as described in Planning Code Sections 205.1 or 205.3;

(B) Establishment of a Liquor Establishment if application for such Liquor Establishment is on file with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 67-03 establishing the Third Street Alcohol RUD (May 19, 2003);

(C) Sales of wine and brandy pursuant to an ABC License Type 2;

(D) Sales and manufacturing of beer pursuant to an ABC License Type 23.; [1 ] or

(E) Establishment of an on-sale Liquor Establishment with an ABC License Type 42 within the Bayview Neighborhood Commercial District, pursuant to a conditional use authorization as provided in Section 303.

(3) Continuation of Existing Prohibited Liquor Establishments. In the Third Street Alcohol RUD, any Prohibited Liquor Establishment may continue in accordance with Planning Code Section 180 through 186.2, subject to the following provisions.

(A) A Prohibited Liquor Establishment lawfully existing and selling alcoholic beverages as licensed by the State of California prior to the effective date of this legislation, or subsequent legislation prohibiting that type of Liquor Establishment, so long as otherwise lawful, may continue to operate only under the following conditions, as provided by California Business and Professions Code Section 23790:

(i) Except as provided by Subsection (B) below, the premises shall retain the same type of retail liquor license within a license classification; and

(ii) Except as provided by Subsection (B) below, the licensed premises shall be operated continuously, without substantial change in mode or character of operation.

(B) A break in continuous operation shall not be interpreted to include the following, provided that the location of the establishment does not change, the square footage used for the sale of alcoholic beverages does not increase, and the type of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Liquor License ("ABC" License) does not change except as indicated:

(i) A change in ownership of a Prohibited Liquor Establishment or an owner-to-owner transfer of an ABC License;

(ii) Re-establishment, restoration or repair of an existing Prohibited Liquor Establishment on the same lot after total or partial destruction or damage due to fire, riot, insurrection, toxic accident or act of God;

(iii) Temporary closure of an existing Prohibited Liquor Establishment for not more than ninety (90) days for repair, renovation or remodeling;

(iv) Re-location of an existing Prohibited Liquor Establishment in the Third Street Alcohol RUD to another location within the same Third Street Alcohol RUD with conditional use authorization from the City Planning Commission, provided that the original premises shall not be occupied by a Prohibited Liquor Establishment, unless by another Prohibited Liquor

Establishment that is also relocating from within the Third Street Alcohol RUD; or

(v) A change from a Type 21 (off-sale) to a Type 20 (off-sale beer and wine) license or a change from any Alcohol Beverage Control Board License type to a Type 41 (on-sale beer and wine - eating place).

(b) The following shall apply to all liquor establishments in the Third Street Alcohol RUD in order to maintain the safety of the premises and vicinity:

(1) Liquor establishments shall provide outside lighting in a manner sufficient to illuminate street and sidewalk areas and adjacent parking, as appropriate to maintain security, without disturbing area residences; and

(2) No more than 33 percent of the square footage of the windows and clear doors of Liquor establishments shall bear advertising or signage of any sort, and all advertising and signage shall be placed and maintained in a manner that ensures that law enforcement personnel have a clear and unobstructed view of the interior of the premises, including the area in which the cash registers are maintained, from the exterior public sidewalk or entrance to the premises. This requirement shall not apply to premises where there are no windows, or where existing windows are located at a height that precludes a view of the interior of the premises to a person standing outside the premises.

(c) Definitions.

"Liquor establishment" shall mean any enterprise selling alcoholic beverages, as defined by California Business and Professions Code Section 23004 and 23025, pursuant to a California Alcoholic Beverage Control Board license.

“Off-sale liquor establishment” shall mean any Liquor Store use as defined in Section 102 of this Code.

"On-sale liquor establishment" shall mean any liquor establishment which has obtained Alcoholic Beverage Control Board license type 40 (on-sale beer), type 42 (on-sale beer and wine public premises), type 48 (on-sale general-public premises) or type 57 (special on-sale general) selling alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Typical on-sale establishments may include but are not limited to bars serving alcoholic beverages. It shall not include types 41, 47, 51, 52, 59, 60, 61, 67, 70 or 75.

"Prohibited liquor establishment" shall mean any establishment selling alcoholic beverages lawfully existing prior to the effective date of the establishment of the Third Street Alcohol RUD and licensed by the State of California for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for on- or off-site consumption, so long as otherwise lawful.

(d) Fringe Financial Services. In addition to all other applicable controls set forth in this Code, properties in the Third Street Alcohol Restricted Use District are within the Fringe Financial Service Restricted Use District established by Section 249.35 and are subject to the controls and exemptions set forth in Section 249.35.

(Added by Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; amended by Ord. 35-14, File No. 131121, App. 4/3/2014, Eff. 5/3/2014; Ord. 248-14, File No. 140875, App. 12/17/2014, Eff. 1/16/2015; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 21-25, File No. 240932, App. 3/7/2025, Eff. 4/7/2025)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Formerly codified as Sec. 782; see that section for prior legislative history. Section header amended and section renumbered; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Division (a)(2)(C) added; Ord. 35-14, Eff. 5/3/2014. Division (a)(2)(D) added; subdivision designations amended within divisions (a)(3)(A), (a)(3)(B), and (c); Ord. 248-14 ; Eff. 1/16/2015. Division (c) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Divisions (a)-(a)(2)(D) amended; division (a)(2)(E) added; Ord. 21-25, Eff. 4/7/2025.

CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 21-25.

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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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