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Article 2 — USE DISTRICTS

SEC. 249.71. YERBA BUENA CENTER MIXED-USE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.

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

(a) General. A special use district entitled the "Yerba Buena Center Mixed-Use Special Use District," consisting of Assessor's Block 3706, Lots 093 and 275, and portions of Assessor's Block 3706, Lot 277, is hereby established for the purposes set forth below. The boundaries of the Yerba Buena Center Mixed-Use Special Use District are designated on Sectional Map No.1 SU of the Zoning Map.

(b) Purpose. The purpose of the special use district is to facilitate the development of a mixed-use project at the corner of Third Street and Mission Street, which will include cultural/museum, residential, and retail/restaurant. Including a museum component within the project will strengthen the district of cultural institutions that are already established in the area, including SFMOMA, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Museum of the African Diaspora, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Children's Creativity Museum, and the California Historical Museum.

(c) Use Controls. The following provisions shall apply to the special use district:

(1) Cultural Uses. The special use district shall require the development of at least 35,000 net square feet of cultural, museum, or similar public-serving institutional use with frontage on Jessie Square as part of the project. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") between the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City and County of San Francisco (the "Successor Agency") and the project sponsor, (A) before any other project use may receive a certificate of occupancy, the "core-and-shell" of the cultural, museum, or similar public-serving institutional use must be constructed; and (B) the project sponsor must contribute to an operating endowment to the museum at the times specified in the Purchase Agreement.

(2) Permitted Uses. The principally permitted uses in the special use district include (A) the cultural use set forth in Section 249.71(c)(1) above; (B) a residential development with approximately 4,800 square feet of retail/restaurant space; and (C) all uses that are principally permitted in the C-3-R District. The uses in the special use district shall include, at a minimum (A) the cultural use set forth in Section 249.71(c)(1) above; (B) no fewer than 145 dwelling units; and (C) ground-floor retail or cultural space in the Aronson Building. All uses which are conditionally permitted with conditional use authorization in the C-3-R District are conditionally permitted with conditional use authorization in the special use district to the extent such uses are not otherwise designated as principally permitted uses pursuant to this Section 249.71(c)(2).

dwelling units; and (C) ground-floor retail or cultural space in the Aronson Building. All uses which are conditionally permitted with conditional use authorization in the C-3-R District are conditionally permitted with conditional use authorization in the special use district to the extent such uses are not otherwise designated as principally permitted uses pursuant to this Section 249.71(c)(2).

(3) Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program. Development within the special use district shall be subject to the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program, as set forth in Sections 415 through 415.9, through the payment of an in-lieu fee, which is currently equal to 20% of the total number of residential units in the principal project. Additional affordable housing requirements are expected to be imposed through negotiations with the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency above and beyond the requirements of Sections 415 through 415.9.

(4) Floor Area Ratio. The floor area ratio limits set forth in Sections 123 and 124 for C-3-R Districts shall not apply within the special use district.

(5) Dwelling Unit Exposure. The dwelling unit exposure requirements of Section 140 shall not apply within the special use district.

(6) Rooftop Screening. Section 260(b)(1)(F) shall apply within the special use district, except that the rooftop form created by any additional building volume shall not exceed 30 feet in height, measured as provided in Section 260(a), and shall not exceed a total volume, including the volume of the features being enclosed, equal to three-fourths of the horizontal area of all upper tower roof areas of the building measured before the addition of any exempt features times 30.

(7) Bulk. The bulk limits for new construction in the special use district at heights above 160 feet shall be as set forth in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Bulk Limits for New Construction At Heights Above 160 Feet

Max Floor Plate 13,000 gsf
Max Plan Length 124 feet
Max Diagonal 157 feet

(8) Protected Street Frontages.

(A) Section 155(r)(3) shall not apply within the special use district.

(B) For the purposes of Section 155(r)(4), the project does not have alternative frontage to Third Street and Mission Street, and therefore curb cuts accessing off-street parking or loading off Third Street and Mission Street may be permitted as an exception pursuant to Section 309 and Section 155(r)(4).

(9) Dwelling Unit Density. No conditional use authorization pursuant to Section 303(c) is required for a dwelling unit density which exceeds the density ratios specified in Section 215 for the C-3-R District.

(d) Interpretation. In the event of inconsistency or conflict between any provision of this Section 249.71 and any other provision of the Planning Code, this Section 249.71 shall prevail.

(e) Sunset Provision. This Section 249.71 shall be repealed 5 years after its initial effective date unless the Project has received a first construction document or the Board of Supervisors, on or before that date, extends or re-enacts it.

(Added by Ord. 177-13, File No. 130570, App. 8/2/2013, Eff. 9/1/2013)

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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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