Article 7 — NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
San Francisco Planning Code § 717 Outer Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District
San Francisco Planning Code · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-09-23 · San Francisco
Cite as: San Francisco Planning Code § 717 · Text as of 2026-09-23
The Outer Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located on Clement Street between 19th Avenue and 27th Avenue in the western portion of the Richmond District. The shopping area contains small-scale convenience businesses, as well as many restaurants and a movie theater. The District’s restaurants serve a neighborhood and Citywide clientele during the evening hours, while convenience shopping uses cater for the most part to daytime neighborhood shoppers. Outer Clement Street contains many mixed-use buildings with some fully commercial and fully residential buildings interspersed between them.
The Outer Clement Street District controls are designed to promote development that is in keeping with the District’s existing small-scale, mixed-use character. The building standards guide large-scale development and protect rear yards at all levels. Future commercial growth is directed to the ground story in order to promote more continuous and active retail frontage. Additional eating and drinking establishments are regulated to prevent over-concentration, while ground-story entertainment and financial service uses are monitored in order to limit the problems of traffic, congestion, noise and latenight activity associated with such uses and to protect existing neighborhood-serving businesses. Other controls restricting late-night activity, hotels, automobile uses, and drive-up facilities are designed to preserve the low-intensity character of the district.
Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.
Table 717. OUTER CLEMENT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Outer Clement Street
| Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
| Outer Clement Street | ||
| Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
| BUILDING STANDARDS | ||
| Massing and Setbacks | ||
| Height and Bulk Limits. | §§ 102, 105, 106, 250– 252, 260 , 263.19, 261.1, 270, 270.3, 271. See also Height and Bulk District Maps |
Varies. See Height and Bulk Map Sheets HT03 and HT04 for more information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per §261.1. |
| 5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses |
§ 263.20 | P |
| Rear Yard | §§ 130, 134, 134(a)(e), 136 | Required at Grade level and at each succeeding level or Story: 25% of lot depth, but in no case less than 15 feet |
| Front Setback and Side Yard | §§ 130, 131, 132, 133 | Generally not required; however, if the existing sidewalk does not meet the recommended width required by the Better Streets Plan, a front setback shall be provided so that, when combined with the existing sidewalk, the total distance from the curb to the building frontage meets or exceeds the required recommended width under the Better Streets Plan. This setback is required only up to 15 feet above street grade. See § 132(e). |
| Street Frontage and Public Realm | ||
| Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements | § 138.1 | Required |
| Street Frontage Requirements | § 145.1 | Required; controls apply to above-grade parking setbacks, parking and loading entrances, active uses, ground floor ceiling height, street-facing ground-level spaces, transparency and fenestration, and gates, railings, and grillwork. Exceptions permitted for historic buildings. |
| Ground Floor Commercial | § 145.4 | Not Required |
| Vehicular Access Restrictions | § 155(r) | See Section 155(r) |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Planned Unit Development | § 304 | C |
| Awning, Canopy or Marquee | § 136.1 | P |
| Signs | §§ 262, 602- 604, 607, 607.1, 608, 609 |
As permitted by § 607.1 |
| General Advertising Signs | §§ 262, 602, 604, 608, 609, 610, 611 |
NP |
| Design Guidelines and Standards | General Plan Commerce and Industry Element |
Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines |
| Housing Choice-SF | § 206.10 | Form-based density, additional height, and other zoning modifications for eligible projects in the R-4 Height and Bulk District. |
| RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES | ||
| Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
| RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES | ||
| Development Standards | ||
| Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit] | §§ 135, 136 | 80 square feet if private, or 100 square feet if common, or the amount of open space required in the nearest Residential District, whichever is less. |
| Off-Street Parking Requirements | §§ 145.1, 150, 151.1 , 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5 |
No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1 . Bike parking required per § 155.2. If car parking is provided, car share spaces are required when a project has 50 units or more per § 166. |
| Dwelling Unit Mix | § 207.7 | Generally required for creation of 10 or more Dwelling Units. No less than 25% of the total number of proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at least two Bedrooms, and no less than 10% of the total number of proposed |
| Dwelling Units shall contain at least three Bedrooms. | ||
| Use Characteristics | ||
| Intermediate Length Occupancy | §§ 102; 202.10 | P(6) |
| Single Room Occupancy | § 102 | P |
| Student Housing | § 102 | P |
| Residential Uses | Controls By Story | |
| 1st 2nd 3rd+ |
||
| Residential Uses | § 102 | P P P |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit | §§102, 207.1, 207.2 | P per Planning Code §§ 207.1 and 207.2. |
| Dwelling Unit Density, General | §§ 102, 207 | Form-Based Density. |
| Minimum Dwelling Unit Densities, if Applicable |
§ 207.9 | Varies depending on project location, but generally ranges between 50 and 100 dwelling units per acre. |
| Maximum Dwelling Unit Size | §§ 207.10, 317 | P up to 4,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area or an equivalent Floor Area Ratio for any individual Dwelling Unit of 1.2:1. C for Dwelling Units that exceed the greater of those thresholds. |
| Group Housing Density | § 208 | Form-Based Density. |
| Homeless Shelter Density | §§ 102, 208 | Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code |
| Senior Housing Density | §§ 102, 202.2(f), 207 | Form-Based Density. |
| Loss of Dwelling Units: Conversion, Demolition, or Merger of Dwelling Units, including Residential Flats |
§ 317 | C |
| Zoning Category | § References | Controls |
| NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES |
| Zoning Category § References |
Controls |
|---|---|
| NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES | |
| Development Standards | |
| Floor Area Ratio §§ 102, 123, 124 , 207.9 |
1.8 to 1 2 For Office Uses minimum intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9. |
| Use Size §§ 102, 121.2 |
P up to 2,500 square feet; C 2,501 square feet and above |
| Off-Street Parking Requirements §§ 145.1, 150 , 151.1 , 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5 |
No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1 . Bike parking required per Section 155.2. Car share spaces required when a project has 25 or more parking spaces per § 166. |
| Off-Street Freight Loading §§ 150, 152, 153 - 155, 161, 204.5 |
None required if gross floor area is less than 10,000 square feet. Exceptions permitted per §§ 155 and 161. |
| Commercial Use Characteristics | |
| Drive-up Facility § 102 |
NP |
| Formula Retail §§ 102, 303.1 |
C |
| Hours of Operation § 102 |
P 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.; C 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. |
| Maritime Use § 102 |
NP |
| Open Air Sales §§ 102, 703(b) |
See Section 703(b) |
| Outdoor Activity Area §§ 102, 145.2, 202.2 |
P if located in front or it complies with Section 202.2(a) (7); C if located elsewhere(4). |
| Walk-up Facility § 102 |
P |
| Controls by Story | |
| 1st 2nd 3rd+ |
|
| Uses in Historic Buildings | |
| Historic Buildings § 202.11 |
In Historic Buildings, Uses listed below as NP are C and Uses listed below as C are P, except Cannabis Retail, Hotel, and certain Industrial Uses, as specified in § 202.11. |
| Agricultural Use Category | |
| Agriculture, Industrial §§ 102, 202.2(c) |
NP NP NP |
| Agriculture, Large Scale Urban §§ 102, 202.2(c) |
C C C |
| Agriculture, Neighborhood §§ 102, 202.2(c) |
P P P |
| Automotive Use Category | |
| Automotive Uses* §§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b) |
NP NP NP |
| Electric Vehicle Charging Location §§ 102, 202.2(b), 202.13 |
C(8)1 C(8) C(8) |
| Fleet Charging § 102 |
C C C |
| Parking Garage, Private § 102 |
C C C |
| Parking Garage, Public § 102 |
C C NP |
| Parking Lot, Private §§ 102, 142, 156 |
C C C |
| Parking Lot, Public §§ 102, 142, 156 |
C C NP |
| Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category | |
| Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses* § 102 |
NP NP NP |
| Arts Activities | § 102 | P | P | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment, General | § 102 | P | P | NP |
| Entertainment, Nighttime | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
| Movie Theater | §§ 102, 202.4 | P | P | P |
| Open Recreation Area | § 102 | C | C | C |
| Passive Outdoor Recreation | § 102 | C | C | C |
| Industrial Use Category | ||||
| Industrial Uses | §§ 102, 202.2(d) | NP | NP | NP |
| Institutional Use Category | ||||
| Institutional Uses* | § 102 | P | C | C |
| Child Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
| Community Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
| Hospital | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Medical Cannabis Dispensary | §§ 102, 202.2(e) | DR | DR | NP |
| Public Facilities | § 102 | P | P | P |
| Residential Care Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
| Social Service or Philanthropic Facility | § 102 | P | P | P |
| Sales and Service Use Category | ||||
| Retail Sales and Service Uses* | §§ 102, 202.2(a), 202.3 | P | NP | NP |
| Adult Business | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Adult Sex Venue | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Animal Hospital | § 102 | P | P | NP |
| Bar | §§ 102, 202.2(a) | C | NP | NP |
| Cannabis Retail | §§102, 202.2(a) | C | C | NP |
| Flexible Retail | §§ 102, 202.9 | P | NP | NP |
| Hotel | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Kennel | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
| Liquor Store | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
| Massage Establishment | §§ 102, 204, 703 | P | NP(7) | NP(7) |
| Massage, Foot/ |
§ 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Mortuary | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Motel | §§ 102, 202.2(a) | NP | NP | NP |
| Reproductive Health Clinic | §§ 102, 202.5 | P | P | P |
| Restaurant | §§ 102, 202.2(a) | P | P | NP |
| Restaurant, Limited | §§ 102, 202.2(a) | P | P | NP |
| Services, Fringe Financial | § 102 | NP(3) | NP(3) | NP(3) |
| Services, Retail Professional | § 102 | P | P | P |
| Storage, Self | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment | § 102 | C | NP | NP |
| Non-Retail Sales and Service* | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Design Professional | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
| Service, Non-Retail Professional | § 102 | C | P | NP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Office | § 102 | P | NP | NP |
| Utility and Infrastructure Use Category | ||||
| Utility and Infrastructure* | § 102 | C(5) | C(5) | C(5) |
| Power Plant | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
| Public Utilities Yard | § 102 | NP | NP | NP |
- Not listed below
(1) [Note deleted.]
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD).
Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Outer Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District.
Controls: Fringe Financial Services are NP within any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer pursuant to Section 249.35. Outside any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer, Fringe Financial Services are P subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 249.35(c)(3).
(4) Outdoor Activity Areas are permitted as a Principally Permitted Use if they existed prior to 1985.
- (5) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(6) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(7) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(8)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App. 11/17/2000; Ord. 275-05, File No. 051250, App. 11/30/2005; Ord. 289-06, File No. 050176, App. 11/20/2006; Ord. 269-07, File No. 070671, App. 11/26/2007; Ord. 24408, File No. 080567, App. 10/30/2008; Ord. 245-08, File No. 080696; Ord. 51-09, File No. 081620, App. 4/2/2009; Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. 170-11 , File No. 110592, App. 8/8/2011, Eff. 9/7/2011; Ord. 75-12 , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; Ord. 92-12 , File No. 111247, App. 5/21/12, Eff. 6/20/12; Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 287-13 , File No. 130041, App. 12/26/2013, Eff. 1/25/2014; Ord. 235-14 , File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 14-15 , File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015; Ord. 20-15 , File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; redesignated and amended by Ord. 30-15 , File No. 140954, App. 3/26/2015, Eff. 4/25/2015; amended by Ord. 33-16 , File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. 162-16 , File No. 160657, App. 8/4/2016, Eff. 9/3/2016; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 130-17, File No. 170204, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 189-17, File No. 170693, App. 9/15/2017, Eff. 10/15/2017; Ord. 229-17, File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 285-18, File No. 180806, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019; Ord. 303-18, File No. 180915, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 182- 19, File No. 190248, App. 8/9/2019, Eff. 9/9/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 7820, File No. 191075, App. 5/22/2020, Eff. 6/22/2020; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 233-21, File No. 210381, App. 12/22/2021, Eff. 1/22/2022; Ord. 37-22, File No. 211263, App. 3/14/2022, Eff. 4/14/2022; Ord. 75-22, File No. 220264, App. 5/13/2022, Eff. 6/13/2022; Ord. 190-22, File No. 220036, App. 9/16/2022, Eff. 10/17/2022; Ord. 264-22, File No. 220811, App. 12/22/2022, Eff. 1/22/2023; Ord.
248-23, File No. 230446, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 249-23, File No. 230701, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 33-24, File No. 231144, App. 2/21/2024, Eff. 3/23/2024; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 173-25, File No. 250634, App. 9/5/2025, Eff. 10/6/2025; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026; Ord. 1-26, File No. 250385, App. 1/8/2026, Eff. 2/8/2026; Ord. 37-26 , File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026, Eff. 4/11/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Zoning Control Table: 717.69C and 717.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 717.10 and 717.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 717.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 717.41, 717.42, 717.43, 717.44, 717.67, and 717.69A amended; Specific Provisions: 717.41 added; Ord. 170-11 , Eff. 9/7/2011. Zoning Control Table: 717.43 and 717.44 amended, former categories 717.42, 717.67, and 717.69A deleted; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 717.10 amended; Ord. 92-12 , Eff. 6/20/12. Zoning Control Table: 717.13 and 717.69B amended; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 717.38 and 717.39 redesignated as 717.36 and 717.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 717.26, 717.49 and 717.50 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 717.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 717.14, 717.15, 717.16, and 717.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 717.1); Zoning Control Table: 717.54, 717.91, and 717.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 717.36 and 717.37 deleted, 717.96 and 717.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 717.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 717.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 717.33A added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Zoning Control Table: 717.33A added; Ord. 166-16, Eff. 9/10/2016. New Zoning Control Table and notes added; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Previous Zoning Control Table and Specific Provisions deleted; Ord. 130-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (1) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table and Note (4) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 285-18, Eff. 1/7/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) deleted; Ord. 303-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 311-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (3) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (3) and (6) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (7) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8)1 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023.. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 249-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24 , Eff. 3/23/2024. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 62-24 , Eff. 4/28/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 173-25; Eff. 10/6/2025. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 245-25 , Eff. 1/12/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 1-26 , Eff. 2/8/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTES
Note “(8)” is referenced as “(7)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(7)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
So in Ord. 245-25.
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