San Francisco Planning Code § 730 Inner Sunset Neighborhood

The Inner Sunset Neighborhood Commercial District is located in the Inner Sunset neighborhood bounded by Lincoln Way on the north, Fifth Avenue on the east, Kirkham Street on the south, and Nineteenth Avenue on the west. The shopping area provides convenience goods and services to local Inner Sunset residents, as well as comparison shopping goods and services to a larger market area. The commercial district is also frequented by users of Golden Gate Park on weekends and by City residents for its eating, drinking, and entertainment places. Numerous housing units establish the District’s mixed residential-commercial character.

The Inner Sunset District controls are designed to protect the existing building scale and promote new mixed-use development which is in character with adjacent buildings. The building standards regulate large-lot and use development and protect rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. To promote the prevailing mixed-use character, most commercial uses are directed primarily to the ground story with some upper-story restrictions in new buildings. In order to maintain the balanced mix and variety of neighborhood-serving commercial uses and regulate the more intensive commercial uses which can generate congestion and nuisance problems, special controls restrict expansion and intensification of existing eating and drinking establishments, and limit tourist hotels. Prohibitions of most automobile and drive-up uses protect the district’s continuous retail frontage.

Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.

Table 730. INNER SUNSET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

ZONING CONTROL TABLE

		Inner Sunset NCD
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 HT05 and HT06 for more information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per §261.1.
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses	§ 263.20	NP
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, Citywide Design Standards, and any other applicable design guidelines that have been approved by the Planning Commission.
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.
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit]	§§ 135, 136	100 square feet if private, or 133 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(5)
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 Density	§§102, 207.1, 207.2	P per Planning Code §§ 207.1 and 207.2.
Dwelling Unit Density, General	§§ 102, 207	Form-Based Density.(1)
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.(1)
Homeless Shelters	§§ 102, 208	Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code
Senior Housing Density	§§ 102, 202.2(f), 207	Form-Based Density.(1)
Loss of Dwelling Units: Conversion, Demolition, or Merger of Dwelling Units, including Residential Flats	§ 317	C

Zoning Category § References Controls

NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND Zoning Category	USES § 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 apply pursuant to § 207.9.	intensities may
Use Size	§§ 102, 121.2	P up to 2,500 square feet; C 2,501 sq	uare feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 145.1, 150, 151.1 , 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5	No car parking required. Maximum . Bike parking required per Section 1 spaces required when a project has 2 spaces per § 166.	permitted per § 151.1 55.2. Car share 5 or more parking
Off-Street Freight Loading	§§ 150, 152, 153 - 155, 161 2045	None required if gross floor area is l suare feet Excetions ermitted e	ess than 10,000 §§ 155 and 161
Commercial Use Characteristics	, .	q . p p p	.
Drive-up Facility	§ 102	NP
Formula Retail	§§ 102, 303.1	C
Hours of Operation	§ 102	P 6 a.m. - 2 a.m.; C 2 a.m.- 6 a.m.
Maritime Use	§ 102	NP
Open Air Sales	§§ 102, 703(b)	See § 703(b)
Outdoor Activity Area	§§ 102, 145.2, 202.2	P if located in front or it complies wi (7); C if located elsewhere.	th Section 202.2(a)
Walk-up Facility	§ 102	P
		Controls by Stor	y
		1st 2nd	3rd+
Uses in Historic Buildings
Historic Buildings	§ 202.11	In Historic Buildings, Uses listed bel Uses listed below as C are P, except Hotel, and certain Industrial Uses, as 202.11.	ow as NP are C and Cannabis Retail, specified in §
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)	C NP	NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location	§§ 102, 202.2(b), 202.13	C(7)1 C(7)	C(7)
Fleet Charging	§ 102	C C	C
Parking Garage, Private	§ 102	C C	C
Parking Garage, Public	§ 102	C C	C
Parking Lot, Private	§§ 102, 142, 156	C C	C
Parking Lot, Public	§§ 102, 142, 156	C C	C
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Cat	egory

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	NP
Passive Outdoor Recreation	§ 102	C	C	NP
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	C	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	C	C	NP
Kennel	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Liquor Store	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Massage Establishment	§§ 102, 204, 303(n), 703	C(6)	C(6)	NP(6)
Massage, Foot/Chair	§ 102	P	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, Financial	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Services, Fringe Financial	§ 102	NP(3)	NP(3)	NP(3)
Services, Health	§ 102	P	C	NP
Services, Limited Financial	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Services, Retail Professional	§ 102	P	P	P

Storage, Self	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Trade Shop	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Design Professional	§ 102	P	C	NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional	§ 102	C	P	NP
Trade Office	§ 102	P	C	NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*	§ 102	C	C	NP
Power Plant	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Public Utilities Yard	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility	§ 102	C(4)	C(4)	C(4)

* Not listed below

(1) (1)2 For Lots outside the R-4 Height and Bulk District the density limits shall be: one Dwelling Unit per 800 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater; up to one Group Housing bedroom per 275 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater; for Senior Housing, P up to twice the number of Dwelling Units otherwise permitted as a Principal Use in the district and meeting all the requirements of § 202.2(f)(1).

(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 Inner Sunset 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) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.

(5) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.

(6) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.

(7)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.

(Added by Ord. 262-00, File No. 001426, App. 11/17/2000; amended by 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. 244-08, 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. 75-12 , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; 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: 730.69C and 730.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 730.1, 730.17, and 730.68 amended; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 730.43 and 730.44 amended, former categories 730.42, 730.67, and 730.69A deleted; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: former category 730.1 redesignated as 730.10, 730.13, 730.20, 730.54, and 730.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 730.54 added, 730.68 amended; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 730.38 and 730.39 redesignated as 730.36 and 730.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 730.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 730.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 730.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 730.14, 730.15, 730.16, and 730.17 amended; Ord. 20-15 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 730.1); Zoning Control Table: 730.54, 730.91, and 730.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 730.36 and 730.37 deleted, 730.96 and 730.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 730.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 730.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 730.33A 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 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 (5) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (3) and (5) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (6) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7)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; Note (1) added; 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 “(7)” is referenced as “(6)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(6)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
So in Ord. 245-25.