San Francisco Planning Code § 751 Nct-2

NCT-2 Districts are transit-oriented mixed-use neighborhoods with small scale commercial uses near transit services. The NCT-2 Districts are mixed use districts that support neighborhood-serving commercial uses on lower floors and housing above. These Districts are well-served by public transit and aim to maximize residential and commercial opportunities on or near major transit services. The District’s form is generally linear along transit-priority corridors, though may be concentric around transit stations or in broader areas where multiple transit services criss-cross the neighborhood. Housing density is limited not by lot area, but by the regulations on the built envelope of buildings, including height, bulk, setbacks, and lot coverage, and standards for residential uses, including open space and exposure, and urban design guidelines. There are prohibitions on access (e.g., driveways, garage entries) to off-street parking and loading on critical stretches of commercial and transit street frontages to preserve and enhance the pedestrian-oriented character and transit function. Residential parking is not required and generally limited. Commercial establishments are discouraged from building excessive accessory off-street parking in order to preserve the pedestrian-oriented character of the district and prevent attracting auto traffic.

NCT-2 Districts are intended to provide convenience goods and services to the surrounding neighborhoods as well as limited comparison shopping goods for a wider market. The range of comparison goods and services offered is varied and often includes specialty retail stores, restaurants, and neighborhood-serving offices. The small-scale district controls provide for mixed-use buildings, which approximate or slightly exceed the standard development pattern. Rear yard requirements above the ground story and at residential levels preserve open space corridors of interior blocks.

Most new commercial development is permitted at the ground and second stories. Neighborhood-serving businesses are strongly encouraged. The second story may be used by some retail stores, personal services, and medical, business and professional offices. Parking and hotels are monitored at all stories. Limits on late-night activity, drive-up facilities, and other automobile uses protect the livability within and around the district, and promote continuous retail frontage.

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

Table 751. SMALL-SCALE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT NCT-2

	ZONING CONTROL T	ABLE NCT-2
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
		NCT-2
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 HT08, HT11, and HT12 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 the Second Story and at each succeeding level or Story of the building, and at the First Story if it contains a Dwelling Unit: 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	Required on certain streets
Vehicular Access Restrictions	§ 155(r)	Required on certain streets, see 155(r) for more
		information.
Miscellaneous
Lot Size (Per Development)	§§ 102, 121.1	P(10)
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, 166, 204.5	Car parking not required. P up to 0.5 spaces per Dwelling Unit; C up to 0.75 spaces per Dwelling Unit. 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	§§ 207.6	Generally required for creation of five or more Dwelling Units. No less than 40% of the total number of proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at least two bedrooms; or no less than 30% of the total number of proposed Dwelling
		Units shall contain at least three bedrooms.
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy	§§ 102; 202.10	P(7)
Single Room Occupancy	§ 102	P
Student Housing	§ 102	P
Residential Uses		Controls By Story
		1st 2nd 3rd+
Residential Uses	§ 102	P(1) P P
Accessory Dwelling Unit	§§ 102, 207.1, 207.2	P per Planning Code Sections 207.1 and 207.2.
Dwelling Units, Senior Housing, and Group Housing, Generally	§ 102, 202.2(f), 207, 208	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.
Homeless Shelters	§§ 102, 208	Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code

Loss of Dwelling Units: Conversion, Demolition, or Merger of Dwelling Units, including Residential Flats	§ 317	C
Division of Dwelling Units	§ 207.8	Division of existing Dwelling Units P per § 207.8

Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AN	D USES
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AN	D USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102, 123, 124 , 207.9	2.5 to 1 2 For Office Uses minimum apply pursuant to § 207.9.	intensities may
Use Size	§§ 102, 121.2	P up to 4,000 square feet; C 4,001 sq	uare feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 145.1, 150, 151.1, 153 - 156, 166, 204.5	Car parking not required. Limits set 151.1. Bike parking required per Sec spaces required when a project has 2 spaces per § 166.	forth in Section tion 155.2. Car share 5 or more parking
Off-Street Freight Loading	§§ 150, 152, 153 - 155, 161, 204.5	None required if gross floor area is l square feet. Exceptions permitted pe	ess than 10,000 r §§ 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. - 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, 202.2(b)	NP NP	NP

Automotive Repair § 102	C	NP	NP
Automotive Service Station §§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)	C	NP	NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location §§ 102 , 202.2(b), 202.13	C(9)1	C(9)	C(9)
Fleet Charging § 102	C	C	C
Gas Station §§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)	C	NP	NP
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 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	P	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	P	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)	P	NP	NP
Cannabis Retail §§ 102, 202.2(a)	C	C	NP
Flexible Retail §§ 102, 202.9	P	NP	NP
Hotel § 102	C	C	C
Kennel § 102	C	NP	NP
Liquor Store § 102	P	NP	NP
Massage Establishment §§ 102, 204, 303(n), 703	P	C(8)	NP(8)
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	C	NP
Services, Fringe Financial	§ 102	NP	NP	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	C	NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Design Professional	§ 102	P	P	NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional	§ 102	C	P	NP
Trade Office	§ 102	P	P	NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*	§ 102	C(4)	C(4)	C(4)
Power Plant	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Public Utilities Yard	§ 102	NP	NP	NP

Not listed below
(1) C required for ground floor residential use when street frontage is listed in Section 145.4(b).
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) [Note deleted.]
(4) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(5) [Note deleted.]
(6) [Note deleted.]
(7) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
(8) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.
(9)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.

(10) C for 10,000 square feet and above if located within the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District established under Section 249.97.

(Added by Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; amended by 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. 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. 78-20, 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 amended; Note (2) 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; Notes (5) and (6) added; Ord. 285-18, Eff. 1/7/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) deleted; Ord. 303-18, 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 amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Note (7) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (8) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9)1 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (10) added; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (5) deleted; Ord. 249-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 3324 , Eff. 3/23/2024. 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, Zoning Control Table, and Note (1) 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 “(9)” is referenced as “(8)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(8)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
So in Ord. 245-25.

**Editor’s Note:

Ordinance 186-17, effective October 15, 2017, requires that “No more than three MCDs shall be permitted at any given time within the boundaries of Supervisorial District 11.”