San Francisco Planning Code § 762 Valencia Street

The Valencia Street Commercial Transit District is located near the center of San Francisco in the Mission District. It lies along Valencia Street between 14th and Cesar Chavez (Army) Street, and includes a portion of 16th Street extending west toward Dolores Street. The commercial area provides a limited selection of convenience goods for the residents of sections of the Mission and Dolores Heights. Valencia Street also serves a wider trade area with its retail and wholesale home furnishings and appliance outlets. The commercial district also has several automobile-related businesses. Eating and drinking establishments contribute to the street’s mixed-use character and activity in the evening hours. A number of upper-story professional and business offices are located in the district, some in converted residential units.

The Valencia Street District has a pattern of large lots and businesses, as well as a sizable number of upper-story residential units. Controls are designed to permit moderate-scale buildings and uses, protecting rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. New neighborhood-serving commercial development is encouraged mainly at the ground story. While offices and general retail sales uses may locate at the second story of new buildings under certain circumstances, most commercial uses are prohibited above the second story. Continuous retail frontage is promoted by prohibiting drive-up facilities and some automobile uses, and limiting new nonretail commercial uses. Parking is not required, and any new parking is required to be set back or below ground. Active, pedestrian-oriented ground floor uses are required.

Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Housing density is not controlled by the size of the lot but by requirements to supply a high percentage of larger units and by physical envelope controls. Existing residential units are protected by prohibitions on upper-story conversions and limitations on demolitions, mergers, and subdivisions. Given the area’s central location and accessibility to the City’s transit network, accessory parking for Residential Uses is not required. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Section 207.1 of this Code.

Table 762. VALENCIA STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TRANSIT DISTRICT

ZONING CONTROL TABLE

		Valencia Street NCT
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits.	§§ 102, 105, 106, 250–252, 260, 261.1, 270, 271. See also Height and Bulk District Maps	40-X, 50-X. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT07 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 portions of Valencia Street, 16th Street, and 22nd Street
Vehicular Access Restrictions	§ 155(r)	Prohibited on Valencia Street between 15th and 23rd Streets and on 16th Street between Guerrero and Capp Streets.
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	Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines, Citywide Design Standards, and any other applicable design guidelines that
	Industry Element	have been approved by the Planning Commission.
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
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, 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

Use Characteristics		less than 30% of the total number of proposed Dwelling Units shall contain at least three bedrooms.
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 Units	§§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
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102, 123, 124 , 207.9	2.5 to 1 2 For Office Uses minimum intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size	§§102, 121.2	P up to 3,000 square feet; C 3,001 square feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 145.1, 150, 151.1, 153 - 156, 166, 204.5	Car parking not required. Limits set forth in Section 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. - 2 a.m.; C 2 a.m.- 6 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.
Walk-up Facility	§102	P
		Controls by Story
		1st 2nd 3rd+
Uses in Historic Buildings

		Valencia Street NCT
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
Automotive Repair	§102	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
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	C NP 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	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
Gym	§ 102	P	C	C
Hotel	§ 102	C	C	NP
Kennel	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Liquor Store	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Massage Establishment	§§ 102, 204, 303(n), 703	P	C(8)	NP(8)
Mortuary	§102	C	C	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(5)	NP(5)	NP(5)
Services, Limited Financial	§102	P	NP	NP
Services, Personal	§102	P	C	C
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	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(6)	C(6)	C(6)
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 145.4(b)
(2) [Note deleted.]
(3) [Note deleted.]
(4) [Note deleted.]
(5) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD)

Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its ¼ mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Valencia Street Neighborhood Commercial Transit District.

Controls: Fringe Financial Services are NP within any FFSRUD and its ¼ 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).

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

(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. 166-17, File No. 170820, App. 7/27/2017, Eff. 8/26/2017; 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. 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. 111-21, File No. 210285, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; 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

Table 762 added; Ord. 166-17, Eff. 8/26/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Note * designated; 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; 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 and Note (5) 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 (4) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 111-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table and Notes (5) and (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. Second introductory paragraph and 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. 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 “(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.