Part XVI›Article 11 — PRESERVATION OF BUILDINGS AND DISTRICTS OF ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL, AND AESTHETIC IMPORTANCE IN THE C-3 DI
San Francisco Planning Code § 1102 Standards for Designation of Buildings
San Francisco Planning Code · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-09-23 · San Francisco
Cite as: San Francisco Planning Code § 1102 · Text as of 2026-09-23
The buildings in the C-3 Districts are divided into five categories according to the Building Rating methodology as set forth and explained in the Preservation of the Past section of the Downtown Plan, a component of the General Plan. Those categories are as follows:
(a) Significant Buildings - Category I. Buildings that:
(1) Are at least 40 years old; and
(2) Are judged to be Buildings of Individual Importance; and
(3) Are rated Excellent in Architectural Design or are rated Very Good in both Architectural Design and Relationship to the Environment.
(b) Significant Buildings - Category II. Buildings:
(1) That meet the standards in Section 1102(a) above; and
(2) To which, because of their depth and relationship to other structures, it is feasible to add different and higher
replacement structures or additions to height at the rear of the structure, even if visible when viewing the principal facades, without affecting their architectural quality or relationship to the environment and without affecting the
appearance of the retained portions as separate structures when viewing the principal facades. The designation of Category II Buildings shall identify for each building the portion of the building beyond which such additions may be permitted.
(c) Contributory Buildings - Category III. Buildings that:
(1) Are located outside a designated Conservation District; and
(2) Are at least 40 years old; and
(3) Are judged to be Buildings of Individual Importance; and
(4) Are rated either Very Good in Architectural Design or Excellent or Very Good in Relationship to the Environment.
(d) Contributory Buildings - Category IV. Buildings that:
(1) Are located in a designated Conservation District; and
(2) Are at least 40 years old; and
(3) Are judged to be Buildings of Individual Importance, and are rated either Very Good in Architectural Design or Excellent or Very Good in Relationship to the Environment.
(4) Are judged to be Buildings of Contextual Importance and are rated Very Good in Architectural Design and/or Excellent or Very Good in Relationship to the Environment.
(e) Unrated Buildings - Category V. Buildings that are not designated as Significant or Contributory.
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 95-12, File No. 120301, App. 5/21/2012, Eff. 6/20/2012) AMENDMENT HISTORY
Minor style amendments throughout; Ord. 95-12, Eff. 6/20/2012.
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