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 San Francisco
 Planning Code
 Article 7. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS

  § 715. CASTRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.  

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  • (a) The Castro Street District. The Castro Street District is situated in Eureka Valley, close to the geographic center of San Francisco between the Mission District, Twin Peaks, and Upper Market Street. The physical form of the district is a crossing at Castro and 18th Streets, the arms of which contain many small, but intensely active commercial businesses. The multi-purpose commercial district provides both convenience goods to its immediate neighborhood as well as comparison shopping goods and services on a specialized basis to a wider trade area. Commercial businesses are active both in the daytime and late into the evening and include a number of gay-oriented bars and restaurants, as well as several specialty clothing and gift stores. The district also supports a number of offices in converted residential buildings.
    (b) Intent of Controls. The Castro Street District controls are designed to maintain existing small-scale development and promote a balanced mix of uses. Building standards permit small-scale buildings and uses and protect rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. In new buildings, most commercial uses are permitted at the ground and second stories. Special controls are necessary to preserve the existing equilibrium of neighborhood-serving convenience and specialty commercial uses. In order to maintain convenience stores and protect adjacent residential livability, controls authorize some additional eating and drinking establishments with a conditional use, permit self-service specialty food establishments, and permit with certain limitations new late-night uses, adult and other entertainment, and financial service uses. The continuous retail frontage is maintained by prohibiting most automobile and drive-up uses. Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the second story. Existing housing units are protected by limitations on demolitions and upper-story conversions. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted within the district pursuant to Subsection 207(c)(4) of this Code.
    Table 715. CASTRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    ZONING CONTROL TABLE
    Castro Street NCD
    Zoning Category
    § References
    Controls
    BUILDING STANDARDS
    Massing and Setbacks
    Height and Bulk Limits.
    §§ 102, 105, 106, 250–252, 253.1, 260, 261.1, 270, 271. See also Height and Bulk District Maps
    40-X, 65-B. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT07 for more information. Height Sculpting on Alleys per § 261.1
    5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor Uses
    P
    Rear Yard
    § 130 § 134, 134(a)and(e)
    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
    Not Required.
    Street Frontage and Public Realm
    Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements
    Required
    Street Frontage Requirements
    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
    Not Required
    Vehicular Access Restrictions
    § 155(r)
    Prohibited on Market Street from Castro Street to the Embarcadero
    Miscellaneous
    Lot Size (Per Development)
    P up to 4,999 square feet; C 5,000 square feet and above
    Planned Unit Development
    § 304
    C
    Awning, Canopy or Marquee
    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
    General Plan Commerce and Industry Element
    Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines
    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
    Off-Street Parking Requirements
    §§ 145.1, 150, 151, 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5
    No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151. 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, 207.7
    Not required
    Use Characteristics
    Intermediate Length Occupancy
    §§ 102; 202.10
    P(7)2
    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(c)(4), 207(c)(6)
    P per Planning Code Sections 207(c)(4) and 207(c)(6).
    Dwelling Unit Density
    §§ 102, 207
    1 unit per 600 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater.
    Group Housing Density
    § 208
    Up to 1 bedroom per 210 square foot lot area, or the density permitted in the nearest R District, whichever is greater.
    Homeless Shelter Density
    §§ 102, 208
    Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code
    Senior Housing Density
    §§ 102, 202.2(f), 207
    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). C up to twice the number of dwelling units otherwise permitted as a Principal Use in the district and meeting all requirements of § 202.2(f)(1), except for § 202.2(f)(1)(D)(iv), related to location.
    Loss of Dwelling Units
    Controls by Story
    1st
    2nd
    3rd+
    Residential Conversion
    § 317
    C
    C
    NP
    Residential Demolition and Merger
    § 317
    C
    C
    C
    Zoning Category
    § References
    Controls
    NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
    Development Standards
    Floor Area Ratio
    §§ 102, 123, 124
    3.0 to 1
    Use Size
    §§ 102, 121.2
    P to 1,999 square feet; C 2,000 square feet to 3,999 square feet; NP(1) 4,000 square feet and above
    Off-Street Parking Requirements
    §§ 145.1, 150, 151, 153 - 156, 161, 166, 204.5
    No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151. 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
    P if located in front; C if located elsewhere
    Walk-up Facility
    § 102
    P
    Controls by Story
    1st
    2nd
    3rd+
    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), 202.5
    NP
    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
    Entertainment, General
    § 102
    C
    NP
    NP
    Entertainment, Nighttime
    § 102
    C
    NP
    NP
    Movie Theater
    §§ 102, 202.4
    P
    NP
    NP
    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
    Hospital
    § 102
    NP
    NP
    NP
    Medical Cannabis Dispensary
    §§ 102, 202.2(e)
    DR
    DR
    NP
    Public Facilities
    § 102
    C
    C
    C
    Residential Care Facility
    § 102
    P
    P
    P
    Sales and Service Use Category
    Retail Sales and Service Uses*
    §§ 102, 202.2(a)
    P
    P
    NP
    Adult Business
    § 102
    C
    NP
    NP
    Animal Hospital
    § 102
    C
    NP
    NP
    Bar
    §§ 102, 202.2(a)
    NP
    NP
    NP
    Cannabis Retail
    §§ 102, 202.2(a)
    C
    C
    NP
    Flexible Retail
    § 102
    NP
    NP
    NP
    Gym
    § 102
    P
    P
    C
    Hotel
    § 102
    C
    C
    C
    Kennel
    § 102
    C
    NP
    NP
    Liquor Store
    § 102
    C
    NP
    NP
    Massage Establishment
    § 102
    C
    C
    NP
    Massage, Foot/Chair
    § 102
    P
    C
    NP
    Mortuary
    § 102
    NP
    NP
    NP
    Motel
    §§ 102, 202.2(a)
    NP
    NP
    NP
    Restaurant
    §§ 102, 202.2(a)
    C(4)
    NP
    NP
    Restaurant, Limited
    §§ 102, 202.2(a)
    P
    NP
    NP
    Services, Financial
    § 102
    C
    C
    NP
    Services, Fringe Financial
    § 102
    NP(5)
    NP(5)
    NP(5)
    Services, Health
    § 102
    P
    P
    C
    Services, Instructional
    § 102
    P
    P
    C
    Services, Limited Financial
    § 102
    C
    NP
    NP
    Services, Personal
    § 102
    P
    P
    C
    Services, Retail Professional
    § 102
    C
    P
    C
    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
    C
    P
    C
    Trade Office
    § 102
    C
    P
    C
    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) USE SIZE EXEMPTION
    Per Planning Code Section 121.2(b), Use Size shall generally not exceed 4,000 square feet except that a Child Care Facility, School, Post-Secondary Educational Institution, Religious Institution, Social Service or Philanthropic Facility, Community Facility, or a Residential Care Facility as defined in Section 102 that is operated by a non-profit and is neighborhood-serving may exceed 4,000 square feet by Conditional Use authorization.
    (2) [Note deleted.]
    (3) [Note deleted.]
    (4) CASTRO STREET LIQUOR LICENSES FOR RESTAURANTS
    Boundaries: Applicable to the Castro Street Neighborhood Commercial District
    Controls: A Restaurant, as defined in Section 102, may only add ABC license types 47, 49 or 75 as a Conditional Use on the ground level if, in addition to the criteria set forth in Section 303, the Planning Commission finds that the Restaurant is operating as a Bona Fide Eating Place, as defined in Section 102 of this Code. Should a Restaurant fail to operate as a Bona Fide Eating Place for any length of time, the Conditional Use authorization shall be subject to immediate revocation.
    (5) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD).
    Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Broadway 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 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)2 C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
    (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. 132-94, App. 4/1/94; Ord. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 198-00, File No. 992321, Appl. 8/18/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App. 11/17/2000; Ord. 101-05, File No. 041741, App. 6/2/2005; 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. 139-09, File No. 090402, App. 7/2/2009; Ord. 229-10, File No. 100434, App. 9/16/2010; Ord. , File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord. , File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; Ord. , File No. 120774, App. 10/29/2012, Eff. 11/28/2012; Ord. , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. , File No. 130263, App. 7/25/2013, Eff. 8/24/2013; Ord. , File No. 130041, App. 12/26/2013, Eff. 1/25/2014; Ord. , File No. 131063, App. 4/17/2014, Eff. 5/17/2014; Ord. , File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. , File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015; Ord. , File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; redesignated and amended by Ord. , File No. 140954, App. 3/26/2015, Eff. 4/25/2015; amended by Ord. , File No. 150017, App. 6/12/2015, Eff. 7/12/2015; Ord. , File No. 150804, App. 9/18/2015, Eff. 10/18/2015; Ord. , File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. , File No. 160657, App. 8/4/2016, Eff. 9/3/2016; Ord. , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. , File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. , File No. 170204, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. , File No. 170693, App. 9/15/2017, Eff. 10/15/2017; Ord. , File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. , File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. , File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. , File No. 180806, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019; Ord. , File No. 180915, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. , File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. , File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. , File No. 190248, App. 8/9/2019, Eff. 9/9/2019; Ord. , File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. , File No. 191075, App. 5/22/2020, Eff. 6/22/2020)
    AMENDMENT HISTORY
    Zoning Control Table: 715.69C and 715.69D added; Ord. , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 715.10 and 715.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.68 added; Ord. , Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 715.43 and 715.44 amended, former categories 715.42, 715.67, and 715.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 715.44 added; Ord. , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 715.10 amended; Ord. , Eff. 11/28/2012. Zoning Control Table: 715.13, 715.21, 715.54, and 715.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 715.54 added; Ord. , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: 715.21 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.21 added; Ord. , Eff. 8/24/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 715.38 and 715.39 redesignated as 715.36 and 715.37 and amended; Ord. , Eff. 1/25/2014. Formerly undesignated introductory material designated as divisions (a) and (b); division (c) added; Zoning Control Table: categories 715.91, 715.93, and 715.94 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.54 amended, 715 ("In-Law Units") added; Ord. , Eff. 5/17/2014. Zoning Control Table: 715.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 715.54 amended; Ord. , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 715.92b added; Ord. , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 715.14, 715.15, 715.16, and 715.17 amended; Specific Provisions: former 715.31 and 715.32 deleted; Ord. , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 715.1); division (b) amended and former division (c) deleted; Zoning Control Table: 715.12, 715.54, 715.91, and 715.92 amended; Specific Provisions: 715, 715.12, 715.91, 715.93, 715.94 ("Accessory Dwelling Units") amended; Ord. , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: 715.53 amended; Ord. , Eff. 7/12/2015. Specific Provisions: 715, 715.12, 715.91, 715.93, 715.94 ("Accessory Dwelling Units") amended; Ord. , Eff. 10/18/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 715.36 and 715.37 deleted, 715.96 and 715.97 added; Ord. , Eff. 4/10/2016. Specific Provisions: 715.91 amended; Ord. , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 715.33A added; Ord. , Eff. 9/10/2016. New Zoning Control Table and notes added; Ord. , Eff. 7/30/2017. Previous Zoning Control Table and Specific Provisions deleted; Ord. , Eff. 7/30/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) deleted; Ord. , Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. , Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. , Eff. 9/10/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. , Eff. 12/21/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. , Eff. 1/7/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (3) deleted; Ord. , Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. , Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. , Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. , Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. , Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7)2 added; Ord. , Eff. 6/22/2020.
    CODIFICATION NOTES
    1. So in Ord. .
    2. Note “(7)” is referenced as “(6)” in Ord. 78-20. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(6)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 129-17.