Penthouse Additions on Roof Decks — San Francisco Single-Family Homes

By S. N. • Published 10/19/2025

Adding anything above the main roofline in San Francisco is one of the most highly regulated parts of residential design. For **single-family homes**, both the **San Francisco Planning Code** and the **California Building Code** (CBC) restrict what can be considered a “penthouse” and what can legally rise above the **height limit**. (R-3, Type VB)