Part VIII

(a) Purposes. These sections 970 through 973 are adopted in recognition of the important function of signs and of the need for their regulation in Mission Bay Use Districts under the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City and County. In addition to those purposes of the City Planning Code stated in Section 101, it is the further purpose of these provisions to safeguard and enhance property values in residential, commercial and industrial areas; to protect public investment in and the character and dignity of public buildings, open spaces and thoroughfares; to protect the distinctive appearance of San Francisco which is produced by its unique geography, topography, street patterns, skyline and architectural features; to provide a physical environment which will promote the development of business; to encourage sound practices and lessen the objectionable effects of competition in the size and placement of signs; to minimize the impact of signs which are essential to the economic vitality of commercial districts on the livability of residential units in or adjacent commercial districts; to enhance the visual environment by relating the type, quality and size of signs to the scale and character of the districts in which they are located; to reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians traveling on the public way; and thereby to promote the public health, safety and welfare.

(b) Definitions. The definitions of terms contained in Section 602 of this Code shall apply to the same terms used in Section 971 through 973.

(c) Exempted Signs. The exemptions contained in Section 603 shall apply to the requirements of Sections 971 through 973.

(d) Permits Required. Sign permits shall be required as provided in Section 604.

(Added by Ord. 63-91, App. 2/27/91; amended by Ord. 13-26, File No. 251099, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Divisions (a) and (b) amended; Ord. 13-26, Eff. 3/16/2026.

All applications for permits to erect business signs in MB-CF and MB-OS Districts shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval or disapproval. The Zoning Administrator, in his/her review, shall take into account the nature of the property and its use, the functional necessity for the sign, the proposed size, location, design and content of the sign, the degree of its harmony with the public purposes of the property and with the surrounding area, and the restrictions of this Code for signs in other districts. No general advertising sign shall be permitted. (Added by Ord. 63-91, App. 2/27/91)

(a) Signs Permitted. The following types of signs, subject to the limitations prescribed for them, shall be the only signs permitted in MB-R Districts except for signs exempted by Section 603:

1. One non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated name plate for each street frontage of the lot, not exceeding a height of 12 feet, and having an area not exceeding one square foot in MB-R-1 and MB-R-2 Districts or two square feet in MBR-3 Districts.

2. One identifying sign for each street frontage of the lot, not exceeding a height of 12 feet, and meeting the following additional requirements:

• (A) In MB-R-l and MB-R-2 Districts: non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated only; maximum area 12 square feet;

(B) In MB-R-3 Districts: maximum area eight square feet if directly illuminated, and 20 square feet if nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated.

3. One temporary non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated sale or lease sign for each street frontage of the total parcel involved, not exceeding a height of 24 feet if free standing and not above the roofline if attached to a building, and having an area not exceeding six square feet for each lot or for each 3,000 square feet in such total parcel, whichever ratio permits the larger area, provided that no such sign shall exceed 50 square feet in area and any such sign exceeding 18 square feet in area shall be set back at least 25 feet from all street property lines. Any sale or lease sign shall be removed within seven days following removal of the property from the market.

4. Temporary non-illuminated signs of persons and firms connected with work on buildings under actual construction or alteration, giving their names and information pertinent to the project, not exceeding a height of 12 feet, with the combined area of all such signs not to exceed 10 square feet for each street frontage of the project.

5. Such business signs of small scale convenience retail uses permitted by Section 906 in MB-R Districts as are permitted by Section 973(b) in MB-NC-2 Districts.

• (b) Limitations. The following limitations apply to all signs in MB-R Districts:

1. No sign shall project beyond a street property line or legislated setback line, or into a required front setback area.

2. No sign shall have or consist of any moving, rotating or otherwise animated part, or (if permitted to be illuminated) any flashing, blinking, fluctuating or otherwise animated light.

3. No roof sign, wind sign, or general advertising sign shall be permitted.

4. No sign shall extend above the roofline of a building to which it is attached, or above a height of 12 feet. (Added by Ord. 63-91, App. 2/27/91)

(a) Signs or Sign Features Not Permitted. Roof signs, as defined in Section 602, wind signs, as defined in Section 602, signs on canopies, as defined in Section 136.1(b), and general advertising signs, as defined in Section 602 are not permitted in MB-NC, MB-O, MB-CI and MB-H Districts. No sign shall have or consist of any moving, rotating, or otherwise physically animated part, or lights that give the appearance of animation by flashing, blinking, or fluctuating, except as permitted by Section 607.1(i). All signs or sign features not otherwise specifically regulated in this Section 973 shall be prohibited.

(b) Signs Permitted. In MB-NC, MB-O, MB-CI, and MB-H Districts the following signs other than signs exempted by Section 603, shall be the only signs permitted.

(1) Identifying Signs. Identifying signs, as defined in Section 602, shall be permitted subject to the following limitations.

(A) One sign per structure shall be permitted and such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.

(B) The sign may be a freestanding sign, if the building is recessed from the street property line, or may be a wall sign or a projecting sign. The existence of a freestanding identifying sign shall preclude the erection of a freestanding

business sign on the same lot.

(C) A wall or projecting sign shall be mounted on the first story level; a freestanding sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height.

(D) The sign may be non-illuminated, indirectly illuminated, or directly illuminated.

(2) Nameplates. One nameplate, as defined in Section 602, not exceeding an area of two square feet, shall be permitted for each non-commercial use.

(3) Business Signs. Business signs, as defined in Section 602, shall be permitted subject to the following limitations.

(A) Business Signs in the MB-NC-2 District.

(i) Window Signs. The total area of all window signs, as defined in Section 602, shall not exceed one-third the area of the window on or in which the signs are located. Such signs may be non-illuminated, indirectly illuminated, or directly illuminated.

(ii) Wall Signs. The area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square feet per foot of street frontage occupied by the use measured along the wall to which the signs are attached, or 100 square feet for each street frontage, whichever is less. The height of any wall sign shall not exceed 24 feet, or the height of the wall to which it is attached, or the height of the lowest of any residential window sill on the wall to which the sign is attached, whichever is lower. Such signs may be non-illuminated, indirectly, or directly illuminated.

all to which the signs are attached, or 100 square feet for each street frontage, whichever is less. The height of any wall sign shall not exceed 24 feet, or the height of the wall to which it is attached, or the height of the lowest of any residential window sill on the wall to which the sign is attached, whichever is lower. Such signs may be non-illuminated, indirectly, or directly illuminated.

(iii) Projecting Signs. The number of projecting signs shall not exceed one per business. The area of such sign, as defined in Section 602, shall not exceed 15 square feet. The height of such sign shall not exceed 24 feet, or the height of the wall to which it is attached, or the height of the lowest of any residential window sill on the wall to which the sign is attached, whichever is lower. No part of the sign shall project more than 75 percent of the horizontal distance from the street property line to the curbline, or six feet, six inches, whichever is less. Such signs may be non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated; or during business hours, may be directly illuminated.

(iv) Signs on Awnings and Marquees. Sign copy may be located on permitted awnings or marquees in lieu of projecting signs. The area of such sign copy, as defined in Section 601 602,1 shall not exceed 30 square feet. Such sign copy may be non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated; except that sign copy on marquees for movie theaters or places of entertainment may be directly illuminated during business hours.

(v) Freestanding Signs and Sign Towers. One freestanding sign or sign tower per lot shall be permitted in lieu of a projecting sign, if the building or buildings are recessed from the street property line. The existence of a freestanding business sign shall preclude the erection of a freestanding identifying sign on the same lot. The area of such freestanding sign or sign tower, as defined in Section 602, shall not exceed 20 square feet, nor shall the height of the sign exceed 24 feet. No part of the sign shall project more than 75 percent of the horizontal distance from the street property line to the curbline, or six feet, whichever is less. Such signs may be non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated, or, during business hours, may be directly illuminated.

(B) Business Signs in MB-NC-3, MB-NC-S, MB-O, MB-CI, and MB-H Districts.

(i) Window Signs. The total area of all window signs, as defined in Section 602, shall not exceed one-third the area of the window on or in which the signs are located. Such signs may be non-illuminated, indirectly illuminated, or directly illuminated.

(ii) Wall Signs. The area of all wall signs shall not exceed three square feet per foot of street frontage occupied by the use measured along the wall to which the signs are attached, or 150 square feet for each street frontage, whichever is less. The height of any wall sign shall not exceed 24 feet, or the height of the wall to which it is attached, or the height of the lowest of any residential window sill on the wall to which the sign is attached, whichever is lower. Such signs may be non-illuminated, indirectly, or directly illuminated.

all to which the signs are attached, or 150 square feet for each street frontage, whichever is less. The height of any wall sign shall not exceed 24 feet, or the height of the wall to which it is attached, or the height of the lowest of any residential window sill on the wall to which the sign is attached, whichever is lower. Such signs may be non-illuminated, indirectly, or directly illuminated.

(iii) Projecting Signs. The number of projecting signs shall not exceed one per business. The area of such sign, as defined in Section 602, shall not exceed 32 square feet. The height of the sign shall not exceed 24 feet, or the height of the wall to which it is attached, or the height of the lowest of any residential window sill on the wall to which the sign is attached, whichever is lower. No part of the sign shall project more than 75 percent of the horizontal distance from the

street property line to the curbline, or six feet six inches, whichever is less. Such signs may be non-illuminated, indirectly, or directly illuminated.

(iv) Signs on Awnings and Marquees. Sign copy may be located on permitted awnings or marquees in lieu of projecting signs. The area of such sign copy, as defined in Section 602, shall not exceed 40 square feet. Such sign copy may be non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated; except that sign copy on marquees for movie theaters or places of entertainment may be directly illuminated during business hours.

(v) Freestanding Signs and Sign Towers. With the exception of automotive gas and service stations, which are regulated under Paragraph below, one freestanding sign or sign tower per lot shall be permitted in lieu of a projecting sign, if the building or buildings are recessed from the street property line. The existence of a freestanding business sign shall preclude the erection of a freestanding identifying sign on the same lot. The area of such freestanding sign or sign tower, as defined in Section 602, shall not exceed 30 square feet nor shall the height of the sign exceed 24 feet. No part of the sign shall project more than 75 percent of the horizontal distance from the street property line to the curbline, or six feet, whichever is less. Such signs may be non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated; or during business hours, may be directly illuminated.

(C) Special Standards for Automotive Gas and Service Stations in MB-NC-3 and MB-NC-S Districts. For automotive gas and service stations in MB-NC-3 and MB-NC-S Districts only the following signs are permitted, subject to the standards in this subsection (C) and to all other standards in this Section 973.

(i) A maximum of two oil company signs, which shall not extend more than 10 feet above the roofline if attached to a building, or exceed the maximum height permitted for freestanding signs in the same district is freestanding. The area of any such sign shall not exceed 180 square feet, and along each street frontage, all parts of such a sign or signs that are within 10 feet of the street property line shall not exceed 80 square feet in area. No such sign shall project more than five feet beyond any street property line. The areas of other permanent and temporary signs as covered in subsection (ii) below shall not be included in the calculation of the area specified in this Subparagraph.

(ii) Other permanent and temporary business signs, not to exceed 30 square feet in area for each such sign or a total of 180 square feet for all such signs on the premises. No such sign shall extend above the roofline if attached to a building, or in any case project beyond any street property line or building setback line.

(D) Special Standards for Visual Accent Signs. In order to create visual interest, variety, and distinctive character in Mission Bay Commercial Districts the Zoning Administrator may allow visual accent signs in MB-NC-2, MB-NC-3, MB-NC-S, MB-NC-S, MB-O, MB-CI, and MB-H Districts. Visual accent signs are business or identifying signs in the form of projecting signs which are larger in square footage and higher in height than would normally be permitted under the limitations of this Section 970. A visual accent sign shall meet the following standards:

(i) The sign does not exceed 40 square feet in area and 20 feet in height in MB-NC-2 Districts and 48 square feet in area and 30 feet in height in MB-NC-3, MB-NC-S, MB-O, MB-CI, and MB-H Districts without regard to the height of the wall or the lowest residential window sill on the wall to which the sign is attached.

(ii) Such signs are a minimum of 200 feet apart.

(iii) The sign is distinctive and attractive in its design and use of materials and will make an important contribution to the visual quality and character of the street.

(iv) To the maximum extent practicable given the specific uses on the street frontage, the sign identifies major destination points or places of public assembly such as theaters and cultural centers or public or quasi-public facilities such as parking garages.

(v) The sign identifies the name of the business, service, or other activity offered or conducted on premises or the generic type of commodities sold on the premises, rather than the specific brand names or symbol of commodities sold on premises.

(Added by Ord. 63-91, App. 2/27/91; amended by Ord. 13-26, File No. 251099, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Section header amended; divisions (a)- (b)(3)(A)(i), (b)(3)(A)(iii)-(v), (b)(3)(B)-(B)(i), (b)(3)(B)(iii)-(v), (b)(3)(C)-(C)(i), (b)(3)(D)-(D)(i), and (b)(3)(D)(v) amended; Ord. 13-26, Eff. 3/16/2026. CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 13-26.