SEC. 171. COMPLIANCE OF USES REQUIRED.
San Francisco County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco County
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
Except as otherwise provided in this Code, structures and land in any district shall be used only for the purposes listed in this Code as permitted in that district, and in accordance with the regulations established for that district. A Permit of Occupancy shall be issued by the Department of Building Inspection (Central Permit Bureau) to the effect that the use or proposed use of a structure or land conforms to the provisions of this and related ordinances, prior to the occupancy of any structure erected, enlarged or structurally altered, or where any vacant land is proposed to be occupied or used except for permitted agricultural uses. Such a permit shall also be issued whenever the use of any structure or land is proposed to be changed from a use first permitted in any district to a use that is more widely permitted by the use districts of the City. Upon written request from the owner, such a permit shall also be issued covering any lawful use of a structure or land existing on the effective date of this Code, including nonconforming uses.
(Added by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; amended by Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013) AMENDMENT HISTORY
Section amended; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013.
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- SEC. 101. PURPOSES.
- SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
- SEC. 103. HOUSING BALANCE MONITORING AND REPORTING.
- SEC. 105. ZONING MAP.
- SEC. 106. ZONING MAP INCORPORATED HEREIN.
- SEC. 108. NEW NAMES.
- SEC. 109. SEVERABILITY.
- SEC. 121. MINIMUM LOT WIDTH AND AREA.
- SEC. 122. HEIGHT AND BULK LIMITATIONS.
- SEC. 123. MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO.
- SEC. 124. BASIC FLOOR AREA RATIO.
- SEC. 125. FLOOR AREA PREMIUMS, DISTRICTS OTHER THAN NC, C-3 AN…
- SEC. 127. TRANSFER OF PERMITTED BASIC GROSS FLOOR AREA.
- SEC. 128. TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS IN C-3 DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 130. YARD AND SETBACK REQUIREMENTS, GENERAL.
- SEC. 131. LEGISLATED SETBACK LINES.
- SEC. 132. FRONT SETBACK AREAS IN RTO, RH, AND RM DISTRICTS AND…
- SEC. 133. SIDE YARDS, RH-1(D) DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 134. REAR YARDS IN R, RC, RTO, NC, M, CMUO, MUG, MUO, MUR…
- SEC. 135. USABLE OPEN SPACE FOR DWELLING UNITS AND GROUP HOUSI…
- SEC. 136. OBSTRUCTIONS OVER STREETS AND ALLEYS AND IN REQUIRED…
- SEC. 137. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN PLAZAS, ARCADES, AND SIDEWAL…
- SEC. 138. PRIVATELY-OWNED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE (POPOS) REQUIREMEN…
- SEC. 139. STANDARDS FOR BIRD-SAFE BUILDINGS.
- SEC. 140. ALL DWELLING UNITS IN ALL USE DISTRICTS TO FACE ON A…
- SEC. 141. SCREENING OF ROOFTOP FEATURES IN R, NC, C, M, WMUG, …
- SEC. 142. SCREENING AND GREENING OF PARKING AND VEHICULAR USE …
- SEC. 143. RESERVED.
- SEC. 144. STREET FRONTAGES IN RH, RTO, AND RM DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 145. FRONTAGES, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY AREAS, WALKUP FACILITIES…
- SEC. 146. SUNLIGHT ACCESS TO PUBLIC SIDEWALKS IN C-3 DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 147. REDUCTION OF SHADOWS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC OR PUBLICLY A…
- SEC. 148. REDUCTION OF GROUND-LEVEL WIND CURRENTS FOR BUILDING…
- SEC. 149. [REDESIGNATED.]
- SEC. 149. BETTER ROOFS; LIVING ROOF ALTERNATIVE.
- SEC. 150. OFF-STREET LOADING REQUIREMENTS.
- SEC. 151. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 152. SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED OFF-STREET FREIGHT LOADING SPAC…
- SEC. 153. RULES FOR CALCULATION OF PARKING SPACES.
- SEC. 154. DIMENSIONS FOR OFF- STREET PARKING, FREIGHT LOADING,…
- SEC. 155. GENERAL STANDARDS AS TO LOCATION AND ARRANGEMENT OF …
- SEC. 156. PARKING LOTS.
- SEC. 157.1. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 158. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 159. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 161. EXEMPTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS FROM OFF-STREET PARKING, F…
- SEC. 162. TOUR BUS LOADING SPACES IN C-3 DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 163. TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND TRANSPORTATIO…
- SEC. 164. SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENT PLACEMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM.
- SEC. 165. CHILD-CARE PLANS AND CHILD-CARE BROKERAGE SERVICES I…
- SEC. 166. CAR SHARING.
- SEC. 167. PARKING COSTS SEPARATED FROM HOUSING COSTS IN NEW RE…
- SEC. 169. TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
- SEC. 170. APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS.
- SEC. 171. COMPLIANCE OF USES REQUIRED.
- SEC. 172. COMPLIANCE OF STRUCTURES, OPEN SPACES, AND OFF-STREE…
- SEC. 173. COMPLIANCE OF LOTS REQUIRED.
- SEC. 174. COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS, STIPULATIONS AND SPECIAL…
- SEC. 175. APPROVAL OF PERMITS OR DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS.
- SEC. 176. ENFORCEMENT AGAINST VIOLATIONS.
- SEC. 177. LEGITIMIZATION OF CERTAIN MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS.
- SEC. 178. CONDITIONAL USES.
- SEC. 179. USES LOCATED IN NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 180. NONCONFORMING USES, NONCOMPLYING STRUCTURES AND SUBS…
- SEC. 181. NONCONFORMING USES: ENLARGEMENTS, ALTERATIONS AND RE…
- SEC. 182. NONCONFORMING USES: CHANGES OF USE.
- SEC. 183. NONCONFORMING USES: DISCONTINUANCE AND ABANDONMENT.
- SEC. 184. SHORT-TERM CONTINUANCE OF CERTAIN NONCONFORMING USES.
- SEC. 185. CONTINUANCE OF OTHER NONCONFORMING USES.
- SEC. 186. EXEMPTION OF LIMITED COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL NONCO…
- SEC. 187. AUDIT PROPERTIES; AMNESTY PROGRAM.
- SEC. 188. NONCOMPLYING STRUCTURES: ENLARGEMENTS, ALTERATIONS, …
- SEC. 189. SUBSTANDARD LOTS OF RECORD: CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER A…
- SEC. 190. CONVERSION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES TO CANNA…
- SEC. 191. AUTHORIZATION OF TEMPORARY CANNABIS RETAIL USES.
- SEC. 192. LEGITIMIZATION OF CERTAIN LAND USES AT 3150 18TH STR…
- SEC. 193. CONTINUATION OF LONGSTANDING PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT.
- SEC. 201. CLASSES OF USE DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 202. PERMITTED BY THIS CODE.
- SEC. 203. EFFECT ON CERTAIN PUBLIC SERVICES.
- SEC. 204. ACCESSORY USES, GENERAL.
- SEC. 205. TEMPORARY USES, GENERAL.
- SEC. 206. THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND EDUCATOR HOUSING PROGRAMS.
- SEC. 207. DWELLING UNIT DENSITY LIMITS.
- SEC. 208. DENSITY LIMITATIONS FOR GROUP HOUSING OR HOMELESS SH…
- SEC. 209. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF RESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTI…
- SEC. 210. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, A…
- SEC. 211. P (PUBLIC) DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 212. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 213. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 215. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 216. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 217. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 218. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 219. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 220. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 221. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 222. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 223. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 224. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 225. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 226. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 227. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 228. [REDESIGNATED.]
- SEC. 229. [REDESIGNATED.]
- SEC. 230. [REDESIGNATED.]
- SEC. 231. LIMITED CORNER COMMERCIAL USES IN RH, RTO-1, RTO-M, …
- SEC. 233. [REDESIGNATED.]
- SEC. 234. [REDESIGNATED.]
- SEC. 235. SPECIAL USE DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 236. [REPEALED.]
- SEC. 237. AUTOMOTIVE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 238. NOB HILL SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 239. WASHINGTON-BROADWAY SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 240. WATERFRONT SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 241. DOLORES HEIGHTS SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 242. BERNAL HEIGHTS SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 243. VAN NESS SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 244. RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER DISTRICTS.
- SEC. 247. DOWNTOWN SUPPORT OPEN SPACE DEMONSTRATION SPECIAL US…
- SEC. 249.1. FOLSOM AND MAIN RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL SPECIAL USE…
- SEC. 249.2. THE VILLAGE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 249.3. OCEANVIEW LARGE RESIDENCE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 249.4. ALEXANDRIA THEATER SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- SEC. 249.5. NORTH OF MARKET RESIDENTIAL SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
- Article 6
- Part I
- Part II
- Part III
- Part IV
- Part V
- Part VI
- Part VII
- Part VIII
- Part IX
- Part X
- Part XI
- Part XII
- Part XIII
- Part XIV
- Part XV
- Part XVI