SEC. 179. USES LOCATED IN NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
San Francisco County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco County
Sections in this part
The following provisions shall govern with respect to uses and features located in Neighborhood Commercial Districts to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of this Section and other sections contained in this Article 1.7.
(a) Permitted Uses.
(1) Any use or feature in a Neighborhood Commercial District which lawfully existed on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87 which is classified as a principal use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87 is hereby deemed to be a permitted principal use.
(2) Any use or feature in a Neighborhood Commercial District which lawfully existed on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87 which is classified as a conditional use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87 is deemed to be a permitted conditional use, subject to the provisions of Section 178 of this Code.
(3) Any use or feature in a Neighborhood Commercial District which lawfully existed on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87 and which use or feature is not permitted by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87 is hereby deemed to be a nonconforming use subject to the provisions of Sections 180 through 186.1 of this Code.
(4) Any use or feature in a Neighborhood Commercial District which was nonconforming under Section 180 of this Code prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87, which is classified as a principal use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87, is deemed to be a permitted principal use.
(5) Any use or feature in a Neighborhood Commercial District which was nonconforming under Section 180 of this Code prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87, which is classified as a conditional use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87, is deemed to be a permitted conditional use, subject to the provisions of Section 178 of this Code.
(6) Any use or feature in a Neighborhood Commercial District which was nonconforming under Section 180 of this Code prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87, which continues to be not permitted by operation of Ordinance No. 69-87, shall still be classified as a nonconforming use, subject to the provisions of Sections 180 through 183 of this Code.
(7) Any use or feature in a Neighborhood Commercial District which existed on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87 but for which the required permits had not been obtained shall be deemed to be a permitted principal use, permitted conditional use, or nonconforming use, only if the use or feature complies with all conditions prescribed in Subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) below; otherwise the use or feature shall be in violation of this Code subject to the provisions of Section 176 of this Code.
(b) Any use located in a Neighborhood Commercial District, which use existed on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87, but for which the required permits had not been obtained, and which use is permitted as a principal use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87, will be deemed to be a permitted principal use if:
(1) An application is filed for all permits necessary to bring the use into compliance with applicable codes; and
(2) All necessary permits are granted; and
- (3) All work which is required for Code compliance under all applicable Codes is substantially completed.
(c) Any use located in a Neighborhood Commercial District, which use was in existence on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87 and was permitted as a principal use at the time the use was established, but for which the required permits had not been obtained, and which use is permitted as a conditional use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87, will be deemed to be a conditional use if:
(1) An application is filed for all permits necessary to bring the use into compliance with applicable codes; and
(2) All necessary permits are granted; and
(3) All work which is required for Code compliance under all applicable Codes is substantially completed.
(d) Any use located in a Neighborhood Commercial District, which use would have been deemed a permitted principal use at the time it was established but had not obtained the required permits and was on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87, but which use is not a permitted use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87, will be deemed to be a nonconforming use if:
(1) Applications are filed for all permits necessary to bring the use into compliance with applicable codes within three years of the effective date of this amendment to Ordinance No. 69-87; and
(2) All work which is required for Code compliance under all applicable Codes is completed, including the issuance of a Certificate of Final Completion from the Bureau of Building Inspection, within three years of the effective date of this amendment to Ordinance No. 69-87.
(3) The time for completion of all work required for compliance with all applicable codes may be extended an additional one year should delays be caused by a government agency or by legal action.
(e) Any use located in a Neighborhood Commercial District, which use was in existence on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87 and was permitted as a conditional use at the time the use was established, but for which the required permits had not been obtained, and which use is permitted as a conditional use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87, will be deemed to be a conditional use if:
(1) An application for conditional use authorization is filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this Code and if an application(s) is filed for all other permits necessary to bring the use into compliance with applicable codes; and
(2) The conditional use is authorized and all other necessary permits are granted; and
(3) All work which is required for Code compliance under all applicable Codes is substantially completed.
(f) Any use located in a Neighborhood Commercial District, which use was a conditional use at the time it was established but for which the required conditional use authorization and permits had not been obtained and which was in existence on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87, will be deemed a nonconforming use if:
(1) An application for conditional use authorization is filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this Code and if an application(s) is/are filed for all other permits necessary to bring the use into compliance with applicable codes within three years of the effective date of this amendment to Ordinance No. 69-87; and
(2) All work which is required for Code compliance under all applicable Codes is completed within one year of the date of authorization of conditional use, but no later than December 31st of the third year of the effective date of this amendment to Ordinance No. 69-87; and
(3) The time for completion of all work required for compliance with all applicable codes may be extended for an additional one year should delays be caused by a government agency or by legal action.
(g) Any use located in a Neighborhood Commercial District, which use existed on the effective date of Ordinance No. 69-87 and was not permitted at the time the use was established, and which use is permitted as a conditional use by the enactment of Ordinance No. 69-87, will be deemed to be a conditional use if:
(1) An application for conditional use authorization is filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this Code and if an application(s) is filed for all other permits necessary to bring the use into compliance with applicable codes; and
(2) The conditional use is authorized and all other necessary permits are granted; and
(3) All work which is required for Code compliance under all applicable Codes is substantially completed.
(h) Any use located in a Neighborhood Commercial District, which use existed on the effective date of Ordinance No.
69-87 and was not permitted at the time the use was established, and which use is not permitted by the enactment of
Ordinance No. 69-87, shall be in violation of this Code, subject to the provisions of Section 176 of this Code. (Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 37-92, App. 2/3/92)
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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