SEC. 205. TEMPORARY USES, GENERAL.

(See Interpretations related to this Section.)

(a) Purpose. Sections 205 et seq. of this Code provide for streamlined consideration of time-limited, non-permanent establishment of certain temporary uses, in specific locations, and for specified durations, as provided below.

(b) Temporary Uses Authorized. The authorized temporary uses listed in Sections 205 et seq. may be authorized as provided herein, up to the time limits indicated. In the event of a conflict between the controls in Sections 205 et seq. and the controls of the applicable District, including any voter initiative, Sections 205 et seq. shall apply; provided that, pursuant to Section 703.4, Formula Retail uses are not permitted as Temporary Uses in Neighborhood Commercial Districts.

(c) Existing Temporary Uses. Wherever a use exists on the effective date of this Code or of an amendment thereto under which such use is classified as a temporary use, or wherever a use is being conducted under a temporary use authorization given prior to such a date, such use may be continued for the maximum term specified therefor, calculated from said effective date or date of authorization. No such use shall continue thereafter unless a temporary use authorization is obtained under a new application. Continuance of a temporary use beyond the date of expiration of the period authorized therefor, or failure to remove a structure for such temporary use within 10 days thereafter, shall constitute a violation of this Code.

(d) Calculation of Time. Unless otherwise specified, the time periods referenced in this Section 205 et seq. are consecutive hours or consecutive calendar days; they are not the total number of hours or days that the use is in operation. Therefore, a 24-hour authorization that begins at 6:00 a.m. expires at 6:00 a.m. the following day, even if the use was in operation only eight hours of that 24-hour period. Similarly, a 60-day authorization expires after 60 calendar days even though the use may only have been open for business three days per week during that 60-day period. Hours or days of unused authorization cannot be stored or credited.

(e) Application, Appeals, and Renewal. The Planning Director or the Planning Director’s designee shall have authority to approve or deny an application for temporary use authorization, and may act upon an application without a public hearing. The decision to authorize or deny any temporary use pursuant to Sections 205 et seq. may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 15 days after the date of the decision by filing a written notice of appeal with that body. The Planning Director or Director’s designee may authorize additional time for a temporary use by action upon a new application, subject to all the requirements for the original application, unless otherwise indicated in Sections 205 et seq.

ns 205 et seq. may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 15 days after the date of the decision by filing a written notice of appeal with that body. The Planning Director or Director’s designee may authorize additional time for a temporary use by action upon a new application, subject to all the requirements for the original application, unless otherwise indicated in Sections 205 et seq.

(f) No Conversion, Change, Discontinuance, or Abandonment of Use. The approval or commencement of a temporary use authorized under Sections 205 et seq. shall not be considered a conversion, discontinuance, abandonment, or change of the authorized land use(s) preceding the temporary use authorized under Sections 205 et seq. Any property for which the temporary use is authorized shall retain its preceding authorized land use(s).

(g) Multiple Temporary Uses. Authorization of an Interim Activity under Sections 205 et seq. at a given property or for a given use shall not preclude the concurrent authorization of any other temporary uses recognized in this Section.

(h) Additional Permits. Authorization of a temporary use under Sections 205 et seq. does not waive the requirement to obtain any additional authorization that may be required by the San Francisco municipal Code, including but not limited to permits required by the Health Code or Building Code.

(Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 212-94, 6/2/94; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 297-10, File No. 101351, App. 12/3/2010; Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. 35-20, File No. 190355, App. 3/6/2020, Eff. 4/6/2020; Ord. 140-20, File No. 200215, App. 8/28/2020, Eff. 9/28/2020; Ord. 116-25, File No. 250540, App. 7/17/2025, Eff. 8/17/2025)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (b) amended; division (d) added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Divisions (a)-(d) amended; divisions (e) and (f) added; Ord. 35-20, Eff. 4/6/2020. Divisions (a) and (d)-(f) amended; Ord. 140-20, Eff. 9/28/2020. Divisions (b) and (e) deleted; former divisions (a) and (f) amended as (b) and (e); division (c) and (d) amended; new divisions (a) and (f)-(h) added; Ord. 116-25, Eff. 8/17/2025.