SEC. 205. TEMPORARY USES, GENERAL.
SEC. 205.2. TEMPORARY USES: ONE- TO THREE-YEAR LIMIT.
San Francisco County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco County
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
A temporary use may be authorized for the following uses as specified below:
(a) Temporary authorization for a period not to exceed one year.
(1) Temporary Wireless Telecommunications Services (WTS) Facilities, if the following requirements are met:
(A) The Planning Director determines that the Temporary WTS Facility shall be sited and constructed so as to:
(i) avoid proximity to residential dwellings to the maximum extent feasible;
(ii) comply with the provisions of Article 29 of the Police Code;
(iii) be no taller than needed;
(iv) be physically screened to the maximum extent feasible; and
(v) be erected for no longer than reasonably required.
(B) Permits in excess of 90 days for Temporary WTS Facilities operated for commercial purposes shall be subject to Sections 311 and 312 of this Code, where applicable.
(C) The Planning Department may require, where appropriate, notices along street frontages abutting the location of the Temporary WTS Facility indicating the nature of the facility and the duration of the permit.
(2) Pop-Up Retail. Pop-Up Retail is a time-limited Retail, Nighttime Entertainment, General Entertainment, or Arts Activities use permitted within either a vacant commercial space or a space occupied by a legally established Commercial Use. Pop-Up Retail may be authorized and renewed as a temporary use for up to three years. Any Pop-Up Retail use shall satisfy all of these requirements:
(A) Operate within the principally permitted hours of operation of the applicable Zoning District; provided that any Pop-Up Retail use located within a Limited Commercial use may not have hours of operation past 10:00 p.m.
(B) Not be located within a Residential District, unless the temporary use is located within a Limited Commercial use.
(C) Comply with the fenestration, transparency, and any other visibility requirements of Section 145.1 of this Code; provided that the these requirements shall not apply to the Pop-Up Retail for the first 60-days of the use.
(3) Temporary General Office uses for seasonal political campaigns in zoning districts other than PDR Districts, and Residential Districts, unless the temporary use is located within a Limited Commercial use.
(b) Temporary authorization for a period not to exceed two years.
(1) Temporary structures and uses incidental to the construction of a building or group of buildings on the same or adjacent premises, or on a Lot within one-half mile of the premises when required due to land availability and circulation patterns. Where the temporary structures and uses are incidental to a project constructing at least 500,000 new gross square feet, said temporary structures and uses may be located on a Lot within two miles of the premises when required due to land availability and circulation patterns.
(2) Rental or sales office incidental to a new residential development, not including the conduct of a general real estate business, provided that it be located within the development.
(3) Temporary uses under subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) may not be renewed following the issuance of the First Certificate of Occupancy, as defined in Section 401, for the last building of a project.
(4) In any M-1 or M-2 District, an Automobile Wrecking use as defined in Section 102 of this Code, provided if the operation would be a conditional use in the district in question, that the Planning Director determines the operation will meet within 90 days of commencing operation all conditions applicable to such use in that district. (Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 456-86, App. 11/25/86; Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 229-17, File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 213-19, File No. 190812,
App. 9/20/2019, Eff. 10/21/2019; Ord. 274-19, File No. 190842, App. 11/27/2019, Eff. 12/28/2019, Retro. 1/1/2019; Ord. 35-20, File No. 190355, App. 3/6/2020, Eff. 4/6/2020; Ord. 249-22 , File No. 220542, App. 12/16/2022, Eff. 1/16/2023; divisions (d)-(e) Retro. 1/1/2022; Ord. 122-23 , File No. 230371, App. 7/5/2023, Eff. 8/5/2023; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 68-24, File No. 240070, App. 4/4/2024, Eff. 5/5/2024, Retro. 1/1/2024; Ord. 116-25, File No. 250540, App. 7/17/2025, Eff. 8/17/2025)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Division (c) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Division (d) added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Division (e) added; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Division (e) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Division (f) added; Ord. 213-19, Eff. 10/21/2019. Section header, introductory paragraph, and division (e) amended; Ord. 274-19, Eff. 12/28/2019. Divisions (c) and (d)(1) amended; Ord. 35-20, Eff. 4/6/2020. Section header and introductory paragraph amended; divisions (a)-(c) redesignated as (b)(1)-(3); divisions (d)-(d)(3) and (f) deleted; new divisions (a)-(a)(3), (b), (c)- (c)(1)(B), and (d) added;
division (e) amended;[1] Ord. 249-22 , Eff. 1/16/2023. Divisions (a)-(a)(3) redesignated as (a)-(a)(1)(C); new division (a)(2) added; Ord. 122-23 , Eff. 8/5/2023, and Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023. Section header amended; divisions (d)-(e) amended as division (d); Ord. 68-24, Retro. 1/1/2024. Section header and divisions (a)(2), (b)(1)-(2) amended; divisions (a)(2)(A)(C), (a)(3), (b)(3) added; former division (b)(3) redesignated as (b)(4); divisions (c)-(e) deleted; Ord. 116-25, Eff. 8/17/2025.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — San Francisco County Zoning Code
- 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.
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▸ SEC. 205. TEMPORARY USES, GENERAL.
Overview- SEC. 205.1. TEMPORARY USES: SIXTY-DAY LIMIT.
- SEC. 205.2. TEMPORARY USES: ONE- TO THREE-YEAR LIMIT.
- SEC. 205.3. TEMPORARY USES: TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR LIMIT.
- SEC. 205.4. TEMPORARY USES: INTERMITTENT ACTIVITIES.
- SEC. 205.5. TEMPORARY USES: INTERIM ACTIVITIES ON DEVELOPMENT …
- SEC. 205.6. TEMPORARY USES: FIVE-YEAR LIMIT.
- SEC. 205.7. TEMPORARY USES: OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS AND RE…
- SEC. 205.8. TEMPORARY USES: HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
- 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