SEC. 247. DOWNTOWN SUPPORT OPEN SPACE DEMONSTRATION SPECIAL USE DISTRICT.
San Francisco County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco County
(a) Purpose. In order to provide that a certain area within the C-3-S District be able to be developed for Hotel use with an increased basic floor area ratio of 7.5 to 1, there shall be a “Downtown Support Special Use District” (also referred to as the “C-3-S (SU) District”) as designated on Sectional Map SU01 of the Zoning Map.
(b) Requirements.
(1) Floor Area Ratio. The basic and maximum floor area ratio of the C-3-S (SU) District, after purchase of all market-rate, available TDR within the C-3-S District, shall be 7.5:1. Development at densities above the basic floor area ratio of 7.5:1 in this special use district will not be permitted. Roof eaves, cornices, or belt courses that project no more than two feet from the face of the building wall shall be excluded from the FAR calculation.
Where there are fewer square feet of TDR within the C-3-S District available than the Planning Commission determines is required for a project, the Planning Commission may, as part of a Section 309 review, authorize a project sponsor to make a monetary contribution towards the preservation of a Landmark building within the C-3 area in an amount to be determined by the Commission. For purposes of this Section 247, the C-3 area shall include any C-3 District and any P District adjacent thereto. All other provisions of this Code applicable to the C-3-S District shall apply in the C- 3-S (SU) District.
(2) Gross Floor Area Calculation. Notwithstanding the definition of Gross Floor Area in Section 102 of this Code, balconies, porches, roof decks, terraces, courts, and similar features shall be excluded from the calculation of Gross Floor Area if they are fully open to the sky, even if covered by retractable canopies and associated support structures. However, the square footage of these excluded features shall be used to calculate any development impact fees that typically would be due in relation to an increased FAR.
(3) Privately-Owned Public Open Space Requirements; Payment of In-lieu Fee. The Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the payment of a fee of $2,600,000 in lieu of the project sponsor’s provision of the 4th and 6th floor terraces at 888 Howard Street as required on-site open space for the project constructed pursuant to this Section 247 . The amount of the in-lieu fee represents a construction cost of $290.70 per square foot of Gross Floor Area multiplied by the
8,600 square foot of open space required by Section 138 of this Code, and an additional $100,000 representing the maintenance cost that typically accompanies any POPOS that is the responsibility of the private owner.
While the Board holds that maintaining the public nature of POPOS spaces are the responsibility of the property owner, in authorizing the payment of an in-lieu fee in this case the Board finds and determines that:
(A) the Planning Commission’s original approval of the project noted the poor quality of the open space;
(B) alternative, suitable open space sites cannot be acquired within the neighborhood of the project;
(C) improvements to the quality of the existing open space are neither feasible nor appropriate; and
(D) while the City should always strive to maintain requirements associated with development approvals, in this case the alternative in-lieu payment provides greater public benefit than the original open space requirement.
(c) Authorized Use of the In-Lieu Fee. The in-lieu fee shall be dedicated to the Recreation and Parks Department and used to improve the lighting and safety features of Victoria Manolo Draves Park, including any increased funding required to staff evening hours. The improved lighting shall be provided within two years of the Recreation and Parks Department receiving payment of the funds.
(Added by Ord. 275-03, File No. 021577, App. 12/10/2003; amended by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 90-17, File No. 140877, App. 4/14/2017, Eff. 5/14/2017)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Division (a) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Division (a) amended; division (b) redesignated (b)(1) and amended; divisions (b)(2), (b)(3), and (c) added; Ord. 90-17, Eff. 5/14/2017.
SEC. 248. [REPEALED.]
(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 182-12 , File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 2215, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; 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; repealed by Ord. 37-25, File No. 240787, App. 4/3/2025, Eff. 5/4/2025)
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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.
- 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