San Francisco Planning Code Art. 2.5 Height and Bulk Districts

ARTICLE 2.5: HEIGHT AND BULK DISTRICTS

(a) In order to carry out further the purposes of this Code, height and bulk districts are hereby established, subject to the provisions of this Article 2.5.

(b) No building or structure or part thereof shall be permitted to exceed, except as stated in Sections 172, 188, and 206 of this Code, the height and bulk limits set forth in this Article for the district in which it is located, including the height limits for use districts set forth in Section 261.

(c) The establishment of these height and bulk districts and the repeal and replacement of special height districts or height limits previously in effect in the City shall in no way be deemed to confer legal noncomplying status upon any building or structure constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered or relocated in violation of the height districts or limits previously in effect.

(d) In the case of any apparent inconsistency among requirements of this Code applicable to the same property or development, including but not limited to standards for height, bulk, floor area ratio, setbacks, yards, usable open space and dwelling unit density, the most restrictive of such requirements shall prevail.

(e) The provision of this Article 2.5 shall apply to all properties and developments, both public and private, including those of the City and County of San Francisco.

(f) The requirements of height and bulk districts established by this Article 2.5 shall not apply to buildings and structures on sites for which a redeveloper had been formally selected by the Redevelopment Agency of the City prior to August 26, 1971, for development in a Redevelopment Project Area in accordance with an agreement that specifically committed the City to a height or bulk configuration not consistent with the provisions of this Article for height and bulk districts.

(Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 143-16 , File No. 160687, App. 7/29/2016, Eff. 8/28/2016) AMENDMENT HISTORY Division (b) amended; Ord. 143-16 , Eff. 8/28/2016.

In addition to the purposes of this Code as stated in Section 101, these height and bulk districts are established for further purposes of implementing the Urban Design element and other elements of the General Plan, according to the objectives, principles and policies stated therein. Among these purposes are the following:

(a) Relating of the height of buildings to important attributes of the City pattern and to the height and character of existing development;

(b) Relating of the bulk of buildings to the prevailing scale of development to avoid an overwhelming or dominating appearance in new construction;

• (c) Promotion of building forms that will respect and improve the integrity of open spaces and other public areas;

• (d) Promotion of harmony in the visual relationships and transitions between new and older buildings;

• (e) Protection and improvement of important City resources and of the neighborhood environment;

• (f) Conservation of natural areas and other open spaces; and

• (g) Direction of new development to locations that are appropriate in terms of land use and transportation.

(Amended by Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Introductory material amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.

The City is hereby divided into classes of height and bulk districts as indicated on the Zoning Map and in this Article 2.5. The original of the sectional maps establishing said districts is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors under File No. 362-72-2. The height limits for each such district are specified on said map by numerical designations in feet, and the bulk limits are designated thereon by letter symbols referring to the limitations upon the plan dimensions of buildings and structures set forth in Section 270 of this Code.

(Amended by Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72)

In the Chinatown Community Business District, the Chinatown Visitor Retail District and the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial Districts established by the use provisions of Articles 2 and 8 of this Code, in order to insure consideration of sun access on adjacent public sidewalk as specified in Section 132.3, whenever a height limit of more than 35 feet is prescribed by the Height and Bulk District in which the property is located, any building or structure

exceeding 35 feet shall be permitted only upon approval of a conditional use by the City Planning Commission, according to procedures for conditional use approval in Section 303 of this Code. (Added by Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87)

(See Interpretations related to this Section.)

(a) Method of Measurement. The limits upon the height of buildings and structures shall be as specified on the Zoning Map, except as permitted by Section 206. In the measurement of height, the following rules shall be applicable:

(1) The point above which such measurements shall be taken shall be as specified as follows.

(A) In the case of either subsection (a)(1)(B) or (C) below, such point shall be taken at the centerline of the building or, where the building steps laterally in relation to a street that is the basis for height measurement, separate points shall be taken at the centerline of each building step.

(B) Where the lot is level with or slopes downward from a street at the centerline of the building or building step, such point shall be taken at curb level on such a street. This point shall be used for height measurement only for a lot depth not extending beyond a line 100 feet from and parallel to such street, or beyond a line equidistant between such street and the street on the opposite side of the block, whichever depth is greater. Measurement of height for any portion of the lot extending beyond such line shall be considered in relation to the opposite (lower) end of the lot, and that portion

shall be considered an upward sloping lot in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(C) below, whether or not the lot also has frontage on a lower street.

(C) Where the lot slopes upward from a street at the centerline of the building or building step, such point shall be taken at curb level for purposes of measuring the height of the closest part of the building within 10 feet of the property line of such street; at every other cross-section of the building, at right angles to the centerline of the building or building step, such point shall be taken as the average of the ground elevations at either side of the building or building step at that cross-section. The ground elevations used shall be either existing elevations or the elevations resulting from new grading operations encompassing an entire block. Elevations beneath the building shall be taken by projecting a straight line between ground elevations at the exterior walls at either side of the entire building in the same plane.

(D) Where the lot has frontage on two or more streets, the owner may choose the street or streets from which the measurement of height is to be taken, within the scope of the rules stated above.

Where the height limits for buildings and structures are established by this Code, the upper points to be taken for measurement of height shall be as prescribed in the provisions relating to such height limits.

(2) The upper point to which such measurement shall be taken shall be the highest point on the finished roof in the case of a flat roof, and the average height of the rise in the case of a pitched or stepped roof, or similarly sculptured roof form, or any higher point of a feature not exempted under subsection (b) below. For any building taller than 550 feet in height in the S-2 Bulk District, the height of the building shall be measured at the upper point of all features of the building and exempted features in such cases shall be limited to only those permitted in subsection (b)(1)(M) and which are permitted by the Planning Commission according to the procedures of Section 309.

(3) In cases where the height limit is 65 feet or less and a street from which height measurements are made slopes laterally along the lot, or the ground slopes laterally on a lot that also slopes upward from the street, there shall be a maximum width for the portion of the building or structure that may be measured from a single point at curb or ground level, according to the definition of "height," as specified in the following table. These requirements shall not apply to any property to which the bulk limitations in Section 270 of this Code are applicable.

(4) The following requirements shall apply to all parcels within the R-4 Height and Bulk District, at or below 85 feet. In cases where the height limit is 85 feet or less and a street from which height measurements are made slopes laterally along the lot, or the ground slopes laterally on a lot that also slopes upward from the street, there shall be a maximum width for the portion of the building or structure that may be measured from a single point at curb or ground level, according to the definition of “height” as specified in the following table. These requirements shall not apply to any property to which the bulk limitations in Sections 270 through 270.3 of this Code are applicable.

TABLE 260-1

HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

ON LATERAL SLOPES WHERE

HEIGHT LIMIT IS 65 FEET OR LESS

TABLE 260-2

HEIGHT MEASUREMENT ON LATERAL SLOPES WHERE HEIGHT LIMIT IS BETWEEN 65 AND 85 FEET

(b) Exemptions. In addition to other height exceptions permitted by this Code, the features listed in this subsection (b) shall be exempt from the height limits established by this Code, in an amount up to but not exceeding that which is specified.

(1) The following features shall be exempt provided the limitations indicated for each are observed; and provided further that the sum of the horizontal areas of all features listed in this subsection (b)(1) shall not exceed 30% of the horizontal area of the roof above which they are situated, or, in C-3 Districts and in the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential District, where the top of the building has been separated into a number of stepped elements to reduce the bulk of the upper tower, of the total of all roof areas of the upper towers; and provided further that in any R, RC-3, or RC-4 District the sum of the horizontal areas of all such features located within the first 10 feet of depth of the building, as measured from the front wall of the building, shall not exceed 20% of the horizontal area of the roof in such first 10 feet of depth. As an alternative, the sum of the horizontal areas of all features listed in this subsection (b)(1) may be equal to but not exceed 30% of the horizontal area permitted for buildings and structures under any bulk limitations in Section 270 of this Code applicable to the subject property.

Any such sum of 30% heretofore described may be increased to 40% by unroofed screening designed either to obscure the features listed under (A) and (B) below or to provide a more balanced and graceful silhouette for the top of the building or structure.

(A) Mechanical equipment and appurtenances necessary to the operation or maintenance of the building or structure itself, including chimneys, ventilators, plumbing vent stacks, cooling towers, water tanks, panels or devices for the collection of solar or wind energy, and window-washing equipment, together with visual screening for any such features. This exemption shall be limited to the top 16 feet of such features where the height limit is 65 feet or less, and the top 20 feet of such features where the height limit is more than 65 feet. In C-3 districts, for existing buildings whose height exceeds the permitted height limit, these exempted features shall be measured from the existing roofline instead of the height limit.

(B) Elevator, stair and mechanical penthouses, fire towers, skylights, and dormer windows. This exemption shall be limited to the top 16 feet of such features where the height limit is 65 feet or less, and the top 20 feet of such features where the height limit is more than 65 feet. However, for elevator penthouses, the exemption shall be limited to the top 16 feet and limited to the footprint of the elevator shaft, regardless of the height limit of the building. The design of all elevator penthouses in Residential Districts shall be consistent with the “Residential Design Guidelines” as adopted and periodically amended for specific areas or conditions by the Planning Commission. In C-3 districts, for existing buildings whose height exceeds the permitted height limit, these exempted features shall be measured from the existing roofline instead of the height limit.

The Zoning Administrator may, after conducting a public hearing, grant a further height exemption for an elevator penthouse for a building with a height limit of more than 65 feet but only to the extent that the Zoning Administrator determines that such an exemption is required to meet state or federal laws or regulations. All requests for height exemptions for elevator penthouses located in Residential or Neighborhood Commercial Districts shall be subject to the neighborhood notification requirements of Section 311 of this Code.

(C) Stage and scenery lofts.

(D) Ornamental and symbolic fea- tures of public and religious buildings and struc- tures, including towers, spires, cupolas, belfries and domes, where such features are not used for human occupancy.

(E) In any C-3 District, the CMUO District, and any MUR or MUG District within the Central SoMa Special Use District, enclosed space related to the recreational, Restaurant, or Bar use of the roof, not to exceed 16 feet in height. In C- 3 districts, for existing buildings whose height exceeds the permitted height limit, these exempted features shall be measured from the existing roofline instead of the height limit.

(F) Rooftop enclosures and screening for features listed in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (B) above that add additional building volume in any C-3 District except as otherwise allowed in the S-2 Bulk district according to subsection (M) below or the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts. The rooftop enclosure or screen creating the added volume:

(i) shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this Section 260(b) but shall meet the requirements of Section 141;

(ii) shall not exceed 20 feet in height, measured as provided in subsection (a) above;

(iii) may have a volume, measured in cubic feet, not to exceed three-fourths of the horizontal area of all upper tower roof areas multiplied by the maximum permitted height of the enclosure or screen;

(iv) shall not be permitted within the setbacks required by Sections 132.1, 132.2, and 132.3;

(v) shall not be permitted within any setback required to meet the sun access plane requirements of Section 146; and

(vi) shall not be permitted within any setback required by Section 261.1.

(G) In any C-3 District except as otherwise allowed in the S-2 Bulk district according to subsection (M) below, vertical extensions to buildings, such as spires, which enhance the visual appearance of the structure and are not used for human occupancy may be allowed, pursuant to the provisions of Section 309, up to 75 feet above the height otherwise allowed. The extension shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this subsection, provided that the extension is less than 100 square feet in cross-section and 18 feet in diagonal dimension.

(H) In the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential District, enclosed space related to the recreational use of the roof, not to exceed 16 feet in height.

(I) In the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential District, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed under Subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this subsection but shall meet the requirements of Section 141, shall not exceed 10 percent of the total height of any building taller than 105 feet, shall have a horizontal area not more than 85 percent of the total area of the highest occupied floor, and shall contain no space for human occupancy. The features described in (b)(1)(B) shall not be limited to 16 feet for buildings taller than 160 feet, but shall be limited by the permissible height of any additional rooftop volume allowed by this Subsection.

(J) In the Van Ness Special Use District, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed under Subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above and to provide additional visual interest to the roof of the structure. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this Subsection, but shall meet the requirements of Section 141 and shall not exceed 10 feet in height where the height limit is 65 feet or less or 16 feet where the height limit is more than 65 feet, measured as provided in Subsection (a) above, and may not exceed a total volume, including the volume of the features being enclosed, equal to ¾ of the horizontal area of all upper tower roof areas of the building measured before the addition of any exempt features times 10 where the height limit is 65 feet or less or times 16 where the height limit is more than 65 feet.

(K) In the Northeast China Basin Special Use District, light standards for the purpose of lighting the ballpark. (L) In the C-3-G District, on sites fronting on Van Ness Avenue in the 120-X height district, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed under subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above, to allow increased roof height for performance and common space, and to provide additional visual interest to the roof of the structure. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to this subsection (b)(1)(L), but shall meet the requirements of Section 141 and shall not exceed 16 feet in height, measured as provided in subsection (a) above. Buildings that are eligible for this exemption are also eligible for exceptions to any quantitative standards set forth in Article 1.2 of this Code through Section 309 of this Code.

(M) In the Central SoMa Special Use District, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1)(B) above. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to the building, but shall meet the requirements of Section 141; shall not exceed 10% of the total height of any building taller than 200 feet; shall have a horizontal area not more than 100% of the total area of the highest occupied floor; and shall contain no space for human occupancy. The features described in subsection (b)(1)(B) shall not be limited to 16 feet for buildings taller than 200 feet, but shall be limited by the permissible height of any additional rooftop volume allowed by this subsection (M).

(N) In any S-2 Bulk District for any building which exceeds 550 feet in height, unoccupied building features including mechanical and elevator penthouses, enclosed and unenclosed rooftop screening, and unenclosed architectural features not containing occupied space that extend above the height limit, only as permitted by the Planning Commission according to the procedures of Section 309 and meeting all of the following criteria:

(i) such elements are demonstrated to not add more than insignificant amounts of additional shadow compared to the same building without such additional elements on any public open spaces as deemed acceptable by the Planning Commission; and

(ii) such elements are limited to a maximum additional height equivalent to 7.5% of the height of the building to the roof of the highest occupied floor, except that in the case of a building in the 1,000-foot height district such elements are not limited in height, and any building regardless of building height or height district may feature a single spire or flagpole with a diagonal in cross-section of less than 18 feet and up to 50 feet in height in addition to elements allowed according to this subsection (N); and

(iii) such elements are designed as integral components of the building design, enhance both the overall silhouette of the building and the City skyline as viewed from distant public vantage points by producing an elegant and unique building top, and achieve overall design excellence.

(O) In the Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District and only in the block/lot districts 85-X // 120/365R-2, additional building volume used to enclose or screen from view the features listed in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(1) (B) above. The rooftop form created by the added volume shall not be subject to the percentage coverage limitations otherwise applicable to the building, but shall meet the requirements of Section 141; shall not exceed 10 percent of the total height of any building taller than 200 feet; shall have a horizontal area not more than 100 percent of the total area of the highest occupied floor; and shall contain no space for human occupancy that is enclosed or otherwise not open to the sky. The features described in subsection (b)(1)(B) shall not be limited to 16 feet for buildings taller than 200 feet but shall be limited by the permissible height of any additional rooftop volume allowed by this subsection (O).

(2) The following features shall be exempt, without regard to their horizontal area, provided the limitations indicated for each are observed:

• (A) Railings, parapets and catwalks, with a maximum height of four feet.

• (B) Open railings, catwalks and fire escapes required by law, wherever situated.

(C) Unroofed recreation facilities with open fencing, including tennis and basketball courts at roof level, swimming pools with a maximum height of four feet and play equipment with a maximum height of 10 feet.

(D) Unenclosed seating areas limited to tables, chairs and benches, and related windscreens, lattices and sunshades with a maximum height of 10 feet.

• (E) Landscaping, with a maximum height of four feet for all features other than plant materials.

• (F) Short-term parking of passenger automobiles, without additional structures or equipment other than trellises or similar overhead screening for such automobiles with a maximum height of eight feet.

• (G) Amusement parks, carnivals and circuses, where otherwise permitted as temporary uses.

• (H) Flagpoles and flags, clothes poles and clotheslines, and weathervanes.

(I) Wireless Telecommunications Services Facilities and other antennas, dishes, and towers and related screening elements, subject to any other applicable Planning Code provisions, including but not limited to applicable design review criteria and Planning Code Section 295.

(J) Warning and navigation signals and beacons, light standards and similar devices, not including any sign regulated by this Code.

• (K) Public monuments owned by government agencies.

• (L) Cranes, scaffolding and batch plants erected temporarily at active construction sites.

(M) Structures and equipment necessary for the operation of industrial plants, transportation facilities, public utilities and government installations, where otherwise permitted by this Code and where such structures and equipment do not contain separate floors, not including towers and antennae for transmission, reception, or relay of radio, television, or other electronic signals where permitted as principal or conditional uses by this Code.

(N) Buildings, structures and equipment of the San Francisco Port Commission, where not subject to this Code due to provisions of the San Francisco Charter or State law.

(O) Enclosed recreational facilities up to a height of 10 feet above the otherwise applicable height limit when located within a 65-U Height and Bulk District and an MUO District, and only then when authorized by the Planning Commission as a Conditional Use pursuant to Section 303 of this Code, provided that the project is designed in such a way as to reduce the apparent mass of the structure above a base 50-foot building height.

(P) Historic Signs and Vintage Signs permitted pursuant to Article 6 of this Code.

(Q) In the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, enclosed utility sheds of not more than 100 square feet, exclusively for the storage of landscaping and gardening equipment for adjacent rooftop landscaping, with a maximum height of 8 feet above the otherwise applicable height limit.

(R) Hospitals, as defined in this Code, that are legal non-complying structures with regard to height, may add additional mechanical equipment so long as the new mechanical equipment 1) is not higher than the highest point of the existing rooftop enclosure, excluding antennas; 2) has minimal visual impact and maximum architectural integration; 3) is necessary for the function of the building; and 4) no other feasible alternatives exist. Any existing rooftop equipment that is out of service or otherwise abandoned shall be removed prior to installation of new rooftop equipment. (Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 532-85, App. 12/4/85; Ord. 537-88, App. 12/16/88; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Proposition B, 3/26/96; Proposition F, 6/3/97; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 269-05, File No. 050496, App. 11/30/2005; Proposition G, 6/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 182-12 , File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 252-14 , File No. 141096, App. 12/17/2014, Eff. 1/16/2015; Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 102-16 , File No. 160346, App. 6/24/2016, Eff. 7/24/2016; Ord. 143-16 , File No. 160687, App. 7/29/2016, Eff. 8/28/2016; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 217-16, File No. 160424, App. 11/10//2016, Eff. 12/10/2016; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 58-18, File No. 180114, App. 4/12/2018, Eff. 5/13/2018; Ord. 296- 18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 126-20, File No. 200559, App. 7/31/2020, Eff. 8/31/2020; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; 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. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Divisions (a)(2), (b)(1)(F), and (b)(1)(G) amended; division (b)(1)(M) added; Ord. 182-12 , Eff. 9/7/2012. Division (b)(2) (S) added; Ord. 252-14 , Eff. 1/16/2015. Division (a)(1) amended; divisions (a)(1)(A)-(D) added; division (b)(2)(I)

amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Divisions (b)(1) and (b)(1)(F) amended; Ord. 102-16 , Eff. 7/24/2016. Division (a) amended; Ord. 143-16 , Eff. 8/28/2016. Division (b)(2)(I) amended; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Division (b)(2)(Q) amended; Ord. 217-16, Eff. 12/10/2016. Divisions (b) and (b)(2)(P) amended; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Divisions (b) (1), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(1)(L) amended; Ord. 58-18, Eff. 5/13/2018. Divisions (b)(1)(E) and (F) amended; second division (b)(1)(L) added, former division (b)(2)(O) deleted; former divisions (b)(2)(P)-(S) redesignated as divisions (b)(2)(O)-(R); current divisions (b)(2)(O) and (b)(2)(R) amended; Ord. 296-18 , Eff. 1/12/2019. Divisions (b)(1)(B) and (b)(1)(E) amended; second division (b)(1)(L) and division (b)(1)(M) redesignated as (b)(1)(M)-(N); current divisions (b)(1)(M) and

(b)(1)(N)(ii) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. New division (b)(1)(N)¹ added; Ord. 126-20 , Eff. 8/31/2020. Second division (b)(1)(N) redesignated as (b)(1)(O); Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Divisions (b)(1)-(b)(1)(B) and (b)(1)(E) amended; Ord. 122-23, Eff. 8/5/2023, and Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023. Divisions (a)(1)(A)-(B), (a)(2) amended; division (a)(4) added; Table 260 amended and redesignated as Table 260-1; Table 260-2 added; Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026.

(See Interpretations related to this Section.)

(a) General. Notwithstanding any other height limit established by this Article 2.5 to the contrary, the height of dwellings in certain use districts established by Article 2 of this Code shall be further limited by this Section 261. The measurement of such height shall be as prescribed by Section 260.

(b) Height Limits Applicable to the Entire Property.

(1) No portion of a dwelling in any RH-1(D), RH-1 or RH-1(S) District shall exceed a height of 35 feet, except that:

(A) The permitted Height of a Building, as defined in Section 102, shall be increased to 40 feet, as measured at curb per Section 260, where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is higher by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof;

(B) The permitted height shall be reduced to 30 feet where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is lower by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof; and

(C) The permitted height shall be reduced to 25 feet where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is lower by 40 or more feet than at the front line thereof.

(2) No portion of a dwelling in any RH-2 District shall exceed a height of 40 feet, except that the permitted height shall be reduced to 35 feet where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is lower by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof.

(c) Height Limits Applicable to Front Portion of the Property. Except in cases where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is higher by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof, the following additional height limits shall apply to the front portion of properties containing dwellings in all RH-1(D), RH-1, RH-1(S) and RH-2 Districts:

(1) Basic Requirement. The height limit shall be 30 feet at the front lot line or, where the lot is subject to a legislated setback line or required front setback as described in Section 131 or Section 132 of this Code, then at such setback; and shall increase at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal toward the rear of the lot until the height limit prescribed by Subsection (b) above is reached.

(2) Increase Based Upon Conditions on Adjacent Lots. At the front wall of the building, and at every vertical cross-section of the building, parallel to the front lot line, to which the limit prescribed by Paragraph (c)(1) above is applicable, said limit shall be increased to the average of the heights of the two adjacent buildings measured in the same vertical plane; or, if there is only one adjacent building, then to the height of the one adjacent building measured in the same vertical plane. For purposes of this provision, an adjacent building shall mean a building on a lot adjoining the subject lot along a side lot line.

(Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (b)(1)(A) amended; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Division (b)(1)(A) amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.

(a) The height limits established by this Article 2.5 shall apply to all signs regulated by this Code, except for Historic Signs and Vintage Signs defined in Section 602, and Historic Movie Theater Projecting Signs and Historic Movie Theater Marquees defined in Section 188(e) of this Code. No sign shall be erected, placed, replaced, reconstructed or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this Article, whether such sign is freestanding or attached to a building or structure.

(b) The height of signs is also regulated by Article 6 of this Code, and in each case the most restrictive of the applicable height limitations shall prevail, except for Historic Signs, Vintage Signs, Historic Movie Theater Projecting Signs, and Historic Movie Theater Marquees which are exempt from height limits pursuant to Section 260 of this Code. (Amended by Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020)

AMENDMENT HISTORY Divisions (a) and (b) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020.

In the height and bulk districts indicated in the following Sections, buildings and structures exceeding the prescribed height limits may be approved by the Planning Commission according to the procedures for conditional use approval in Section 303 of this Code unless otherwise specified herein. Any exceptions granted may be permitted only in the areas specified and only to the extent stated in each Section.

(Amended by Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72; Ord. 15-98, App. 1/16/98; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019)

(Added by Ord. 248-09, File No. 090388, App. 12/3/2009; repealed by Ord. 15-14, File No. 131086, App. 2/14/2014, Eff. 3/16/2014)

Editor's Notes:

This section originally was designated 263.22 when enacted by Ord. 248-09, approved 12/3/2009. The section was redesignated by the editor in order to avoid conflicting with previously existing material. The section was repealed under its current section number as shown in the history note above.

For current provisions relating to the 1500 Page Street Affordable Housing Special Use District, see Sec. 249.47.

(See Interpretations related to this Section.)

(a) The limits upon the bulk of buildings and structures shall be as stated in this Section 270 (including Sections 270.1, 270.2, and 270.3) and in Sections 271 and 272. The terms Diagonal Dimension, Height, Length, and Plan Dimensions shall be as defined in this Code. In each height and bulk district, the maximum plan dimensions shall be as specified in the following table, at all horizontal cross-sections above the height indicated.

(b) These limits shall not apply to the buildings, structures and equipment listed in Section 260(b)(2) (K), (L), (M) and

(N) of this Code, subject to the limitations expressed therein.

(c) Maximum plan lengths and diagonal dimensions do not apply to cornices or other decorative projections.

(d) The bulk limits contained in this subsection shall apply in S and S-2 Bulk Districts as designated on Sectional Map Nos. 1H, 2H and 7H of the Zoning Map.

(1) Base. The base is the lowest portion of the building extending vertically to a streetwall height up to 1.25 times the width of the widest abutting street or 50 feet, whichever is more. There are no length or diagonal dimension limitations applicable to the base. The building base shall be delineated from the lower and upper tower and related to abutting buildings by a setback, cornice line or equivalent projection or other appropriate means. In the C-3-O(SD) District additional requirements for building base and streetwall articulation and setbacks are described in Section 132.1.

(2) Lower Tower.

(A) Dimensions. Bulk controls for the lower tower apply to that portion of the building height above the base as shown on Chart B. For buildings of less than 160 feet in height, the lower tower controls are the only bulk controls above the base of the building. The bulk controls for the lower tower are a maximum length of 160 feet, a maximum floor size of 20,000 square feet, and a maximum diagonal dimension of 190 feet.

(B) Additional Bulk for Elevators. Solely in order to accommodate additional elevators required by tall buildings the lower portion (up to the height shown on Chart B) of the lower tower of a building 500 feet tall or taller may be enlarged up to a maximum length of 190 feet, a maximum diagonal dimension of 230 feet and a maximum floor size of up to 25,000 square feet without a corresponding reduction in upper floor size.

• (3) Upper Tower.

(A) Dimensions. Upper tower bulk controls apply to buildings taller than 160 feet. They apply to the upper tower portion of a building up to the height shown on Chart B, which height excludes the vertical attachment and other features exempted by Section 260 and excludes the extended upper tower height exceptions provided for in Section 263.7 of this Code. The bulk controls for the upper tower are: a maximum length of 130 feet; a maximum average floor size of 12,000 square feet; a maximum floor size for any floor of 17,000 square feet; and a maximum average diagonal measure of 160 feet. In determining the average floor size of the upper tower, areas with a cross-sectional area of less than 4,000 square feet may not be counted and sculptured architectural forms that contain large volumes of space but no usable floors shall be included in average floor size calculation by computing the cross section at 12.5-foot intervals.

(B) Volume Reduction. When the average floor size of the lower tower exceeds 5,000 square feet, the volume of the upper tower shall be reduced to a percentage of the volume that would occur if the average floor size of the lower tower were extended to the proposed building height. The percentage varies with the bulk of the lower tower and with whether or not a height extension is employed pursuant to Section 263.7 and is shown on Chart C. In achieving the required volume reduction, a setback or change in profile at a specific elevation is not required.

(C) Extensions. Extension of the upper tower above the otherwise allowable height limits may be permitted as provided in Section 263.9.

(D) Termination of the Tower. The top of the tower shall be massed in a manner that will create a visually distinctive roof or other termination of the building facade. Modifications to a proposed project may be required, in the manner provided in Section 309, to achieve this purpose.

(4) Buildings Taller than 650 Feet in the S-2 Bulk District. For buildings taller than 650 feet in height in the S-2 Bulk District, the following controls shall apply in lieu of the controls of subsections (1)-(3):

(A) Lower Tower. There are no bulk controls for the lower tower except as required by Section 132.1. The lower tower for such buildings shall be defined as the bottom two-thirds of the building from sidewalk grade to roof of the uppermost occupied floor.

(B) Upper Tower. The average floor size of the upper tower shall not exceed 75 percent of the average floor size of the lower tower, and the average diagonal dimension shall not exceed 87 percent of the average diagonal dimension of the lower tower.

(i) In determining the average floor size and average diagonal of the upper tower, unoccupied architectural elements permitted according to Section 260(b)(1)(M), except for levels consisting of singular spires with a diagonal in cross-section of less than 18 feet, may be included in the calculations if the Planning Commission determines, according to the procedures of Section 309, that such unoccupied architectural elements produce a distinct visual tapering of the building as intended by the controls of subsection (B) and create an elegant profile for the upper tower from key public vantage points throughout the City and beyond. In calculating the floor size and diagonal of such architectural elements, a cross section floor proscribed by the most distant outside points of all elements shall be assumed at 12.5-foot intervals.

(e) Rincon Hill and South Beach. In Bulk District R (Rincon Hill and South Beach DTR Districts), bulk limitations are as follows:

(1) There are no bulk limits below the podium height as described in Section 263.19, except for the lot coverage limitations and setback requirements described in Sections 825 and 827.

(2) Tower Bulk and Spacing. All portions of structures above the podium height as described in Section 263.19 shall meet the following bulk limitations, as illustrated in Chart C.

(A) Buildings between the podium height limit and 240 feet in height may not exceed a plan length of 90 feet and a diagonal dimension of 120 square feet.

(B) Buildings between 241 and 300 feet in height may not exceed a plan length of 100 feet and a diagonal dimension of 125 feet, and may not exceed a maximum average floor area of 8,500 gross square feet.

(C) Buildings between 301 and 350 feet in height may not exceed a plan length of 115 feet and a diagonal dimension of 145 feet. They may not exceed a maximum average floor area of 9,000 gross square feet.

(D) Buildings between 351 and 550 feet in height may not exceed a plan length of 115 feet and a diagonal dimension of 145 feet. They may not exceed a maximum average floor area of 10,000 gross square feet.

(E) To allow variety in the articulation of towers, the floor plates of individual floors may exceed the maximums described above by as much as 5 percent, provided the maximum average floor plate is met.

(F) To encourage tower sculpting, the gross floor area of the top one-third of the tower shall be reduced by 10 percent from the maximum floor plates described in (A) - (D) above, unless the overall tower floor plate is reduced by an equal or greater volume.

(G) In order to provide adequate sunlight and air to streets and open spaces, a minimum distance of 115 feet must be preserved between all structures above 110 feet in height at all levels above 110 feet in height. Spacing shall be measured horizontally from the outside surface of the exterior wall of the subject building to the nearest point on the closest structure above 110 feet in height. Any project that is permitted pursuant to the exception described in Section 270(e)(3) shall not be considered for the purposes of measuring tower spacing pursuant to this Section.

(H) The procedures for granting special exceptions to bulk limits described in Section 271 shall not apply; exceptions may be granted pursuant to Sections 270(e)(3) and 270(e)(4).

(I) Additional setback, lot coverage, and design requirements for the DTR Districts are described in Sections 825, 827, 828 and 829.

(3) Exceptions to tower spacing and upper tower sculpting requirements in Rincon Hill DTR. An exception to the 115 feet tower spacing requirement and the upper tower sculpting requirement described in (e)(2)(F) and (G) above may be

granted to a project only on Block 3747 on a lot formed by the merger of part or all of Lots 001E, 002 and 006, pursuant to the procedures described in 309.1 of this Code provided that projects meet the following criteria:

(A) Applications for environmental review and conditional use related to a building above 85 feet in height on the subject lot have been filed with the Department prior to March 1, 2003 and February 1, 2005, respectively;

(B) Given the 115 tower spacing requirement described in (G) above, the existence of an adjacent building greater than 85 feet in height precludes the development of a tower on the subject lot;

• (C) The subject lot has a total area of no less than 35,000 square feet;

• (D) The proposed project is primarily residential and has an area of no more than 528,000 gross square feet;

• (E) The proposed project conforms to all other controls described or referenced in Section 827 and any other controls in this Code related to the Rincon Hill DTR District.

(F) For the purposes of subsection (D) above, the term "gross square feet" shall be the sum of the gross areas of all floors of a building or buildings above street grade measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls or from the center lines of walls separating two buildings, excluding area below street grade. Where columns are outside and separated from an exterior wall (curtain wall) which encloses the building space or are otherwise so arranged that the curtain wall is clearly separated from the structural members, the exterior face of the curtain wall shall be the line of measurement, and the area of the columns themselves at each floor shall also be counted.

(4) Allowance for limited reduction in spacing from existing towers in Rincon Hill DTR. To allow limited variation in tower placement from towers for which a certificate of occupancy has been issued prior to February 1, 2005, a reduction in tower spacing described in (e)(2)(G) above may be granted pursuant to the procedures described in 309.1 of this Code if all the following criteria are met:

(A) For every percent reduction from the maximum average floor area as described in (2) above, an equal percent reduction in tower separation may be granted subject to the following limits:

(i) Up to a height of one-and-one-half times the maximum permitted podium height, tower spacing described in (e)(2)(G) above may be reduced by not more than 15 percent;

(ii) up to a height of 180 feet, tower spacing described in (e)(2)(G) above may be reduced by not more than 10 percent; and

(iii) all floors above 180 feet achieve the full 115-foot minimum tower spacing requirement described in (e)(2)(G) above. A project may average the tower separation of all floors below 180 feet so long as the requirements of (ii) and (iii) herein are satisfied.

(5) Exceptions to Tower Bulk, Upper Tower Sculpting and Tower Spacing Requirements on Block 3764. Exceptions to the tower bulk, upper tower sculpting and tower spacing requirements described in Subsections (e)(2)(A), (F) and (G) above may be granted to a project only on Block 3764, Lot 063, pursuant to the procedures described in Section 309.1 of this Code, provided that the project meets all of the following criteria:

(A) Within 115 feet of Block 3764, Lot 063, there is a tower greater than 85 feet in height as part of a building that has received a First Construction Document;

• (B) The project involves the construction of, or alteration to, a tower of no more than 250 feet in height;

• (C) The subject lot has a total area of no more than 15,000 square feet;

(D) A minimum distance of 82 feet is preserved between any structures on the parcel and any other structure on or off the parcel above 110 feet in height at all levels above 110 feet in height. Spacing shall be measured horizontally from the outside surface of the exterior wall of structures, which shall include those features described in Planning Code Section 136(c)(2) and (3); and

(E) The project is primarily residential, contains no more than 250,000 gross square feet and provides on-site inclusionary affordable units equivalent to 15% of all units constructed on the site, which shall be subject to the requirements of the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program under Planning Code Section 415 et seq. , and the City's Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program Monitoring and Procedures Manual, as amended from time to time.

(f) Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District. In Bulk District R-2 (Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District), bulk limitations are as follows:

(1) Tower Bulk and Spacing. In the R-2 bulk district there are no bulk limitations below the podium height, and structures above the podium height shall meet the bulk limitations described in subsection (e)(2)(A)-(E). To ensure tower sculpting, the gross floor area of the top one-third of the height of the tower shall be reduced by not less than 10 percent from the maximum floor plates described in subsections (e)(2)(A) – (E) above, and the average diagonal of the top onethird of the height of the tower shall be reduced by not less than 13% from the average diagonal of the tower, unless the overall tower volume is reduced by an equal or greater volume.

(2) Exceptions. In the R-2 bulk district, the Planning Commission may grant bulk exceptions through the procedures and findings of Section 309(a)(17) to increase the allowed bulk of buildings up to the limits described in subsections (A) – (D) below. The procedures for granting exceptions to bulk limits described in Section 272 shall not apply.

(A) Towers up to 350 feet in height may not exceed an average floor area of 10,000 gross square feet.

(B) Towers taller than 350 feet may not exceed an average floor area of 12,000 gross square feet, maximum plan length of 150 feet, and maximum diagonal dimension of 190 feet.

(C) Towers taller than 550 feet in height districts of 590 feet and greater may not exceed an average floor area of 18,500 gross square feet between a podium height of 140 feet and 170 feet. Building mass above 150 feet shall be set back at least 10 feet from the property line for a minimum of 90% of all street frontages.

(D) Exceptions to the tower sculpting requirements described in subsection (f)(1) above may be considered up to the limits as follows:

(i) For towers less than 400 feet in height, the provision may be fully waived.

(ii) For towers taller than 400 feet in height, at least one-quarter of the tower’s floors shall be reduced by not less than 10% from the maximum floor areas described in (2)(B) above.

(iii) For towers between 500 and 550 feet in height, the average diagonal of the upper one-third of the height of the tower shall be reduced by not less than 5% of maximum diagonal dimension described in subsection 270(e), above.

(3) In order to provide adequate sunlight and air to streets and open spaces, a minimum distance of 115 feet must be preserved between all structures above the applicable podium height for the subject development lot. Spacing shall be measured horizontally from the outside surface of the exterior wall of the subject building to the nearest point on the closest structure above 120 feet in height.

(4) Exceptions shall be permitted as described in section (2)(a)-(c) above. The procedures for granting special exceptions to bulk limits described in Section 272 shall not apply.

(g) 1500 Mission Street Special Use District (Planning Code Section 249.12). In Bulk District R-3, bulk limitations are as follows:

(1) In height districts 130/240-R-3 and 130/400-R-3, there are no bulk limitations below 130 feet in height, and structures above 130 feet in height shall meet the following bulk limitations.

(A) Buildings between the podium height limit and 240 feet in height may not exceed a plan length of 170 feet and a diagonal dimension of 225 feet.

(B) Buildings between 241 and 400 feet in height may not exceed a plan length of 156 feet and a diagonal dimension of 165 feet, and may not exceed a maximum average floor area of 13,100 gross square feet. To encourage tower sculpting, the gross floor area of the top one-third of the tower shall be reduced by 7% from the maximum floor plate of the tower above the podium height limit unless the overall tower floor plate is reduced by an equal or greater volume.

(C) To provide adequate sunlight and air to streets and open spaces, a minimum distance of 115 feet must be preserved between all structures above 130 feet in height at all levels above 130 feet in height. Spacing shall be measured horizontally from the outside surface of the exterior wall of the subject building to the nearest point on the closest structure above 130 feet in height.

(2) The procedures for granting special exceptions to bulk limits described in Section 272 shall not apply.

(h) Bulk Limits within the Central SoMa Special Use District. In the CS Bulk District and height and bulk districts that allow heights of 65 feet and above and that are within the Central South of Market Special Use District, the bulk limits contained in this subsection 270(h) shall apply.

(1) Definitions. For purposes of this subsection, the definitions of Section 102 and the following definitions apply unless otherwise specified in this Section:

Apparent Mass Reduction. The percentage of the Skyplane that does not include the Projected Building Mass from

the subject lot. For purposes of calculating Apparent Mass Reduction, any portion of the Projected Building Mass that projects above the Height limit shall be added to the projection within the Skyplane.

Base Height. The lowest Height from which the Skyplane is measured.

Lower Tower. The lower two-thirds of the Tower Portion of a Tower, rounded to the nearest floor.

Major Street. 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, Mission Street, Howard Street, Folsom Street, Harrison Street, Bryant Street, Brannan Street, and Townsend Street.

Mid-Block Passage. Any passage created pursuant to Section 270.2.

Narrow Street. A right-of-way with a width of 40 feet or less and more than 60 feet from an intersection with a street wider than 40 feet.

Projected Building Mass. The portion of the subject building that projects into the Skyplane as viewed from the

most directly opposite property line. This volume includes all parts and features of a building, including but not limited to any feature listed in Section 260(b).

Skyplane.

• (i) A plane along each street-facing property line of the subject lot extending:

• (aa) Vertically from the Base Height up to the Height limit for the subject lot; and

• (bb) Horizontally for the length of the street-facing property line.

• (ii) The figure below illustrates how a skyplane is to be measured:

Tower. Any building taller than 160 feet in Height.

Tower Portion. The portion of a Tower above 85 feet in Height.

Upper Tower. The upper one-third of the Tower Portion of a Tower, rounded to the nearest floor.

(2) Apparent Mass Reduction. Projects in the CS Bulk District are subject to the Apparent Mass Reduction controls of Table 270(h), as well as the setback requirements of Section 132.4.

• For projects that are required to provide PDR pursuant to Sections 202.8 and 249.78(c)(5), if such PDR is provided on the ground floor or above, add 3 vertical feet to the Base Height.

** For projects that are required to provide PDR pursuant to Sections 202.8 and 249.78 (c)(5), if such PDR is provided on the ground floor or above, add 3 vertical feet to the height where upper story setback is required pursuant to Section 261.1.

*** Any building that exceeds the height allowed by the applicable Height District shall comply with the apparent mass reduction requirement in this Table based on its actual height.

• (3) Bulk Controls for Buildings Towers.

• (A) Maximum Floor Area for the Tower Portion.

(i) For residential and hotel uses, the maximum Gross Floor Area of any floor is 12,000 gross square feet.

(ii) For all other uses, the maximum Gross Floor Area of any floor is 17,000 gross square feet and the average Gross Floor Area for all floors in the Tower Portion shall not exceed 15,000 gross square feet.

(B) Maximum Plan Dimensions for the Tower Portion.

• (i) The maximum length shall be 150 feet.

• (ii) The maximum diagonal shall be 190 feet.

(iii) For buildings with a Height of 250 feet or more, the average Gross Floor Area of the Upper Tower shall not exceed 85 percent of the average Gross Floor Area of the Lower Tower, and the average diagonal of the Upper Tower shall not exceed 92.5 percent of the average diagonal of the Lower Tower.

(4) Exceptions. Except as specifically described in this subsection (h) and in Section 329(e), no exceptions to the controls in the CS Bulk District shall be permitted. The procedures for granting special exceptions to bulk limits described in Section 272 shall not apply.

(i) R-4 Height and Bulk District. In the R-4 Height and Bulk District, the bulk limitation are as follows:

(1) Tower Bulk and Spacing. In the R-4 Height and Bulk District, the otherwise applicable bulk controls for structures below a height of 85 feet or below a different height threshold where explicitly specified elsewhere in the Code (“Podium Height”) shall govern, including, but not limited to, those found in the Citywide Design Standards. Portions of structures above the podium height shall comply with the bulk limitations described in subsection (i)(1)(A) and (B) below.

(A) Buildings between the Podium Height and 140 feet in height (exclusive of permitted height exceptions) shall: (i) Provide 15-foot setback(s) from any interior property line(s) for portion(s) of the building above the Podium Height.

(ii) For portions of structures above the Podium Height, the average floor plate shall not exceed 12,000 square feet.

(iii) For portions of structures above the Podium Height, a maximum length of 130 feet and a maximum diagonal of 160 feet are permitted.

(iv) Building portions above the Podium Height and up to 140 feet must maintain a 30-foot distance from other buildings above the Podium Height on any lot.

(B) Buildings above 140 feet in height (exclusive of permitted height exceptions) shall:

(i) Provide 15-foot setback(s) from any interior property line(s) for portion(s) of the building above the Podium Height.

(ii) For portions of structures above the Podium Height, the average floor plate shall not exceed 12,000 square feet.

(iii) For portions of structures above the Podium Height, a maximum length of 130 feet and a maximum diagonal of 160 feet are permitted.

(iv) Building portions above the Podium Height shall be separated by no less than 115 feet from other buildings above 85 feet on any lot.

(v) For portions of buildings above the Podium Height, a maximum unbroken wall width of 100 feet is permitted. For building masses above 85 feet in height and with a plan length in excess of 100 feet, relief shall be provided through: a. a notch, defined as a building recess or volumetric reduction that is provided at the indicated height and extending the full vertical height of the subject facade above 85-feet, of at least 10 feet by 10 feet; or

b. a change in plane of at least 10 feet.

(vi) The top one-third of a building above 85 feet shall be reduced in both floor plate and the allowed maximum plan and diagonal dimensions set forth in subsection (i)(1)(B) by 10% each.

(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 532-85, App. 12/4/85; Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87; Ord. 537-88, App. 12/16/88; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 94-06, File No. 050182, App. 5/19/2006; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 208-10, File No. 208-10, App. 8/3/2010; Ord. 90-11, File No. 110301, App. 6/9/2011, Eff. 7/9/2011; Ord. 98-11, File No. 110229, App. 6/15/2011, Eff. 7/15/2011; Ord. 144-11 , File No. 110625, App. 7/18/2011, Eff. 8/17/2011; Ord. 182-12 , File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 217-15 , File No. 151063, App. 12/16/2015, Eff. 1/15/2016; Ord. 101-17, File No. 170348, App. 5/24/2017, Eff. 6/23/2017; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 206-19, File No. 190048, App. 9/13/2019, Eff. 10/14/2019; Ord. 126-20 , File No. 200559, App. 7/31/2020, Eff. 8/31/2020; Ord. 47-21, File No. 201175, App. 4/16/2021, Eff. 5/17/2021; Ord. 33-24, File No. 231144, App. 2/21/2024, Eff. 3/23/2024; Ord. 58-24, File No. 231256, App. 3/22/2024, Eff. 4/22/2024; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026; Ord. 13-26, File No. 251099, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Table 270 row PM added; Ord. 90-11, Eff. 7/9/2011. Table 270 row TI added; Ord. 98-11 , Eff. 7/15/2011. Table 270 row EP added; Ord. 144-11 , Eff. 8/17/2011. Table 270 row S-2 added; divisions (d) and (d)(1) amended; new division (d)(4) added; Ord. 182-12 , Eff. 9/7/2012. Table 270 row PM amended; former divisions (e)(3)(i) through (vi) redesignated as (e) (3)(A) through (F); former divisions (e)(4)(i) through (iv) redesignated as (e)(4)(A) through (e)(4)(A)(iii); Chart C replaced; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Divisions (e)(2)(I), (e)(3)(B), and (e)(3)(F) amended; Division (e)(5) added; Ord. 217-15 , Eff. 1/15/2016. Division (g) added; Ord. 101-17, Eff. 6/23/2017. Table 270 row CS added; divisions (h)-(h)(4) and Table 270(h) added; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019. Division (a) amended; Ord. 206-19, Eff. 10/14/2019. Divisions (f) and (f)(1) amended; former divisions (f)(2)-(3) redesignated as (f)(3)-(4) and amended; new divisions (f)(2)-(f)(2)(D)(iii) added; Ord. 126-20 , Eff. 8/31/2020. Division (h) amended; Table 270(h) amended; Ord. 47-21, Eff. 5/17/2021. Table 270 row IB added; Ord. 33-24, Eff. 3/23/2024. Division (a) amended; Table 270 row PY added; Ord. 58-24, Eff. 4/22/2024. Division (a) amended; Table 270 rows R-3, R-4 added; divisions (i)-(i)(1)(B)(vi) added; Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026. Table 270 row T amended; Ord. 13-26, Eff. 3/16/2026.

(a) General. The bulk limits prescribed by Section 270 have been carefully considered in relation to objectives and policies for conservation and change in districts other than C-3. There may be some exceptional cases in which these limits may properly be permitted to be exceeded to a certain degree; however, following public review and exploration of alternatives, provided there are adequate compensating factors. Such deviation might occur, when the criteria of this Section are met, for one or both of the following positive reasons:

(1) Achievement of a distinctly better design, in both a public and a private sense, than would be possible with strict adherence to the bulk limits, avoiding an unnecessary prescription of building form while carrying out the intent of the bulk limits and the principles and policies of the General Plan.

(2) Development of a building or structure with widespread public service benefits and significance to the community at large, where compelling functional requirements of the specific building or structure make necessary such a deviation.

(b) Procedures. Deviations from the bulk limits under this section shall be permitted only upon approval by the City Planning Commission according to the procedures for conditional use approval in Section 303 of this Code, or for the procedures for design review in Section 329 of this Code for subject projects in the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts.

(c) Criteria. In acting upon any application for a conditional use or modification to permit the bulk limits to be exceeded under this section, the City Planning Commission shall consider the following standards and criteria in addition to those stated in Sections 303(c) and 329 of this Code:

(1) The appearance of bulk in the building, structure or development shall be reduced by means of at least one and preferably a combination of the following factors, so as to produce the impression of an aggregate of parts rather than a single building mass:

(A) Major variations in the planes of wall surfaces, in either depth or direction, that significantly alter the mass;

(B) Significant differences in the heights of various portions of the building, structure or development that divide the mass into distinct elements;

(C) Differences in materials, colors or scales of the facades that produce separate major elements;

(D) Compensation for those portions of the building, structure or development that may exceed the bulk limits by corresponding reduction of other portions below the maximum bulk permitted; and

(E) In cases where two or more buildings, structures or towers are contained within a single development, a wide separation between such buildings, structures or towers.

(2) In every case the building, structure or development shall be made compatible with the character and development of the surrounding area by means of all of the following factors:

(A) A silhouette harmonious with natural land-forms and building patterns, including the patterns produced by height limits;

(B) Either maintenance of an overall height similar to that of surrounding development or a sensitive transition, where appropriate, to development of a dissimilar character;

(C) Use of materials, colors and scales either similar to or harmonizing with those of nearby development; and

(D) Preservation or enhancement of the pedestrian environment by maintenance of pleasant scale and visual interest.

(3) While the above factors must be present to a considerable degree for any bulk limit to be exceeded, these factors must be present to a greater degree where both the maximum length and the maximum diagonal dimension are to be exceeded than where only one maximum dimension is to be exceeded.

(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (a)(1) amended; former Chart C deleted; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.

(a) General. The bulk limits prescribed by Section 270 have been carefully considered in relation to objectives and policies for conservation and change in C-3 Districts. However, there may be some exceptional cases in which these limits may properly be permitted to be exceeded to a certain degree, provided, however, that there are adequate compensating factors. Exceptions to the bulk limits may be approved in the manner provided in Section 309, provided that at least one of the following criteria is met:

(1) Achievement of a distinctly better design, in both a public and a private sense, than would be possible with strict adherence to the bulk limits, avoiding an unnecessary prescription of building form while carrying out the intent of the bulk limits and the principles and policies of the Master Plan;

(2) Development of a building or structure with widespread public service benefits and significance to the community at large, where compelling functional requirements of the specific building or structure make necessary such a deviation; and provided further that all of the following criteria are met:

(A) The added bulk does not contribute significantly to shading of publicly accessible open space,

(B) The added bulk does not increase ground level wind currents in violation of the provisions of Section 148 of this Code;

(3) The added bulk does not significantly affect light and air to adjacent buildings;

(4) If appropriate to the massing of the building, the appearance of bulk in the building, structure or development is reduced to the extent feasible by means of at least one and preferably a combination of the following factors, so as to produce the impression of an aggregate of parts rather than a single building mass:

(A) Major variations in the planes of wall surfaces, in either depth or direction, that significantly alter the mass,

(B) Significant differences in the heights of various portions of the building, structure or development that divide the mass into distinct elements,

(C) Differences in materials, colors or scales of the facades that produce separate major elements,

(D) Compensation for those portions of the building, structure or development that may exceed the bulk limits by corresponding reduction of other portions below the maximum bulk permitted, and

(E) In cases where two or more buildings, structures or towers are contained within a single development, a wide separation between such buildings, structures or towers;

(5) The building, structure or development is made compatible with the character and development of the surrounding area by means of all of the following factors:

(A) A silhouette harmonious with natural land-forms and building patterns, including the patterns produced by height limits,

(B) Either maintenance of an overall height similar to that of surrounding development or a sensitive transition, where appropriate, to development of a dissimilar character,

(C) Use of materials, colors and scales either similar to or harmonizing with those of nearby development, and

(D) Preservation or enhancement of the pedestrian environment by maintenance of pleasant scale and visual interest.

(6) Exceptions to bulk limits shall not result in a building of greater total gross floor area than would be permitted if the bulk limits were met.

(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) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Formerly undesignated concluding paragraph designated as division (a)(6); Ord. 182-12 , Eff. 9/7/2012.

In the Open Space Districts designated by the symbol "OS" on Sectional Maps Nos. HT01 through HT13 of the Zoning Map, the height and bulk of buildings and structures shall be determined in accordance with the objectives, principles and policies of the General Plan, and no building or structure or addition thereto shall be permitted unless in conformity with the General Plan. The inclusion of land in Open Space Districts is intended to indicate its principal or exclusive purpose as open space, with future development of any character strictly limited. The exemptions from height and bulk limitations set forth in Section 260(b) of this Code shall not be applicable to Open Space Districts unless in conformity with the General Plan.

(Amended by Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72; Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Section amended; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Mission Rock Height and Bulk District is to enable development of Mission Rock as a mixed use, transit-oriented neighborhood, with significant open space, public access and affordable housing. The property within the District is divided into a number of separate blocks and varying height limits shall apply within such blocks as provided below. Design controls shall be adopted for the District to guide the design of improvements within the established height limits.

In approving the “Mission Rock Affordable Housing, Park, Jobs and Historic Preservation Initiative” (“Proposition D”) on November 3, 2015, the voters of the City and County of San Francisco established certain limits and parameters for the height and bulk of buildings at Mission Rock. These parameters are laid out in subsections (a)(1) through (5) below. The detailed height and bulk controls contained in subsections (b) through (g), adopted subsequent to approval of Proposition D, as described in the Mission Rock Special Use District in Section 249.80, are consistent with and implement these voter-established limitations and requirements. Mission Rock Design Controls (Design Controls), adopted by the Planning Commission and the Port Commission subsequent to approval of Proposition D, are incorporated by reference in Section 249.80.

The boundaries of the blocks and the height limits applicable within such blocks as shown in the graphic in subsection (b) below may only be modified in a manner consistent with all of the requirements set forth in the following subsections (a)(1) through (5), which requirements may not be amended without voter approval:

(1) Open Space. Approximately 8 acres of open space shall be provided within the District, and in these open space areas any buildings shall be limited in height to a single story, consistent with the height and bulk designation of OS (Open Space) in effect prior to the adoption of this Section 291 and the provisions of Planning Code Section 916.

(2) Pier 48. Pier 48, totaling approximately 5 acres (exclusive of the apron which shall remain as open space), shall be subject to a height limit of 40 feet and bulk designation of 40-X. No height limit in excess of 40 feet shall be established in the District within 100 feet landward of the shoreline of San Francisco Bay, measured from the mean high tide line as of the adoption of this Section 291.

(3) Lots Fronting Terry A. Francois Boulevard. Building frontages along the west side of the reconfigured Terry A. Francois Boulevard shall be no more than 40 feet in height, with height in excess of 40 feet stepping back from the street in accordance with the Design Controls. The maximum height of buildings on blocks fronting on the west side of reconfigured Terry A. Francois Boulevard shall be 120 feet, provided that floor area above 90 feet shall be used exclusively for residential uses and uses accessory thereto and/or restaurant uses.

(4) Elsewhere in the District. Three buildings within the District shall be permitted to exceed a height of 190 feet; provided that (i) occupied floor area above 190 feet shall be used exclusively for residential uses and uses accessory thereto and/or restaurant uses, (ii) the maximum height of such buildings shall be 240 feet, and (iii) the Design Controls are in effect to ensure slender towers, including a requirement that typical floors above a height of 190 feet do not exceed 12,000 square feet of gross floor area, with minor variation permitted for articulation. Consequently, the typical floors above 190 feet in the three buildings combined shall comprise no more than about 3% of the approximately 28 acre area of the Mission Rock Height and Bulk District. The height limit on all other blocks within the Mission Rock Height and Bulk District shall not exceed 190 feet or such lower height limit as may be required in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) above.

(5) Maximum Area Subject to Increased Height Limit. As compared to the height limits in effect prior to the adoption of this Section 291, the height limit shall be increased on a maximum of 10 acres of the approximately 28 acre Mission Rock Height and Bulk District. The 18 acres on which the height limit is not increased shall include: (i) areas to be devoted to open space (approximately 8 acres), (ii) the circulation network for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles (approximately 5 acres), and (iii) Pier 48 (approximately 5 acres).

(b) Height Limits. The height limits applicable to the blocks within the Mission Rock Height and Bulk District are as shown on the graphic below.

Figure 291-MR1, Maximum Height and Bulk Plan

(c) Height and Bulk Measurement. Maximum building heights shall be measured from the highest point of the finished grade (as referenced in the Design Controls) along the property line, up to the highest point of the uppermost structural slab in the case of a flat roof, and up to the average height of the rise in the case of a pitched or stepped roof, or similarly sculptured roof form. Maximum Base Building heights shall be measured from the highest point of the finished grade (as referenced in the Design Controls of the finished grade (as referenced in the Design Controls)1 along the property line up to the highest point on the uppermost structural slab of the Base Building in the case of a flat roof, and the average height of the rise in the case of a pitched or stepped roof, or similarly sculptured roof form of the Base Building.

(d) Building Envelopes. Building envelopes shall consist of the Base Building and the Upper Building, as illustrated in Figure 291-MR2, Components of the Building Envelope. Upper building massing must be located within the hatched zones and stepbacks are required above Base Buildings, both as indicated on Figure 291-MR1, Maximum Height and Bulk Plan.

Figure 291-MR2. Components of the Building Envelope

(e) Upper Building Tops. The tops of Upper Buildings may extend up to 20 feet vertically above the maximum permitted building height, except on Block F, where the building may extend up to 40 feet vertically above the maximum permitted building height. In both cases, the extension is allowed only for non-occupied architectural features.

(f) Rooftop Elements. The following rooftop elements may extend beyond the maximum permitted building height as specified below, provided that in no event shall the maximum height in subsection (e) be exceeded: mechanical enclosures, and sustainable infrastructure such as photovoltaic panels, windmills, fog catchers and Greenhouses (up to 20 feet in height). On the Base Building, rooftop elements must step back at a minimum ratio of 1.2 feet horizontally from the streetwall for every foot that they exceed the maximum permitted height limit. Common use structures are permitted on the Base Building up to 20 feet in height, provided that they are limited to 25% of the roof area for each Base Building. On the Upper Building, rooftop elements must be screened or enclosed within the building top. Railings, planters and visually permeable building elements no greater than 42 inches above the roof are exempt from step-back requirements.

(g) Upper Building Floorplate Reduction and Bulk Controls. For buildings taller than 160 feet, bulk floorplate reduction and controls shall be required in accordance with Figure 291-MR3 and Table 291-MR1 as follows: Figure 291-MR3. Floorplate Reduction

(Added by Prop. D, App. 11/3/2015; amended by Ord. 31-18, File No. 170940, App. 3/6/2018, Eff. 4/6/2018) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Division (a) amended and second paragraph added; first paragraph of former division (b) and graphic deleted; second paragraph of former division (b) moved to division (a) and amended; former divisions (b)(1)-(5) redesignated as (a)(1)-(5) and divisions (a)(2)-(4) amended; divisions (b)-(g) added; Figures 291-MR1, 291-MR2, and 291-MR3 added; Table 291MR1 added; Ord. 31-18, Eff. 4/6/2018.

CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 31-18.

(a) No building permit authorizing the construction of any structure that will cast any shade or shadow upon any property under the jurisdiction of, or designated for acquisition by, the Recreation and Park Commission may be issued except upon prior action of the Planning Commission pursuant to the provisions of this Section; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section shall not apply to building permits authorizing:

• (1) Structures which do not exceed 40 feet in height;

• (2) Structures which cast a shade or shadow upon property under the jurisdiction of, or designated for acquisition by,

the Recreation and Park Commission only during the first hour after sunrise and/or the last hour before sunset;

• (3) Structures to be constructed on property under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Commission for recreational and park-related purposes;

• (4) Structures of the same height and in the same location as structures in place on June 6, 1984;

• (5) Projects for which a building permit application has been filed and either

• (i) a public hearing has been held prior to March 5, 1984 on a draft environmental impact report published by the Planning Department, or

• (ii) a Negative Declaration has been published by the Planning Department prior to July 3, 1984;

(6) Projects for which a building permit application and an application for environmental evaluation have been filed prior to March 5, 1984 and which involve physical integration of new construction with rehabilitation of a building

designated as historic either by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as a historical landmark or by the State Historic Preservation Officer as a State Historic Landmark, or placed by the United States Department of the Interior on the National Register of Historic Places and which are located on sites that, but for separation by a street or alley, are adjacent to such historic building.

(b) The Planning Commission shall conduct a hearing and shall disapprove the issuance of any building permit governed by the provisions of this Section if it finds that the proposed project will have any adverse impact on the use of the property under the jurisdiction of, or designated for acquisition by, the Recreation and Park Commission because of the shading or shadowing that it will cause, unless it is determined that the impact would be insignificant. The Planning Commission shall not make the determination required by the provisions of this Subsection until the general manager of the Recreation and Park Department in consultation with the Recreation and Park Commission has had an opportunity to review and comment to the Planning Commission upon the proposed project.

(c) The Planning Commission and the Recreation and Park Commission, after a joint meeting, shall adopt criteria for the implementation of the provisions of this Section.

(d) The Zoning Administrator shall determine which applications for building permits propose structures which will cast a shade or shadow upon property under the jurisdiction of, or designated for acquisition by, the Recreation and Park Commission. As used in this Section, "property designated for acquisition by the Recreation and Park Commission" shall mean property which a majority of each of the Recreation and Park Commission and the Planning Commission, meeting jointly, with the concurrence of the Board of Supervisors, have recommended for acquisition from the Open Space Acquisition and Park Renovation Fund, which property is to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Commission.

(Added Ord. 62-85, App. 1/31/85; amended by Ord. 188-15 , File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015) AMENDMENT HISTORY

Nonsubstantive changes; Ord. 188-15 , Eff. 12/4/2015.