Article 2.5 — HEIGHT AND BULK DISTRICTS›SEC. 263. HEIGHT LIMITS: SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS.
San Francisco Planning Code § 263.6 Special Height Exceptions: Chinatown Corners and Parapets
San Francisco Planning Code · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-09-23 · San Francisco
Cite as: San Francisco Planning Code § 263.6 · Text as of 2026-09-23
(a) In the Chinatown Community Business District, the Chinatown Visitor Retail District and the Chinatown Residential Neighborhood Commercial District, height exceptions to 50-foot or 65-foot height districts may be approved for certain features according to procedures for conditional use approval in Section 303 of this Code.
The purpose of allowing the exception is, in the case of corners of buildings, to help define the larger space of the intersection and in the case of parapets to reassert the traditional Chinatown pattern.
(b) In addition to requirements of Section 303, such a height exception may be permitted provided that:
(1) The structure is on a corner lot and the feature exceeding the height limit consists of a decorative pavilion, sculpture or pagoda which does not exceed 150 square feet in size, or
(2) The additional height is for a decorative parapet similar to those existing in the Chinatown area and does not extend more than eight feet above the height limit.
(Added by Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87)
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