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Article 7 — NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS

San Francisco Planning Code § 716 Inner Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District

San Francisco Planning Code · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-09-23 · San Francisco

Cite as: San Francisco Planning Code § 716 · Text as of 2026-09-23

The Inner Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located on Clement Street between Arguello Boulevard and Funston Avenue in the eastern portion of the Richmond District of northwest San Francisco. The District provides a wide selection of convenience goods and services for the residents of the Inner Richmond neighborhood. Inner Clement Street has one of the greatest concentrations of restaurants of any commercial street in San Francisco, drawing customers from throughout the City and region. There are also a significant number of professional, realty, and business offices as well as financial institutions. The pleasant pedestrian character of the district is derived directly from the intensely active retail frontage on Clement Street.

The District controls are designed to promote development that is consistent with its existing land use patterns and to maintain a harmony of uses that supports the District’s vitality. The building standards allow small- to mid-scale buildings and uses, protecting rear yards above the ground story and at residential levels. In new development, most commercial uses are permitted at the first two stories, although certain limitations apply to uses at the second story. Special controls

are necessary to preserve the equilibrium of neighborhood-serving convenience and comparison shopping businesses and protect adjacent residential livability. These controls limit additional financial service uses, additional eating and drinking establishments, and late-night commercial uses. In order to maintain the street’s active retail frontage, controls also prohibit most new automobile and drive-up uses.

Housing development is encouraged in new buildings above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.

Table 716. INNER CLEMENT STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

ZONING CONTROL TABLE
Inner Clement Street
Zoning Category § References Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Inner Clement Street
Zoning Category § References Controls
BUILDING STANDARDS
Massing and Setbacks
Height and Bulk Limits §§ 102, 105, 106, 250–
252, 260 , 263.19 , 261.1,
270 , 270.3 , 271. See also
Height and Bulk District
Maps
Varies. See Height and Bulk Map Sheet HT03 for more
information. Height sculpting required on Alleys per
§261.1.
5 Foot Height Bonus for Active Ground Floor
Uses
§ 263.20 P
Rear Yard §§ 130, 134, 134(a)(e), 136 Required at the Second Story and at each succeeding
level or Story of the building, and at the First Story if it
contains a Dwelling Unit: 25% of lot depth, but in no
case less than 15 feet
Front Setback and Side Yard §§ 130, 131, 132, 133 Generally not required; however, if the existing sidewalk
does not meet the recommended width required by the
Better Streets Plan, a front setback shall be provided so
that, when combined with the existing sidewalk, the total
distance from the curb to the building frontage meets or
exceeds the required recommended width under the
Better Streets Plan. This setback is required only up to 15
feet above street grade. See § 132(e).
Street Frontage and Public Realm
Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements § 138.1 Required
Street Frontage Requirements § 145.1 Required; controls apply to above-grade parking
setbacks, parking and loading entrances, active uses,
ground floor ceiling height, street-facing ground-level
spaces, transparency and fenestration, and gates, railings,
and grillwork. Exceptions permitted for historic
buildings.
Ground Floor Commercial § 145.4 Not Required
Vehicular Access Restrictions § 155(r) See Section 155(r)
Miscellaneous
Planned Unit Development § 304 C
Awning, Canopy or Marquee § 136.1 P
Signs §§ 262, 602- 604, 607,
607.1, 608, 609
As permitted by § 607.1
General Advertising Signs §§ 262, 602, 604, 608,
609, 610, 611
NP
Design Guidelines and Standards General Plan Commerce
and Industry Element
Subject to the Urban Design Guidelines, Citywide Design
Standards, and any other applicable design guidelines that
have been approved by the Planning Commission.
Housing Choice-SF § 206.10 Form-based density, additional height, and other zoning
modifications for eligible projects in the R-4 Height and
Bulk District.
Zoning Category § References Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Zoning Category § References Controls
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND USES
Development Standards
Usable Open Space [Per Dwelling Unit] §§ 135, 136 80 square feet if private, or 100 square feet if common, or
the amount of open space required in the nearest
Residential District, whichever is less.
Off-Street Parking Requirements §§ 145.1, 150, 151.1 , 153
- 156, 161, 166, 204.5
No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1
. Bike parking required per § 155.2. If car parking is
provided, car share spaces are required when a project
has 50 units or more per § 166.
Dwelling Unit Mix § 207.7 Generally required for creation of 10 or more Dwelling
Units. No less than 25% of the total number of proposed
Dwelling Units shall contain at least two Bedrooms, and
no less than 10% of the total number of proposed
Dwelling Units shall contain at least three Bedrooms.
Use Characteristics
Intermediate Length Occupancy §§ 102; 202.10 P(7)
Single Room Occupancy § 102 P
Student Housing § 102 P
Residential Uses Controls By Story
1st
2nd
3rd+
Residential Uses § 102 P
P
P
Accessory Dwelling Unit §§102, 207.1, 207.2 P per Planning Code §§ 207.1 and 207.2.
Dwelling Unit Density, General §§ 102, 207 Form-Based Density.
Minimum Dwelling Unit Densities, if
Applicable
§ 207.9 Varies depending on project location, but generally
ranges between 50 and 100 dwelling units per acre.
Maximum Dwelling Unit Size §§ 207.10, 317 P up to 4,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area or an
equivalent Floor Area Ratio for any individual Dwelling
Unit of 1.2:1. C for Dwelling Units that exceed the
greater of those thresholds.
Group Housing Density § 208 Form-Based Density.
Homeless Shelter Density §§ 102, 208 Density limits regulated by the Administrative Code
Senior Housing Density §§ 102, 202.2(f), 207 Form-Based Density.
Loss of Dwelling Units: Conversion,
Demolition, or Merger of Dwelling Units,
including Residential Flats
§ 317 C
Zoning Category § References Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AN D USES
Zoning Category § References Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AN D USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio §§ 102, 123, 124 , 207.9 1.8 to 1 3 For Office Uses minimum intensities may
apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size § 102, 121.2 P up to 2,500 square feet; C 2,501 square feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements §§ 145.1, 150 , 151.1 , 153
- 156, 161, 166, 204.5
No car parking required. Maximum permitted per § 151.1
. Bike parking required per Section 155.2. Car share
spaces required when a project has 25 or more parking
spaces per § 166.
Off-Street Freight Loading §§ 150, 152, 153 - 155,
161, 204.5
None required if gross floor area is less than 10,000
square feet. Exceptions permitted per §§ 155 and 161.
Commercial Use Characteristics
Drive-up Facility § 102 NP
Formula Retail §§ 102, 303.1 C
Hours of Operation § 102 P 6 a.m. - 2 a.m.; C 2 a.m. - 6 a.m.
Maritime Use § 102 NP
Open Air Sales §§ 102, 703(b) See Section 703(b)
Outdoor Activity Area §§ 102, 145.2, 202.2 P if located in front or it complies with Section 202.2(a)
(7); C if located elsewhere.
Walk-up Facility § 102 P
Controls by Story
1st
2nd
3rd+
Uses in Historic Buildings
Inner Clement Street
Historic Buildings § 202.11 In Historic Buildings, Uses listed below as NP are C and
Uses listed below as C are P, except Cannabis Retail,
Hotel, and certain Industrial Uses, as specified in §
202.11.
Agricultural Use Category
Agriculture, Industrial
§§ 102, 202.2(c)
NP NP NP
Agriculture, Large Scale Urban
§§ 102, 202.2(c)
C C C
Agriculture, Neighborhood
§§ 102, 202.2(c)
P P P
Automotive Use Category
Automotive Uses*
§§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)
NP NP NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location
§§ 102, 202.2(b), 202.13
C(9)2 C(9) C(9)
Fleet Charging
§ 102
C C C
Parking Garage, Private
§ 102
C C C
Parking Garage, Public
§ 102
C C C
Parking Lot, Private
§§ 102, 142, 156
C C C
Parking Lot, Public
§§ 102, 142, 156
C C C
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Use Category
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses*
§ 102
NP NP NP
Arts Activities
§ 102
P P P
Entertainment, General
§ 102
P P NP
Entertainment, Nighttime
§ 102
C NP NP
Movie Theater
§§ 102, 202.4
P P P
Open Recreation Area
§ 102
C C C
Passive Outdoor Recreation
§ 102
C C C
Industrial Use Category
Industrial Uses
§§ 102, 202.2(d)
NP NP NP
Institutional Use Category
Institutional Uses*
§ 102
P C C
Child Care Facility
§ 102
P P P
Community Facility
§ 102
P P P
Hospital
§ 102
NP NP NP
Medical Cannabis Dispensary
§§ 102, 202.2(e)
DR DR NP
Public Facilities
§ 102
P P P
Residential Care Facility
§ 102
P P P
Social Service or Philanthropic Facility
§ 102
P P P
Sales and Service Use Category
Retail Sales and Service Uses*
§§ 102, 202.2(a), 202.3
P C NP
Adult Business
§ 102
NP NP NP
Adult Sex Venue
§ 102
NP NP NP
Animal Hospital
§ 102
P P NP
Bar
§§ 102, 202.2(a)
C(3) NP NP
Cannabis Retail
§§102, 202.2(a)
C C NP
Flexible Retail
§§ 102, 202.9
P NP NP
Hotel
§ 102
C C NP
Kennel
§ 102
C NP NP
Liquor Store
§ 102
C NP NP
Massage Establishment §§ 102 1 204, 303(n), 703 P C(8) NP(8)
Mortuary § 102 NP NP NP
Motel §§ 102, 202.2(a) NP NP NP
Reproductive Health Clinic §§ 102, 202.5 P P P
Restaurant §§ 102, 202.2(a) P P NP
Restaurant, Limited §§ 102, 202.2(a) P P NP
Services, Financial § 102 C NP NP
Services, Fringe Financial § 102 NP(5) NP(5) NP(5)
Services, Limited Financial § 102 P NP NP
Services, Retail Professional § 102 P P P
Storage, Self § 102 NP NP NP
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment § 102 C NP NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service* § 102 NP NP NP
Design Professional § 102 P C NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional § 102 C P NP
Trade Office § 102 P C NP

Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure* § 102 C C C
Power Plant § 102 NP NP NP
Public Utilities Yard § 102 NP NP NP
  • Not listed below

  • (1) [Note deleted.]

  • (2) [Note deleted.]

  • (3) INNER CLEMENT STREET LIQUOR LICENSES FOR BARS

(a) In order to allow wine and/or beer bars to seek an ABC license type 42 so that wine and beer (but not hard spirits) may be served for drinking on the premises, a Bar as defined in Section 102 may be permitted as a Conditional Use on the ground level if, in addition to the criteria set forth in Section 303, the Planning Commission finds that:

(1) The Bar function is operated as a wine and beer bar with an ABC license type 42, which may include incidental food services; and

(2) The establishment maintains only an ABC license type 42. Other ABC license types, except those that are included within the definition of a Restaurant pursuant to Section 102, are not permitted for those uses subject to this Section.

(b) Subsequent to the granting of a Conditional Use authorization under this Section, the Planning Commission may consider immediate revocation of the previous Conditional Use authorization should an establishment no longer comply with any of the above criteria for any length of time.

  • (4) [Note deleted.]

  • (5) FRINGE FINANCIAL SERVICE RESTRICTED USE DISTRICT (FFSRUD).

Boundaries: The FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer includes, but is not limited to, the Inner Clement Street Neighborhood Commercial District.

Controls: Fringe Financial Services are NP within any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer pursuant to Section 249.35. Outside any FFSRUD and its 1/4 mile buffer, Fringe Financial Services are P subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 249.35(c)(3).

  • (6) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.

  • (7) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.

  • (8) P if accessory to a Hotel, Personal Service or Health Service.

(9)2 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.

(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 87-00, File No. 991963, App. 5/19/2000; Ord. 260-00, File No. 001424, App. 11/17/2000; Ord. 275-05, File No. 051250, App. 11/30/2005; Ord. 289-06, File No. 050176, App. 11/20/2006; Ord. 250-07, File No. 070738, App. 11/7/2007; Ord. 269-07, File No. 070671, App. 11/26/2007; Ord. 244-08, File No. 080567, App. 10/30/2008; Ord. 245-08, File No. 080696; Ord. 51-09, File No. 081620, App. 4/2/2009; Ord. 66-11, File No. 101537, App. 4/20/2011, Eff. 5/20/2011; Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. 170-11 , File No. 110592, App. 8/8/2011, Eff. 9/7/2011; Ord. 75-12 , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; Ord. 92-12 , File No. 111247, App. 5/21/12, Eff. 6/20/12; Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 287-13 , File No. 130041, App. 12/26/2013, Eff. 1/25/2014; Ord. 235- 14 , File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 14-15 , File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015; Ord. 20-15 , File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; redesignated and amended by Ord. 30-15 , File No. 140954, App. 3/26/2015, Eff. 4/25/2015; amended by Ord. 33-16 , File No. 160115, App. 3/11/2016, Eff. 4/10/2016; Ord. 162-16 , File No. 160657, App. 8/4/2016, Eff. 9/3/2016; Ord. 166-16 , File No. 160477, App. 8/11/2016, Eff. 9/10/2016; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 130-17, File No. 170204, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 189-17, File No. 170693, App. 9/15/2017, Eff. 10/15/2017; Ord. 229-17, File No. 171041, App. 12/6/2017, Eff. 1/5/2018; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 285-18, File No. 180806, App. 12/7/2018, Eff. 1/7/2019; Ord. 303-18, File No. 180915, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 116-19, File No. 181156, App. 6/28/2019, Eff. 7/29/2019; Ord. 182-19, File No. 190248, App. 8/9/2019, Eff. 9/9/2019; Ord. 63- 20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 78-20, File No. 191075, App. 5/22/2020, Eff. 6/22/2020; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 233-21, File No. 210381, App. 12/22/2021, Eff. 1/22/2022; Ord. 37-22, File No. 211263, App. 3/14/2022, Eff. 4/14/2022; Ord. 75-22, File No. 220264, App. 5/13/2022, Eff. 6/13/2022; Ord. 190-22, File No. 220036, App. 9/16/2022, Eff. 10/17/2022; Ord. 264-22, File No. 220811, App. 12/22/2022, Eff. 1/22/2023; Ord. 248-23, File No. 230446, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 249-23, File No. 230701, App. 12/14/2023, Eff. 1/14/2024; Ord. 33-24, File No. 231144, App. 2/21/2024, Eff. 3/23/2024; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024; Ord. 173-25, File No. 250634, App. 9/5/2025, Eff. 10/6/2025; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026; Ord. 1-26, File No. 250385, App. 1/8/2026, Eff. 2/8/2026; Ord. 37-26, File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026, Eff. 4/11/2026)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Zoning Control Table: 716.69C and 716.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 716.10 and 716.17 amended; Specific Provisions: 716.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: 716.43, 716.44, 716.67 and 716.69A amended; Specific Provisions: 716.41 (full-service restaurants) and 716.41 (eating and drinking uses) amended; Ord. 170-11 , Eff. 9/7/2011. Zoning Control Table: 716.43 and 716.44 amended, former categories 716.42, 716.67, and 716.69A deleted; Specific Provisions: 716.41 through 716.44 amended; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: 716.10 amended; Ord. 92-12 , Eff. 6/20/12. Zoning Control Table: 716.13, 716.54, and 716.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 716.41 amended, 716.54 added; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 716.38 and 716.39 redesignated as 716.36 and 716.37 and amended; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 716.26 and 716.50 amended; Specific Provisions: 716.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 716.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 716.14, 716.15, 716.16, and 716.17 amended; Ord. 2015 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 716.1); Zoning Control Table: 716.54, 716.91, and 716.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 716.36 and 716.37 deleted, 716.96 and 716.97 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 716.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 716.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 716.33A added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. New Zoning Control Table and notes added; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Previous Zoning Control Table and

Specific Provisions deleted; Ord. 130-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Note * added; Note (1) deleted; Ord. 189-17, Eff. 10/15/2017. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 229-17, Eff. 1/5/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 285-18, Eff. 1/7/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (2) deleted; Ord. 303-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 311-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 116-19, Eff. 7/29/2019. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 182-19, Eff. 9/9/2019. Zoning Control Table and Note (5) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Note (4) deleted; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Notes (5) and (7) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (8) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (9)2 added; Ord. 190-22 , Eff. 10/17/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 264-22 , Eff. 1/22/2023. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 248-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Second introductory paragraph and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 249-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24 , Eff. 3/23/2024. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 6224 , Eff. 4/28/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 173-25; Eff. 10/6/2025. Undesignated introductory material and Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 245-25 , Eff. 1/12/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 1-26 , Eff. 2/8/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026. CODIFICATION NOTES

  1. So in Ord. 233-21 and Ord. 37-22.

  2. Note “(9)” is referenced as “(8)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(8)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.

  3. So in Ord. 245-25.

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