San Francisco Planning Code § 734 Judah Street Neighborhood

The Judah Street Neighborhood Commercial District is located in the Outer Sunset neighborhood and includes the properties fronting both sides of Judah Street from 29th through 33rd Avenues. The District provides a selection of

convenience goods and services for the residents of the Outer Sunset District. There are a high concentration of restaurants, drawing customers from throughout the City and the region. There are also a significant number of professional, realty, and business offices as well as financial institutions.

The Judah Street Neighborhood Commercial District controls are designed to promote development that is consistent with its existing land use patterns and to maintain a harmony of uses that support 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 to protect adjacent residential livability. These controls are designed to encourage the street’s active retail frontage, and local fabrication and production of goods. Housing development in new buildings is encouraged above the ground story. Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted.

Table 734. JUDAH STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

ZONING CONTROL TABLE

		Judah Street NCD
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 HT05 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	100 square feet if private, or 133 square feet if common, or the amount of open space required in the nearest Residential District, whichever is less.
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 151.1 , 161, 166	No car parking space 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(6)
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 Sections 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 Shelters	§§ 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 AND	USES
Zoning Category	§ References	Controls
NON-RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS AND	USES
Development Standards
Floor Area Ratio	§§ 102, 123, 124 , 207.9	2.5 to 1 2 For Office Uses minimum intensities may apply pursuant to § 207.9.
Use Size	§§ 102, 121.2	P up to 4,000 square feet; C 4,001 square feet and above
Off-Street Parking Requirements	§§ 150, 151.1 , 161	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, 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(3)(4)
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 § 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

Historic Buildings Agricultural Use Category	§ 202.11	In Historic B Uses listed b Hotel, and ce 202.11.	uildings, Uses liste elow as C are P, exc rtain Industrial Use	d below as NP are C and ept Cannabis Retail, s, as specified in §
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, 202.2(b)	NP	NP	NP
Automotive Repair	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Automotive Service Station	§§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)	C	NP	NP
Electric Vehicle Charging Location	§§ 102 , 202.2(b), 202.13	C(8)1	C(8)	C(8)
Fleet Charging	§ 102	C	C	C
Gas Station	§§ 102, 187.1, 202.2(b)	C	NP	NP
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	P	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
Job Training	§ 102	P	C	C
Medical Cannabis Dispensary	§§ 102, 202.2(e)	C	C	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	P	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	NP	NP
Cannabis Retail	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	C	C	NP
Flexible Retail	§§ 102, 202.9	P	NP	NP
Hotel	§ 102	C	C	C
Kennel	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Liquor Store	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Massage Establishment	§§ 102, 204, 303(n), 703	P	C(7)	NP(7)
Massage, Foot/Chair	§ 102	C	NP	NP
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(3)	P(3)	NP
Restaurant, Limited	§§ 102, 202.2(a)	P(3)	P(3)	NP
Services, Financial	§ 102	P	C	NP
Services, Fringe Financial	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Services, Limited Financial	§ 102	P	NP	NP
Services, Personal	§ 102	P	C	NP
Services, Retail Professional	§ 102	P	P	P
Storage, Self	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment	§ 102	C	NP	NP
Trade Shop	§ 102	P(4)	C(4)	NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service*	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Design Professional	§ 102	P	P	NP
Service, Non-Retail Professional	§ 102	C	P	NP
Trade Office	§ 102	P	P	NP
Utility and Infrastructure Use Category
Utility and Infrastructure*	§ 102	C(5)	C(5)	C(5)
Power Plant	§ 102	NP	NP	NP
Public Utilities Yard	§ 102	NP	NP	NP

Not listed below
(1) [Note deleted.]
(2) [Note deleted.]

(3) Formula Retail NP for Restaurants and Limited Restaurants

(4) Trade Shops are subject to Formula Retail Controls
(5) C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.
(6) NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units. C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.

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

(8)1 P where existing use is any Automotive Use.

(Added by Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; amended by Ord. 61-09, File No. 090181, App. 4/17/2009; 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. 196-11 , File No. 110786, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; Ord. 75-12 , File No. 120084, App. 4/23/2012, Eff. 5/23/2012; 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; renamed and amended in full by Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; amended by 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. 199-18, File No. 180482, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; 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. 13-26, File No. 251099, App. 2/13/2026, Eff. 3/16/2026; Ord. 37-26, File No. 250886, App. 3/11/2026, Eff. 4/11/2026)

AMENDMENT HISTORY

Zoning Control Table: 734.69C and 734.69D added; Ord. 66-11 , Eff. 5/20/2011. Zoning Control Table: 734.10 and 734.17 amended, 734.69, 734.69A, and 734.69B added; Specific Provisions: 734.68 added; Ord. 140-11, Eff. 8/4/2011. Zoning Control Table: title amended, 734.69, 734.69A, and 734.69B added [identical additions previously had been made by Ord. 140-11]; Ord. 196-11 , Eff. 11/3/2011. Zoning Control Table: 734.43 and 734.44 amended, former categories 734.42, 734.67, and 734.69A deleted; Ord. 75-12 , Eff. 5/23/2012. Zoning Control Table: designation of category 734.39 corrected, 734.13, 734.13b, 734.13c, 734.54, and 734.69B amended; Specific Provisions: 734.54 added, 734.68 deleted; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Zoning Control Table: former categories 734.37, 734.38, and 734.39 redesignated as 734.36, 734.37, and 734.38 and amended; new category 734.39 added; Ord. 287-13 , Eff. 1/25/2014. Zoning Control Table: 734.26 amended; Specific Provisions: 734.54 amended; Ord. 235-14 , Eff. 12/26/2014. Zoning Control Table: 734.92b added; Ord. 14-15 , Eff. 3/15/2015. Zoning Control Table: 734.14, 734.15, 734.16, 734.17, and 734.30 amended; Ord. 2015 , Eff. 3/22/2015. Section redesignated (formerly Sec. 734.1); Zoning Control Table: 734.54, 734.91, and 734.92 amended; Ord. 30-15 , Eff. 4/25/2015. Zoning Control Table: former categories 734.36, 734.37, 734.38, and 734.39 deleted, 734.96, 734.97, and 734.98 added; Ord. 33-16 , Eff. 4/10/2016. Introductory material amended; Zoning Control Table: 734.91 amended; Specific Provisions: 734.91 added; Ord. 162-16 , Eff. 9/3/2016. Zoning Control Table: 734.33A added; Ord. 166-16 , Eff. 9/10/2016. Zoning Control Table: 734.33A added; Ord. 166-16, Eff. 9/10/2016. Section renamed and amended in full; 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 (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. 199-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. 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 amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (6) added; Ord. 78-20, Eff. 6/22/2020. Zoning Control Table amended; Proposition H, 11/3/2020, Eff. 12/18/2020. Zoning Control Table and Note (6) amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (7) added; Ord. 233-21, Eff. 1/22/2022. Zoning Control Table and Note (7) amended; Ord. 37-22, Eff. 4/14/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 75-22, Eff. 6/13/2022. Zoning Control Table amended; Note (8)1 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. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 249-23 , Eff. 1/14/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 33-24 , Eff. 3/23/2024. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 62-24 , 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 and Notes (3) and (4) amended; Ord. 1326 , Eff. 3/16/2026. Zoning Control Table amended; Ord. 37-26 , Eff. 4/11/2026.

CODIFICATION NOTES

Note “(8)” is referenced as “(7)” in Ord. 190-22. The note was redesignated by the codifier because a note designated as “(7)” previously had been added to this section by Ord. 233-21.
So in Ord. 245-25.