There isn’t a single citywide maximum height for RH‑3. In San Francisco, the maximum building height on an RH‑3 parcel is whatever Height and Bulk District the Zoning Map assigns to that site; height is “as specified on the Zoning Map” and regulated under Article 2.5, not by the RH‑3 use district itself (see § 260(a) and § 250(b)). For example, if your lot is mapped in a 40‑foot “40‑X” height district, the maximum is 40 ft; if mapped “85‑X,” it’s 85 ft. The code’s RH District control table likewise directs you to the Height and Bulk District Maps for the operative height limit rather than setting a single RH‑3 number.
Why RH‑3 has no single number
- Article 2.5 establishes height and bulk districts and bars buildings from exceeding those mapped limits; § 261 adds extra height limits only for certain RH districts. Those added caps are listed for RH‑1 variants and RH‑2, but RH‑3 is not included—so RH‑3 relies on the mapped Height and Bulk District for its maximum. See § 250(b) and § 261.
- The RH Districts zoning control table confirms that “Height and Bulk Limits” are governed by §§ 250–252, 260–271 and to “See also Height and Bulk District Maps,” rather than prescribing a fixed RH‑3 height.
How to apply it on a project
- Identify your parcel’s Height and Bulk District on the City’s Zoning Map (map sheets “HT”). That mapped number (e.g., 40‑X, 50‑X, 65‑A, 85‑X) is your base maximum building height; measure height per § 260(a) and apply any measurement rules and permitted rooftop exemptions in § 260(b).
- Examples of mapped districts in the code include “40‑X,” “50‑X,” and “85‑X,” illustrating how maximum height varies by location rather than by RH‑3 designation alone.
Important local exceptions
- Some Special Use Districts (SUDs) override the mapped limit. In the Bernal Heights SUD, for instance, “no portion of a dwelling” may exceed 30 feet, with limited adjustments, and specific language allows a dwelling on an RH‑3 lot there to exceed that limit based on the average height of adjacent buildings. Always check whether your RH‑3 parcel lies in an SUD. See § 242(e)(1) and § 242(e)(1)(C).
What the code does not specify here: a single maximum height for all RH‑3 parcels citywide; you must consult the Height and Bulk District Map for the exact number at your site (§ 260(a), § 250(b)).