Local zoning · San Francisco County

San Francisco County — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What does § 142 require when my parking lot edges the street for more than 25 feet?

If a Vehicular Use Area has more than 25 linear feet along a public right‑of‑way, § 142(c) requires a perimeter screening feature: either an ornamental fence or solid wall 4 ft high with a 5 ft deep permeable planted strip , or equivalent permeable landscaping plus fencing that provides a public amenity or natural drainage (e.g., rain garden). The Zoning Administrator can approve alternatives that demonstrably improve pedestrian experience and stormwater performance.

Q: If my parking is inside a building but visible from the street, is screening required?

Yes. § 142(a) requires that every off‑street parking space within a building (when not enclosed by solid building walls) be screened from view from streets and alleys using garage doors or other screening means. Past practice has extended this screening expectation to parking pulled back from the property line but still visible from the street.

Q: Can the Zoning Administrator allow a landscaped berm or bench to substitute for the 5‑ft planting strip?

Potentially — § 142(d) empowers the Zoning Administrator to modify perimeter screening requirements where an alternative landscape treatment promotes pedestrian experience, reduces runoff, and uses climate‑appropriate plants. Submit design materials showing how the alternative meets those standards.

Landscaping and Screening under the San Francisco County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the retrieved San Francisco Planning Code says about landscaping and screening that affects development in the unincorporated areas of San Francisco County (as reflected in the uploaded code excerpts). Focus is strictly on landscaping, perimeter screening, fences/windscreens, streetscape and parking screening requirements in the Planning Code; for parcel-level or permitting questions, verify with the jurisdiction. Key operative rules appear in § 136, § 138, § 141, and § 142 of the Planning Code as used in the retrieved materials.

Note: this document treats the retrieved Planning Code text as the local zoning/planning ordinance for reference on landscaping and screening. For anything not clearly stated in the retrieved materials, the text below flags “Not found in retrieved materials” or advises “Verify with the jurisdiction.”

Key code sections that control landscaping & screening (overview)

§ 142 — Screening and Greening of Parking and Vehicular Use Areas. Requires screening for off‑street parking and vehicular use areas adjacent to the public right‑of‑way, with specific perimeter treatments for areas with more than 25 linear feet adjacent to the ROW.
§ 136 — Permitted obstructions (fences, windscreens, permitted yard obstructions). Establishes allowable fence and windscreen heights in required open areas and front setbacks.
§ 138 / § 138.1 — Streetscape Standards and Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan. Requires sidewalk widening, street trees, lighting, decorative paving and landscaping in the Rincon Hill/Downtown Residential Mixed Use area and identifies maintenance obligations.
§ 141 — Screening of rooftop equipment. Requires screening of mechanical equipment in some districts (antennae generally exempt).
Special Use District sections (e.g., § 249.89 — 2000 Marin Street SUD) explicitly state where the § 142 / § 156 requirements do or do not apply within the SUD.

(Each of the bullets above is discussed and cited in the district-by-district section that follows.)

District-by-district breakdown (how the Code treats screening/landscaping in named districts)

RH‑DTR (Rincon Hill Downtown Residential Mixed Use)

Purpose & where it applies: Downtown/Rincon Hill area streets and frontages covered by the Rincon Hill Area Plan and Streetscape Master Plan.
Typical uses: mixed‑use residential and ground‑floor commercial consistent with the area plan.
Landscaping/screening rules that matter here:
- Projects abutting a public sidewalk must install sidewalk widening, street trees, lighting, decorative paving, seating and landscaping in accordance with the Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan (see § 138.1). Owners typically must maintain those improvements.
- Where streetscape improvements are used to satisfy open space requirements, they must conform to § 138 and related standards.
Practical note: Applicants in RH‑DTR should budget for public‑facing landscaping and long‑term maintenance obligations set as a condition of approval.

C‑3 District

Purpose & where it applies: Commercial/retail core areas called out in the Code; § 138 references C‑3 boundaries for where certain streetscape/open space rules can be satisfied.
Landscaping/screening rules:
- The Planning Commission may allow required streetscape improvements to be located within the C‑3 District when used to meet open space requirements for qualifying projects.

Areas with Vehicular Use / Parking (general, citywide)

Applicability: All lots where off‑street parking or Vehicular Use Areas are adjacent to a public right‑of‑way; special thresholds apply.
Key standards (decision‑relevant):
- If a Vehicular Use Area is greater than 25 linear feet along a public right‑of‑way, a perimeter screening feature is required. Screening options include:
  - Ornamental fencing or a solid wall at 4 feet in height with a 5‑foot deep permeable surface with landscaping along the perimeter adjacent to the ROW (and compliant with local water‑use rules), or
  - A combination of permeable landscaping and ornamental fencing where landscaping equals the area of a 5‑foot perimeter and results in a public amenity or natural drainage system (e.g., swales, rain gardens). § 142(c).
- Screening need not be opaque; it must add visual diversity and can be met by landscape features. § 142(c).
- The Zoning Administrator may authorize modifications to the perimeter screening requirement if alternate landscape treatment provides pedestrian benefits, reduces stormwater runoff, and uses climate‑appropriate plant materials. § 142(d).
- All off‑street parking within a building (where not enclosed by solid building walls) must be screened from view from streets and alleys (garage doors or other means). § 142(a).

2000 Marin Street Special Use District (SUD)

Purpose & where it applies: Temporary location for the Wholesale Flower Market per § 249.89; the SUD explicitly controls which Planning Code provisions apply.
Landscaping/screening exceptions:
- The SUD states that the screening, interior landscaping, and street tree requirements set forth in § 142, § 156(c), and § 156(g) shall not apply in the 2000 Marin SUD. § 249.89(c)(3).
Practical note: Do not assume § 142 applies inside this SUD; check the SUD text for explicit exemptions.

Van Ness & Market / Other Special Use Districts

Special Use Districts and Development Special Districts may impose additional or different requirements for open space, streetscape, and landscaping. For example the Van Ness & Market SUD and Stonestown SUDs include tailored lists of public improvements and may override or modify standard Planning Code requirements where the SUD text says so. See the applicable SUD section for each SUD’s controls.

Most decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Topic	What the Code requires (plain English)	Code Reference
Perimeter screening for Vehicular Use Areas >25 ft adjacent to ROW	Ornamental fence or solid wall 4 ft high plus 5 ft deep permeable landscaping OR equivalent permeable landscaping + fencing providing public amenity or drainage (e.g., rain gardens).	§ 142(c)
Screening of parking within buildings	Parking not enclosed by solid building walls must be screened from view from streets/alleys (garage doors or other screening).	§ 142(a)
Zoning Administrator modification of perimeter screening	ZA can authorize alternative landscaping/screening if it promotes pedestrian design, reduces runoff, and uses climate‑appropriate plants.	§ 142(d)
Fence heights in required setbacks/open areas	Typical front‑setback fence allowance up to 3 ft; certain windscreens or fences allowed up to 6 ft or 10 ft in specified situations — consult § 136(c)(17-19) for permitted obstructions.	§ 136(c)(17–19)
Streetscape/sidewalk landscaping (Rincon Hill)	Projects abutting sidewalk in RH‑DTR must install sidewalk widening, street trees, lighting, decorative paving, seating and landscaping per the Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan; owners maintain improvements.	§ 138.1 / § 138
Rooftop mechanical screening	Rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened in certain districts; antennas are generally exempt.	§ 141

Practical guidance / plain‑English interpretation

If your project adds or reconfigures a parking area that runs more than 25 linear feet adjacent to a public street, plan to provide perimeter screening — either a 4‑ft ornamental fence/wall + 5‑ft planted strip or equivalent landscaping treatment such as a rain garden that also provides a public amenity. § 142(c).
If you propose trees/street landscaping as part of meeting open space or streetscape requirements (common in RH‑DTR/Rincon Hill), the Code expects installation per the Streetscape Plan and usually assigns long‑term maintenance to the property owner. § 138 / § 138.1.
Where strict compliance with a perimeter‑screening prescription would reduce pedestrian quality or stormwater performance, the Zoning Administrator has explicit authority to approve alternative landscape designs that meet pedestrian and stormwater goals and use climate‑appropriate plants. § 142(d).
For projects located in a Special Use District (SUD), check the SUD text — many SUDs explicitly carve out or modify landscaping and screening requirements (e.g., § 249.89(c)(3)).

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Determine whether your site is inside a Special Use District (SUD) that modifies landscaping or screening rules (e.g., 2000 Marin SUD). Verify SUD text.
If project creates/expands Vehicular Use Areas with >25 linear ft along ROW, provide perimeter screening per § 142(c) (4 ft wall/fence + 5 ft planted strip OR equivalent).
If parking is within a building but not fully walled, provide screening (garage doors/other) to block views from streets/alleys. § 142(a).
For projects in RH‑DTR, design streetscape/sidewalk landscaping to conform to the Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan and plan for owner maintenance obligations. § 138 / § 138.1.
Check § 136 for allowable fence and windscreen heights in required yards/front setbacks and whether your proposed fencing is a “permitted obstruction.”
If rooftop equipment is proposed, confirm screening obligations under § 141 (antennae may be exempt).
If seeking an alternative landscaping treatment instead of the strict perimeter prescription, prepare materials showing pedestrian design benefits, stormwater reduction, and use of climate‑appropriate plants to support a § 142(d) modification request.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Applicability to “unincorporated San Francisco County”	The retrieved text is Planning Code language for the City & County; whether exactly the same code applies to unincorporated parcels (if any exist) or county‑administered lands isn’t explicit in the retrieved excerpts.	Verify with the Planning Department whether these Planning Code sections apply to the specific unincorporated parcel. Not found in retrieved materials.
Special Use District exemptions	Some SUDs explicitly exempt §§ (e.g., 2000 Marin SUD exempts § 142/§156), which can change requirements dramatically.	Check the SUD text that covers your parcel (e.g., § 249.89(c)(3)) before designing screening/landscape work.
Whether proposed landscape elements qualify as “permeable landscaping” or a public amenity	Approval of alternatives often depends on subjective design and stormwater claims and requires ZA findings.	Early meeting with planner or ZA recommended; document stormwater performance and public amenity function. § 142(d).
Conflicts with other agencies (DPW, public ROW rules, water‑use rules)	Streetscape and sidewalk landscaping often involve Public Works permits and water‑use compliance.	Coordinate with DPW and check Administrative Code Chapter 63 for water‑use/planting rules. Not fully described in retrieved Planning Code snippets; verify with DPW.
Front setback fence exceptions vs. DPW screening (e.g., garbage enclosures)	Planning Code may treat small enclosures for DPW‑required garbage screening as permitted obstructions, but nuances exist.	Confirm with Planning and DPW whether an enclosure requires a variance or is permitted under § 136(c)(17) interpretation.

Plain‑English Summary

For projects in unincorporated San Francisco County, the Planning Code requires screening of parking and vehicular use areas that face streets (notably when they run more than 25 linear feet along the street), sets typical fence/windscreen height limits in required yards, and mandates streetscape landscaping and street trees in certain districts (for example the Rincon Hill area). The Zoning Administrator can allow alternative landscape approaches if they improve pedestrian experience and stormwater outcomes, and Special Use Districts may expressly modify or exempt these rules. § 142, § 136, § 138, § 141 are the primary sections to check.

Source References

San Francisco Planning Code, § 142 — Screening and Greening of Parking and Vehicular Use Areas (parking/vehicular screening requirements).
San Francisco Planning Code, § 136(c)(17–19) — Permitted obstructions; fences and windscreen heights.
San Francisco Planning Code, § 138 / § 138.1 — Streetscape standards and Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan (sidewalk widening, street trees, lighting, and landscaping).
San Francisco Planning Code, § 141 — Screening of rooftop equipment.
San Francisco Planning Code, § 249.89(c)(3) — 2000 Marin Street Special Use District: exemption from §§ 142, 156(c), 156(g).
Interpretations and administrative guidance excerpts cited in the retrieved materials relating to screening practice and parking in front facades.

Internal resource pages (linked where topics are first mentioned in the page above):

San Francisco County Parking (used when discussing parking screening and Vehicular Use Areas).
San Francisco County Development Standards (used when referring to setbacks/yard obstructions and dimensional rules).
San Francisco County Design Review (relevant when alternative landscape treatments are judged on design quality).
San Francisco County Overlay Districts (SUDs and overlays can change landscaping rules).
California ADU law (ADU projects may still trigger screening/landscaping rules — check local code).
California Building Standards Code (re rooftop equipment clearances, construction details — building code items not covered here).

Sources

Retrieved passages

San Francisco County Zoning Code (Chapter 63) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 295.) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Chapter 63) Medium relevance
CBC § 136 (Section says) Medium relevance
CBC § 102 (Section 102) Medium relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 135) Medium relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official San Francisco County code library

Frequently asked questions

What does § 142 require when my parking lot edges the street for more than 25 feet?

If a Vehicular Use Area has more than 25 linear feet along a public right‑of‑way, § 142(c) requires a perimeter screening feature: either an ornamental fence or solid wall 4 ft high with a 5 ft deep permeable planted strip, or equivalent permeable landscaping plus fencing that provides a public amenity or natural drainage (e.g., rain garden). The Zoning Administrator can approve alternatives that demonstrably improve pedestrian experience and stormwater performance.

Can I use landscaping instead of a fence to screen a street‑facing parking area?

Yes—§ 142 allows either a 4‑ft ornamental fence/4‑ft wall plus a 5‑ft permeable planted strip or an equivalent combination of permeable landscaping and ornamental fencing that achieves the same visual and stormwater function. The ZA can approve other landscape‑based solutions if they meet specified findings. § 142(c)–(d).

What maximum fence height is allowed in a required front setback?

The Planning Code interprets some permitted obstructions such that fences in required front setbacks are typically allowed up to 3 feet; windscreens and some yard fences may be allowed up to 6 or 10 feet in specific yard contexts. Check § 136(c)(17–19) and the related interpretations for details and exceptions.

Do I need to screen rooftop mechanical equipment?

In many districts rooftop mechanical equipment must be screened from view; however, the Code notes antennas are generally exempt from screening requirements. Consult § 141 for screening obligations and district applicability; verify if your site’s district triggers the requirement.

Are there special districts that change landscaping/screening rules?

Yes—Special Use Districts (SUDs) and other overlays can modify or exempt standard landscaping/screening rules. For example, the 2000 Marin Street SUD explicitly states that the screening and interior landscaping requirements in § 142 and § 156(c)/(g) do not apply within that SUD. Always check the parcel’s SUD/overlay text. § 249.89(c)(3).

Who enforces streetscape installation and maintenance if landscaping is required along the sidewalk?

The Planning Code requires property owners to install and generally to maintain streetscape improvements required by the Streetscape Plan (e.g., RH‑DTR / Rincon Hill) except for some public lighting; conditions of approval may specify maintenance obligations and hold harmless language. See § 138 / § 138.1.

If my parking is inside a building but visible from the street, is screening required?

Yes. § 142(a) requires that every off‑street parking space within a building (when not enclosed by solid building walls) be screened from view from streets and alleys using garage doors or other screening means. Past practice has extended this screening expectation to parking pulled back from the property line but still visible from the street.

Can the Zoning Administrator allow a landscaped berm or bench to substitute for the 5‑ft planting strip?

Potentially — § 142(d) empowers the Zoning Administrator to modify perimeter screening requirements where an alternative landscape treatment promotes pedestrian experience, reduces runoff, and uses climate‑appropriate plants. Submit design materials showing how the alternative meets those standards.

Do the Planning Code landscaping rules reference water‑use rules for plant selection?

Yes. The permeable surface and landscaping required for screening must be compliant with applicable water‑use rules in the Administrative Code (referenced in the landscaping provisions); alternative plantings must use climate‑appropriate materials per local Public Works definitions. Specific water‑use standards are in Administrative Code Chapter 63 (see referenced text in § 142).

If my lot is inside a SUD that exempts § 142, do I still have to provide street trees?

Possibly not under the Planning Code requirement being exempted, but other agencies (DPW) or the SUD may impose separate obligations. The 2000 Marin SUD explicitly exempts the § 142/§ 156(c)/(g) requirements, but you must verify the SUD language for any other streetscape/mitigation obligations. § 249.89(c)(3). ---

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