Local zoning · San Francisco County

San Francisco County — Parking

Q: What are the off‑street parking minimums or maximums for a new apartment in San Francisco County unincorporated areas?

Calculate required/permitted spaces using § 151.1 and any applicable district or SUD table (some districts set maximum permitted off‑street parking rather than minimums). For residential uses many SUD tables show 1 space per unit as a cap or permitted ratio (see Table 249.84‑3 and Table 249.9‑3 for SUD examples). Verify the parcel’s zoning and whether the SUD or Design for Development supersedes § 151.1. § 151.1

Q: When are off‑street freight loading spaces required?

Off‑street loading is required per § 150 for structures or uses created after the effective date of the requirement; additions that increase loading demand by 15% or more trigger new loading requirements for the addition. Use § 152 and the district tables to determine counts. § 150–§ 152

Q: Can I put parking at the street‑facing ground floor?

It depends on district: in C‑3 districts, off‑street parking generally must be at or below ground level (up to 20 ft ceiling) and any above‑grade or street‑facing parking must be lined with active uses for the first 25 ft of the frontage; other transit‑oriented or special districts have additional wrapping and transparency rules. Check § 155(s) and related frontage rules. § 155(s)

Parking 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 how the local Planning Code governs parking, off‑street loading, and bicycle parking in the unincorporated areas of San Francisco County. The Planning Code sets a mix of: (1) a schedule of permitted/maximum off‑street parking and freight loading by use and district, (2) dimension/layout/curb‑cut controls, and (3) separate bicycle‑parking rules (Class 1/Class 2) and exceptions — all implemented through the County’s zoning controls and development standards. See the County Zoning page for how these rules fit into broader zoning rules and development standards and the Planning Department’s design requirements. All citations below refer to the local Planning Code sections identified.

How the Code is structured (quick legal anchors)

Off‑street loading: § 150
Schedule / permitted parking counts: § 151.1 and Table references (see district tables)
Rules for calculating required spaces: § 153
Parking/loading minimum dimensions and layout: § 154 and § 155 (general standards)
Bicycle parking (Class 1 / Class 2), design, and exceptions: Sections 155.1–155.5 (notably § 155.2)
Parking accessory rules (location, leasing, what counts as accessory): § 204.5

District‑by‑district breakdown (applicability to unincorporated areas)

Note: below each district name is shown in bold. For many districts the Planning Code references the off‑street parking schedule § 151.1 or special district tables (SUDs). Where a district has its own Special Use District (SUD) table, that table controls the maximums and loading allocations.

R Districts (all R zones generally)

Purpose & typical uses: residential uses (single‑family, multi‑family).
Parking basics: required accessory parking for any Dwelling in an R District is limited to storage and use for private passenger automobiles and similar small vehicles, with limits on truck size; accessory parking must be on the same lot as the served use. § 204.5(b)–(a)
Entrances & curb cuts: driveway/garage entrance width limits and street‑front treatment apply in R districts (limits on share of frontage used for garage entries). § 155(b)
Where it applies: throughout residential zoning in the unincorporated areas that are zoned R‑type districts (verify parcel by parcel). Verify district label on parcel map. Verify with the jurisdiction.

RTO / RTO‑M (Residential Transit‑Oriented districts)

Purpose: allow higher residential intensity while protecting street frontages.
Key parking rule: off‑street parking is restricted at street‑facing ground floor areas — no parking on ground floor within the first 20 ft of building depth facing streets 30 ft+ wide unless wrapped with active uses; required wrapping and transparency rules apply. § 155(b)(3)
Where it applies: specific transit‑oriented parcels / overlays — check zoning map and overlay districts.

C‑3 District (Central/Commercial core)

Purpose & typical uses: dense commercial, office, and high intensity uses.
Parking/control emphasis: to protect pedestrian environment, all off‑street parking (accessory and principal) must be at or below ground level (ceiling height up to 20 ft from grade) unless exception is approved; parking at street level must be lined with active uses to a depth of at least 25 ft along street frontages. § 155(s)(1)(A)–(B)
Access limits: Façade openings limited; porte cocheres restricted. § 155(s)(4)
Where it applies: commercial core parcels — verify parcel zoning.

MUG / MUR / MUO / CMUO / UMU / WMUG (Mixed‑Use / Manufacturing‑to‑Urban districts)

Purpose: mixed commercial/residential/intensive employment uses.
Loading substitution: in several mixed‑use and manufacturing districts the code allows substitution of two service vehicle spaces for each required off‑street freight loading space, provided at least 50% of the required freight loading spaces remain as actual freight loading spaces. § 153(a)(6)
Pricing & long‑term discouragement: off‑street parking offered for non‑residential uses in many of these districts must follow pricing rules so long‑term commuter parking is discouraged (e.g., four‑hour rate limits and prohibitions on discounted monthly rates). § 153(g)
Where it applies: applies as listed in the code to those district labels; check the Zoning Control Table in the Code for parcel‑specific permissions. § 151.1

Special Use Districts — examples with their own parking tables

These SUDs modify the base rules and provide district tables or Design for Development (DSG) controls that supersede or supplement general Planning Code rules. Two examples in the code are shown below; SUDs commonly control both quantity and design of parking, bicycle parking, and loading.

India Basin SUD (example) — maximum permitted off‑street parking ratios in Table 249.84‑3 show specific ratios (e.g., Residential: 1 space per unit; Office: 1 per 1,200 sf; Retail: 1 per 700 sf; Grocery: up to 1/500 sf up to 20,000 sf then 1/250 sf over 20k) and separate loading counts in Table 249.84‑4. Table 249.84‑3 / 249.84‑4
Stonestown SUD (example) — also provides district‑wide caps and says off‑street parking location/design may be governed by the Development Standards/DSG and Transportation Demand Management attachments; includes a Table 249.9‑3 for permitted maximums (e.g., Residential: 1 space per unit, non‑residential capped). Table 249.9‑3
Where it applies: properties that lie within a named SUD boundary — check the Code map and the Code text for the relevant SUD (verify with the jurisdiction).

Key standards and rules (decision‑relevant table)

Topic / decision point	Rule (plain summary)	Code reference
Which schedule controls required/permitted spaces	Use the schedule in § 151.1 and any applicable district SUD tables (SUD tables override general ratios)	§ 151.1
Off‑street freight loading — when required and calculation rules	General loading rules, major additions, and calculation rules for mixed uses described in § 150, § 152, and calculation rules § 153	§ 150, § 152, § 153
Parking as Accessory Use (location	leasing	vehicle types)
Bicycle parking classes & design	Class 1 (secure, covered), Class 2 (racks), vertical stacking rules, signage, and exemptions; bike spaces required per § 155.2; detailed design in § 155.1	§ 155.1–155.3
Curb cuts / protected frontages	Some frontages prohibit new curb cuts (Table 155(r)(1) lists prohibited frontages) and limit openings; exemptions exist only by Commission approval	§ 155(r)
Accessible parking ratio	One accessible space for each 25 off‑street spaces provided	§ 155(i)
Parking pricing rules to discourage long‑term commuter parking	For non‑residential parking in certain districts, rate structure limits are imposed (e.g., 4‑hour charge ≤ 4× first hour; 8+ hr ≥ 10× first hour; no discounted monthly rates)	§ 153(g)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before permit application)

Confirm zoning district and whether the lot lies inside a Special Use District (SUD) or overlay that replaces general parking rules (verify SUD table such as Table 249.84‑3 or Table 249.9‑3 where applicable). § 151.1, SUD tables
Calculate required and maximum permitted off‑street parking and freight loading using the rules in § 153 and the appropriate district schedule (sum mixed uses separately). § 153
Provide required bicycle parking per § 155.2 and follow Class 1/Class 2 design standards in § 155.1 (or request an approved reduction/waiver if infeasible). § 155.1–155.2
Show parking layout, stall dimensions and drive aisles meet § 154 and § 155 layout/marking standards (including accessible spaces at 1 per 25). § 154, § 155(i)
Demonstrate driveway/curb cut locations comply with curb‑cut prohibitions and spacing rules in § 155(r) (or identify need for Planning Commission approval). § 155(r)
If proposing rooftop, above‑grade, or shared parking, show compliance with § 155 and any district/DSG requirements (roof screening, sharing agreements, TDM). § 155, DSG references in relevant SUDs
If requesting reductions, waivers, or alternate locations for bike/car spaces, prepare findings and support for Zoning Administrator per § 307/155 (verify ADU exceptions if applicable). § 155 and cross‑reference to administrative procedures (see § 307 for relief procedures). § 155, § 307 (procedures)

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Applicability to “unincorporated” parcels	The Planning Code excerpts used are the same Planning Code text; the Code text rarely uses the term “unincorporated areas” explicitly	Verify whether the parcel is actually within the County’s jurisdiction and which Planning Code chapters or SUD text apply to that parcel (Verify with the jurisdiction). Not found in retrieved materials
SUD / DSG overrides (India Basin, Stonestown, etc.)	SUDs can replace the general parking ratios and the Design for Development (DSG) may control design and location	Check the specific SUD table (e.g., Table 249.84‑3 or Table 249.9‑3) and DSG attachments for district‑specific caps and layout rules § 249.84 / § 249.9
Curb‑cut / protected frontage mapping	Protected frontages in § 155(r) and Table 155(r)(1) list specific streets; curb‑cut denial may block access from a given frontage	Confirm whether the lot frontage is on a protected list in § 155(r) and whether an alternative frontage exists; confirm SFMTA/DPW concurrence § 155(r)
Bicycle parking feasibility and waiver costs	Zoning Administrator can waive Class 2 spaces in constrained cases but may require an in‑lieu fee per § 430 et seq.	If proposing a waiver, request WAIVER per § 155 and confirm fee schedule (in‑lieu fee) in § 430. Fee structure text: Not found in retrieved materials (verify with Planning Dept). § 155
Parcel split / mixed‑district buildings	If a structure crosses district lines or has mixed uses, calculation rules shift and exemptions are treated specially	Apply § 153 rules for prorating and combining uses; confirm if exemptions for “initial quantities” apply or are overridden in mixed‑use calculations § 153(a)(2–3)

Plain‑English summary

For unincorporated San Francisco County parcels the Planning Code requires you to: calculate required/maximum parking and loading using the schedule and calculation rules in § 151.1 and § 153, follow layout/dimension/curb‑cut and street‑front controls in § 154 and § 155, provide bicycle parking per § 155.2, and obey any Special Use District tables or Design for Development rules that override the base rules; when in doubt, verify district boundaries, SUD attachments, and curb‑cut restrictions with the Planning Department. § 151.1, § 153, § 154, § 155, § 155.2, § 204.5

Source References

Planning Code: § 150 (Off‑Street Loading Requirements)
Planning Code: § 151.1 (Schedule of Permitted Off‑Street Parking Spaces)
Planning Code: § 152 (Schedule of Required Off‑Street Freight Loading Spaces)
Planning Code: § 153 (Rules for Calculation of Required Spaces)
Planning Code: § 154 (Minimum Dimensions for Required Off‑Street Parking and Loading Spaces)
Planning Code: § 155 & subsections (General Standards; bicycle parking § 155.1–155.5; curb‑cut/protected frontages § 155(r))
Planning Code: § 204.5 (Parking and Loading as Accessory Uses)
India Basin Special Use District (Table 249.84‑3 and 249.84‑4) — Off‑Street Parking Ratios and Loading | Table 249.84‑3 / 249.84‑4
Stonestown Special Use District (Table 249.9‑3) — parking caps and DSG/TDM references

(If you need direct full text extracts of any of the above Planning Code sections or specific SUD tables for a particular parcel, tell me the parcel/district and I will pull the exact § text and table rows; verify all parcel‑level applicability with the County Planning Department.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 151.1) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section amended) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 150) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 155.2.) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 4.7) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 136) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 155.2.) High relevance
San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 121.6) High relevance

Cited sections

Official San Francisco County code library

Frequently asked questions

What are the off‑street parking minimums or maximums for a new apartment in San Francisco County unincorporated areas?

Calculate required/permitted spaces using § 151.1 and any applicable district or SUD table (some districts set maximum permitted off‑street parking rather than minimums). For residential uses many SUD tables show 1 space per unit as a cap or permitted ratio (see Table 249.84‑3 and Table 249.9‑3 for SUD examples). Verify the parcel’s zoning and whether the SUD or Design for Development supersedes § 151.1. § 151.1

Do I have to provide bicycle parking and what standards apply?

Yes — bicycle parking is required per the Planning Code, with Class 1 (secure/covered) and Class 2 (rack) standards spelled out in Sections 155.1–155.3 and the number of required spaces listed in § 155.2. Design details (locking, anchoring, signage, vertical parking limits) are in § 155.1; waivers or in‑lieu fees are possible in constrained cases but must follow code procedures. § 155.1–155.3

When are off‑street freight loading spaces required?

Off‑street loading is required per § 150 for structures or uses created after the effective date of the requirement; additions that increase loading demand by 15% or more trigger new loading requirements for the addition. Use § 152 and the district tables to determine counts. § 150–§ 152

Can I put parking at the street‑facing ground floor?

It depends on district: in C‑3 districts, off‑street parking generally must be at or below ground level (up to 20 ft ceiling) and any above‑grade or street‑facing parking must be lined with active uses for the first 25 ft of the frontage; other transit‑oriented or special districts have additional wrapping and transparency rules. Check § 155(s) and related frontage rules. § 155(s)

Are there limits on curb cuts and driveway widths?

Yes — the Code restricts curb cuts and new curb cuts on “protected” frontages (listed in Table 155(r)(1)). Driveway widths are limited to what’s necessary; some district rules cap individual openings (e.g., 20–27 ft depending on district and whether bike lanes are present) and limit the percent of street frontage devoted to garage openings. See § 155(r) and district-specific width rules. § 155(r)

If my building has mixed uses how do I calculate parking and loading?

Compute required spaces for each use separately and sum them, following the rounding rules in § 153; where exempted initial quantities exist they are counted according to the code’s mixing rules (some initial exemptions may not combine across uses). If a structure crosses district boundaries, calculation is done proportionally. § 153

Can accessory residential parking be rented to neighbors?

Yes — accessory residential parking may be leased for monthly use by residents on a different lot within 1,250 feet, and up to five spaces may be rented to residents who live beyond 1,250 feet within the City and County of San Francisco, under the accessory parking rules. § 204.5(c)

Are there rules to discourage long‑term commuter parking in downtown districts?

Yes — for off‑street parking offered to the public (non‑residential or hotel) in certain downtown/mixed use districts the Code requires a rate structure to discourage long‑term commuter parking (e.g., 4‑hour rate no more than 4× first hour; 8+ hour rate at least 10× first hour) and prohibits discounted weekly/monthly rates in those contexts. § 153(g)

Can I reduce required automobile parking by supplying bicycle parking?

The Code allows reductions in automobile parking where bicycle parking requirements are met for certain existing and new buildings per § 155.2 and related subsections; conditions apply and not all projects qualify. See § 155.2 and related exemptions. § 155.2

If my lot sits inside an SUD, which controls apply?

If a lot lies within a Special Use District, the SUD text and its tables (for parking, loading, and bicycle parking) and the Design for Development (DSG) provisions frequently govern location, design, and allowable maximums; review the specific SUD section (for example, Table 249.84‑3 for India Basin or Table 249.9‑3 for Stonestown). Table 249.84‑3 / Table 249.9‑3

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