South San Francisco · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in South San Francisco?
In South San Francisco, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 12 base zones (RM-22, RH-37.5, RH-50, RH-180, DRL and 7 more, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (South San Francisco use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RM-22, RH-37.5, RH-50, RH-180, DRL, DRM, DRH, DRC and 4 more
- Not allowed: RL-2.2 and RL-8
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the South San Francisco Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
South San Francisco's code calls this use “Multifamily”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RM-22 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-37.5 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-50 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-180 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| DRL Downtown Residential Low | Allowed | § 20.080.002 |
| DRM Downtown Residential Medium | Allowed | § 20.080.002 |
| DRH Downtown Residential High | Allowed | § 20.080.002 |
| DRC | Allowed — see note Note 1: Ground floor residential uses are limited to spaces that support on-site residential units such as lobbies, gymnasiums, community meeting spaces, and other on-site residential amenities. | § 20.090.002 |
| LNC | Allowed — see note Note 1: Ground floor residential uses are limited to spaces that support on-site residential units such as lobbies, gymnasiums, community meeting spaces, and other on-site residential amenities. | § 20.090.002 |
| GAC | Allowed — see note Note 1: Ground floor residential uses are limited to spaces that support on-site residential units such as lobbies, gymnasiums, community meeting spaces, and other on-site residential amenities. | § 20.090.002 |
| DTC | Allowed | § 20.090.002 |
| ETC | Allowed | § 20.090.002 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- S3 note 1 limits ground-floor residential to lobbies, amenity and support spaces. 'AB 2011 Development' and 'SB 6 Development' rows (P with eligibility notes) in S3, S4, S5 restate state law. Combined headers: 'RH-37.5 and RH-50' is one column (given as two zones); 'BTP-M & GMP' and 'BTP-H & OPSP' are two-district columns (GMP and OPSP are not given as separate cells). PD districts follow their PD Plan (S6).
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: PD (Planned Development) districts: S6 sends uses to each PD Plan; Specific Plan districts (S10 is only the Specific Plan chapter); Chapter 20.040 definitions and Chapter 20.350 standards (group residential, community assembly size, day care) are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in South San Francisco
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RL-2.2 zone in South San Francisco?
No. South San Francisco's use table does not allow it in RL-2.2 (§ 20.070.002).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RM-22 zone in South San Francisco?
Yes. South San Francisco's use table lists it as allowed in RM-22 (§ 20.070.002).
General information, not legal advice.
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