Legislation

The ordinance designates The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples at 2041 Larkin Street as a Landmark, ensuring its preservation under the Planning Code. It also affirms the Planning Department's environmental assessment and aligns with city planning priorities.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to designate The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, at 2041 Larkin Street, Assessor’s Parcel Block No. 0572, Lot No. 003, as a Landmark consistent with the standards set forth in Article 10 of the Planning Code; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making public necessity, convenience, and welfare findings under Planning Code, Section 302, and findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.

The ordinance amends the Planning Code to streamline housing production by exempting certain projects from review processes, removing conditional use requirements for various housing types, and adjusting zoning regulations to facilitate development. It also expands eligibility for housing programs, allows more ground floor uses in residential buildings, and updates regulations for affordable housing projects.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to encourage housing production by (1) exempting, under certain conditions, specified housing projects from the notice and review procedures of Section 311 and the Conditional Use requirement of Section 317, in areas outside of Priority Equity Geographies, which are identified in the Housing Element as areas or neighborhoods with a high density of vulnerable populations; 2) removing the Conditional Use requirement for several types of housing projects, including housing developments on large lots in areas outside the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District, projects that build additional units in lower density zoning districts, and senior housing projects that seek to obtain double density; 3) amending rear yard, front setback, lot frontage, minimum lot size, and residential open space requirements in specified districts; 4) allowing additional uses on the ground floor in residential buildings, homeless shelters, and group housing in residential districts, and administrative review of reasonable accommodations; 5) expanding the eligibility for the Housing Opportunities Mean Equity - San Francisco (HOME - SF) program and density exceptions in residential districts; 6) exempting certain affordable housing projects from certain development fees; 7) authorizing the Planning Director to approve State Density Bonus projects, subject to delegation from the Planning Commission; 8) sunsetting the Conditional Use requirements established by the Corona Heights Large Residence and the Central Neighborhoods Large Residence Special Use Districts at the end of 2024, and thereafter limiting the size of any Dwelling Units resulting from residential development in those Special Use Districts to 3,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area; and 9) making conforming amendments to other sections of the Planning Code; amending the Zoning Map to create the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District; amending the Subdivision Code to update the condominium conversion requirements for projects utilizing residential density exceptions in RH Districts; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making public necessity, convenience, and welfare findings under Planning Code, Section 302, and findings of consistency with the General Plan and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.

This ordinance creates a temporary program that allows residents to legalize unpermitted awnings without fees and simplifies the application process. It also grants legal status to certain awnings and signs that don't meet existing planning regulations.

Ordinance amending the Building and Planning Codes to create a temporary amnesty program for unpermitted awnings that streamlines the application process to legalize awnings, waives applicable fees, and confers legal nonconforming status for awnings and signs that do not comply with the Planning Code; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan and the eight priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1; and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning Code Section 302.

This ordinance allows certain projects that convert commercial buildings into residential units to avoid paying development impact fees, except for fees related to affordable housing. It also confirms that the project aligns with environmental regulations and city planning goals.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to exempt eligible Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse Projects from development impact fees, with the exception of inclusionary housing requirements; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101; and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning Code, Section 302.

This ordinance creates a new special use district called The Village at 80 Julian Avenue, which allows for specific zoning regulations in that area. It also includes environmental and planning findings to ensure it aligns with city policies and serves the public's needs.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code and the Zoning Map to add The Village Special Use District, located adjacent to 56 Julian Avenue, at 80 Julian Avenue, and constituting Assessor’s Parcel Block No. 3547, Lot No. 52; making findings under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare under Planning Code, Section 302.

The ordinance updates zoning regulations in various districts to allow for more diverse commercial activities, including arts, entertainment, and social services, while also ensuring a mix of commercial space sizes in large developments. It also establishes requirements for nighttime entertainment and compliance with good neighbor policies to address community concerns.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to update and reorganize Neighborhood Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning District controls, including, among other things, to 1) permit Accessory Arts Activities, and production, wholesaling, and processing of goods and commodities, to occupy more than one-third of total space in Commercial (C), Downtown Residential (DTR), Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use, Mission Bay, and Residential-Commercial (RC) Districts; 2) principally permit Arts Activities, Job Training, Public Facility, and Social Service and Philanthropic Facility uses in the Folsom Street Neighborhood Commercial Transit (NCT), SoMa NCT, Regional Commercial, and certain Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, and in historic and nonconforming commercial buildings in Residential Enclave Districts; 3) principally permit General Entertainment in the Folsom Street NCT District; 4) principally permit Bar uses on the second floor in the Folsom Street NCT and Regional Commercial Districts; 5) principally permit Nighttime Entertainment on properties fronting Folsom Street between 7th Street and Division Street and properties fronting 11th Street between Howard Street and Division Street unless they are zoned Residential Enclave District (RED) or Residential Enclave District - Mixed (RED-MX); 6) principally permit Job Training, Public Facility, and Social Service and Philanthropic Facility Uses in the SoMa NCT District and certain Eastern Neighborhoods Districts; 7) require that large developments in South of Market Mixed Use Districts which contain commercial spaces provide a mix of commercial space sizes; 8) require that all Nighttime Entertainment uses comply with the Entertainment Commission’s good neighbor policies; and 9) remove certain limitations on location for Nighttime Entertainment and Animal Services uses in the Western SoMa Special Use District; and adopting environmental findings, findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare under Planning Code, Section 302, and findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.

The ordinance allows certain existing gates, railings, and grillwork at non-residential properties to be exempt from transparency requirements, particularly for cannabis retail businesses for three years, provided they install artwork on new exempt structures. It also reduces the transparency requirement for these features in various commercial districts from 75% to 20% open to view, with added fire safety measures.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to exempt certain existing gates, railings, and grillwork at Non-Residential uses from transparency requirements, subject to the provisions for noncomplying structures, and exempt Cannabis Retail uses from transparency requirements for gates, railings, and grillwork for a three-year period, provided the Cannabis use installs artwork on any new exempt gates, and require removal of gates, railings, and grillwork installed pursuant to that exemption when a Cannabis Retail use’s business permit becomes invalid or the business ceases to operate, and change the transparency requirement for gates, railings, and grillwork in Neighborhood Commercial Districts, Commercial Districts, Residential-Commercial Districts, and Mixed Use Districts from 75% to 20% open to perpendicular view with additional requirements for fire safety; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making findings of consistency with the General Plan and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1, and public necessity, convenience, and welfare findings pursuant to Planning Code, Section 302.

The resolution allows the City to lease a 400-square-foot radio equipment room and an antenna at Twin Peaks to the California Highway Patrol for $9,000 per year, with a 10-year term and options to renew. It also authorizes the Director of Property to make necessary adjustments to the lease without significantly increasing the City's obligations.

Resolution authorizing and approving the lease of approximately 400 square feet of the City-owned radio equipment room and one antenna at 125 Christmas Tree Point, aka Twin Peaks Blvd, with the State of California, General Services Agency, for the California Highway Patrol, for an initial annual base rent of $9,000 with annual adjustments of four percent for a term of 10 years, with two five-year options to renew to commence upon execution of the Lease, and after approval of this Resolution by the Board of Supervisors and Mayor, in their respective sole and absolute discretion; finding the proposed transaction is in conformance with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and to authorize the Director or Property to enter into any extensions, amendments, or modifications to the Lease that do not materially increase the obligations or liabilities to the City and are necessary to effectuate the purposes of the Lease or this Resolution.

This ordinance updates the landmark designation for the Castro Theatre to include specific exterior and interior features that must be preserved or replaced, ensuring the building's historical significance is fully recognized. It also confirms compliance with environmental regulations and aligns with city planning policies.

Ordinance amending the Landmark Designation for Landmark No. 100, 429-431 Castro Street (the Castro Theatre), Assessor’s Parcel Block No. 3582, Lot No. 085, under Article 10 of the Planning Code, to list the exterior features that should be preserved or replaced in kind, to add interior features to the designation, and to capture the property’s full historical significance; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making public necessity, convenience, and welfare findings under Planning Code, Section 302, and findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.

This ordinance amends the Planning Code to exempt designated historic districts from the HOME-SF Program, which aims to promote homeownership. It also affirms the Planning Department's environmental review and aligns with the city's General Plan and priority policies.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to exclude designated historic districts under Article 10 of the Planning Code from the provisions of the Home Ownership Means Equity-San Francisco (HOME-SF) Program; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1, and findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare under Planning Code, Section 302.

This ordinance allows housing projects to receive a density bonus if they agree to limit rent increases for new units, while also updating zoning rules for these projects. It includes necessary amendments to the Administrative Code and confirms compliance with environmental and planning regulations.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to allow projects to qualify for a density bonus under the Housing Opportunities Mean Equity (HOME-SF) Program by agreeing to subject new dwelling units to the rent increase limitations of the Rent Ordinance; modifying the zoning changes available to HOME-SF projects; making conforming amendments in the Administrative Code; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1, and findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare under Planning Code, Section 302.

This ordinance clarifies the approval process for certain Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in single-family and multifamily buildings, making it easier for homeowners to add these units if they meet specific requirements. It also confirms compliance with environmental regulations and aligns with the city's General Plan and priority policies.

Ordinance amending the Administrative Code, Building Code, Business and Tax Regulations Code, and Planning Code to clarify the ministerial approval process for certain Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) meeting certain requirements in single-family and multifamily buildings; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and adopting findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare under Planning Code, Section 302.

This ordinance changes the Building Code to clarify how site permit applications are processed and limits the Building Official's review scope. It also mandates that multiple city departments review these applications at the same time when submitted electronically.

Ordinance amending the Building Code to outline the site permit application process, and define and limit the scope of Building Official review of site permits; requiring simultaneous interdepartmental review of electronically submitted applications for site permits; and affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act.

This ordinance allows health services to operate on the ground floor in certain areas of the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District and restricts tobacco paraphernalia establishments in that area. It also requires conditional use authorization for such establishments in the Haight Street Neighborhood Commercial District and clarifies that cannabis retail does not fall under the tobacco paraphernalia category.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to permit Health Services uses on the ground floor for specified areas of the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD), to clarify that in the Polk Street NCD and within a quarter-mile of its boundaries Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments where any Tobacco Paraphernalia is sold, delivered, distributed, furnished, or marketed are not permitted, to clarify that in the Haight Street NCD such Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments require conditional use authorization, and to clarify that Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments do not include medicinal and adult-use cannabis retail uses; and affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act, making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of the Planning Code, Section 101.1, and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to the Planning Code, Section 302.

The ordinance allows for the conversion of non-residential spaces to residential use in Downtown San Francisco, streamlining various requirements and permitting new commercial uses to help revitalize the area. It also simplifies sign permitting and historic preservation reviews, while increasing flexibility for large projects and adaptive reuse of buildings.

Ordinance amending the Planning Code to 1) facilitate residential uses Downtown by authorizing the conversion of non-residential uses to residential use in C (Commercial) zoning districts, and exempting such projects from requirements for rear yard, open space, streetscape improvements, dwelling unit exposure, bike parking, transportation demand management, dwelling unit mix, and Intermediate Length Occupancy controls, permitting live work units in such projects, streamlining administrative approvals for projects in the C-3 zoning district, and modifying the dimensional limits on exemptions to height restrictions for mechanical equipment, elevator, stair, and mechanical penthouses; 2) economically revitalize Downtown by adding Flexible Workspace as a defined use, authorizing large scale retail uses in the C-3 zoning district, allowing window displays in the C-3 zoning district, allowing Flexible Workspace as an active ground floor commercial use along certain street frontages in C-3 zoning districts, allowing accessory storage in any C zoning district, allowing the temporary installation for 60 days of certain signs in the C-3-R district, allowing temporary non-residential uses in vacant spaces for up to one year, including formula retail, reducing density limits for Residential Dwelling Units and Senior Housing in the C-2 zoning districts east of or fronting Franklin Street/13th Street and north of Townsend Street, principally permitting Laboratory, Life Science, Agricultural and Beverage Processing, and Animal Hospitals in C-2 zoning districts, principally permitting Senior Housing, Residential Care Facilities, Outdoor Entertainment, Open Recreation Areas, Animal Hospitals, and Trade Schools in the C-3 zoning district, allowing formula retail as a ground floor use on Market Street, principally permitting office and design professional uses on the second floor and higher in the C-3-R zoning district, and requiring consideration of office vacancy in consideration of granting exceptions in the Transit Center Commercial Special Use District; 3) streamline sign permitting citywide and in the C-3 districts by allowing for the repair and rehabilitation of certain neon signs, and exempting existing business signs in the C-3 zoning district from certain zoning controls; 4) streamline Historic Preservation review of administrative certificates of appropriateness, and minor permits to alter for awnings, and Qualifying Scopes of Work, as may be delegated by the Historic Preservation Commission; 5) increase threshold for large projects subject to commercial to residential ratios in the C-3-O district, and provide alternatives to on-site open space in certain C-3 districts by allowing for payment of an in lieu fee as an alternative to providing open space; 6) facilitate residential adaptive reuse by amending the Building Code to add standards for adaptive reuse of non-residential buildings; and 7) principally permit formula retail and waive size limitations for such uses on a portion of Showplace Square Area (555-9th Street, Assessor’s Parcel Block No. 3781, Lot No. 003); affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning Code, Section 302.

This resolution allows Otis Property Owner, LLC, to use and maintain the 12th Street Plaza at the corner of South Van Ness Avenue while ensuring public access to the sidewalk. It also confirms that the project complies with environmental regulations and city planning policies.

Resolution granting revocable permission to Otis Property Owner, LLC, to occupy and maintain the 12th Street Plaza on 12th Street at the corner of South Van Ness Avenue fronting 90-12th Street (Assessor’s Parcel Block No. 3505, Lot No. 012); approving a nonexclusive public sidewalk easement for pedestrian access, passage, ingress, and egress for public sidewalk purposes; adopting environmental findings under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.

This ordinance changes the rules for selecting contractors for public works projects by eliminating the minimum cost requirement and ensuring that contractor performance evaluations are taken into account. It aims to improve the quality of work by focusing on contractor reliability and past performance.

Ordinance amending the Administrative Code to remove the minimum cost criterion weighting for Design-Build and Construction Manager/General Contractor best value procurements; and to require consideration of available contractor performance evaluations when considering contractors for award of a public works construction contract.