San Francisco City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 1
5: TRANSPORTATION, OFF-STREET PARKING, AND LOADING
SEC. 150. OFF-STREET LOADING REQUIREMENTS.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(a) General. This Article 1.5 is intended to assure that off-street parking and loading facilities are provided in amounts and in a manner that will be consistent with the objectives and policies of the San Francisco General Plan, as part of a balanced transportation system that makes suitable provision for walking, cycling, public transit, private vehicles, and the movement of goods. With respect to off-street parking, this Article is intended to require facilities where needed but discourage excessive amounts of automobile parking, to avoid adverse effects upon surrounding areas and uses, and to encourage effective use of walking, cycling, and public transit as alternatives to travel by private automobile. No off-street parking or loading is required on any lot whose sole feasible automobile access is across a protected street frontage identified in Section 155(r).
(b) Spaces Required. The requirements for off-street loading spaces for any structure constructed and any use established, whether public or private, after the original effective date of any such requirement applicable to such structure or use shall be as stated in this Article 1.5.
(c) Additions to Structure and Uses.
(1) For any structure or use lawfully existing on such effective date, off-street loading spaces need be provided only in the case of a major addition to such structure or use, and only in the quantity required for the major addition itself. Any lawful deficiency in off-street loading spaces existing on such effective date may be carried forward for the structure or use, apart from such major addition.
(2) For these purposes, a “major addition” is hereby defined as any enlargement, alteration, change of occupancy or increase in intensity of use which would increase the requirement for off-street loading spaces by at least 15%.
(3) Successive additions made after the effective date of an off-street loading requirement shall be considered cumulative, and at the time such additions become major in their total, off-street loading spaces shall be provided as required for such major addition.
(d) Spaces to be Retained. Once any off-street loading space has been provided which wholly meets the requirements of this Code, such off-street loading space shall not thereafter be reduced, eliminated or made unusable in any manner. Any accessory residential parking space may be leased or rented on a monthly basis as provided under Section 204.5(c) of this Code, and such lease or rental shall not be considered a reduction or elimination of required spaces.
(e) Parking in Excess of the Maximum Permitted. Any off-street parking space or spaces which existed lawfully at the effective date of this Section and which have a total number in excess of the maximum permitted off-street parking spaces permitted under Section 151.1 shall be considered noncomplying features pursuant to Section 180(a)(2) and shall be regulated as set forth in Section 188.
(Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 463-87, App. 11/19/87; Ord. 112-08, File No. 080095, App. 6/30/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 209-12
, File No. 120631, App. 9/28/2012, Eff. 10/28/2012; Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Divisions (a) and (c)(2) amended; former division (d)(3) amended and redesignated as new division (e) [now (f); see below]; former division (e) deleted; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. Division (d) amended; Ord. 209-12
, Eff. 10/28/2012. New division (e) added; former division (e) redesignated as (f); Ord. 183-13
, Eff. 9/6/2013. Division (e) amended; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Division (a) amended; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Section name and divisions (b), (c)(1)- (3), and (d) amended; former division (e) deleted; former division (f) redesignated as division (e); Ord. 311-18, Eff. 1/21/2019.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 445-87, App. 11/12/87; Ord. 537-88, App. 12/16/88; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 32-91, App. 1/25/91; Ord. 368-94, App. 11/4/94; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 129-06, File No, 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 112-08, File No. 080095, App. 6/30/2008; Ord. 51-09, File No. 081620, App. 4/2/2009; Ord. 77-10, File No. 091165, App. 4/16/2010; Ord. 109-11, File No. 101350, App. 6/29/2011, Eff. 7/29/2011; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 14-15
, File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015; Ord. 34-17, File No. 160925, App. 2/17/2017, Eff. 3/19/2017; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 196-17, File No. 170419, App. 10/5/2017, Eff. 11/4/2017; Ord. 205-17, File No. 170418, App. 11/3/2017, Eff. 12/3/2017; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; repealed by Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)
SEC. 151.1. SCHEDULE OF PERMITTED ACCESSORY OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES.
(a) Applicability. Unless otherwise specified in a Special Use District, this Section 151.1 shall apply.
(b) Off-street Accessory Parking. Off-street accessory parking shall not be required for any use, and the quantities of off-street parking specified in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2 shall serve as the maximum amount of off-street parking that may be provided as accessory to the uses specified. In addition:
(1) Accessory off-street parking spaces shall be permitted up to quantities specified in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2, except where provision of such parking would conflict with other provisions of this Code, including but not limited to Sections 144, 145.1, 145.4, and 155(r), in which case the Code Sections other than this Section 151.1 shall apply.
(2) Where a building or lot contains more than one use, the applicable accessory parking limit shall be calculated in the manner provided in Section 153 of this Code.
(3) Where the amount of off-street parking exceeds the quantities specified in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2, such parking shall be considered a separate use requiring a separate entitlement and not considered an accessory use, unless it is existing non-conforming accessory parking that may only be expanded or intensified pursuant to Section 150(e).
(4) Off-street parking shall be reduced, if required for a Development Project to comply with the Transportation Demand Management Program set forth in Section 169 of this Code.
(c) Definition. Where a number or ratio of spaces are described in Tables 151.1-1 or 151.1-2, such number or ratio shall refer to the total number of parked vehicles accommodated in the project, regardless of the arrangement of parking, and shall include all spaces accessed by mechanical means, valet, or non-independently accessible means. For the purposes of determining the total number of vehicles parked, the area of an individual parking space, except for those spaces specifically designated for persons with physical disabilities, may not exceed 185 square feet, including spaces in tandem, or in parking lifts, elevators, or other means of vertical stacking. Any off-street surface area accessible to motor vehicles with a width of 7.5 feet and a length of 17 feet (127.5 square feet) not otherwise designated on plans as a parking space may be considered and counted as an off-street parking space at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator if the Zoning Administrator, in considering the possibility for tandem and valet arrangements, determines that such area is likely to be used for parking a vehicle on a regular basis and that such area is not necessary for the exclusive purpose of vehicular circulation to the parking or loading facilities otherwise permitted.
Use or Activity | Number of Off-Street Vehicle Parking Spaces or Space Devoted to Off-Street Vehicle Parking Permitted |
Use or Activity | Number of Off-Street Vehicle Parking Spaces or Space Devoted to Off-Street Vehicle Parking Permitted |
RESIDENTIAL USES | |
Dwelling (in all Districts unless specified otherwise below) | P up to 2.0 parking spaces on Lots with one Dwelling Unit; P up to 3.0 parking spaces on Lots with two Dwelling Units; P up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit for Lots with three or more Dwelling Units; NP above preceding ratio. |
Dwelling, in the Telegraph Hill - North Beach Residential Special Use District | |
Dwelling, in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District | P up to 0.5 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; NP above preceding ratio. |
Dwelling, in the Pacific Avenue Neighborhood Commercial District | P up to 0.5 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.5 and up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; NP above preceding ratios. |
Dwelling Units in SB-DTR Districts, except as specified below | P up to 0.375 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.375 and up to 0.75 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e); NP above 0.75 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in SB-DTR Districts with at least 2 bedrooms and at least 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area | P up to 0.375 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.375 and up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e); NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in C-3 and RH-DTR Districts | P up to 0.375 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.375 and up to 0.75 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e); NP above 0.75 parking space for each four Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in the Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District | P up to 0.25 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; NP above 0.25 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in SALI, MUG outside of the Central SoMa SUD, WMUG, MUR, MUO, WMUO, SPD Districts, except as specified below | P up to 0.25 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.25 and up to 0.75 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria, conditions, and procedures of Section 151.1(e) or (f); NP above 0.75 parking spaces for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in SALI, MUG outside of the Central SoMa SUD, WMUG, MUR, MUO, WMUO, and SPD Districts with at least two bedrooms and at least 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area | P up to 0.25 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.25 and up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and conditions and procedures of Section 151.1(e) or (f); NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in NCT, RC, RCD, RSD, Chinatown Mixed Use Districts, except as specified below | P up to 0.5 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.5 and up to 0.75 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e); NP above 0.75 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in the Telegraph Hill - North Beach Residential Special Use District | |
Dwelling Units in the Broadway and North Beach Neighborhood Commercial Districts outside of the boundaries of the Telegraph Hill - North Beach Residential Special Use District | |
Dwelling Units in the Glen Park NCT District | P up to 0.5 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.5 and up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e); NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in the Ocean Avenue NCT District and the Excelsior Outer Mission Street Neighborhood Commercial District | P up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in the Japantown NC District | P up to 0.75 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.75 and up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e); NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in the Central SoMa SUD | P up to 0.25 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.25 and up to 0.5 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. NP above 0.5 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in RTO Districts. | P up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit; NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. For Lots east of Divisadero and Castro Streets in RTO Districts, P up to 0.75 parking spaces for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.75 and up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e) or (f). NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in RED and RED-MX Districts, except as specified below | P up to 0.75 parking spaces for each Dwelling Unit; C above 0.75 and up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit, subject to the criteria and procedures of Section 151.1(e) or (f); NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in UMU Districts, except as specified below | P up to 0.75 parking spaces for each Dwelling Unit; NP above 0.75 parking spaces for each Dwelling Unit. |
Dwelling Units in UMU District with at least 2 bedrooms and at least 1,000 square feet of occupied floor area | P up to 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit and subject to the conditions of Section 151.1(e); NP above 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. |
Group Housing of any kind | P up to 1.0 parking space for each three bedrooms or for each six beds, whichever results in the greater number of parking spaces, plus 1.0 parking space for the manager’s Dwelling Unit if any. NP above preceding ratios. |
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES IN C-3 DISTRICTS | |
All non-residential uses in C-3 Districts | Not to exceed 7% of Occupied Floor Area of such uses, except not to exceed 3.5% of Occupied Floor Area in the C-3-O(SD) District, and subject to the pricing conditions of Section 155(g). |
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES IN DISTRICTS OTHER THAN C-3 | |
Non-residential, non-office uses in PDR-1-D, PDR-1-G, and UMU Districts | P up to 50% greater than indicated for the uses specified below. NP above preceding ratio. |
Agricultural Use Category | |
Greenhouse | P up to 1.5 parking spaces for each 4,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Entertainment, Arts, and Recreation Uses Category | |
Entertainment, Arts, and Recreation Uses* | P up to 1.5 parking spaces for each 200 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Arts Activities, except theaters and auditoriums | P up to 1.5 parking spaces for each 2,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Sports Stadium | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 15 seats. NP above preceding ratio. |
Theater or auditorium | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 8 seats up to 1,000 seats, plus 1.0 parking space for each 10 seats in excess of 1,000. NP above preceding ratio. |
Industrial Uses Category | |
Industrial Uses* | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 1,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Small Enterprise Workspace | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 1,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Live/Work Units | P up to 1.5 parking spaces for each 2,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, except in RH or RM Districts, within which the requirement shall be 1.0 parking space for each Live/Work Unit. NP above preceding ratio. |
Institutional Uses Category | |
Institutional Uses* | P up to 1.0 parking space per 1,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Child Care Facility | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 25 children. NP above preceding ratio. |
Hospital | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 8 guest beds excluding bassinets or for each 2,400 square feet of Occupied Floor Area devoted to sleeping rooms, whichever results in the lesser requirement. NP above preceding ratio. |
Post-Secondary Educational Institution | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 2 classrooms. NP above preceding ratio. |
Religious Institution | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 20 seats. NP above preceding ratio. |
Residential Care Facility | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 10 beds. NP above preceding ratio. |
School | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 6 classrooms. NP above preceding ratio. |
Trade School | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 2 classrooms. NP above preceding ratio. |
Sales and Services Category | |
Retail Sales and Services* | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Eating and Drinking Uses | P up to 1.25 parking spaces for each 500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
All retail in the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts where any portion of the parcel is within the Central SoMa Special Use District or is less than one-quarter mile from Market, Mission, 3rd Streets and 4th Street north of Berry Street, except grocery stores of over 20,000 gross square feet. | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 1,500 square feet of Gross Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
General Grocery uses with over 20,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area | |
Health Service | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 300 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Hotels in Districts other than NC | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 16 guest bedrooms, plus 1.0 parking space for the manager’s Dwelling Unit, if any. NP above preceding ratio. |
Hotels in NC Districts | P up to 1.2 parking spaces for each guest bedroom. NP above preceding ratio. |
Limited Corner Commercial Uses in RH, RTO-1, RTO-M and RM districts authorized under Section 231. | None permitted. |
Mortuary | P up to 5.0 parking spaces. NP above preceding ratio. |
Motel | P up to 1.0 parking space for each guest unit, plus 1.0 parking space for the manager’s Dwelling Unit, if any. NP above preceding ratio. |
Retail Greenhouse or plant nursery | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 4,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. Such uses exceeding 20,000 square feet shall be subject to the conditions of Section 303(u)(2). NP above preceding ratio. |
Retail space devoted to the handling of bulky merchandise such as motor vehicles, machinery, or furniture | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. Such uses exceeding 20,000 square feet shall be subject to the conditions of Section 303(u)(2). NP above preceding ratio. |
Self-Storage | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 3 self-storage units. NP above preceding ratio. |
Non-Retail Sales and Services* | P up to 1.0 parking space per 1,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Commercial Storage or Wholesale Storage | P up to 1.0 parking space for each 2,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Office (unless otherwise specified below) | P up to 1.25 parking spaces for each 500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Office uses in DTR, SPD, MUG, WMUG, MUR, WMUO, and MUO Districts | P up to 7% of the Occupied Floor Area of such uses and subject to the pricing conditions of Section 155(g); NP above preceding ratio. |
Office uses in the Central SoMa Special Use District | P up to 1.0 parking space per 3,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
Office uses in Chinatown Mixed Use Districts | P up to 7% of the Occupied Floor Area of such uses; NP above preceding ratio. |
Office uses in M-1, UMU, SALI, PDR-1-D, and PDR-1-G Districts, except as specified below | P up to 1.0 parking space per 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area and subject to the pricing conditions of Section 155(g); NP above preceding ratio. |
Office uses in M-1, UMU, SALI, PDR-1-D, and PDR-1-G Districts where the entire parcel is greater than one-quarter mile from Market, Mission, 3rd Streets and 4th Street north of Berry Street | P up to 1.0 parking space per 500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area; NP above preceding ratio. |
Utility and Infrastructure Uses Category | |
Utility and Infrastructure Uses | P up to 1.0 parking space per 1,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. NP above preceding ratio. |
* Not listed below
(e) Non-Residential Uses. Unless otherwise specified in Tables 151.1-1 or 151.1-2, or elsewhere in this Section 151.1, the maximum accessory parking permitted for non-residential uses shall be one of the following:
(1) One parking space per 2,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area of use; or
(2) Three parking spaces where the use or activity has no Occupied Floor Area.
(f) Excess Residential Parking. Any request for accessory residential parking, in excess of what is principally permitted in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2, shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission as a Conditional Use, provided that the request does not exceed the maximum amount stated in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2. In MUG, WMUG, MUR, MUO, RED, RED-MX, and SPD Districts, any project subject to Section 329 and that requests residential accessory parking in excess of that which is principally permitted in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2, but which does not exceed the maximum amount stated in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2, shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission according to the procedures of Section 329. Projects that are not subject to Section 329 shall be reviewed under the procedures detailed in subsection (fg)1
below.
(g) Small Residential Projects in MUG, WMUG, MUR, MUO, CMUO, WMUO, RED, RED-MX, and SPD Districts. Any project that is not subject to the requirements of Section 329 and that requests residential accessory parking in excess of what is principally permitted in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2 shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator subject to Section 307(i). The Zoning Administrator may grant parking in excess of what is principally permitted in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2, not to exceed the maximum amount stated in Tables 151.1-1 and 151.1-2, only if the Zoning Administrator determines that:
(1) all the following conditions have been met:
(A) Vehicle movement on or around the project does not unduly impact pedestrian spaces or movement, transit service, bicycle movement, or the overall traffic movement in the district;
(B) Accommodating excess accessory parking does not degrade the overall urban design quality of the project proposal;
(C) All above-grade parking is architecturally screened and lined with active uses according to the standards of Section 145.1, and the project sponsor is not requesting any exceptions or variances requiring such treatments elsewhere in this Code; and
(D) Excess accessory parking does not diminish the quality and viability of existing or planned streetscape enhancements.;1
(2) parking is not accessed from any protected Transit or Pedestrian Street described in Section 155(r), and
(3) where more than 10 spaces are proposed at least half of them, rounded down to the nearest whole number, are stored and accessed by mechanical stackers or lifts, valet, or other space-efficient means that reduces space used for parking and maneuvering, and maximizes other uses.
(h) Transit-Oriented Communities Parking Limits. Consistent with the Transit-Oriented Communities Policies of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, this Section 151.1 implements the maximum parking limits based on the presence of certain transit services within one-half mile of the development. Notwithstanding the provisions of Table 151.1-2, if any portion of the subject development falls within the geographic areas listed in Table 151.1-2, the lower of the maximum limits in either Table 151.1-1 or Table 151.1-2 shall apply as the maximum amount of parking.
Geographic Area
|
Maximum Residential Parking per Dwelling Unit *
|
Maximum Parking for Non-Retail Sales and Service Uses (including all Office and Laboratory uses) and Retail Sales and Service Uses, except for any use also classified as a Production, Distribution, and Repair Use.
|
Transit-Oriented Communities Tier 1: Sites within a half-mile of Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, or Civic Center BART stations; and Salesforce Transbay Transit Center.** | 0.375 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. | 0.25 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. |
Transit-Oriented Communities Tier 2: Sites within a half-mile of 16th Street, 24th Street, Glen Park, or Balboa Park BART stations.** | 0.5 parking spaces for each Dwelling Unit. | 1.6 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. |
Transit-Oriented Communities Tier 3: Sites within a half-mile of all Muni rail stops on the F, J, K, L, M, N, or T lines; Caltrain Stations; and Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Stops (i.e., stops on Van Ness Avenue between and including Market Street and Union Street).** | 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. | 2.5 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. |
Transit-Oriented Communities Tier 4: Sites within a half-mile of all ferry terminals, including the Ferry Building, 16th Street/Mission Bay, and Treasure Island.** | 1.0 parking space for each Dwelling Unit. | 2.5 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. |
* Refer to Table 151.1-1 for maximum parking limits applicable to Group Housing, including Group Housing projects in Transit Station Areas.
** As used in Table 151.1-2, the distance of one-half mile shall be measured in accordance with the methodology established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(Added by Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; amended by Ord. 129-06, File No, 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 61-09, File No. 090181, App. 4/17/2009; Ord. 286-10, File No. 100829, App. 11/18/2010; Ord. 25-11, File No. 101464, App. 2/24/2011, Eff. 3/26/2011; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 109-11, File No. 101350, App. 6/29/2011, Eff. 7/29/2011; Ord. 196-11
, File No. 110786, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; Ord. 35-12
, File No. 111305, App. 2/21/2012, Eff. 3/22/2012; Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 42-13
, File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 56-13
, File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 227-14
, File No. 120796, App. 11/13/2014, Eff. 12/13/2014; Ord. 228-14
, File No. 120814, App. 11/13/2014, Eff. 12/13/2014; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 126-15
, File No. 150081, App. 7/17/2015, Eff. 8/16/2015; Ord. 127-15
, File No. 150082, App. 7/17/2015, Eff. 8/16/2015; Ord. 229-15
, File No. 151126, App. 12/22/2015, Eff. 1/21/2016; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 196-17, File No. 170419, App. 10/5/2017, Eff. 11/4/2017; Ord. 205-17, File No. 170418, App. 11/3/2017, Eff. 12/3/2017; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 126-20, File No. 200559, App. 7/31/2020, Eff. 8/31/2020; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Former second division (d) redesignated as new division (e), former divisions (e)-(g) redesignated as (f)-(h) and internal references adjusted accordingly; divisions (e), (f), and (g) amended and divisions (e)(2), (f)(2), and (g)(2) added; Ord. 286-10, Eff. 12/19/2010. Divisions (a), (c), and (d), Table 151.1, and division (g) amended; Ord. 25-11, Eff. 3/26/2011. Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. Division (a), Table 151.1, divisions (f)(1)(B), (g), and (g)(1)(A)(iii) amended; division (i) added; Ord. 109-11, Eff. 7/29/2011. Table 151.1 amended; former divisions (h)(A), (h)(B), and (h)(C) redesignated as (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3); Ord. 196-11
, Eff. 11/3/2011. Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 35-12
, Eff. 3/22/2012. Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 182-12
, Eff. 9/7/2012. Division (a), Table 151.1, and divisions (g) and (h) amended; Ord. 42-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Table 151.1 and division (f)(1)(C) amended; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Division (a) and Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 227-14
, Eff. 12/13/2014. Division (a) and Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 228-14
, Eff. 12/13/2014. Division (a), Table 151.1, and divisions (e) and (f) amended; former division (f)(1)(B) deleted and former divisions (f)(1)(C) and (D) redesignated as (f)(1)(B) and (C) and current division (f)(1)(C) amended; division (g) amended; Ord. 232-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Divisions (a), (f), and (g) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Division (a) and Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 126-15
, Eff. 8/16/2015. Division (a) and Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 127-15
, Eff. 8/16/2015. Division (a) and Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 229-15
, Eff. 1/21/2016. Divisions (a), (b), and Table 151.1 amended; former divisions (e)-(e)(2)(B) deleted; former division (f) amended and redesignated as division (e); former divisions (f)(1)-(2) and (g)-(g)(2) deleted; former division (h) redesignated as (f) and current divisions (f), (f)(1), and (f)(3) amended; divisions (f)(1)(A)-(D) and (g) added; former division (i) deleted; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 196-17, Eff. 11/4/2017. Division (a) amended; Ord. 205-17, Eff. 12/3/2017. Division (a), Table 151.1, and division (e) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Table 151.1 and division (f) amended; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019. Table 151.1 amended; Ord. 126-20, Eff. 8/31/2020. Section header and divisions (a), (c), and (d) amended; divisions (b) and (g) deleted; Table 151.1 and divisions (e) and (f) amended and redesignated as Table 151.1-1 and divisions (f) and (g); new divisions (b)-(b)(4), (e)-(e)(2), and (h) and Table 151.1-2 added; Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTE
SEC. 152. SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED OFF-STREET FREIGHT LOADING SPACES IN DISTRICTS OTHER THAN C-3 AND EASTERN NEIGHBORHOODS MIXED USE DISTRICTS.
In districts other than C-3 and Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, off-street freight loading spaces shall be provided in the minimum quantities specified in the following table, except as otherwise provided in Section 152.2 and Section 161 of this Code. The measurement of Occupied Floor Area shall be as defined in this Code, except that non-accessory parking spaces and driveways and maneuvering areas incidental thereto shall not be counted. In accordance with Section 210.5, this Section 152 shall not apply to Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects.
Use or Activity | Occupied Floor Area of Structure or Use (sq. ft.) | Number of Off-Street Freight Loading Spaces Required |
Use or Activity | Occupied Floor Area of Structure or Use (sq. ft.) | Number of Off-Street Freight Loading Spaces Required |
Retail Sales and Services and Industrial uses. | 0 - 10,000 | 0 |
10,001 - 60,000 | 1 | |
60,001 - 100,000 | 2 | |
over 100,000 | 3 plus 1 for each additional 80,000 sq. ft. | |
All other uses not included above | 0 - 100,000 | 0 |
100,001 - 200,000 | 1 | |
200,001 - 500,000 | 2 | |
over 500,000 | 3 plus 1 for each additional 400,000 sq. ft. | |
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 412-88, App. 9/10/88; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 152.1. REQUIRED OFF-STREET FREIGHT LOADING AND SERVICE VEHICLE SPACES IN C-3 AND EASTERN NEIGHBORHOODS MIXED USE DISTRICTS.
In C-3 and Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, off-street freight loading spaces shall be provided in the minimum quantities specified in the following Table 152.1, except as otherwise provided in Sections 153(a)(6), 161, and as stated below in this Section 152.1. Notwithstanding the requirements of this Section, including Table 152.1, no building in the C-3-O(SD) district shall be required to provide more than six off-street freight loading or service vehicle spaces in total. The measurement of Occupied Floor Area shall be as defined in this Code, except that non-accessory parking spaces and driveways and maneuvering areas incidental thereto shall not be counted. In accordance with Section 210.5, this Section 152.1 shall not apply to Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects.
For projects in the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts that are subject to Section 329, the Planning Commission may waive these requirements pursuant to the procedures of Section 329 if it finds that the design of the project, particularly ground floor frontages, would be improved and that such loading could be sufficiently accommodated on adjacent Streets and Alleys. For projects in the Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts that are not subject to Section 329, the Zoning Administrator may administratively waive these requirements pursuant to Section 307(h) and the criteria identified above which apply to projects subject to Section 329.
Use or Activity | Occupied Floor Area of Structure or Use (sq. ft.) | Number of Off-Street Freight Loading Spaces Required |
Use or Activity | Occupied Floor Area of Structure or Use (sq. ft.) | Number of Off-Street Freight Loading Spaces Required |
Non-Retail Sales and Services Uses, except as listed below | 0.1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. of Occupied Floor Area (to closest whole number per Section 153) | |
Retail Sales and Services Uses, except as listed below | 0 - 10,000 | 0 |
10,001 - 30,000 | 1 | |
30,001 - 50,000 | 2 | |
over 50,000 | 1 space per 25,000 sq. ft. of Occupied Floor Area (to closest whole number per Section 153) | |
Wholesaling, manufacturing , and all other uses primarily engaged in handling goods, and Live/Work Units within existing buildings, within Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts | 0 - 10,000 | 0 |
10,001 - 50,000 | 1 | |
over 50,000 | 0.21 spaces per 10,000 sq. ft. of Occupied Floor Area (to closest whole number pursuant to Section 153) | |
Hotels, Residential Uses, Live/Work Units not included above, and all other uses not included above | 0 - 100,000 | 0 |
100,001 - 200,000 | 1 | |
200,001 - 500,000 | 2 | |
over 500,000 | 3 plus 1 space for each additional 400,000 sq. ft. of Occupied Floor Area | |
(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
First undesignated paragraph amended; Ord. 182-12
, Eff. 9/7/2012. Section and Table 152.1 amended; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Section header, section, and Table 152.1 amended; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019. First undesignated paragraph amended; Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023.
SEC. 152.2. ALLOWED OFF-STREET FREIGHT LOADING AND SERVICE VEHICLE SPACES IN DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL (DTR) DISTRICTS.
In DTR districts, off-street freight loading spaces shall be provided in the maximum quantities specified in the following Table 152.2, except as otherwise provided in Sections 153(a)(6) and 161 of this Code. The measurement of Occupied Floor Area shall be as defined in this Code, except that non-accessory parking spaces and driveways and maneuvering areas incidental thereto shall not be counted.
Use or Activity | Size of Use | Number of Off-Street Freight Loading Spaces Permitted |
Non-Residential Uses | 0 - 50,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area | 1 |
over 50,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area | 1 space per 50,000 sq. ft. of Occupied Floor Area | |
All Residential Uses, including Dwelling Units, Group Housing, and SRO Units | 0 - 100 units | 1 |
101 units or more | 1, plus 1 additional loading space for every 200 units over 100 | |
Total Number of Loading Spaces Allowed for Any Single Project (all uses) | 4 |
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 153. RULES FOR CALCULATION OF PARKING SPACES.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(1) In the case of mixed uses in the same structure, on the same lot, or in the same development, or more than one type of activity involved in the same use, the total permitted off-street parking and requirements for loading spaces shall be the sum of the requirements for the various uses or activities computed separately, including fractional values.
(2) Where an initial quantity of floor area, rooms, seats, or other form of measurement is exempted from loading requirements, such exemption shall apply only once to the aggregate of that form of measurement. If the initial exempted quantity is exceeded, for either a structure or a lot or a development, the requirement shall apply to the entire such structure, lot, or development, unless the contrary is specifically stated in this Code. In combining the requirements for use categories in mixed use buildings, all exemptions for initial quantities of square footage for the uses in question shall be disregarded, excepting the exemption for the initial quantity which is the least among all the uses in question.
(3) Where a structure or use is divided by a zoning district boundary line, the requirements as to quantity of loading spaces and permitted off-street parking shall be calculated in proportion to the amount of such structure or use located in each zoning district.
(4) Where seats are used as the form of measurement, each 22 inches of space on benches, pews and similar seating facilities shall be considered one seat.
(5) When the calculation of the number of required freight loading or permitted off-street parking spaces results in a fractional number, a fraction of one-half or more shall be adjusted to the next higher whole number of spaces, and a fraction of less than one-half shall be disregarded, except where the number of permitted spaces is less than one, in which case one parking space shall be permitted.
(6) In C-3, MUG, MUR, MUO, CMUO, and UMU Districts, substitution of two service vehicle spaces for each required off-street freight loading space may be made, provided that a minimum of 50% of the required number of spaces are provided for freight loading. Where the 50% allowable substitution results in a fraction, the fraction shall be disregarded.
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 154. DIMENSIONS FOR OFF- STREET PARKING, FREIGHT LOADING, AND SERVICE VEHICLE SPACES.
(a) Parking Spaces. Parking spaces may be either independently accessible or space-efficient as described in Section 154(a)(4) and 154(a)(5), except as required elsewhere in the Building Code for spaces specifically designated for persons with physical disabilities. Space-efficient parking is encouraged.
(1) Each independently accessible off-street parking space measuring an area of 144 square feet (8 feet by 18 feet) shall count as a standard space and measuring 112.5 square feet shall count as a compact space (7.5 feet by 15 feet), except for the types of parking spaces authorized by subsection (a)(4) below and spaces specifically designated for persons with physical disabilities, the requirements for which are set forth in the Building Code. Every parking space shall be of usable shape. The area of any such space shall be exclusive of driveways, aisles, and maneuvering areas.
(2) Any ratio of standard spaces to compact spaces may be permitted, so long as compact car spaces are specifically marked and identified as a compact space.
(3) Off-street parking spaces in DTR, C-3, RTO, NCT, Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use, PDR-1-D, and PDR-1-G Districts shall have no defined area or dimension requirements, except as required elsewhere in the Building Code for spaces specifically designated for persons with physical disabilities. For all uses in all Districts, refer to Sections 153 and 151.1(c) for rules regarding calculation of parking spaces.
(4) Permitted off-street parking spaces in mechanical parking structures that allow a vehicle to be accessed without having to move another vehicle under its own power shall be deemed to be independently accessible. Parking spaces that are accessed by a valet attendant and are subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the Zoning Administrator to insure the availability of attendant service at the time the vehicle may reasonably be needed or desired by the user, shall be deemed to be independently accessible. Any conditions imposed by the Zoning Administrator pursuant to this Section 154 shall be recorded as a Notice of Special Restriction.
(5) Space-efficient parking is parking in which vehicles are stored and accessed by valet, mechanical stackers or lifts, certain tandem spaces, or other space-efficient means. Tandem spaces shall count toward permitted off-street parking spaces if no more than one car needs to be moved to access the desired parking space.
(6) Ground floor ingress and egress to any off-street parking spaces provided for a struc- ture or use, and all spaces to be designated as preferential carpool or van pool parking, and their associated driveways, aisles and maneuvering areas, shall maintain a minimum vertical clear- ance of seven feet.
(b) Freight Loading and Service Vehicle Spaces. Every required off-street freight loading space shall have a minimum length of 35 feet, a minimum width of 12 feet, and a minimum verti- cal clearance including entry and exit of 14 feet, except as provided below.
(1) Minimum dimensions specified here- in shall be exclusive of platform, driveways and maneuvering areas except that minimum vertical clearance must be maintained to accommodate variable truck height due to driveway grade.
(2) The first such space required for any structure or use shall have a minimum width of 10 feet, a minimum length of 25 feet, and a min- imum vertical clearance, including entry and exit, of 12 feet.
(3) Each substituted service vehicle space provided under Section 153(a)(6) of this Code shall have a minimum width of eight feet, a minimum length of 20 feet, and a minimum verti- cal clearance of seven feet.
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 32-91, App. 1/25/91; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 129-06, File No. 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 112-08, File No. 080095, App. 6/30/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 188-15
, File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 155. GENERAL STANDARDS AS TO LOCATION AND ARRANGEMENT OF OFF-STREET PARKING, FREIGHT LOADING, AND SERVICE VEHICLE FACILITIES.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
Required off-street parking and freight loading facilities shall meet the following standards as to location and arrangement. Facilities which are not required but are actually provided shall also meet the following standards unless such standards are stated to be applicable solely to required facilities. In application of the standards of this Code for off-street parking and loading, reference may be made to provisions of other portions of the Municipal Code concerning off-street parking and loading facilities, and to standards of the Better Streets Plan and the Bureau of Engineering of the Department of Public Works. Final authority for the application of such standards under this Code, and for adoption of regulations and interpretations in furtherance of the stated provisions of this Code shall, however, rest with the Planning Department.
(a) Required Parking and Loading on the Same Lot as the Use Served. Every required off-street parking or loading space shall be located on the same lot as the use served by it, except as provided in Section 161 of this Code.
(b) Off-Street Parking and Loading on Private Property. Every off-street parking or loading space shall be located in its entirety within the lot lines of private property. Shared driveways are encouraged.
(c) Adequate Means of Ingress and Egress. Every off-street parking or loading space shall have adequate means of ingress from and egress to a Street or Alley. Access to off-street loading spaces shall be from Alleys in preference to Streets, except where otherwise specified in this Code.
Adequate reservoir space shall be provided on private property for entrance of vehicles to off-street parking and loading spaces, except with respect to spaces independently accessible directly from the Street.
For Residential Uses, independently accessible off-street parking spaces shall include spaces accessed by automated garages, or car elevators, lifts or other space-efficient parking as defined in Section 154(a)(4) and Section 154(a)(5) provided that no more than one car needs to be moved under its own power to access any one space.
(d) Enclosure of Off-Street Loading and Service Vehicle Spaces Required. All off-street freight loading and service vehicle spaces in the C-3, DTR, MUO, CMUO, WMUO, MUG, WMUG, and MUR shall be completely enclosed, and access from a public Street or Alley shall be provided by means of a private service driveway that is totally contained within the structure. Such a private service driveway shall include adequate space to maneuver trucks and service vehicles into and out of all provided spaces, and shall be designed so as to facilitate access to the subject property while minimizing interference with street and sidewalk circulation. Any such private service driveway shall be of adequate width to accommodate drive-in movement from the adjacent curb or inside traffic lane but shall in no case exceed 30 feet. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an adjacent Street or Alley is determined by the Zoning Administrator to be primarily used for building service, up to four off-street freight or loading spaces may be allowed to be individually accessible directly from such a Street or Alley, pursuant to the provisions of Section 309 in a C-3 District, the provisions of Section 309.1 in a DTR District, the provisions of Section 329 for projects subject to Section 329 in a MUO, CMUO, WMUO, MUG, WMUG, or MUR District, or by administrative decision of the Zoning Administrator for projects that are not subject to Section 329 in a MUO, CMUO, WMUO, MUG, WMUG, or MUR District.
(e) Alternate Location of Service Vehicle Spaces. Where site constraints would make a consolidated freight loading and service vehicle facility impractical, service vehicle spaces required by Sections 153(a)(6) and 154(b)(3) of this Code may be located in a parking garage for the structure or other location separate from freight loading spaces.
(f) Freight Elevator Access to Off-Street Freight Loading. Whenever off-street freight loading spaces are provided, freight elevators immediately accessible from the loading dock shall be provided to all floors which contain uses that are included in the calculation of required number of freight loading spaces. If freight loading facilities are subterranean, the location and operation of freight elevators shall be designed, where feasible, to discourage use of freight elevators for deliveries from the ground floor. Directories of building tenants shall be provided at all freight elevators. A raised loading dock or receiving area shall be provided with sufficient dimensions to provide for short-term storage of goods. All required freight loading and service vehicle spaces shall be made available only to those vehicles at all times, and provision shall be made to minimize interference between freight loading and service operations, and garbage dumpster operations and storage.
(g) Parking Pricing Requirements. In order to discourage long-term commuter parking, any off-street parking spaces provided for a structure or use other than Residential or Hotel in a C-3, DTR, SPD, MUG, WMUG, MUR, CMUO, WMUO, or MUO District, whether classified as an accessory or Conditional Use, that are otherwise available for use for long-term parking by downtown workers shall maintain a rate or fee structure for their use such that the rate charge for four hours of parking duration is no more than four times the rate charge for the first hour, and the rate charge for eight or more hours of parking duration is no less than 10 times the rate charge for the first hour. Additionally, no discounted parking rate shall be permitted for weekly, monthly or similar time-specific periods.
(h) Layout and Markings. The internal layout of off-street parking and loading spaces, driveways, aisles and maneuvering areas shall be according to acceptable standards, and all spaces shall be clearly marked.
(i) Parking Spaces for Persons with Disabilities. For each 25 off-street parking spaces provided, one such space shall be designed and designated for persons with disabilities.
(k) Encroachments. Off-street parking and loading facilities shall be arranged, designed and operated so as to prevent encroachments upon sidewalk areas, bicycle lanes, transit-only lanes and adjacent properties, in the maneuvering, standing, queuing and storage of vehicles, by means of the layout and operation of facilities and by use of bumper or wheel guards or such other devices as are necessary.
(l) Driveways. Driveways crossing sidewalks shall be no wider than necessary for ingress and egress, and shall be arranged, to the extent practical, so as to minimize the width and frequency of curb cuts, to maximize the number and size of on-street parking spaces available to the public, and to minimize conflicts with pedestrian and transit movements.
(m) Surfacing and Grading. Every off-street parking or loading facility shall be suitably graded, surfaced, drained and maintained.
(n) Parking or Loading in Required Open Spaces. Off-street parking and loading spaces shall not occupy any required open space, except as specified in Section 136 of this Code.
(o) Accounting of Parking and Loading Spaces. No area credited as all or part of a required off-street parking space shall also be credited as all or part of a required off-street loading space, or used as all or part of an unrequired off-street loading space. No area credited as all or part of a required off-street loading space shall also be credited as all or part of a required off-street parking space, or used as all or part of an unrequired off-street parking space.
(p) Freight Loading Adjacent to R Districts. Any off-street freight loading area located within 50 feet of any R District shall be completely enclosed within a building if such freight loading area is used in regular night operation.
(q) Rooftop Parking. Rooftop parking, where allowed, shall be screened as provided in Section 141(d) of this Code.
(r) Protected Pedestrian-, Cycling-, and Transit-Oriented Street Frontages. In order to protect and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and transit service, vehicular access to off-street parking or loading via curb cuts shall be regulated as set forth in this subsection (r). However, these limitations shall not apply to the creation of new publicly-accessible Streets and Alleys. Any lot where the only vehicular access is via a protected street frontage described in this subsection (r) shall be exempt from any off-street loading requirement found elsewhere in this Code, unless a curb cut is otherwise authorized.
(1) Curb Cuts Not Permitted. No new or expanded curb cuts shall be permitted on the frontages listed in Table 155(r)(1) below:
2nd Street from Market to Townsend Streets |
3rd Street in the UMU District for 100 feet north and south of Mariposa Street and 100 feet north and south of 20th Street |
3rd Street from Folsom Street to Townsend Street |
4th Street from Folsom Street to Townsend Street |
6th Street from Folsom Street to Brannan Street |
6th Street for its entirety within the SoMa NCT District |
9th Avenue from Lincoln Way to Judah Street in the Inner Sunset NC District |
16th Street between Kansas and Mississippi Streets in the UMU and PDR-1-D Districts |
16th Street between Guerrero and Capp Streets within the Valencia Street NCT and Mission Street NCT Districts |
17th Street in the Castro Street NC District |
18th Street in the Castro Street NC District |
22nd Street between 3rd Street and Minnesota Streets within the NCT-2 District |
24th Street in the 24th Street - Noe Valley NC District east of Castro Street |
24th Street for the entirety of the 24th Street-Mission NCT District |
All Alleys within the North Beach NCD and the Telegraph Hill-North Beach Residential SUD |
All Alleys in the Chinatown Mixed Use Districts |
Balboa Street from 35th Avenue to 38th Avenue |
Brannan Street from 2nd Street to 6th Street |
Broadway between Van Ness Avenue and Larkin Street |
Broadway from the Embarcadero on the east to Polk Street on the west |
Buchanan Street from Post Street to Sutter Street |
Bush Street between Van Ness Avenue and Larkin Street |
California Street between Van Ness Avenue and Hyde Street |
Carl Street in the Cole Valley NC District |
Castro Street in the Castro Street NC District |
Chenery Street within the Glen Park NCT District |
Chestnut Street from Divisadero Street to Fillmore Street |
Church Street in the Upper Market Street NCT and NCT-3 Districts |
Clement Street from Arguello Boulevard to Park Presidio Boulevard |
Cole Street in the Cole Valley NC District |
Columbus Avenue between Washington and North Point Streets |
Destination Alleyways, as designated in the Downtown Streetscape Plan |
Diamond Street within the Glen Park NCT District |
Divisadero from Page to Oak Streets, from Fell to Grove Streets, and from Geary to Pine Streets |
Ecker Alley in its entirety |
Fillmore Street in the Upper Fillmore NC District |
Folsom Street from 2nd Street to 13th Street |
Folsom Street, from Second Street to The Embarcadero, except as permitted pursuant to Section 827 |
Geneva Avenue from I-280 to San Jose Avenue within the NCT-2 District |
Grant Avenue between Columbus Avenue and Filbert Street |
Green Street between Grant Avenue and Columbus/Stockton |
Haight Street in the Lower Haight NC District and Haight Street NC District |
Hayes Street from Franklin Street to Laguna Street |
Howard Street from 5th Street to 13th Street |
Hyde Street between California Street and Pine Street |
Irving Street from 19th Avenue to 25th Avenue |
Irving Street from 6th Avenue to 10th Avenue in the Inner Sunset NC District |
Market Street for its entirety from The Embarcadero to Castro Street |
Mission Street for the entirety of the Mission Street NCT District |
Mission Street from The Embarcadero to Annie Street and from 10th Street to Division Street |
Natoma Street from 300 feet westerly of 1st Street to 2nd Street |
Ocean Avenue from Junipero Serra Boulevard to Lagunitas Drive in the Lakeside Village NC District |
Ocean Avenue within the Ocean Avenue NCT District |
Octavia Street from Hayes Street to Fell Street |
Parnassus Avenue in the Cole Valley NC District |
Pine Street between Van Ness Avenue and Larkin Street |
Polk Street between Filbert Street and Golden Gate Avenue |
Post Street, on the north side from Webster Street to Laguna Street and on the south side from Fillmore Street to Webster Street |
Shaw Alley in its entirety |
Taraval Street from 19th Avenue to 22nd Avenue |
The Embarcadero (the western/inland side) between King and Jefferson Streets |
The Embarcadero in the DTR Districts |
Townsend Street from 2nd Street to 6th Street, except as permitted pursuant to Section 329(e)(3)(B) |
Union Street from Fillmore Street to Octavia Street |
Valencia Street between 15th and 23rd Streets in the Valencia Street NCT District |
Van Ness Avenue from Hayes Street to Mission Street |
(2) Protected Street Features. No new or expanded curb cuts shall be permitted within the following street features:
(A) An adjacent on-street curbside striped bus stop (e.g., curbside bus stop zones with striping or red curb) that has been approved by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors;
(B) A transit bulb-out, as defined in the Better Streets Plan; or
(C) A transit boarding island, as defined in the Better Streets Plan, if vehicles accessing the curb cut would be required to cross over the boarding island.
(3) Corner Lots in the SALI District. For corner lots in the SALI District, no new curb cut shall be permitted, nor any existing curb cut expanded, on any Street or Alley identified as an Alley in the Western SoMa Area Plan of the General Plan if any property on the same block with frontage along that Street or Alley is designated as a RED or RED-MX District.
(4) Curb Cuts Requiring Planning Commission Approval. In all zoning districts except RH, M, NC-S, P, PDR, and SALI, no new or expanded curb cuts shall be permitted on the frontages listed in Table 155(r)(4), unless approved by the Planning Commission through a Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Section 303. However, if the new or expanded curb cut is part of a project that requires Planning Commission approval under a separate section, such as Section 309 or 329, then the Planning Commission shall consider the curb cut as part of that approval. Regardless of the type of approval, in order to approve such a curb cut, the Planning Commission must make the findings required by Section 303(y). For projects within the C-3-0(SD) and the Central SoMa Special Use District, in no case shall such curb cut approval be granted where the proposed accessory parking would be greater than the amount principally permitted.
(A) Protected Streets. Planning Commission approval is required for any new or expanded curb cut that directly fronts any of the streets listed in Table 155(r)(4) below.
1st Street from Market to Folsom Street |
5th Street from Howard Street to Townsend Street |
16th Street in the RTO Districts |
Beale Street from Market Street to Folsom Street |
Bryant Street from 2nd Street to 6th Street |
California Street in its entirety |
Church Street in the RTO Districts |
Dolores Street from Market Street to 16th Street |
Duboce Street from Noe Street to Market Street |
Fillmore Street from Hermann Street to Duboce Avenue |
Folsom Street in the C-3 Districts |
Fremont Street from Market Street to Folsom Street |
Geary Street in the C-3 Districts |
Grant Avenue from Market Street to Sacramento Street |
Harrison Street from 2nd Street to 6th Street |
Mission Street in the C-3 Districts |
Montgomery Street from Market Street to Columbus Avenue |
Noe Street from Duboce Avenue to Market Street |
Octavia Street from Fell Street to Market Street |
Powell Street in the C-3 Districts |
Stockton Street in the C-3 Districts |
The Embarcadero (eastern/water side) between Townsend and Taylor Streets |
West Portal Avenue in the West Portal NC District |
(B) Protected Street Types with Alternative Frontage. Planning Commission approval is required for any new or expanded curb cut that directly fronts any of the following when an alternative street frontage is available:
(i) Transit Preferential Streets designated in the Transportation Element;
(ii) Neighborhood Commercial Streets or Commercial Throughways defined by the Better Streets Plan; or
(iii) Bicycle routes or lanes as adopted by SFMTA Board of Directors. On such bicycle routes or lanes where the bicycle facility is only on one side of the street, the curb cut restriction shall apply to the side of the street with the bicycle facility, and shall not apply to the opposite side of the street.
(C) Protected Street Types with No Alternative Frontage. A new or expanded curb cut on street types listed in subsection (r)(4)(B) where no alternative frontage exists shall still require Planning Commission approval. However, in such cases the Planning Commission shall not make the findings of Section 303(y) and instead must find that the final design minimizes negative impacts to transit movement and to the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists to the fullest extent feasible.
(5) Existing Curb Cuts. Existing curb cuts on frontages listed in subsections (r)(1)-(r)(4) shall not be retained as part of a project that involves new construction, a building alteration that increases the Gross Floor Area of a structure by 20% or more, or a change of use affecting more than 50% of the structure’s Gross Floor Area. However, the Planning Commission may allow retention or relocation of up to one existing curb cut along any of the site’s frontages, through Conditional Use authorization or other applicable discretionary Planning Commission approval, provided that no existing curb cut shall be maintained if it is located in or affects a protected transit stop feature pursuant to subsection (r)(2), and no existing curb cut may be relocated to newly affect such features. In granting such approval, the Planning Commission must make the additional findings required under Planning Code Section 303(y) and must also find that (1) the project represents an increase in residential density and/or non-residential intensity that is appropriate to the site, such as its proximity to transit or its location within a mixed-use area; and (2) the proposed curb cut is necessary to support the project’s scale and function, while being sited and designed to minimize to the fullest extent feasible negative impacts on pedestrian activity, street-level commercial activity, the movement of transit vehicles and passengers, and bicycle facilities.
(6) Sites owned by the City and County of San Francisco under the jurisdiction of the SFMTA are not subject to the provisions of this Section 155(r).
(7) Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects pursuant to Section 210.5. Pre-existing garage entries, driveways, or other vehicular access to off-street parking and loading via curb cuts for Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects are not subject to Section 155(r). Creation of new or expanded garage entries, driveways, or other vehicular access to off-street parking and loading via curb cuts shall be subject to Section 155(r).
(s) Off-Street Parking and Loading in C-3 Districts. In C-3 Districts, restrictions on the design and location of off-street parking and loading and access to off-street parking and loading are necessary to reduce their negative impacts on neighborhood quality and the pedestrian environment.
(1) Ground Floor or Below-Grade Parking and Street Frontages with Active Uses.
(B) Parking located at or above ground level shall conform to the street frontage requirements of Section 145.1(c), and shall be lined with active uses, as defined by Section 145.4(d), to a depth of at least 25 feet along all ground-level street frontages, except for space allowed for parking and loading access, building egress, and access to mechanical systems.
(2) Residential Accessory Parking. For residential accessory off-street parking in C-3 Districts, two additional floors of above-grade parking beyond the at-grade parking allowed by Section 155(s)(1), to a maximum ceiling height of 35 feet from grade, may be permitted subject to the provisions of Section 309 of this Code provided it can be clearly demonstrated that transportation easements or contaminated soil conditions make it practically infeasible to build parking below-ground. The determination of practical infeasibility shall be made based on an independent, third-party geotechnical assessment conducted by a licensed professional and funded by the project sponsor. The Planning Director shall make a determination as to the objectivity of the study prior to the Planning Commission’s consideration of the exception application under Section 309.
(3) Temporary Parking Lots. Parking lots permitted in C-3 Districts as temporary uses according to Section 156(f) are not subject to the requirements of subsection (1)(B) above.
(A) Width of Openings. Any single development is limited to a total of two Façade openings for parking and loading ingress or egress; these Façade openings shall conform to the requirements of Sec. 145.1(c)(2).
(B) Porte Cocheres. Porte cocheres to accommodate passenger loading and unloading are not permitted except as part of a Hotel, inn, or hostel use. For the purpose of this Section, a “porte cochere” is defined as an off-street driveway, either covered or uncovered, for the purpose of passenger loading or unloading, situated between the ground floor façade of the building and the sidewalk.
(t) Garage Additions in the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District, North Beach-Telegraph Hill Residential Special Use District, and Chinatown Mixed Use Districts. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, a mandatory discretionary review hearing by the Planning Commission is required in order to install a garage in an existing or proposed structure of two units or more in the North Beach NCD, the North Beach-Telegraph Hill Residential SUD, and the Chinatown Mixed Use Districts.
In order to approve the installation of any garage in these districts, the City shall find that: (1) the proposed garage opening/addition of off-street parking will not cause the elimination or reduction of ground-story retail or commercial space; (2) the proposed garage opening/addition of off-street parking will not eliminate or decrease the square footage of any welling nit1
Dwelling Unit, (3) the building has not had two or more evictions with each eviction associated with a separate nit1
Dwelling Unit(s) within the past 10 years, and (4) the garage would not front on an Alley pursuant to Section 155(r)(1) of this Code or on a public right-of-way narrower than 41 feet, and (5) the proposed garage/addition of off-street parking is consistent with the Priority Policies of Section 101.1 of this Code. Prior to the issuance of notification under Section 311 or 312 of this Code, the Department shall require a signed affidavit by the project sponsor attesting to (1), (2), and (3) above, which the Department shall independently verify, and the Department shall determine whether the project complies with subsection (4) above. If the project sponsor does not provide such signed affidavit, or the garage would front on an Alley or on a public right-of-way narrower than 41 feet, the Department shall disapprove the application and no Planning Commission hearing shall be required.
(u) Driveway and Loading Operations Plan (DLOP).
(1) Purpose. The purpose of a Driveway and Loading Operations Plan (DLOP) is to reduce potential conflicts between driveway and loading
operations, including passenger and freight loading activities, and pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles, to maximize reliance of on-site loading spaces to accommodate new loading demand, and to ensure that off-site loading activity is considered in the design of new buildings.
(2) Applicability. Development projects of more than 100,000 net new Gross Floor Area.
(3) Requirement. Applicable projects shall prepare a DLOP for review and approval by the Planning Department, in consultation with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The DLOP shall be written in accordance with any guidelines issued by the Planning Department.
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 32-91, App. 1/25/91; Ord. 314-95, App. 10/6/95; Ord. 31-96, App. 1/11/96; Ord. 343-98, App. 11/19/98; Ord. 199-00, File No. 001102, App. 8/18/2000; Ord. 193-01, File No. 010488, App. 9/7/2001; Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 129-06, File No, 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 112-08, File No. 080095, App. 6/30/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 61-09, File No. 090181, App. 4/17/2009; Ord. 187-09, File No. 090867, App. 8/12/2009; Ord. 77-10, File No. 091165, App. 4/16/2010; Ord. 25-11, File No. 101464, App. 2/24/2011; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 109-11, File No. 101350, App. 6/29/2011, Eff. 7/29/2011; Ord. 35-12
, File No. 111305, App. 2/21/2012, Eff. 3/22/2012; Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 42-13
, File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 56-13
, File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 229-15
, File No. 151126, App. 12/22/2015, Eff. 1/21/2016; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 129-17, File No. 170203, App. 6/30/2017, Eff. 7/30/2017; Ord. 196-17, File No. 170419, App. 10/5/2017, Eff. 11/4/2017; Ord. 205-17, File No. 170418, App. 11/3/2017, Eff. 12/3/2017; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020; Ord. 126-20, File No. 200559, App. 7/31/2020, Eff. 8/31/2020; Ord. 47-21, File No. 201175, App. 4/16/2021, Eff. 5/17/2021; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 33-24, File No. 231144, App. 2/21/2024, Eff. 3/23/2024; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Divisions (d), (s)(1)(B), and (s)(3)(B) amended; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. Divisions (g), (i), and (r) amended; Ord. 109-11, Eff. 7/29/2011. Divisions (r)(2)(T) and (r)(2)(U) added; Ord. 35-12
, Eff. 3/22/2012. Division (r)(2)(D) amended; divisions (r)(2)(V)-(Y) added; division (r)(3) amended; division (r)(3)(I) added; Ord. 182-12
, Eff. 9/7/2012. Divisions (d) and (g) amended; new division (r)(5) added and former division (r)(5) redesignated as (r)(6); Ord. 42-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Designation of subdivisions of division (r)(2) corrected; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Divisions (d) and (e) amended; new divisions (r)(2)(Z) and (r)(2)(AA) added; former division (r)(3)(A) amended and divided into current divisions (r)(3)(A) and (B); former divisions (r)(3)(B)-(E) redesignated as (r)(3)(C)-(F); former division (r)(3)(F) deleted; division (r)(3)(J) added; division (s)(1)(A) amended; former division (s)(1)(B)(i) deleted; former divisions (s)(2) and (s)(2)(A) amended and merged to form current division (s)(2); former division (s)(2)(B) deleted; division (s)(3) amended; former divisions (s)(3)(A) and (B) deleted; division (s)(4) amended; division (t) added; Ord. 232-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Divisions (d), (s)(1)(B), and (s)(4)(B) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Divisions (r)(2)(BB) and (CC) added; Ord. 229-15
, Eff. 1/21/2016. Introductory paragraph and divisions (a)-(r) amended; former division (c)(1) redesignated as unnumbered; division (s)(1)(A) amended; divisions (s)(1)(C) and (s)(3) deleted; former divisions (s)(4) and (s)(5) redesignated (s)(3) and (s)(4) and current divisions (s)(3) and (s)(4)(B) amended; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Divisions (r) and (r)(2)(CC) amended; divisions (r)(2)(DD)-(FF) added; Ord. 129-17, Eff. 7/30/2017. Division (t) amended; Ord. 196-17, Eff. 11/4/2017. Division (r) amended; divisions (r)(2)(GG)-(LL) added; division (s)(4) designation corrected; Ord. 205-17, Eff. 12/3/2017. Divisions (r), (r)(1), and (r)(3)-(6) amended; divisions (r)(2)(MM), (r)(3)(A), and (r)(3)(K)-(M) added; former divisions (r)(3)(A)-(D) redesignated as (r)(3)(B)-(E); former division (r)(3)(E) deleted; Ord. 277-18
, Eff. 12/21/2018. Section header amended; divisions (d), (g), (r)(2)(N), (r)(2)(Y), and (r)(3) amended; divisions (r)(2)(GG)-(MM) [second group], (r)(3)(K)-(M) [second group], and (u)-(u)(3) added; Ord. 296-18
, Eff. 1/12/2019. Introductory paragraph and divisions (a), (s)(1)(A), and (s)(3) amended; Ord. 311-18
, Eff. 1/21/2019. Divisions (r), (r)(3)(A), and (r)(4) amended; division (r)(2)(MM) deleted; divisions (r)(2)(GG)-(MM) [second group] redesignated as (r)(2)(MM)-(RR) and (r)(2)(MMMM); division (r)(2)(TT) added; divisions (r)(3)(K)-(M) [second group] redesignated as (r)(3)(N)-(P); Ord. 63-20
, Eff. 5/25/2020. Divisions (u) and (u)(2) amended; Ord. 126-20
, Eff. 8/31/2020. Division (r)(2)(MMMM) redesignated as (r)(2)(SS); Ord. 47-21, Eff. 5/17/2021 and Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Division (r)(7) added; Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023. Divisions (r)(4) and (s)(4)(A) amended; Ord. 33-24, Eff. 3/23/2024. Divisions (r)(1)-(6) replaced; Tables 155(r)(1), 155(r)(4) added; divisions (r), (t), (u), and (u)(2) amended; Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026.
CODIFICATION NOTE
SEC. 155.1. BICYCLE PARKING: DEFINITIONS AND STANDARDS.
"Attended Facility." A location in which the bicycle is delivered to and left with an attendant with provisions for identifying the bicycle's owner. The stored bicycle is accessible only to the attendant.
"Class 1 Bicycle Parking Space(s)." Spaces in secure, weather-protected facilities intended for use as long-term, overnight, and work-day bicycle storage by dwelling unit residents, non-residential occupants, and Employees.
"Class 2 Bicycle Parking Space(s)." Bicycle racks located in a publicly-accessible, highly visible location intended for transient or short-term use by visitors, guests, and patrons to the building or use.
"Director." Director of the Planning Department.
"Employees." Individuals employed by any entity operating or doing business on the subject lot.
"Landlord." Any person who leases space in a building to the City. The term "Landlord" does not include the City.
"Locker." A fully enclosed and secure bicycle parking space accessible only to the owner or operator of the bicycle or owner and operator of the Locker.
"Monitored Parking." A location where Class 2 parking spaces are provided within an area under constant surveillance by an attendant or security guard or by a monitored camera.
"New Building." A building or structure for which a new construction building permit is issued after the effective date of the Section as determined in Section 155.1(f).
"Person." Any individual, proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust, association, or other entity that may enter into leases.
"Responsible City Official." The highest ranking City official of an agency or department which has authority over a City-owned building or parking facility or of an agency or department for which the City is leasing space.
"Restricted Access Parking." A location that provides Class 2 bicycle racks within a locked room or locked enclosure accessible only to the owners of bicycles parked within.
"Stacked Parking." Bicycle parking spaces where racks are stacked and the racks that are not on the ground accommodate mechanically-assisted lifting in order to mount the bicycle.
"U-lock." A rigid bicycle lock, typically constructed out of hardened steel composed of a solid U-shaped piece whose ends are connected by a locking removable crossbar.
"Vertical Bicycle Parking." Bicycle Parking that requires both wheels to be lifted off the ground, with at least one wheel that is no more than 12 inches above the ground.
"Workspace." Any designated office, cubicle, workstation, or other normal work area at which an employee typically performs daily work duties and not typically accessible to the public (such as in the case of retail, restaurant, classroom, theater or similar settings) and is not used for circulation. A Workspace shall also exclude any place where storage of a bicycle would be hazardous because of the nature of the work being performed in the immediate vicinity, such as in an industrial or medical setting.
(b) Standards for Location of Bicycle Parking Spaces. These standards apply to all bicycle parking subject to Section 155.2, as well as bicycle parking for City-owned and leased buildings, parking garages and parking lots subject to Section 155.3. Bicycle racks shall be located in highly visible areas as described in subsections below in order to maximize convenience and minimize theft and vandalism. For Accessory Dwelling Units, the requirements of this subsection (b) may be modified or waived pursuant to the procedures and criteria set forth in Sections 307(l) and 207.1.
(1) Class 1 spaces shall be located with direct access for bicycles without requiring use of stairs. The location of such spaces shall allow bicycle users to ride to the entrance of the space or the entrance of the lobby leading to the space. The design shall provide safe and convenient access to and from bicycle parking facilities. Safe and convenient means include, but are not limited to, ramps and wide hallways as described below. Escalators and stairs are not considered safe and convenient means of ingress and egress and shall not be used. Use of elevators to access bicycle parking spaces shall be minimized for all uses and if necessary shall follow the requirements below. Bicycle parking shall be at least as conveniently located as the most convenient nondisabled car parking provided for the subject use. Residential buildings shall not use space in dwelling units, balconies or required private open space for required Class 1 bicycle parking. Class 1 bicycle parking can be stored within the allowable 100 square feet yard obstruction described in Section 136(c)(23) of this Code. Class 1 bicycle parking spaces shall be located:
(A) On the ground floor within 100 feet of the major entrance to the lobby. There shall be either: (i) convenient access to and from the street to the bicycle parking space and another entrance from the bicycle parking space to the lobby area, or (ii) a minimum five foot wide hallway or lobby space that leads to the bicycle parking major entrance, where direct access to bicycle parking space from the street does not exist. Such access route may include up to two limited constriction points, such as doorways, provided that these constrictions are no narrower than three feet wide and extend for no more than one foot of distance.
(B) In the off-street automobile parking area, where lot configurations or other limitations do not allow bicycle parking spaces to be located near the lobby as described in subsection (A) above. Bicycle parking spaces shall be located on the first level of automobile parking either above or below grade and still be located near elevators or other pedestrian entrances to the building.
(C) One level above or below grade, where the two options above will not be possible due to an absence of automobile parking, small or unusual lot configurations, or other unique limitations. In such cases, ramps or elevators shall be provided to access the bicycle parking space and the bicycle parking spaces shall be near the elevators or other entrance to that story. At least one designated access route meeting the dimensional requirements described in (A) above shall connect a primary building entrance to the bicycle parking facility. For non-residential uses, any elevator necessary to access bicycle parking facilities larger than 50 spaces shall have clear passenger cab dimensions of at least 70 square feet and shall not be less than seven feet in any dimension.
(2) Class 2 spaces shall be located, as feasible, near all main pedestrian entries to the uses to which they are accessory, and should not be located in or immediately adjacent to service, trash or loading areas. Further standards for specific uses include:
(A) All uses, except non-accessory garages and parking lots, may locate Class 2 bicycle parking in a public right-of-way, such as on a sidewalk or in place of an on-street auto parking space, within 100 feet of a main entry to the subject building, subject to demonstration of preliminary approval by the necessary City agencies. If existing Class 2 bicycle parking in the required quantities already exists in a public right-of-way immediately fronting the subject lot, and such spaces are not satisfying bicycle parking requirements for another use, such parking shall be deemed to meet the Class 2 requirement for that use. Parking meters, poles, signs, or other street furniture shall not be used to satisfy Class 2 bicycle parking requirements, unless other public agencies have specifically designed and designated these structures for the parking of a bicycle.
(B) Non-residential uses other than non-accessory garages and parking lots, may locate Class 2 spaces in required non-residential open space (such as open space required by Sections 135.3 and 138 of this Code), provided that such bicycle parking does not occupy more than five percent of the open space area or 120 square feet, whichever is greater, and does not affect pedestrian circulation in the open space.
(C) Non-Accessory Garages and Parking Lots shall place Class 2 spaces within the garage in a location that will protect them from wind-driven rain near a primary entrance.
(3) All Bicycle Parking Spaces.
(A) Stadiums, Arenas, and Amphitheaters shall provide Class 1 bicycle parking for on-site Employees in a separate location from Class 2 parking provided as specified below:
(i) Such uses shall provide at least 75 percent but not more than 90 percent of Class 2 parking in the form of an Attended Facility for patrons. The facilities shall continuously staff the Attended Facility and make it available to patrons of events from not later than one hour before the event begins to not earlier than one hour after the event finishes during all events with an expected attendance of greater than 2,000 people.
(ii) Class 2 parking that is not provided in an Attended Facility per subsection (i) above shall be appropriately dispersed around the subject use in convenient and visible surrounding public spaces and rights-of-way within 500 feet of the perimeter of subject use.
(B) Developments with multiple buildings shall disperse required bicycle parking, for both Class 1 and Class 2 spaces, in smaller facilities located close to primary occupant and visitor entries for each building, as appropriate, rather than in a large centralized facility serving the multiple buildings.
(c) Design Standards for Bicycle Parking Spaces. These design standards apply to all bicycle parking spaces subject to Sections 155.2 and 155.3. Bicycle parking shall follow the design standards established in Zoning Administrator Bulletin No. 9, which includes specific requirements on bicycle parking layout and acceptable types of Class 1 and Class 2 bicycle parking spaces. For Accessory Dwelling Units, the requirements of this subsection (c) may be modified or waived pursuant to the procedures and criteria set forth in Sections 307(l) and 207.1.
(1) Class 1 spaces shall protect the entire bicycle, its components and accessories against theft and inclement weather, including wind-driven rain. Acceptable forms of Class 1 spaces include (A) individual Lockers, (B) Attended Facilities, (C) Monitored Parking, (D) Restricted Access Parking, and (E) Stacked Parking, as defined in Section 155.1 and further detailed in Zoning Administrator Bulletin No. 9. When Class 1 spaces are provided as Restricted Access Parking, bicycle racks shall follow the specifications in subsection 2 below. Stacked Parking spaces may be used to satisfy any Class 1 required space. However, Class 1 spaces shall not require manually lifting the entire bicycle more than three inches to be placed in the space, except as provided in subsection (3) below for Vertical Bicycle Parking.
(2) Class 2 spaces shall meet the following design standards:
(A) Bicycle racks shall permit the locking of the bicycle frame and one wheel to the rack with a U-lock without removal of the wheel, and shall support the bicycle in a stable, upright position without damage to wheels, frame or components. Class 2 spaces are encouraged, but not required, to include weather protection, as feasible and appropriate.
(B) The surface of bicycle parking spaces need not be paved but shall be finished to avoid mud and dust.
(C) All bicycle racks shall be securely anchored to the ground or building structure, with tamper-resistant hardware.
(D) Bicycle parking spaces may not interfere with pedestrian circulation.
(A) Such parking is primarily an Attended Facility where facility staff parks the bicycles or such racks provide mechanical assistance for lifting the bicycle; or
(B) No more than one-third of the required Class 1 bicycle parking is provided as Vertical Bicycle Parking; or
(C) Class 2 spaces for Personal Services, Restaurants, Limited Restaurants, and Bars, as defined in Table 155.2(16) are provided either indoors or outdoors. In such cases, no more than one-third of all required Class 2 bicycle parking shall be provided as Vertical Bicycle Parking. Class 2 bicycle parking for uses other than those defined in Table 155.2(16) shall not provide any of the required spaces as Vertical Bicycle Parking.
(4) Signage Requirements for Bicycle Parking. Where Class 2 bicycle parking areas are not located in an outdoor location clearly visible to bicyclists approaching from adjacent public roadways or paths, signs shall indicate the locations of the facilities on the exterior of the building at each major entrance and in other appropriate locations. Such signs shall be not less than 12 inches square and shall use the template provided in Zoning Administrator Bulletin No. 9. Where necessary, additional directional signage to the bicycle parking area shall be provided.
(d) Reduction of Auto Parking. When fulfilling bicycle parking requirements, the number of required automobile parking spaces on any lot may be reduced in the following cases per Section 150(e) of this Code:
(2) Existing buildings not subject to any bicycle parking requirements; or
(3) New Buildings subject to Section 155.2(a)(1).
When replacing automobile parking space with bicycle parking, layout and design standards in Section 155.1(c) and the Zoning Administrator Bulletin No. 9 shall be followed.
(1) Except for non-accessory parking garages, bicycle parking required by Section 155.2 shall be provided at no cost or fee to building occupants, tenants and visitors.
(3) The building, lot or garage may not establish unreasonable rules that interfere with the ability of cyclists to conveniently access bicycle parking. Such unreasonable rules include hours of operation and prohibitions on riding bicycles in areas where driving automobiles is permitted. The rules may require cyclists to walk bicycles through areas that are pedestrian only and where motorized vehicles are not permitted.
(4) All plans submitted to the Department containing bicycle parking intended to satisfy the requirements of Sections 155.2 and 155.3 shall indicate on said plans the location, dimensions, and type of bicycle parking facilities to be provided, including the model or design of racks to be installed and the dimensions of all aisle, hallways, or routes used to access the parking.
(f) Effective Date. The effective date of the requirements for bicycle parking for different uses shall be the date that the Planning Code provisions pertaining to bicycle parking requirements for a particular use first became effective, or the date subsequent modifications to the requirements for that use, if any, became effective. The effective day for bicycle parking requirements for:
(A) Commercial and industrial uses shall be either September 7, 2001, when Ordinance 193-01 became effective, or the date subsequent modifications, if any, to the bicycle parking requirements for commercial and industrial uses became effective.
(B) Residential uses shall be either August 19, 2005, when Ordinance 217-05 became effective, or the date subsequent modifications, if any, to the bicycle parking requirements for residential uses became effective.
(C) Non-accessory parking garages shall be either November 19, 1998, when Ordinance 343-98 became effective, or the date a subsequent modification, if any, became effective.
(D) City-owned buildings, leased or purchased by the City shall be either January 11, 1996, when Ordinance 31-96 became effective, or the date a subsequent modification, if any, became effective.
(g) Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects. In accordance with Section 210.5, the requirements of this Section 155.1 shall not apply to any Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects.
(Added by Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013; amended by Ord. 195-18, File No. 180268, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 122-23, File No. 230371, App. 7/5/2023, Eff. 8/5/2023; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 62-24, File No. 230310, App. 3/28/2024, Eff. 4/28/2024)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 155.2. BICYCLE PARKING: APPLICABILITY AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC USES.
Bicycle parking spaces are required in at least the minimum quantities specified in Table 155.2. Bicycle parking shall meet the standards in Section 155.1.
(a) Applicability. The requirements of this Section apply in all the following cases regardless of whether off-street automobile parking is available except if indicated:
(1) New Building; or
(2) addition of a Dwelling Unit to an existing building where off-street vehicle parking exists; or
(3) addition to a building or lot that increases the building's Gross Floor Area by more than 20 percent; or
(4) change of occupancy or increase in intensity of use which would increase the number of total required bicycle parking spaces (inclusive of Class 1 and 2 spaces in aggregate) by 15 percent; or
(5) where DBI determines that an addition or alteration meets the bicycle parking thresholds set in Section 5.106.4 of the 2013 California Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen) (California Title 24, Part 11), as amended from time to time; or
(6) addition or creation of new Gross Floor Area or an increase in the capacity of off-street vehicle parking spaces for an existing building or lot, regardless of whether such vehicle parking is considered accessory or a principally or conditionally permitted use.
(b) Rules for Calculating Bicycle Parking Requirements.
(1) Under no circumstances may total bicycle parking provided for any use, building, or lot constitute less than five percent of the automobile parking spaces for the subject building, as required by Section 5.106.4 of the 2013 California Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen) (California Title 24, Part 11), as amended from time to time.
(2) Calculations of bicycle parking requirements shall follow the rules of Section 153(a) of this Code.
(3) Where bicycle parking is required per subsection (a)(2) above, bicycle parking shall be provided for all Dwelling Units at the same ratio as existing off-street vehicle parking is provided relative to the amount of off-street vehicle parking that is required by this Code.
(4) Where bicycle parking is required due to addition, conversion, or renovation of an existing building, per subsection (a)(3) above, the bicycle parking shall be calculated based on the total square footage of the building or lot for all uses after the addition, conversion, renovation or parking expansion.
(5) Where bicycle parking is required due to change of use, per subsection (a)(4) above, the bicycle parking shall be calculated based on the occupied area of uses changed.
(6) Where a project proposes to construct new Non-Residential Uses or increase the area of existing Non-Residential Uses, for which the project has not identified specific uses at the time of project approval by the Planning Department or Planning Commission, the project shall provide the amount of non-residential bicycle parking required for Retail Sales per Table 155.2
.
Use | Minimum Number of Class 1 Spaces Required | Minimum Number of Class 2 Spaces Required |
Use | Minimum Number of Class 1 Spaces Required | Minimum Number of Class 2 Spaces Required |
RESIDENTIAL USES | ||
Dwelling Units (on lots with 3 units or less) | No racks required. Provide secure, weather protected space meeting dimensions set in Zoning Administrator Bulletin No. 9, one per unit, easily accessible to residents and not otherwise used for automobile parking or other purposes. | None. |
Dwelling Units (including SRO Units and Student Housing that are Dwelling Units) | One Class 1 space for every Dwelling Unit. For buildings containing more than 100 Dwelling Units, 100 Class 1 spaces plus one Class 1 space for every four Dwelling Units over 100. Dwelling Units that are also considered Student Housing shall provide 50 percent more spaces than would otherwise be required. | One per 20 units. Dwelling Units that are also considered Student Housing shall provide 50 percent more spaces than would otherwise be required. |
Group Housing (including SRO Units and Student Housing that are Group Housing; Homeless Shelters are exempt) | One Class 1 space for every four beds. For buildings containing over 100 beds, 25 Class 1 spaces plus one Class 1 space for every five beds over 100. Group Housing that is also considered Student Housing shall provide 50% more spaces than would otherwise be required. | Minimum two spaces. Two Class 2 spaces for every 100 beds. Group Housing that is also considered Student Housing shall provide 50% more spaces than would otherwise be required. |
Dwelling Units dedicated to persons with physical disabilities | One Class 1 space for every 10 units or beds, whichever is applicable. | Minimum two spaces. Two Class 2 spaces for every 50 units or beds, whichever is applicable. |
Senior Housing (Dwelling Units or Group Housing)
|
One Class 1 space for every 20 units or beds, whichever is applicable. No Class 1 spaces are required for projects where the ratio would result in a requirement of less than 5 spaces.
|
Two Class 2 spaces for every 100 units or beds, whichever is applicable.
|
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES | ||
Agricultural Uses Category | ||
Agricultural Uses | One Class 1 space for every 40,000 square feet. | None. |
Automotive Uses Category | ||
Automotive Uses not listed below | One class 1 space for every 12,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, except not less than two Class 1 spaces for any use larger than 5,000 occupied square feet. | Minimum of two spaces. Four Class 2 spaces for any use larger than 50,000 occupied square feet. |
Private Parking Garage or Lot, Public Parking Garage or Lot, Vehicle Storage Garage or Lot | None are required. However, if Class 1 spaces that can be rented on an hourly basis are provided, they may count toward the garage's requirement for Class 2 spaces. | One Class 2 space for every 20 car spaces, except in no case less than six Class 2 spaces. |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses Category | ||
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses not listed below | Five Class 1 spaces for facilities with a capacity of less than 500 guests; 10 Class 1 spaces for facilities with capacity of grater than 500 guests. | One Class 2 space for every 500 seats or for every portion of each 50 person capacity. |
Arts Activities | Minimum two spaces or one Class 1 space for every 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces or one Class 2 space for every 2,500 square feet of publicly accessible or exhibition space. |
Sports Stadium, Arena, Amphitheater, or other venue of public gathering with a capacity of greater than 2,000 people | One Class 1 space for every 20 Employees during events. | Five percent of venue capacity excluding Employees. A portion of these must be provided in Attended Facilities as described in Section 155.1(b)(3). |
Industrial Uses Category | ||
Industrial Uses | One Class 1 space for every 12,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, except not less than two Class 1 spaces for any use larger than 5,000 occupied square feet. | Minimum of two spaces. Four Class 2 spaces for any use larger than 50,000 occupied square feet. |
Institutional Uses Category | ||
Child Care Facility | Minimum two spaces or one space for every 20 children. | One Class 2 space for every 20 children. |
Community Facility, Private Community Facility, Public Facility | Minimum two spaces or one Class 1 space for every 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces or one Class 2 space for every 2,500 occupied square feet of publicly-accessible or exhibition area. |
Hospital | One Class 1 space for every 15,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | One Class 2 space for every 30,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, but no less than four located near each public pedestrian entrance. |
Medical Cannabis Dispensary | One Class 1 space for every 7,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces. One Class 2 space for every 2,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. For uses larger than 50,000 occupied gross square feet, 10 Class 2 spaces plus one Class 2 space for every additional 10,000 occupied square feet. |
Philanthropic Administrative Service, Social Service or Philanthropic Facility | One Class 1 space for every 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces for any use greater than 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, and one Class 2 space for each additional 50,000 occupied square feet. |
Post-Secondary Educational Institution or Trade School | One Class 1 space for every 20,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces. One Class 2 space for every 10,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. |
Religious Facility | Five Class 1 spaces for facilities with a capacity of less than 500 guests; 10 Class 1 spaces for facilities with a capacity of greater than 500 guests. | One Class 2 space for every 50 seats or for every portion of each 50 person capacity. |
Residential Care Facility | None required. | Minimum two spaces. Two Class 2 spaces for every 50 units or beds, whichever is applicable. |
School | Four Class 1 spaces for every classroom. | One Class 2 space for every classroom. |
Sales and Services Use Category | ||
Retail Sales and Services Uses not listed below | One Class 1 space for every 7,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces. One Class 2 space for every 2,500 sq. ft. of Occupied Floor Area. For uses larger than 50,000 occupied square feet, 10 Class 2 spaces plus one Class 2 space for every additional 10,000 occupied square feet. |
Eating and Drinking Uses, Personal Services, Financial Services | One Class 1 space for every 7,500 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces. One Class 2 space for every 750 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. |
Health Service | One Class 1 space for every 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | One Class 2 space for every 15,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, but no less than four located near each public pedestrian entrance. |
Hotel, Motel | One Class 1 space for every 30 rooms. | Minimum two spaces. One Class 2 space for every 30 rooms -plus- One Class 2 space for every 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area of conference, meeting or function rooms. |
Mortuary | None. | None. |
Retail space devoted to the handling of bulky merchandise such as motor vehicles, machinery or furniture, excluding grocery stores | Minimum two spaces. One Class 1 space for every 15,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces. One Class 2 space for every 10,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. |
Self-Storage | One Class 1 space for every 40,000 square feet. | None. |
Trade Shop, Retail Greenhouse or Nursery | One Class 1 space for every 12,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, except not less than two Class 1 spaces for any use larger than 5,000 occupied square feet. | Minimum of two spaces. Four Class 2 spaces for any use larger than 50,000 occupied square feet. |
Non-Retail Sales and Services not listed below | One Class 1 space for every 12,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, except not less than two Class 1 spaces for any use larger than 5,000 occupied square feet. | Minimum of two spaces. Four Class 2 spaces for any use larger than 50,000 gross square feet. |
Commercial Storage, Wholesale Storage | One Class 1 space for every 40,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | None. |
Office | One Class 1 space for every 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area. | Minimum two spaces for any Office Use greater than 5,000 square feet of Occupied Floor Area, and one Class 2 space for each additional 50,000 occupied square feet. |
Utility and Infrastructure Uses Category | ||
Utility and Infrastructure Uses non listed below | None required. | None required. |
(c) Contractual Limits on Liability. Requirements for non-accessory garages and parking lots subject to Table 155.2
(29) shall not interfere with the rights of a parking garage owner to enter into agreements with parking garage patrons or take other lawful measures to limit the parking garage owner's liability to patrons with respect to bicycles parked in the parking garage, provided that such agreements or measures are in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.
(d) In Lieu Fee for Required Class 2 Bicycle Parking. An applicant may satisfy some or all of the requirements to provide Class 2 bicycle parking by paying the Bicycle Parking In Lieu Fee provided in Section 430 of this Code.
(Added by Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013; amended by Ord. 14-15
, File No. 141210, App. 2/13/2015, Eff. 3/15/2015; Ord. 188-15
, File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 136-21, File No. 210674, App. 8/4/2021, Eff. 9/4/2021; Ord. 122-23, File No. 230371, App. 7/5/2023, Eff. 8/5/2023; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)
(Former Sec. 155.2 added by Ord. 343-98, App. 11/19/98; repealed by Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Table 155.2 amended; Ord. 14-15
, Eff. 3/15/2015. Divisions (a)(5), (a)(6), and (b)(1), and Table 155.2 amended; Ord. 188-15
, Eff. 12/4/2015. Table 155.2 amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Table 155.2 amended; Ord. 136-21, Eff. 9/4/2021. Division (f) added; Ord. 122-23, Eff. 8/5/2023, and Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023. Table 155.2 amended; Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026.
SEC. 155.3. BICYCLE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY-OWNED AND LEASED PROPERTIES.
(a) Applicability. This Section applies to the installation of bicycle parking in existing buildings owned, leased or purchased by the City and City-owned non-accessory parking garages and parking lots.
(b) Requirements. For all City-owned or leased buildings, non-accessory garages, and parking lots, regardless of whether off-street vehicle parking is available, the Responsible City Official, as defined in Section 155.1, shall provide bicycle parking according to the use categories specified in Table 155.2. All required bicycle parking provided per this Section shall conform to the standards of Sections 155.1 and 155.2. The provisions of this Section shall not apply in any case where the City occupies property as a tenant under a lease, the term of which does not exceed one year.
(c) Lease Provisions.
(1) Lease provisions apply to all City leases for buildings that are subject to the requirements of subsection 155.3 and under which the City is a tenant. Such leases shall specifically provide that the Landlord agrees to make space available in the building for bicycle parking facilities. These facilities shall be available for the term of the lease. These leases shall also provide that the Responsible City Official may install, at no cost to the Landlord bicycle parking facilities that are in compliance with subsection (b).
(2) This subsection (c) does not in any way limit the ability of the Zoning Administrator to approve alternative locations for bicycle parking under provision of Section 307(k). In the event that an exemption is granted or an alternative location is approved allowing the installation of bicycle parking facilities on property that is not included in a building leased by the Responsible City Official, or on property that belongs to the Landlord subsection (c) does not apply. If the alternative location is on property that is owned by the Landlord, but is not inside the building to be leased by the Responsible City Official, the lease provision of subsection (c) is required and shall identify that property as the location of the bicycle parking facility.
(d) Alternative Locations, Reductions or Exemptions. In the event that compliance with Section 155.3(b) for Class 1 bicycle parking may not be feasible because of demonstrable hardship including but not limited to absence of an off-street automobile garage on the subject lot, the Responsible City Official may apply to the Zoning Administrator under the procedures of Section 307(k)(1) for approval of an alternative storage location, reduction or exemption from the requirements. Waivers and Variances for Class 2 bicycle parking required by subsection (b) above would be subject to the same measures as Section 307(k)(2).
(1) Where this Section imposes requirements on the City, the Responsible City Official shall be responsible for fulfilling such requirements.
(2) If during the one-year implementation period set forth in subsection (e) the demand for the bicycle parking facilities is less than 80 percent of the spaces within 20 consecutive non-holiday weekdays, the parking garage may apply to the Zoning Administrator under the procedures of Section 307(k)(1)(B) for permission to delay full compliance with subsection (b). In the case of a parking garage that is not predominantly used during the regular work week (for example, a parking garage near an event venue), the Zoning Administrator may designate an alternative period other than "non-holiday weekdays" for purposes of evaluating an exemption from the full requirements of subsection (b). Such alternative period may include, but not be limited to, 10 consecutive weekends or 20 days on which the parking garage primarily serves customers attending an event at a nearby venue.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (g)(2), existing City-owned buildings and garages with existing substandard racks, which do not comply with acceptable rack types defined in 155.1(c), shall have one year from the effective date of this Section to replace them with conforming racks.
(f) Monitoring. The Planning Department shall, every five years, beginning with 2013, survey the amount, location, and usage of both Class 1 and Class 2 bicycle parking spaces at (A) City Hall, (B) the Main Library, (C) the 25 other City-owned or leased buildings which have the highest square footage as identified in a list published by the City's Department of Real Estate, and (D) City-owned garages in order to report compliance with this Section and to ascertain whether current requirements are adequate to meet demand for such parking spaces. Such survey of usage shall be conducted during the months of March through October and shall document usage on at least two fair-weather non-holiday week days. A report on such findings shall be submitted to the Planning Commission and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors. If current requirements are inadequate, the Director shall draft and submit to the Board of Supervisors proposed legislation that would remedy the deficiency. For the purposes of this subsection, "inadequate" shall mean an occupancy of greater than 85 percent or in cases where bicycles are clearly parked in non-standard locations due to crowding of the provided facilities.
(g) Miscellaneous Standards and Requirements.
(1) In any City-owned or leased building, non-accessory parking garage, or parking lot that contains more than the required number of bicycle parking spaces as set forth above, the Responsible City Official or private parking garage owner shall not remove such additional bicycle parking spaces without petitioning the Zoning Administrator. Such a petition may not be filed until at least one year after the effective date of this Section. That petition shall demonstrate that the spaces the Responsible City Official or private parking garage owner seeks authority to remove have not been necessary to meet the demand of Employees and other building users.
(2) For existing buildings owned, leased or purchased by the City and City-owned parking garages, the Responsible City Official shall comply with this Section 155.3. The Board of Supervisors does not intend to impose requirements of this Section on any Responsible City Official where such application would impair obligations of contract.
(Former Sec. 155.3 added by Ord. 343-98, App. 11/19/98; repealed by Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013)
SEC. 155.4. REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOWER FACILITIES AND LOCKERS.
(a) Applicability. Requirements for shower facilities and lockers are applicable under the provisions of Section 155.2(a)(1) through (a)(4) for uses defined under subsection (c) below. Subject uses shall provide shower and clothes locker facilities for short-term use of the tenants or Employees in that building. When shower facilities and lockers are required due to additions to, conversion, or renovation of uses, facilities shall be calculated based on the total square footage of the building or lot after the addition, conversion or renovations.
(b) Effective Date. The effective date of the requirements of this Section, shall be either November 19, 1998, which is the date that the requirements originally became effective by Ordinance 343-98, or the date a subsequent modification, if any, became effective.
(c) Requirements.
Uses | Minimum Shower Facility and Lockers Required |
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses; Industrial Uses; Institutional Uses; Non-Retail Sales and Services Uses; Utility and Infrastructure Uses; Small Enterprise Workspace; and Trade Shop | - One shower and six clothes lockers where the Occupied Floor Area exceeds 10,000 square feet but is no greater than 20,000 square feet, - Two showers and 12 clothes lockers where the Occupied Floor Area exceeds 20,000 square feet but is no greater than 50,000 square feet, - Four showers and 24 clothes lockers are required where the Occupied Floor Area exceeds 50,000 square feet. |
Retail Sales and Services Uses, except as listed above | - One shower and six clothes lockers where the Occupied Floor Area exceeds 25,000 square feet but is no greater than 50,000 square feet, - Two showers and 12 clothes lockers where the Occupied Floor Area exceeds 50,000 square feet. |
(d) Exemptions. An owner of an existing building subject to the requirements of this Section 155.4 shall be exempt from Subsection (c) upon submitting proof to the Zoning Administrator that the owner has made arrangements with a Gym or other facility, located within three blocks of the building, to provide showers and lockers at no cost to the Employees who work in the owner's building.
(Former Sec. 155.4 added by Ord. 193-01, File No. 010488, App. 9/7/2001; amended by Ord. 187-09, File No. 090867, App. 8/12/2009; Ord. 173-12, File No. 120471, App. 8/2/2012, Eff. 9/1/2012; Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; repealed by Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 155.5. [REPEALED.]
(Added by Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; amended by Ord. 129-06, File No, 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 187-09, File No. 090867, App. 8/12/2009; repealed by Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013)
SEC. 156. PARKING LOTS.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(a) Definition. For purposes of this section, a “parking lot” is defined as an off-street open area or portion thereof solely for the parking of passenger automobiles. Such an area or portion shall be considered a parking lot whether or not on the same lot as another use, whether or not required by this Code for any structure or use, and whether classified as an accessory, principal or Conditional Use.
(b) Conditional Use.
(1) Where parking lots are specified in Articles 2, 7, or 8 of this Code as a use for which Conditional Use approval is required in a certain district, such Conditional Use approval shall be required only for such parking lots in such district as are not qualified as accessory uses under Section 204.5 of this Code. The provisions of this Section 156 shall, however, apply to all parking lots whether classified as accessory, principal, or Conditional Uses.
(c) Screening.
(1) Any vehicle use area that is less than 25 linear feet adjacent to a public right-of-way or is a parking lot for the parking of two or more automobiles which adjoins a lot in any R District, or which faces a lot in any R District across a street or alley, shall be screened from view therefrom, except at driveways necessary for ingress and egress, by a solid fence, a solid wall, or a compact evergreen hedge, not less than four feet in height.
(2) Any vehicle use area that has more than 25 linear feet adjacent to a public right-of-way or is a parking lot for the parking of 10 or more automobiles shall be screened in accordance with the standards described in Section 142, Screening and Greening of Parking and Vehicle Use Areas.
(3) Any parking lot approved pursuant to zoning categories .25, .27 and .29 of Sections 813 through 818 of this Code shall be screened in accordance with the standards described in Section 142, Screening and Greening of Parking and Vehicle Use Areas except where this requirement would prevent otherwise feasible use of the subject lot as an open space or play area for nearby residents.
(d) Artificial Lighting. All artificial lighting used to illuminate a parking lot for any number of automobiles in any District shall be arranged so that all direct rays from such lighting fall entirely within such parking lot.
(e) Dead Storage, Dismantling, or Repair. No parking lot for any number of automobiles shall have conducted upon it any dead storage or dismantling of vehicles, or any repair or servicing of vehicles other than of an emergency nature.
(f) Parking Lots in the CMUO, MUR, C-3, and NCT Districts. No permanent parking lot shall be permitted in the CMUO, MUR, C-3, and NCT Districts. New temporary parking lots may be approved as Conditional Uses, except as provided in subsections (f)(1)-(2), pursuant to the provisions of Section 303 for a period not to exceed five years from the date of approval.
(1) No new parking lots may be approved in the C-3-O(SD) District; however, existing parking lots may receive Conditional Use approval for a two-year extension pursuant to this subsection (f), provided that the parking lots meet the requirements of subsection (h).
(2) No new parking lots may be approved in the CMUO and MUR Districts; however, upon the expiration of a Public Parking Lot’s ability to operate pursuant to Section 184(d), existing Public Parking Lots may receive Conditional Use approval for a five-year extension pursuant to this subsection (f), provided that the parking lots meet the requirements of subsection (h).
(g) Interior Landscaping and Street Trees.
(1) All permanent parking lots are required to provide one tree per five parking spaces in a manner that is compliant with the applicable water use requirements of Administrative Code Chapter 63 and a minimum of 20% Permeable Surface, as defined in Section 102 of this Code. The trees planted in compliance with this subsection (g) shall result in canopy coverage of 50% of the parking lots’ hardscape within 15 years of the installations of these trees. Permeable Surfaces and grading shall be coordinated so that stormwater can infiltrate the surface in areas with less than 5% slope.
(2) All parking lots shall meet the street tree requirements specified in Section 138.1(c)(1) of this Code.
(h) Extension of Existing Parking Lots in the C-3-O(SD), CMUO, and MUR Districts. The conditions of approval for the extension of an existing parking lot in the C-3-O(SD) District and the extension of an existing Public Parking Lot in the CMUO and MUR Districts shall include the following:
(1) a minimum of one parking space for car sharing vehicles meeting all of the requirements in Section 166 for every 20 spaces in said lot;
(2) a minimum of two Class 2 bicycle parking spaces for every 50 linear feet of frontage in a highly visible area on the property adjacent to a public sidewalk or approval attained from the appropriate City agencies to install such bicycle parking on a public sidewalk on the same block;
(3) interior landscaping compliant with the requirements in subsection (g) above, provided that if a site permit has been approved by the Planning Department for construction of a building on the subject lot that would replace the parking lot in less than two years, the trees may be planted in movable planters and the lot need not provide Permeable Surfaces described in subsection (g).
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 84-10, File No. 091453, App. 4/22/2010; Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 56-13
, File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 40-25, File No. 241173, App. 4/3/2025, Eff. 5/4/2025)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Division (h) amended; division (l) added; Ord. 182-12
, Eff. 9/7/2012. [Former] divisions (c), (d), (f), and (k) amended; former divisions (l)(A)-(C) redesignated as [former] (l)(1)-(3); Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Division (a) amended; former division (b) amended and redesignated as (b)(1), former division (c) redesignated as (b)(2); former division (d) amended and redesignated as (c)(1); former division (e) redesignated as (c)(2); former division (f) amended and redesignated as (d); former division (g) redesignated a (e); former division (h) amended and redesignated as (f); former division (i) redesignated as (g); former divisions (j), (k), and (l) amended and redesignated as (h)(1), (h)(2), and (i); Ord. 232-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Division (i) amended; Ord. 22-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Divisions (a)- (b)(2) amended; division (c)(3) added; divisions (e) and (f) amended; former division (g) deleted; former divisions (h) and (i) redesignated as divisions (g) and (h); current divisions (g)(1), (g)(2), and (h)(3) amended; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Division (f) amended as (f)-(f)(1); division (f)(2) added; divisions (h) and (h)(3) amended; Ord. 40-25, Eff. 5/4/2025.
(Added by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 112-08, File No. 080095, App. 6/30/2008; repealed by Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017)
(Added by Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; amended by Ord. 196-11
, File No. 110786, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; Ord. 183-13
, File No. 130528, App. 8/7/2013, Eff. 9/6/2013; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; repealed by Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017)
SEC. 158. [REPEALED.]
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; repealed by Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014)
SEC. 159. [REPEALED.]
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
SEC. 161. EXEMPTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS FROM OFF-STREET PARKING, FREIGHT LOADING, AND SERVICE VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
The following exemptions shall apply to the requirements for off-street parking and loading spaces set forth in Sections 151.1 through 155 of this Code. These provisions, as exemptions, shall be narrowly construed. Reductions or waivers by the Zoning Administrator permitted by this Section 161 shall be conducted pursuant to the procedures of Section 307(h)(2). Where exceptions in this Section 161 require approval by the Zoning Administrator, the Zoning Administrator shall consider the criteria of Section 307(i).
(a) Loading Across Very Wide Sidewalks. No off-street loading shall be required where access to the lot cannot be provided other than by means of a driveway across a sidewalk 25 feet or more in width from the curb to the front lot line which would cause serious disruption to pedestrian traffic.
(b) Joint Use of Off-Street Parking. Joint use of the same off-street parking spaces for two or more structures or uses is permitted.
(c) Freight Loading and Service Vehicle Spaces. In recognition of the fact that site constraints may make provision of required freight loading and service vehicle spaces impractical or undesirable, a reduction in or waiver of the provision of freight loading and service vehicle spaces for uses may be permitted, by the Zoning Administrator in all Districts, or in accordance with the provisions of Section 309 of this Code in C-3 Districts. In considering any such reduction or waiver, the following criteria shall be considered:
(1) Provision of freight loading and service vehicle spaces cannot be accomplished underground because site constraints will not permit ramps, elevators, turntables and maneuvering areas with reasonable safety;
(2) Provision of the required number of freight loading and service vehicle spaces on-site would result in the use of an unreasonable percentage of ground-floor area, and thereby preclude more desirable use of the ground floor for retail, pedestrian circulation or open space uses;
(3) A jointly used underground facility with access to a number of separate buildings and meeting the collective needs for freight loading and service vehicles for all uses in the buildings involved, cannot be provided; and
(4) Spaces for delivery functions can be provided at the adjacent curb without adverse effect on pedestrian circulation, transit operations or general traffic circulation, and off-street space permanently reserved for service vehicles is provided either on-site or in the immediate vicinity of the building.
(d) Historic Buildings. There shall be no minimum off-street loading requirements for any principal or Conditional Use located in (1) a landmark building designated per Article 10 of this Code, (2) a contributing building located within a designated historic district per Article 10, (3) any building designated Category I-IV per Article 11 of this Code, or (4) buildings listed on the National Register and/or California Register.
(e) Landmark and Significant Trees. The required off-street loading may be reduced or waived if the Zoning Administrator determines that provision of required loading would result in the loss of or damage to a designated Landmark Tree or Significant Tree, as defined in the Public Works Code. The Zoning Administrator’s decision shall be governed by Section 307 and shall require either (1) the recommendation of the Department of Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry, or its successor agency, or (2) the recommendation of a certified arborist as documented in the subject tree’s required tree protection plan.
(f) Geologic Hazards. No off-street loading shall be required where the Planning Department finds that required loading cannot practically be provided without compromising the earthquake safety or geologic stability of a building and/or neighboring structures and properties.
(g) Protected Street Frontages and Transit Stops. No off-street loading is required on any lot whose sole feasible automobile access is across a protected street frontage identified in Section 155(r).
(h) Curbside Transit Lanes and Bikeways. No off-street parking or loading is required on any lot whose sole feasible automobile access is across a curbside transit lane or bikeway.
(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 131-87, App. 4/24/87; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 15-98, App. 1/16/98; Ord. 278-00, File No. 001421, App. 12/15/2000; Ord. 129-06, File No, 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 77-10, File No. 091165, App. 4/16/2010; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 109-11, File No. 101350, App. 6/29/2011, Eff. 7/29/2011; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 52-15
, File No. 141266, App. 4/30/2015, Eff. 5/30/2015; Ord. 99-17, File No. 170206, App. 5/19/2017, Eff. 6/18/2017; Ord. 277-18, File No. 180914, App. 11/20/2018, Eff. 12/21/2018; Ord. 311-18, File No. 181028, App. 12/21/2018, Eff. 1/21/2019; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
[Former] divisions (a)-(p) amended; [former] division (q) added; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. [Former] division (g) amended; former divisions (k), (l), (o), and (q) deleted; former divisions (m) and (n) redesignated as [former] divisions (k) and (l); new [now former] divisions (m), (n), and (o) added; [former] division (p) amended; Ord. 109-11, Eff. 7/29/2011. Section header and introductory paragraph amended; former division (c) deleted; former division (d) redesignated as (c) and amended; former division (e) deleted; former division (f) redesignated as (d) and amended; former division (g) redesignated as (e); former division (h) deleted; former division (i) redesignated as (f); former division (j) redesignated as (g) and amended; former division (k) redesignated as (h); former division (l) deleted; former divisions (m), (n), and (o) redesignated as (i), (j), and (k); former division (p) deleted; Ord. 232-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Introductory paragraph and divisions (b), (e), and (g) amended; division (l) added; Ord. 52-15
, Eff. 5/30/2015. Introductory paragraph amended; former division (c) deleted; former divisions (d)-(l) redesignated as (c)-(k) and current divisions (c), (g), and (h) amended; Ord. 99-17, Eff. 6/18/2017. Division (j) amended; divisions (j)(1)-(3) deleted; Ord. 277-18, Eff. 12/21/2018. Introductory paragraph and divisions (c) and (e) amended; division (f) deleted; Ord. 311-18, Eff. 1/21/2019. Section header and introductory paragraph amended; divisions (a) and (d) deleted; former divisions (b), (c), (e), and (g)-(k) redesignated as (a)-(h); current divisions (a)-(c) and (d)-(g) amended; Ord. 245-25, Eff. 1/12/2026.
SEC. 162. TOUR BUS LOADING SPACES IN C-3 DISTRICTS.
(a) Off-street tour bus loading spaces shall be provided for hotel uses in C-3 districts in the minimum quantities as follows:
Number of Hotel Rooms | Number of Off-Street Loading Spaces Required |
0 - 200 | 0 |
201 - 350 | 1 |
Each additional 300 rooms | 1 Additional |
The dimensions for each space shall be a minimum of 45 feet by nine feet with a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet. If more than one space is required there shall also be a bypass through lane.
(b) In recognition of the fact that site constraints in C-3 Districts may make provision of the required number of tour bus loading spaces impractical, a reduction in or waiver of the provision of such spaces in C-3 Districts may be permitted, in accordance with the provisions of Section 309 of this Code. In considering any such reduction or waiver, the following criteria shall be considered:
(1) The site size is not large enough to permit a configuration of spaces that could satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a);
(2) Provision of the required number and/or size of spaces would result in the use of an unreasonable percentage of ground floor area and thereby preclude more desirable use of the ground floor for retail, pedestrian circulation or open space uses;
(3) Spaces for tour bus loading can be provided at adjacent curbs or in the immediate vicinity without adverse effect on pedestrian circulation, transit operations or general traffic circulation.
(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85)
SEC. 163. TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND TRANSPORTATION BROKERAGE SERVICES IN COMMERCIAL AND MIXED USE DISTRICTS.
(a) Purpose. This Section 163 is intended to ensure that adequate services are undertaken to minimize the transportation impacts of added office employment and residential development in the downtown and South of Market area, in a manner consistent with the objectives and policies of the General Plan, by facilitating the effective use of transit, encouraging ridesharing, and employing other practical means to reduce commute travel by single-occupant vehicles.
(b) Applicability. The requirements of this Section apply to any project meeting one of the following conditions:
(1) In Commercial and Mixed Use Districts, projects where the occupied square feet of new construction, conversion, or added floor area for office use equals at least 100,000 square feet;
(2) In the C-3-O(SD) District, where new construction, conversion, or added floor area for residential use equals at least 100,000 square feet or 100 dwelling units;
(3) In the C-3-O(SD) District, projects where the occupied square feet of new construction or added floor area for any non-residential use equals at least 100,000 square feet; or
(4) In the case of the WMUO, Central SoMa Special Use District, or MUO District, where the occupied square feet of new, converted or added floor area for office use equals at least 25,000 square feet.
(c) Requirement. For all applicable projects, the property owner shall be required to provide on-site transportation brokerage services for the actual lifetime of the project, as provided in this Subsection. Prior to the issuance of a temporary permit of occupancy, the property owner shall execute an agreement with the Planning Department for the provision of on-site transportation brokerage services.
(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 286-10, File No. 100829, App. 11/18/2010; Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012; Ord. 42-13
, File No. 130002, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 56-13
, File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 232-14
, File No. 120881, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 34-17, File No. 160925, App. 2/17/2017, Eff. 3/19/2017; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
New division (b) added; former division (b) redesignated as (c) and amended; Ord. 182-12
, Eff. 9/7/2012. Division (b)(4) amended; Ord. 42-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Division (b)(2) amended; Ord. 56-13
, Eff. 4/27/2013. Section header and divisions (b)(1) and (c)(6) amended; Ord. 232-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Divisions (a), (b)(1), (b)(3), (b)(4), and (c) amended; divisions (c)(1) through (c)(7) deleted; Ord. 34-17, Eff. 3/19/2017. Divisions (a) and (b)(4) amended; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019.
SEC. 164. SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENT PLACEMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM.
(a) The City has determined in its certification of the Downtown Plan Environmental Impact Report and in its findings and studies leading to the adoption of Section 413 of this Code that San Francisco and regional traffic and transit problems will become more intolerable as the number of nonresident employees increases in San Francisco as a result of new office development. In order to mitigate those adverse traffic and transit impacts, while protecting the City's residential areas from unwanted increases in density, the people determine that a policy of maximizing resident employment training and placement opportunities is needed.
(b) Requirement. For any new building or additions to or conversion of an existing building in C-3 Districts where the gross square feet of new, converted or added floor area for Office Use equals at least 100,000 square feet, the project sponsor shall be required to provide employment brokerage services for the actual lifetime of the project, as provided in this Subsection. Prior to the issuance of the first permit of occupancy (for this purpose Section 149(d) shall apply), the project sponsor shall: (1) prepare a local employment program to be approved by the Director of Planning, or his or her designee, and to be implemented by the provider of employment brokerage services; and (2) execute an agreement with the Planning Department, or its designee, for the provision of employment brokerage services and implementation of the local employment program. The local employment program shall be designed:
(1) To determine the number and nature of jobs that will become available as a result of added downtown office development;
(2) To publicize to San Francisco residents the availability of those jobs;
(3) To work with local schools and job training programs to create a labor pool of San Francisco residents qualified to obtain jobs created by added downtown office development;
(4) To work with employers in the building to encourage their hiring of qualified San Francisco residents;
(5) To carry out other activities determined by the Planning Department, or its designee, to be reasonable and appropriate in meeting the purpose of this requirement.
(c) All such agreements required under this Section shall mandate that the project sponsor shall abide by any existing applicable state or local programs and laws designed to both train and place in employment minorities and economically disadvantaged women as defined in this section. For the purposes of this section, the term "minorities" shall include, but not be limited to, blacks, Hispanics, Asians (including, but not limited to, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Pacific Islanders, Samoans, and Southeast Asians), Filipinos and American Indians. For the purposes of this section "economically disadvantaged women" shall include, but not be limited to, women receiving Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) or similar state or local aid. Where there are no such training and employment placement programs, or existing programs are found inadequate by the Human Rights Commission, that Commission may recommend to the Director for consideration additional programs to fulfill the goals of this section.
(d) In order to ensure that the maximum number of San Francisco residents are trained and placed in employment opportunities in our City, the Board of Supervisors shall hold public hearings and not later than January 1, 1988, the City shall adopt legislation to establish a program which will coordinate the job training and placement efforts of the San Francisco Unified School District, the San Francisco Community College District, community-based nonprofit employment and training programs, and other agencies from the public and private sectors, to assure maximum use of existing federal, state and local training and placement programs, and to develop such additional training and placement programs as deemed necessary.
(e) Should the Board of Supervisors determine that additional funds are needed for programs established pursuant to Subsection (d) above, it shall consider the adoption of a San Francisco Resident Training and Placement Fee of not less than $1.50 per square foot as a condition of the approval of any application for an office development project proposing the net addition of 50,000 or more gross square feet of office space.
(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Proposition M, 11/4/86; Ord. 188-15
, File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 165. CHILD-CARE PLANS AND CHILD-CARE BROKERAGE SERVICES IN C-3 DISTRICTS.
(a) Purpose. This Section is intended to assure that adequate measures are undertaken and maintained to minimize the child-care impacts created by additional office employment in the downtown, in a manner consistent with the objectives and policies of the General Plan, by facilitating the development, expansion and maintenance of affordable, quality child-care programs and auxiliary services, the latter including, but not limited to, resource and referral services.
(b) Requirement. For any new building or additions to or conversion of an existing building in the C-3 District where the gross square feet of new, converted or added floor area for Office Use equals at least 100,000 square feet, the project sponsor shall be required to provide on-site child-care brokerage services for the actual lifetime of the project. For any new building or additions to or conversion of an existing building in the C-3 District where the gross square feet of new, converted or added floor area for Office Use equals at least 50,000 square feet, the project sponsor shall be required to provide child-care brokerage services for the lifetime of the project, by either: (1) providing such services on-site or, (2) providing such services through a consortium of like- sized sponsors, where such services are made available within a radius of two city blocks from the sponsor's project or (3) subcontracting with a child-care brokerage service already serving a project within a radius of two city blocks from the sponsor's project. Prior to the issuance of the first certificate of occupancy, the project sponsor shall execute an agreement with the Planning Department for the provision of child-care brokerage services as provided in this Section 165 and preparation of a child-care plan to be approved by the Director of Planning and implemented by the provider of child-care brokerage services. The procedure set forth in Section 149(b) governing notice to the Zoning Administrator and issuance of the first certificate of occupancy shall also be applicable with respect to the requirements of this Section. The child-care plan and child-care brokerage services shall be designed:
(1) To promote the provision of on-site child-care resource services and easily accessible child-care referral services, using, to the maximum extent feasible, existing community agencies;
(2) To promote where feasible, the development of on-site child-care facilities, accessible and affordable to all segments of the community; to promote the development, expansion and maintenance of off-site child-care facilities accessible and affordable to all segments of the community;
(3) To promote and coordinate the development and use of open space for child-care programs in the C-3 District;
(4) To promote and coordinate the development of transportation services assisting employees who choose either to bring their children to on-site care or who seek means of transporting their children to off-site care;
(5) To promote and encourage project occupants to adopt flex-time or staggered work hours programs, job-sharing programs, parental leave policies and dependent care assistance programs designed to accommodate the needs of working parents and their children;
(6) To promote the development of parenting resources;
(7) To promote the development of data collection, to document the numbers of worker parents in the project work force, number and ages of their children, supply of child care available to those parents, cost of available care, preferences for child care and need for special services; and coordinate such data collection with the data collection efforts of other project sponsors and the local resource and referral agency;
(8) To carry out other activities determined by the Planning Department to be appropriate to meeting the purpose of this requirement.
(c) Notice. The agreement to provide child-care brokerage services and the child-care plan required by Subsection (b) shall each provide for periodic notice reasonably calculated to apprise all persons then employed in the office development who have children under their primary care of the availability of child-care brokerage services and the existence of a child-care plan. Such notice shall be given at least once during each calendar year, and shall state a place at which a copy of the child-care plan for the development may be inspected during regular business hours.
(Added by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 509-86, App. 12/24/86; Ord. 188-15
, File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 166. CAR SHARING.
(a) Findings. The Board hereby finds and declares as follows: One of the challenges posed by new development is the increased number of privately-owned automobiles it brings to San Francisco's congested neighborhoods. Growth in the number of privately-owned automobiles increases demands on the City's limited parking supply and often contributes to increased traffic congestion, transit delays, pollution and noise. Car-sharing can mitigate the negative impacts of new development by reducing the rate of individual car-ownership per household, the average number of vehicle miles driven per household and the total amount of automobile-generated pollution per household. Accordingly, car-sharing services should be supported through the Planning Code when a car-sharing organization can demonstrate that it reduces:
(1) the number of individually-owned automobiles per household;
(2) vehicle miles traveled per household; and
(3) vehicle emissions generated per household.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) A "car-share service" is a mobility enhancement service that provides an integrated citywide network of neighborhood-based motor vehicles available only to members by reservation on an hourly basis, or in smaller intervals, and at variable rates. Car-sharing is designed to complement existing transit and bicycle transportation systems by providing a practical alternative to private motor vehicle ownership, with the goal of reducing over-dependency on individually owned motor vehicles. Car-share vehicles must be located at unstaffed, self-service locations (other than any incidental garage valet service), and generally be available for pick-up by members 24 hours per day. A car-share service shall provide automobile insurance for its members when using car-share vehicles and shall assume responsibility for maintaining car-share vehicles.
(2) A "certified car-share organization" is any public or private entity that provides a membership-based car-share service to the public and manages, maintains and insures motor vehicles for shared use by individual and group members. To qualify as a certified car-share organization, a car-share organization shall submit a written report prepared by an independent third party academic institution or transportation consulting firm that clearly demonstrates, based on a statistically significant analysis of quantitative data, that such car-sharing service has achieved two or more of the following environmental performance goals in any market where they have operated for at least two years: (A) lower household automobile ownership among members than the market area's general population; (B) lower annual vehicle miles traveled per member household than the market area's general population; (C) lower annual vehicle emissions per member household than the market area's general population; and (D) higher rates of transit usage, walking, bicycling and other non-automobile modes of transportation usage for commute trips among members than the market area's general population. This report shall be called a Car-sharing Certification Study and shall be reviewed by Planning Department staff for accuracy and made available to the public upon request. The Zoning Administrator shall only approve certification of a car-share organization if the Planning Department concludes that the Certification Study is technically accurate and clearly demonstrates that the car-share organization has achieved two or more of the above environmental performance goals during a two-year period of operation. The Zoning Administrator shall establish specific quantifiable performance thresholds, as appropriate, for each of the three environmental performance goals set forth in this subsection.
(3) The Planning Department shall maintain a list of certified car-share organizations that the Zoning Administrator has determined satisfy the minimum environmental performance criteria set forth in subsection 166(b)(2) above. Any car-share organization seeking to benefit from any of the provisions of this Code must be listed as a certified car-share organization.
(4) An "off-street car-share parking space" is any parking space generally complying with the standards set forth for the district in which it is located and dedicated for current or future use by any car-share organization through a deed restriction, condition of approval or license agreement. Such deed restriction, condition of approval or license agreement must grant priority use to any certified car-share organization that can make use of the space, although such spaces may be occupied by other vehicles so long as no certified car-share organization can make use of the dedicated car-share spaces. Any off-street car-share parking space provided under this Section must be provided as an independently accessible parking space. In new parking facilities that do not provide any independently accessible spaces other than those spaces required for disabled parking, off-street car-share parking may be provided on vehicle lifts so long as the parking space is easily accessible on a self-service basis 24 hours per day to members of the certified car-share organization. Property owners may enact reasonable security measures to ensure such 24-hour access does not jeopardize the safety and security of the larger parking facility where the car-share parking space is located so long as such security measures do not prevent practical and ready access to the off-street car-share parking spaces.
(5) A "car-share vehicle" is a vehicle provided by a certified car-share organization for the purpose of providing a car-share-service.
(6) A "property owner" refers to the owner of a property at the time of project approval and its successors and assigns.
(c) Generally Permitted. Car-share spaces shall be generally permitted in the same manner as residential accessory parking. Any residential or commercial parking space may be voluntarily converted to a car-share space.
(d) Requirements for Provision of Car-Share Parking Spaces.
(1) Amount of Required Spaces. In newly constructed buildings containing residential uses or existing buildings being converted to residential uses, if parking is provided, car-share parking spaces shall be provided in the amount specified in Table 166. In newly constructed buildings containing parking for non-residential uses, including non-accessory parking in a garage or lot, car-share parking spaces shall be provided in the amount specified in Table 166.
Number of Residential Units | Number of Required Car-Share Parking Spaces |
0 - 49 | 0 |
50 - 200 | 1 |
201 or more | 2, plus 1 for every 200 dwelling units over 200 |
Number of Parking Spaces Provided for Non-Residential Uses or in a Non-Accessory Parking Facility | Number of Required Car-Share Parking Spaces |
0 - 24 | 0 |
25 - 49 | 1 |
50 or more | 1, plus 1 for every 50 parking spaces over 50 |
(2) Availability of Car-Share Spaces. The required car-share spaces shall be made available, at no cost, to a certified car-share organization for purposes of providing car-share services for its car-share service subscribers. At the election of the property owner, the car-share spaces may be provided
(A) on the building site, or
(B) on another off-street site within 800 feet of the building site.
(3) Off-Street Spaces. If the car-share space or spaces are located on the building site or another off-street site:
(A) The parking areas of the building shall be designed in a manner that will make the car-share parking spaces accessible to non-resident subscribers from outside the building as well as building residents;
(B) Prior to Planning Department approval of the first building or site permit for a building subject to the car-share requirement, a Notice of Special Restriction on the property shall be recorded indicating the nature of requirements of this Section and identifying the minimum number and location of the required car-share parking spaces. The form of the notice and the location or locations of the car-share parking spaces shall be approved by the Planning Department;
(C) All required car-share parking spaces shall be constructed and provided at no cost concurrently with the construction and sale of units; and
(D) if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Department that no certified car-share organization can make use of the dedicated car-share parking spaces, the spaces may be occupied by non-car-share vehicles; provided, however, that upon ninety (90) days of advance written notice to the property owner from a certified car-sharing organization, the property owner shall terminate any non car-sharing leases for such spaces and shall make the spaces available to the car-share organization for its use of such spaces.
(e) Substitution for Required Parking. Provision of a required car-share parking space shall satisfy or may substitute for any required residential parking; however, such space shall not be counted against the maximum number of parking spaces allowed by this Code as a principal use, an accessory use, or a conditional use.
(f) List of Car-Share Projects. The Planning Department shall maintain a publicly-accessible list, updated quarterly, of all projects approved with required off-street car-share parking spaces. The list shall contain the Assessor's Block and Lot number, address, number of required off-street car-share parking spaces, project sponsor or property owner contact information and other pertinent information as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(g) Optional Car-Share Spaces.
(1) Amount of Optional Spaces. In addition to any permitted or required parking that may apply to the project, the property owner may elect to provide additional car-share parking spaces in the maximum amount specified in Table 166A; provided, however, that the optional car-share parking spaces authorized by this subsection (g) are not permitted for a project that receives a Conditional Use authorization to increase parking. Additional car-share parking spaces shall be allowed beyond the maximum amount specified in Table 166A, to the extent needed, when such additional car-share parking spaces are part of a Development Project’s compliance with the Transportation Demand Management Program set forth in Section 169 of the Planning Code.
Number of Residential Units | Maximum Number of Optional Car-Share Parking Spaces |
10 - 24 | 2 |
25 - 49 | 3 |
50 or more | 5 |
Amount of Square Footage for Non-Residential Uses | Maximum Number of Optional Car-Share Parking Spaces |
5,000 - 9,999 sq. ft. | 2 |
10,000 - 19,999 sq. ft. | 3 |
20,000 or more sq. ft. | 5 |
The optional car-share spaces shall not be counted against the maximum number of parking spaces allowed by this Code as a principal use, an accessory use, or a conditional use.
(2) Requirements for Optional Car-Share Spaces. All car-share spaces are subject to the following:
(A) They shall meet the provisions of this Section 166.
(B) The car-share parking spaces shall be deed-restricted and dedicated for car-sharing, and must be offered and maintained in perpetuity.
(C) At project entitlement, the property owner must submit a letter of intent from a certified car-share organization that articulates the car-share organization's intent to occupy the requested car-share spaces under this Subsection (g).
(D) Use of the car-share vehicles shall not be limited to residents of the building.
(E) If an additional car-share space is built, and a certified car-share organization chooses not to place vehicles in that space, the owner of the project may not sell, rent, or otherwise earn fees on the space but may use it for (i) bicycle parking, or (ii) permitted storage and other permitted uses but not for parking of any motorized vehicle; provided, however, that upon ninety (90) days of advance written notice to the property owner from a certified car-sharing organization, the property owner shall terminate any non car-sharing use for such space and shall make the space available to the car-share organization for its use of such space.
(F) A sign shall be placed above or next to each car-share parking space stating that the parking space is for car-sharing and cannot be used for private automobile parking. The sign shall meet the Department's design specifications and shall include the name and contact information of a person to call for enforcement of this requirement and such other information as the Department requires. An informational plaque shall also be placed on the outside of the building location, which shall meet the design, location and information requirements established by the Department.
(3) Existing Car-Share Spaces Located on Gas Stations Sites and Surface Parking Lots. If the number of car-share spaces located on a gas station, surface parking lot, or other similar site for at least one year exceeds the total number of required and/or optional car-share parking spaces as provided for under Table 166 and Table 166A, the developer may retain those car-share spaces if the site is redeveloped without reducing the permitted levels of private parking; provided, however, that a property owner cannot seek additional optional car-share parking spaces per Table 166A.
(Added by Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; amended by Ord. 129-06, File No, 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 286-10, File No. 100829, App. 11/18/2010; Ord. 28-13
, File No. 120900, App. 3/5/2013, Eff. 4/4/2013; Ord. 34-17, File No. 160925, App. 2/17/2017, Eff. 3/19/2017)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 167. PARKING COSTS SEPARATED FROM HOUSING COSTS IN NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
(a) All off-street parking spaces accessory to residential uses in new structures of 10 dwelling units or more, or in new conversions of non-residential buildings to residential use of 10 dwelling units or more, shall be leased or sold separately from the rental or purchase fees for dwelling units for the life of the dwelling units, such that potential renters or buyers have the option of renting or buying a residential unit at a price lower than would be the case if there were a single price for both the residential unit and the parking space. In cases where there are fewer parking spaces than dwelling units, the parking spaces shall be offered first to the potential owners or renters of three-bedroom or more units, second to the owners or renters of two bedroom units, and then to the owners or renters of other units. Renters or buyers of on-site inclusionary affordable units provided pursuant to Section 415 et seq. shall have an equal opportunity to rent or buy a parking space on the same terms and conditions as offered to renters or buyers of other dwelling units, and at a price determined by the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), subject to procedures adopted by the Planning Commission notwithstanding any other provision of Section 415 et seq.
(b) Exception. The Planning Commission may grant an exception from the requirements in subsection (a) for projects which include financing for affordable housing that requires that costs for parking and housing be bundled together.
(c) Affordable Unit Resale Exemption. For the initial sale, Affordable Units that are both On-site Units and Owned Units, as defined in Section 401, must be offered for sale separate from parking spaces pursuant to subsection (a), subject to the exception provided in subsection (b). Where the initial sale of such a unit included a parking space, the requirement of subsection (a) that parking be sold separately from the unit shall not apply to any future resale of such unit and parking space.
(Added by Ord. 217-05, File No. 050865, App. 8/19/2005; Ord. 129-06, File No, 060372, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 112-08, File No. 080095, App. 6/30/2008; Ord. 62-13
, File No. 121162, App. 4/10/2013, Eff. 5/10/2013; Ord. 258-24, File No. 240802, App. 11/14/2024, Eff. 12/15/2024)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 169.1. FINDINGS.
(a) According to Plan Bay Area 2040, the long-range integrated transportation and land-use/housing strategy for the San Francisco Bay Area through 2040 adopted in 2013 by the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco is expected to grow by approximately 191,000 jobs and 102,000 households from 2010 to 2040.
(b) This growth will generate an increased demand for transportation infrastructure and services on an already constrained transportation system. One of the challenges posed by this growth is the increased number of single occupancy vehicle trips, and the pressures they add to San Francisco’s limited public streets and rights-of-way, contributing to congestion, transit delays, and public health and safety concerns caused by motorized vehicles, air pollution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and noise, thereby negatively impacting the quality of life in the City.
(c) The Transportation Sustainability Program, or TSP, is aimed at accommodating this new growth while minimizing its impact on San Francisco’s transportation system. It is a joint effort of the Mayor’s Office, the Planning Department, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency that has spanned many years and has involved a robust process of public outreach and discussion. The TSP includes three separate but related policy initiatives: the Transportation Sustainability Fee (TSF); the modernization of San Francisco’s environmental review process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program.
(1) The first component, the TSF, seeks to fund transportation improvements to support new growth by charging a development impact fee on new development. The City approved the TSF in 2015 with the enactment of Ordinance No. 200-15 (Board of Supervisors File No. 150790).
(2) The second component, the modernization of the environmental review process under CEQA, has been shepherded by the State under Senate Bill 743 (Stats. 2013. C. 386, now codified in Public Resources Code Section 21099). SB 743 required the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to develop new guidelines to replace the existing transportation review standard, focused on automobile delay, with new criteria that “promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land uses.” OPR recommended a replacement metric of Vehicle Miles Traveled, or VMT, that is, the amount and distance of automobile travel attributable to a project. The Planning Commission unanimously approved a Resolution adopting changes consistent with implementation of SB 743, including the use of Vehicle Miles Traveled as the metric for calculating transportation-related environmental impacts, at its hearing on March 3, 2016 (Planning Commission Resolution No. 19579).
(3) The third component creates the TDM Program, detailed in Section 169. The TDM Program seeks to promote sustainable travel modes by requiring new development projects to incorporate design features, incentives, and tools that support transit, ride-sharing, walking, and bicycle riding for the residents, tenants, employees, and visitors of their projects.
(d) State and regional governments have enacted many laws and policy initiatives that promote the same sustainable transportation goals the TDM Program seeks to advance. For instance, at the state level, the Congestion Management Law, Gov. Code Section 65088, establishes that to reduce the state’s traffic congestion crisis and “keep California moving,” it is important to build transit-oriented development, revitalize the state’s cities, and promote all forms of transportation. Assembly Bill 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006), requires statewide GHG reductions to 1990 levels by 2020. Executive Orders B-30-15, S-3-05 and B-16-12 set forth GHG reduction targets beyond that year, to 2050. Senate Bill 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008) supports the state’s climate action goals to reduce GHG emissions through coordinated transportation and land use planning with the goal of creating more sustainable communities. Under this statute, the California Air Resources Board establishes GHG reduction targets for metropolitan planning organizations, based on land use patterns and transportation systems specified in Regional Transportation Plans and Sustainable Community Strategies. Plan Bay Area 2040 sets GHG and Vehicle Miles Traveled reduction targets and a target for increasing non-automobile mode share for the Bay Area.
(e) In addition, San Francisco has enacted many laws and policy initiatives that promote the same sustainable transportation goals the TDM Program seeks to advance. The “Transit First Policy,” in Section 8A.115 of the City Charter, declares that public transit is “an economically and environmentally sound alternative to transportation by individual automobiles,” and that within the City, “travel by public transit, by bicycle and on foot must be an attractive alternative to travel by private automobile.” The GHG Reduction Ordinance, codified at Chapter 9 of the Environment Code, sets GHG reduction emission targets of 25% below 1990 levels by 2017; 40% below 1990 levels by 2025; and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The City’s Climate Action Strategy, prepared pursuant to the GHG Reduction Ordinance, has identified a target of having 50% of total trips within the City be made by modes other than automobiles by 2017, and 80% by 2030. One of the ways identified to achieve this target is through TDM for new development.
(f) San Francisco has long acknowledged the importance of TDM strategies in the Transportation Element of the City’s General Plan, the San Francisco County Transportation Plan, and many Area Plans. For example, each of the Area Plans within Eastern Neighborhoods and the Transit Center District Plan identify policies for the development of a TDM program within them.
(g) The TDM Program set forth in Section 169 requires new projects subject to its requirements to incorporate design features, incentives, and tools to encourage new residents, tenants, employees, and visitors to travel by sustainable transportation modes, such as transit, walking, ride-sharing, and biking, thereby reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled associated with new development. The goals of the TDM Program are to help keep San Francisco moving as it grows, and to promote better environmental, health, and safety outcomes, consistent with the state, regional, and local policies mentioned above.
(h) For projects that use Development Agreements and may not be required to comply fully with the requirements of Section 169, it is the Board of Supervisors’ strong preference that Development Agreements should include similar provisions that meet the goals of the TDM Program.
(i) The Board of Supervisors finds that it is in the public interest to exempt affordable housing from the fees and requirements of the TDM Program, in order to promote this important City policy and priority, and also because these projects generally generate less VMT. A 2014 study by Transform and California Housing Partnership Corporation, “Why creating and preserving affordable homes near transit is a highly effective climate protection strategy,” finds that “Higher Income households [defined as above 120% of area median income] drive more than twice as many miles and own more than twice as many vehicles as Extremely Low-Income households [defined as 30% or less of AMI] living within 1/4 mile of frequent transit,” which demonstrates how the TDM value for on-site affordable housing units is largely dependent on the level of affordability of the targeted households.
(j) The Board of Supervisors finds that it is in the public interest to exempt some uses from the TDM Program fees, in order to promote other important City policies and priorities, such as the goals and missions of City-funded charitable health and human service organizations. As such, the Board of Supervisors finds that parking spaces dedicated to service vehicles provided for City-funded charitable health and human service organizations shall be excluded from the definition of a parking space in the TDM Program Standards.
(Added by Ord. 34-17, File No. 160925, App. 2/17/2017, Eff. 3/19/2017)
SEC. 169.2. DEFINITIONS.
For purpose of Section 169, the following definitions shall apply. In addition, see the Planning Commission Standards for the Transportation Demand Management Program (TDM Program Standards), described in Section 169.6, for additional definitions of terms applicable to this Section 169.
Approval. Any required approval or determination on a Development Application that the Planning Commission, Planning Department or Zoning Administrator issues.
Transportation Demand Management, or TDM. Design features, incentives, and tools implemented by Development Projects to reduce VMT, by helping residents, tenants, employees, and visitors choose sustainable travel options such as transit, bicycle riding, or walking.
Transportation Demand Management Plan, or TDM Plan. A Development Project’s plan describing compliance with the TDM Program.
Transportation Demand Management Program, or TDM Program. The San Francisco policy requiring Development Projects to incorporate TDM measures in their proposed projects, as set forth in Section 169.
Vehicle Miles Traveled, or VMT. A measure of the amount and distance that a Development Project causes people to drive, as set forth in more detail by the Planning Commission in the TDM Program Standards prepared pursuant to Section 169.6.
(Added by Ord. 34-17, File No. 160925, App. 2/17/2017, Eff. 3/19/2017)
SEC. 169.3. APPLICABILITY.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), Section 169 shall apply to any Development Project in San Francisco that results in:
(1) Ten or more Dwelling Units, as defined in Section 102; or
(2) Ten or more bedrooms of Group Housing, as this term is defined in Section 102; or
(3) Any new construction resulting in 10,000 occupied square feet or more of any use other than Residential, as this term is defined in Section 102, excluding any area used for accessory parking; or
(4) Any Change of Use resulting in 25,000 occupied square feet or more of any use other than Residential, as this term is defined in Section 102, excluding any area used for accessory parking, as set forth in the TDM Program Standards, if:
(A) The Change of Use involves a change from a Residential use to any use other than Residential; or
(B) The Change of Use involves a change from any use other than Residential, to another use other than Residential.
(5) For any Development Project that has been required to finalize and record a TDM Plan pursuant to Section 169.4 below, any increase in accessory parking spaces or Parking Garage spaces within such Development Project that results in an increase in the requirements of the TDM Standards shall be required to modify such TDM Plan pursuant to Section 169.4(f) below.
(1) One Hundred Percent Affordable Housing Projects. Residential uses within Development Projects where all residential units are affordable to households at or below 120% of the Area Median Income, as defined in Section 401, shall not be subject to the TDM Program. Any uses other than Residential within those projects, whose primary purpose is to provide services to the Residential uses within those projects shall also be exempt. Other uses shall be subject to the TDM program. All uses shall be subject to all other applicable requirements of the Planning Code.
(2) Parking Garages and Parking Lots, as defined in Section 102. However, parking spaces within such Parking Garages or Parking Lots, when included within a larger Development Project, may be considered in the determination of TDM Plan requirements, as described in the TDM Program Standards.
(3) Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse projects per Planning Code Section 210.5.
(c) When determining whether a Development Project shall be subject to the TDM Program, the Development Project shall be considered in its entirety. A Development Project shall not seek multiple applications for building permits to evade the applicability of the TDM Program.
(d) The TDM Program shall not apply to any Development Project that receives Approval of any Development Application or Development Agreement before the effective date of this Section.
(e) Operative Date.
(1) Except as described in subsection (4) below, Development Projects with a Development Application filed or an Environmental Application deemed complete on or before September 4, 2016 shall be subject to 50% of the applicable target, as defined in the Planning Commission’s Standards.
(2) Except as described in subsection (4) below, Development Projects with no Development Application filed or an Environmental Application deemed complete on or before September 4, 2016, but that file a Development Application on or after September 5, 2016, and before January 1, 2018, shall be subject to 75% of such target.
(3) Development Projects with a Development Application filed on or after January 1, 2018 shall be subject to 100% of such target.
(4) Development Projects within the Central SoMa Special Use District that fall within Central SoMa Fee Tier A, B, or C, as defined in Section 423.2, shall be subject to the following requirements:
(i) projects that have filed a Development Application or submitted an Environmental Application deemed complete on or before September 4, 2016 shall be subject to 75% of such target.
(ii) projects that filed a Development Application or submitted an Environmental Application deemed complete after September 4, 2016 shall be subject to 100% of such target.
AMENDMENT HISTORY
SEC. 169.4. TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLAN REQUIREMENTS.
(a) A property owner shall submit a proposed TDM Plan along with the Development Project’s first Development Application. For all projects that require a community meeting occur prior to project application, the Project Sponsor shall discuss potential TDM measures and program standards at that meeting and solicit feedback from the local community to be taken into consideration in preparing the proposed TDM Plan for submittal to the Planning Department. If the Planning Department requires any preliminary application or assessment prior to the project application, the project sponsor shall submit a draft TDM plan at that time. The proposed TDM Plan shall document the Development Project’s proposed compliance with Section 169 and the Planning Commission’s TDM Program Standards.
(b) The proposed TDM Plan shall be reviewed in conjunction with the approval of the first Development Application for the Development Project.
(c) Compliance with the TDM Program, including compliance with a finalized TDM Plan, shall be included as a Condition of Approval of the Development Project. The Planning Commission shall not waive, reduce, or adjust the requirements of the TDM Program through the approval processes described in Sections 304, 309, 329 or any other Planning Commission approval process that allows for exceptions.
(d) The Development Project shall be subject to the TDM Program Standards in effect at the time of its first Development Project Application. If the Planning Commission has issued revised TDM Program Standards subsequent to the date of the Development Project’s first Development Application was filed, then the property owner may elect to have the Development Project be subject to the later-approved TDM Program Standards, but if so, must meet all requirements of such revised Standards.
(e) The Zoning Administrator shall approve and order the recordation of a Notice in the Official Records of the Recorder of the City and County of San Francisco for the subject property prior to the issuance of a building or site permit. The Planning Department shall maintain the Development Project’s final TDM Plan and detailed descriptions of each TDM measure for public view and access.
(f) Upon application of a property owner, after a TDM Plan is finalized and the associated building or site permit has been issued, a Development Project’s TDM Plan may be modified in accordance with procedures and standards adopted by the Planning Commission in the TDM Program Standards. However, if such modification to an existing TDM Plan is required pursuant to Section 169.3(a)(5) above, the modified TDM Plan shall be finalized in accordance with the procedures and requirements of the TDM Standards in effect at the time of the modification.
(g) Property owners shall pay administrative fees with the application, periodic compliance review, and voluntary update review of their TDM Plans, as set forth in the Planning Department Fee Schedule.
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Division (e) amended; Ord. 33-24, Eff. 3/23/2024.
SEC. 169.5. MONITORING, REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE.
(a) Prior to the issuance of a first certificate of occupancy, the property owner shall facilitate a site inspection by Planning Department staff to confirm that all approved physical improvement measures in the Development Project’s TDM Plan have been implemented and/or installed. The property owner shall also provide documentation that all approved programmatic measures in the Development Project’s TDM Plan will be implemented. The process and standards for determining compliance shall be specified in the Planning Commission’s TDM Program Standards.
(b) Throughout the life of the Development Project, the property owner shall:
(1) Maintain a TDM coordinator, as defined in the Planning Commission’s TDM Program Standards, who shall coordinate with the City on the Development Project’s compliance with its approved TDM Plan.
(2) Allow City staff access to relevant portions of the property to conduct site visits, surveys, inspection of physical improvements, and/or other empirical data collection, and facilitate in-person, phone, and/or e-mail or web-based interviews with residents, tenants, employees, and/or visitors. City staff shall provide advance notice of any request for access and shall use all reasonable efforts to protect personal privacy during visits and in the use of any data collected during this process.
(3) Submit periodic compliance reports to the Planning Department, as required by the Planning Commission’s TDM Program Standards.
(Added by Ord. 34-17, File No. 160925, App. 2/17/2017, Eff. 3/19/2017)
SEC. 169.6. TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STANDARDS.
(a) The Planning Commission, with the assistance of the Planning Department and in consultation with staff of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, shall adopt the Planning Commission Standards for the Transportation Demand Management Program, or TDM Program Standards. The TDM Program Standards shall contain the specific requirements necessary for compliance with the TDM Program. The TDM Program Standards shall be updated from time to time, as deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission, to reflect best practices in the field of Transportation Demand Management.
(b) When preparing, adopting, or updating the TDM Program Standards, the Planning Commission shall consider the primary goals of Section 169, that is, to reduce VMT from new development in order to maintain mobility as San Francisco grows, and to achieve better environmental, health and safety outcomes. In addition, the Planning Commission shall consider the following principles:
(1) The requirements of the TDM Program, as set forth in the TDM Program Standards, shall be proportionate to the total amount of VMT that Development Projects produce, and shall take into account site-specific information, such as density, diversity of land uses, and access to travel options other than the private automobile in the surrounding vicinity.
(2) The TDM Program Standards shall provide flexibility for Development Projects to achieve the purposes of the TDM Program in a way that best suits the circumstances of each Development Project. To that end, the TDM Program Standards shall include a menu of TDM measures from which to choose. Each measure in this TDM menu shall be designed to reduce VMT by site residents, tenants, employees, or visitors, as relevant to the Development Project, and must be under the control of the developer, property owner, or tenant.
(3) Each of the TDM measures in the TDM Program Standards shall be assigned a number of points, reflecting its relative effectiveness to reduce VMT. This relative effectiveness determination shall be grounded in literature review, local data collection, best practice research, and/or professional transportation expert opinion, and shall be described in the TDM Program Standards.
(c) One year after the effective date of the TDM Program, the Planning Department shall prepare a report analyzing the implementation of the TDM Program and describing any changes to the TDM Program Standards. Every four years, following the periodic updates to the San Francisco Countywide Transportation Plan that the San Francisco County Transportation Authority prepares, the Planning Department shall prepare a report containing the same information. The Planning Department shall present such reports to the Planning Commission, and may present them to the Board of Supervisors during a public hearing, if a Supervisor chooses to request a hearing on the matter.
(Added by Ord. 34-17, File No. 160925, App. 2/17/2017, Eff. 3/19/2017)