California • US zoning
San Francisco zoning guide
An introduction to San Francisco Planning Code, selected zoning districts, overlays and the review process in San Francisco. Confirm the current zoning designation and applicable provisions for the parcel.
Use this overview to plan your research. Verify current requirements and site-specific conditions against the relevant primary sources. Read our data sources, coverage and limits guide.
Official ordinance and source-check scope
Family Zoning adoption and the need to check project-specific streamlining criteria verified. Former ED1 and blanket Builder's Remedy claims removed. District dimensions are not verified here. Checked 2026-09-11.
SF Planning — Family Zoning Plan and adopted ordinances
Before applying a number to a parcel
Confirm the current mapped district, lot geometry, permitted use, qualifying housing category, special districts and overlays. A listed FAR example is not a buildable floor-area calculation. Height, setbacks, exclusions, bonuses and other controls require their own checks.
Selected district references
| Code | District reference | FAR source example | Height | Review limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RH-1 | Residential, House, One-Family | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| RH-2 | Two-Family | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| RM-1 | Residential, Mixed, Low Density | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| RM-3 | Residential, Mixed, Medium Density | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| NCT-3 | Neighborhood Commercial Transit, Moderate | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| C-3-O | Downtown Office | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| C-3-G | Downtown General | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| PDR-1-G | Production, Distribution, Repair | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
Overlay and approval questions
- Does a special district, historic designation, shoreline or flood rule apply?
- Which discretionary approvals or project-specific streamlining criteria must be satisfied?
- Are state or federal provisions relevant, and what conditions or exclusions do they impose?
Review-process context
Confirm mapped use, height and bulk districts and the applicable permit or streamlined-review route. The Family Zoning Plan was adopted in December 2025. The city's streamlined housing bulletin sets out project-specific criteria; this summary does not claim Builder's Remedy eligibility or a blanket state-law override.
Questions
What zoning ordinance applies in San Francisco?
San Francisco Planning Code
How does the review process work in San Francisco?
Confirm mapped use, height and bulk districts and the applicable permit or streamlined-review route. The Family Zoning Plan was adopted in December 2025. The city's streamlined housing bulletin sets out project-specific criteria; this summary does not claim Builder's Remedy eligibility or a blanket state-law override.
Explore a site in San Francisco
Start with the parcel location and inspect the available site context. Confirm zoning and development requirements with the responsible local authority.
Explore site analysisReview current plans and usage and source coverage for your project.