Building Setbacks & Zoning in San Francisco, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
San Francisco requires a rear yard equal to 30% of lot depth (RH, RM-1, RM-2, RTO-1, RTO-M) or 25% of lot depth in most other zoning districts, never less than 15 feet.
San Francisco Rear Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Planning Code § 134(c)(1)-(2)
(1) In RH, RM-1, RM-2, RTO-1, and RTO-M Zoning Districts, the basic rear yard shall be equal to 30% of the total depth of the lot on which the building is situated, but in no case less than 15 feet. (2) In all other Zoning Districts not listed in subsection (c)(1), the rear yard shall be equal to 25% of the total depth of the lot on which the building is situated, but in no case less than 15 feet.
Structure Height Limits
San Francisco caps dwelling height at 35 feet in RH-1 districts and 40 feet in RH-2 districts, with slope-based adjustments up or down.
SF Residential (RH) Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Planning Code Sec. 261 (Additional Height Limits Applicable to Certain RH Districts)
No portion of a dwelling in any RH-1(D), RH-1 or RH-1(S) District shall exceed a height of 35 feet, except that: (A) The permitted Height of a Building... shall be increased to 40 feet... where the average ground elevation at the rear line of the lot is higher by 20 or more feet than at the front line thereof... No portion of a dwelling in any RH-2 District shall exceed a height of 40 feet, exc...
Lot Coverage Limits
San Francisco caps lot coverage at 80% on residential levels in Commercial (C) Districts, with a 100% allowance for lobbies and setback circulation areas.
SF Lot Coverage Limit in C Districts
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Planning Code § 134(d)(6)
Lot Coverage in C Districts. Lot coverage is limited to 80% at all levels containing residential uses, except that on levels that include only lobbies and circulation areas and on levels in which all residential uses, including circulation areas, are within 40 horizontal feet from a property line fronting a street or alley, up to 100% lot coverage may occur. The unbuilt portion of the lot shall...