How do I calculate the allowed building size under FAR rules?

Multiply your lot size by the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 3.60 to get your max allowable floor area.

What is the required rear yard in RC-3?

You need at least 15.00 feet at the rear of your property.

Can I build an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) in this zone?

Yes. ADUs are permitted in RC-3. Refer to the latest state and local ADU guidelines for placement and design standards.

California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > RC-3

RC-3 (Residential-Commercial Districts, Medium Density)

San Francisco, California

Jump to Zoning Use Permissions

Basic Information

Zone Type	Residential, Commercial
Code Section	209.3
Code URL	View Code

Dimensional Standards

Height Notes	Varies,.3 See Height and Bulk Maps. Height sculpting on Alleys per § 261.1.

Density

Min Units per Lot	3.00
Base Density (sqft/unit)	533.00
Max Density (sqft/unit)	400.00
Density Notes	P if 3 units per lot or at least one unit per 533 square feet of lot area, whichever is greater. Total maximum permitted density is one unit per 400 square feet of lot area.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	3.60

Setbacks

Front Setback Notes	Not Required
Rear Setback (ft)	15.00
Rear Setback Notes	Required at first residential level and above. 25% of the lot depth, but in no case less than 15 feet.
Side Setback Notes	Not Required

Parking

Parking Notes	Up to one space for every two units permitted, and up to 3 spaces for every four units permitted with Conditional Use per § 151.1.

Usable Open Space

Private Open Space (sqft/unit)	60
Common Open Space (sqft/unit)	80

ADU and SB9 Eligibility

ADU Allowed	Yes
ADU Notes	Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units may be permitted pursuant to Sections 207.1 and 207.2.

Example and Description

Detailed Description	These Districts provide for a mixture of medium-density Dwellings similar to those in RM-3 Districts, with supporting Commercial uses. Open spaces are required for Dwellings in the same manner as in RM-3 Districts, except that rear yards need not be at ground level and front setback areas are not required.

Zoning Use Permissions

P = Permitted

C = Conditional

NP = Not Permitted

Use Category	Permission Type	Notes
Adult Business	NP
Adult Sex Venue	NP
Agricultural Uses	C
Agriculture, Neighborhood	P
Automotive Uses	C
Awning, Canopy and Marquee	P
Child Care Facility	P
Design Professional	P
Drive-up Facility	NP
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation Uses	P
Entertainment, Outdoor	NP
Formula Retail	C
Homeless Shelter	P
Hotel	C
Industrial Uses	NP
Institutional Uses	C
Intermediate Length Occupancy	P	NP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units; C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
Internet Service Exchange	C
Kennel	NP
Livery Stable	NP
Maritime Use	NP
Massage Establishment	NP
Medical Cannabis Dispensary	P
Mobile Food Facility	P
Mortuary	C	Must be located on a landmark site, and where the site is within a Height and Bulk District of 40 feet or less, and where a columbarium use has lawfully and continuously operated since the time of designation.
Motel	NP
Non-Retail Sales and Service	NP
Open Air Sales	NP
Outdoor Activity Area	P	P if in front; C if elsewhere.
Parking Lot, Private	NP
Planned Unit Development	C
Public Facilities	P
Residential Care Facility	P
Residential Density, Group Housing	P
Retail Sales and Service Uses	P	C required if located on the second floor or above.
Service, Motor Vehicle Tow	NP
Service, Parcel Delivery	NP
Signs	P
Single Room Occupancy	P
Sports Stadium	NP
Storage, Self	C
Student Housing	P
Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment	C	NP above the second floor.
Trade School	NP
Utility and Infrastructure	NP
Utility Installation	C
Vehicle Storage Garage	NP
Vehicle Storage Lot	NP
Walk-up Facility	P
Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility	P or C	C if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.