RH-2 (Residential, House Districts, Two-Family)

San Francisco, California

Basic Information

Zone TypeResidential
Code Section209.1
Code URLView Code

Dimensional Standards

Max Height (ft)40.00
Height NotesStructures with uses other than Dwellings may be constructed to the prescribed height limit. Per § 261 the height limit may be decreased based on the slope of the lot.

Density

Min Units per Lot2.00
Base Density (sqft/unit)1500.00
Max Density (sqft/unit)1500.00
Density NotesTwo units per lot, or up to one unit per 1,500 square feet of lot area.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)1.80

Setbacks

Front Setback NotesRequired. Based on the front setback of the adjacent property with the shortest front setback or if subject property has a Legislated Setback. When front setback is based on adjacent properties, in no case shall the required setback be greater than 10 feet.
Rear Setback (ft)15.00
Rear Setback Notes30% of lot depth, but in no case less than 15 feet.
Side Setback NotesNot Required

Parking

Parking NotesMaximum permitted per § 151.

Usable Open Space

Private Open Space (sqft/unit)125
Common Open Space (sqft/unit)166

ADU and SB9 Eligibility

ADU AllowedYes
ADU NotesConstruction of Accessory Dwelling Units may be permitted pursuant to Sections 207.1 and 207.2.

Example and Description

Detailed DescriptionThese Districts are devoted to one-family and two-family houses, with the latter commonly consisting of two large flats, one occupied by the owner and the other available for rental. Structures are finely scaled and usually do not exceed 25 feet in width or 40 feet in height. Building styles are often more varied than in historically single-family areas, but certain streets and tracts are quite uniform. Considerable ground-level open space is available, and it frequently is private for each unit. The Districts may have easy access to shopping facilities and transit lines. In some cases, Group Housing and institutions are found in these areas, although nonresidential uses tend to be quite limited.

Zoning Use Permissions

P = Permitted

C = Conditional

NP = Not Permitted

Use Category Permission Type Notes
Agricultural UsesC
Agriculture, IndustrialNP
Agriculture, NeighborhoodP
Automotive UsesNP
AwningPP for Limited Commercial Uses and Limited Corner Commercial Uses per § 136.1 only; otherwise NP.
Canopy or MarqueeNP
Child Care FacilityP
Community FacilityC
Entertainment, Arts and Recreation UsesNP
Homeless ShelterP
HospitalC
HotelCC for five or fewer guest rooms or suites of rooms; NP for six or more guest rooms.
Industrial UsesNP
Institutional UsesNP
Intermediate Length OccupancyPNP for buildings with three or fewer Dwelling Units; C for buildings with 10 or more Dwelling Units.
Internet Service ExchangeC
MortuaryCMust 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.
Non-Retail Sales and ServiceNP
Open Recreation AreaC
Parking Garage, PrivateC
Parking Lot, PrivateC
Parking Lot, PublicNP
Passive Outdoor RecreationP
Planned Unit DevelopmentC
Post-Secondary Ed. InstitutionC
Public FacilitiesP
Religious InstitutionC
Residential Care FacilityP
Residential Density, Group HousingP
Retail Sales and Service UsesNP
SchoolC
Single Room OccupancyP
Student HousingP
Utility and InfrastructureNP
Utility InstallationC
Wireless Telecommunications Services FacilityP or CC if a Macro WTS Facility; P if a Micro WTS Facility.