Ordinance 250542: Various Planning Code Changes

UPDATE: This ordinance was filed on 5-20-25. It is being routed to the relevant committees.

Ordinance 250542 was introduced on 5-20-25 by Mayor Lurie and supported by Supervisors Sauter, Dorsey, and Mahmood.

This ordinance is part of the Mayor's PermitSF initiative, intended to streamline permitting and to help small businesses. The ordinance includes various Planning Code changes including:

• Permitting non-retail sales and service uses on the ground floor in C-3 districts including office, design professional, business services, non-retail professional services, and trade offices.

• Permit retail sales and service as well as non-retail sales and service uses on the second floor and above in RC districts.

• Modifications to transparency and fenestration requirements. Privacy glazing would be permitted for the bottom 4' of the glass for ground floor active uses. Certain uses would be exempt from privacy glazing restrictions including child care facilities, homeless shelters, mortuaries, religious institutions, reproductive health clinics, and schools.

• Sets standards for illuminated Interior signs which are visible through the front glazed windows or doors. Permits would not be required for these signs if they are 6 sf or less in size.

• Permits installation of signs painted on doors, windows, and building facades without needing a permit.

• Permits existing signs to be replaced, altered, reconstructed, relocated, and expanded without needing a permit. (some restrictions apply)

• Expands waivers for impact fees on Non-Residential and PDR conversions to residential use.

View the Legislation