San Francisco planning commission revises housing code to boost production and streamline processes

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on a significant ordinance aimed at amending the planning code to boost housing production. The agenda item, presented by Mr. Clark, outlined several key changes intended to streamline housing development processes and enhance accessibility in various districts.

The ordinance proposes to exempt certain housing projects from the notice and review procedures and conditional use requirements in areas outside designated priority equity geographies. These geographies are identified in the housing element as regions with a high density of vulnerable populations. Additionally, the ordinance seeks to remove conditional use requirements for various housing projects, including developments on large lots and those aiming for double density in specific residential districts.

Further amendments include adjustments to rear yard, front setback, lot frontage, minimum lot size, and residential open space requirements, allowing for more flexibility in housing development. The ordinance also aims to permit additional uses on the ground floor of residential buildings, such as homeless shelters and group housing, and introduces administrative reviews for reasonable accommodations.

Moreover, the ordinance expands eligibility for the San Francisco HOME SF program and density exceptions in residential districts while exempting certain affordable housing projects from development fees. It authorizes the planning director to approve state density bonus projects, contingent on delegation from the planning commission.

A notable aspect of the ordinance is the sunsetting of conditional use requirements established by the Corona Heights and Central neighborhoods' large resident special use districts by the end of 2024. Following this, any new residential developments in these areas will be limited to a maximum size of 3,000 square feet.

Finally, the ordinance includes conforming amendments to other sections of the planning code, updates to the zoning map, and revisions to condominium conversion requirements for projects utilizing residential density exceptions. The item has been scheduled for potential committee reporting and may be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for consideration in their upcoming meeting.

This comprehensive approach reflects the county's commitment to addressing housing shortages and improving living conditions for its residents, particularly in vulnerable communities. The meeting concluded with a promise from the chair to continue working on these important issues.