San Francisco Zoning Decisions: January 2026

In January 2026, San Francisco held 11 public meetings covering zoning matters. 28 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 22 approved (85% approval rate), 4 denied, 2 deferred. Activity was up 210% compared to December (239 activity items across 3 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Dwelling Unit Removal at 1732 Taraval Street

Denied.

Denied conditional use authorization to remove an approximately 956 square foot dwelling unit from a mixed-use building to convert it to accessory office and break room space for Parkside Day Spa. The department recommended denial based on housing element policies discouraging loss of existing units. A 2019 permit to restore the unit remains on file.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Fence Height Appeal at 562 40th Avenue

Denied.

Lee Hydeuse appealed permit issued to Sierra Peron for 10-foot fence extension along property line. Board found fence code compliant under planning code section 136 allowing fences up to 10 feet in rear yard. Appellant's concerns about light blockage and access were not supported.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Letter of Determination Appeal at 807 44th Avenue

Denied.

Ling Law appealed zoning administrator's determination that unauthorized dwelling unit was rented for consideration within last 10 years, disqualifying it from CUA exemption under planning code section 317(c)(10). Unit was occupied by IHSS caregiver. Board upheld determination finding no error or abuse of discretion.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Front Yard Fence Variance Appeal - 20 Burnside Avenue

Deferred.

Appeal 25-054 by Simon and Catherine Little appealing denial of variance for 6-foot solid fence in front setback. Property has no rear yard, is across from school, near Glen Canyon Park entrance, on Crosstown Trail. Zoning administrator denied citing residential design guidelines requiring 3-foot setback.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Conditional Use Authorization Appeal for 825 Sansom Street EV Charging Facility

Deferred.

Appeal of conditional use authorization for change of use from public parking garage (96 spaces) to private fleet charging, public EV charging, and private parking at 825 Sansom Street. Continued to February 3, 2026 for ongoing negotiations between parties.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Holocaust Center SUD and CUA at 2245-2255 Post Street

Approved.

Approved planning code and zoning map amendments creating a special use district and conditional use authorization for JFCS Holocaust Center to demolish two adjacent buildings and construct a four-story, approximately 60-foot tall building for cultural, educational, and archival programming. The project includes no vehicular parking, 14 class 1 and 4 class 2 bicycle parking spaces, security bollards, and street improvements. Vote was unanimous 6-0.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

New Residential Building at 61 Royal Lane

Approved.

Approved conditional use authorization to demolish a 534 square foot unauthorized dwelling unit in an accessory building and construct a new three-story building with one dwelling unit (2,172 sq ft, 4 bedrooms) and one ADU (826 sq ft, 2 bedrooms), totaling two new residential units. Project includes two bicycle parking spaces and one off-street parking space.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Vertical Addition at 49 Chula Lane (DR denied)

Approved.

Commission did not take discretionary review and approved a vertical addition and deck to a two-story single family building at 49 Chula Lane. The addition includes a 7'6" plate height on the east side, 15-foot front setback, and 5-foot deck setback from east property line. Project is within the California register eligible Chula Abbey early residential historic district.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 28 recorded zoning decisions. See all San Francisco meetings →

Zoning Changes

• NC-3 → NC-3 with Holocaust Center Special Use District (Section 249.26) at 2245-2255 Post Street (Block 1078, Lots 20 and 21) (Jewish Family and Children's Services)
• Mission Bay South Redevelopment Plan (160 ft height limit) → Mission Bay South Redevelopment Plan (250 ft height limit, +250 dwelling units) at Block 4 East, Mission Bay South (Assessor's Parcel Block 8711, Lot 029B) - northern half (Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII))
• PDR-2 and P → P (Public) at 1236 Carroll Avenue - Assessor's Parcel Blocks 4877 (lots 001-004) and 4852 (lots 002-022), including Bancroft Avenue between Griffith and Haw Streets, Griffith and Haw Streets between Carroll and Armstrong Avenues (San Francisco Fire Department)
• 4-X → 90 (height/bulk) at 1236 Carroll Avenue - Assessor's Parcel Block 4852 Lot 001 (San Francisco Fire Department)
• PDR-2 (Production, Distribution, and Repair District 2) and P (Public) → P (Public), Over 8 acres (26 parcels plus 3 paper streets) at 1236 Carroll Avenue - Block 4877 lots 001-004, Block 4852 lots 002-022, plus portions of Bancroft Avenue, Griffith Street, and Hawes Street (San Francisco Fire Department)

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 110 instances
• zoning: 96 instances
• variance: 91 instances
• setback: 88 instances
• commercial: 52 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 358% from December.
• Zoning came up 109% more often than December.
• Variance saw 127% more mentions month-over-month.
• Setback increased 1000% compared to December.
• Commercial mentions were up 108% from December.

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