San Francisco Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, San Francisco held 15 public meetings covering zoning matters. 19 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 14 approved (88% approval rate), 2 denied, 3 deferred. Activity was down 50% compared to April (832 activity items across 17 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Appeal of rear-yard variance at 2840 Lake Street

Denied.

Appeal 26-021 (Daryl and Celeste Wu, Taylor and Julia Moore, Susan Kronholm, Catherine Skangos, Jeff Willis) of the zoning administrator's grant of a rear-yard variance for a vertical and horizontal addition to the existing single-family home, demolition/replacement of rear deck in kind, and a new roof deck, extending 6 ft 4 in into the required rear yard. RH-1D, 40-ft height limit, historic Seacliff district. Board denied the appeal 5-0, finding the five variance findings were met. Appellants argued improper ex parte communications (government code 11430.10) and material injury to neighbors (privacy/shadow). Owners agreed to frosted glass on at least the third-story window facing the Willis property.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Appeal 26-019 - Demolition permit for 659 Union Street (Verdi building)

Denied.

North Beach Tenants Committee appealed the issuance to Powell Partners LLC of a demolition permit (2026-0327-8418) to demolish a three-story type V mixed-use building. DBI issued emergency order March 24, 2026 declaring the unreinforced masonry shell an imminent seismic hazard. Appellant sought right-of-return condition and historic preservation. Board denied appeal on basis permit was properly issued. Vote.

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Lease at 1050 McAllister Street (Ella Hill Hutch Community Center)

Deferred.

Resolution approving a lease for real property at 1050 McAllister Street to Booker T. Washington Community Service Center for youth, family, and community services at the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center, term through June 30, 2027, annual rent $1. Mayor's office requested continuance to call of chair. Public urged that the project remain in African American community control. Continued 3-0.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Consent Calendar - Conditional Use Authorizations at 1569 Slope Boulevard and 2243 Mission Street

Approved.

Two consent calendar items approved by single roll call vote: Item 1, case 2026-0010124CUA, conditional use authorization at 1569 Slope Boulevard; and Item 2, case 2026-002998CUA, conditional use authorization at 2243 Mission Street. Motion passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Second Amendment to lease at 1455 Market Street (Hudson)

Approved.

Resolution approving a Second Amendment to the lease with Hudson 1455 Market Street, LLC to expand premises by ~502,000 rentable sq ft of office space, initial 21-year term ending April 30, 2049, with two five-year extension options. Annual base rent ~$14.5 million in year two, rent reset to $40/sq ft beginning Jan 1, 2027 with 1% annual increases through year four then 3% thereafter. City to spend up to ~$10.8 million on tenant improvements; total rent ~$1.03 billion over term, ~65% general fund. Consolidates departments out of 1 South Van Ness, 25 Van Ness, and 1390 Market (Fox Plaza). Landlord contributing ~$97.9 million for TIs plus $17 million other improvements. Referred to full board with recommendation, 3-0.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Continuance of CUA at 2001 37th Avenue (St. Ignatius bike parking)

Deferred.

Conditional use authorization for bike parking at St. Ignatius continued four weeks to June 18, 2026. Passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

DMACC lease at 33 8th Street (item 13)

Approved.

Resolution approving a lease with 33 8th Street LLC for ~11,000 sq ft of ground floor retail space at 33 8th Street for the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center, term ten years and four months, initial annual base rent ~$448,224 with 3% annual increases, total ~$5.7M over term. Landlord building out site at sole cost (~$3M) including ballistic glass, secure armory, dedicated elevators to parking garage. Two months rent abatement first two years. Vice Chair Dorsey recused (landlord conflict); approved.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Conditional Use Authorization at 1868 Lombard Street

Approved.

Consent calendar conditional use authorization for 1868 Lombard Street, approved with conditions on a single roll call vote, 6-0.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 19 recorded zoning decisions. See all San Francisco meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• variance: 110 instances
• zoning: 68 instances
• residential: 39 instances
• land use: 19 instances
• conditional use: 14 instances

What to Watch

• Variance mentions were up 67% from April.

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