The Land Use and Community Planning team at San Francisco Planning is responsible for the City’s comprehensive planning and policy efforts that determine how land in San Francisco is developed and used. This work aims to create a city that is livable, inclusive, sustainable, and economically vital by guiding and managing growth at both the neighborhood and citywide level. Through extensive engagement with community stakeholders and other public agencies, we consider issues related to land use, housing, design, historic preservation, public space, community facilities, transportation, and economic development.
Planning develops policies and comprehensive plans in several ways: citywide land use and development policy, including engagement at the regional level; working with communities to craft comprehensive area plans for specific neighborhoods; and site-specific master plans for large development sites. These efforts look at today’s needs as well as those of the long-term, 25 years and further in the future.
Land Use Policy and Coordination
- Development Agreements
- Draft Health Care Services Master Plan
- Greater SoMa Community Facility Needs Assessment
- Jobs Housing Fit Report
- Plan Bay Area/Horizons
- Production Distribution & Repair (PDR) Policy (coming soon)
- San Francisco Commercial Strategies
- San Francisco Railyards Project
- Showplace / SoMa Neighborhood Analysis And Coordination Study (SNACS)
- Southeast Framework
Area Plans
Area Plans are comprehensive policy visions that guide the development and evolution of specific neighborhoods. These efforts are generally adopted to the City’s General Plan and make changes to zoning, design policies, inventory needed public improvements, and establish financial and implementation frameworks to guide the evolution and development for each specific district.
Adopted Area Plans
| Plan Projects (prior to adoption) | Area Plans in General Plan |
|---|---|
| Central SoMa Area Plan (completed 2018) |
Central SoMa Plan |
| Transit Center District Plan (completed 2012) |
Transit Center District Sub Area Plan of the Downtown Area Plan |
| Glen Park Community Plan (completed 2012) |
Glen Park Community Plan |
| Eastern Neighborhoods Plans Mission, East SoMa, Western SoMa, Showplace Square/Potrero, Central Waterfront (completed 2008/2013) |
Mission Area Plan East SoMa (South of Market) Area Plan Western SoMa Area Plan Showplace Square/Potrero Area Plan Central Waterfront Area Plan |
| Balboa Park Station Area Plan (completed 2009) |
Balboa Park Station Area Plan |
| Market & Octavia Area Plan (completed 2008) |
Market & Octavia Area Plan Amendment |
| Market & Octavia Area Plan Amendment (Hub) | |
| Rincon Hill Plan (completed 2005) | Rincon Hill Plan |
Implementing our Plans
Infrastructure improvements such as improved public infrastructure and amenities, such as parks, street improvements, transit, childcare centers, and libraries are essential to fulfilling the Area Plans’ visions for complete neighborhoods.
Infrastructure improvements such as improved public infrastructure and amenities, such as parks, street improvements, transit, childcare centers, and libraries are essential to fulfilling the Area Plans’ visions for complete neighborhoods.
Most Area Plans include fees on new development called impact fees that partially fund public improvements. These improvements include parks, street improvements, transit, childcare centers, and libraries and are essential to fulfilling the Area Plans’ visions for complete neighborhoods. Learn more about implementing our community plans here.
To help the City set priorities for community improvements, Community Advisory Committees (CACs) were established in certain plan areas at the time the area plan was approved. CACs advise relevant city agencies on projects identified in area plans to prioritize for funding with impact fee revenue. Committee members are appointed by the Mayor or the Board of Supervisors. CACs generally meet quarterly and meetings are open to the public.
