The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance on March 25, 2025, amending the General Plan and Planning Code to reduce commercial development requirements in the Central SoMa Area Plan and Transit Center District SubArea Plan. The amendment removes mandates that new developments on large parcels include at least 50% commercial space in Central SoMa. It also eliminates the directive in the Transit Center SubArea to prioritize job-supporting uses on major opportunity sites. Instead, the City will now permit and encourage broader non-residential uses, providing flexibility in site utilization. This move aligns with the updated Planning Code and reflects shifts in real estate demand and urban development goals. The ordinance is intended to support more diverse land use, including housing or mixed-use development, within central urban areas.
This change facilitates greater flexibility in land use for developments in two of San Francisco’s key growth zones, potentially unlocking parcels for housing and other community-focused uses. It marks a significant shift from rigid commercial use mandates toward a more adaptive urban development strategy.