Zoning Page

Elimination of 200-Foot Nighttime Entertainment Buffer & Permitting Uses at 655 Folsom Street

  • When: 2025/05/06
  • Address: 655 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA
  • City: San Francisco
  • State: CA
  • Category: Zoning Code Modification
  • Subcategory: Commercial Rezoning
  • Asset Class: Commercial
  • Property Type: Retail

This ordinance amends the Planning Code to remove the 200-foot buffer restriction for Nighttime Entertainment uses in the Western SoMa Special Use District and delete all references to this buffer in the SALI and WMUO districts. It also principally permits both General Entertainment and Nighttime Entertainment uses at 655 Folsom Street within the MUR district, thereby allowing the property to host bars, nightclubs, private clubs, and similar evening-oriented entertainment venues. The amendment affirms the Planning Department’s CEQA determination, updates related cross-references in Sections 249.39(c)(7), 833, 836, and 840 of the Code, and makes findings of consistency with the General Plan and priority policies of Section 101.1, as well as public necessity and welfare under Section 302. By removing buffer restrictions, the ordinance aims to revitalize nightlife south of Market and activate a currently vacant parcel in the heart of downtown through broad entertainment uses under existing zoning. The property remains zoned MUR, but its ground-floor use is expanded to include venues serving alcohol and hosting nighttime entertainment without buffer-zone constraints.

Source