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Who Killed the Building? · Case brief · October 22, 2026

San Francisco Family Zoning Plan

San Francisco · San Francisco County · California · https://whokilledthebuilding.com/projects/san-francisco-family-zoning-2025

San Francisco's 2023-2031 housing element, adopted in January 2023 and approved by the state, committed the city to rezone for about 36,282 more homes, 20,327 of them for lower-income households, mostly in well-resourced neighborhoods near transit, by January 31, 2026. The state's housing target for the city is 82,069 homes by 2031. Mayor Daniel Lurie introduced that rezoning, the Family Zoning Plan, on June 24, 2025. It allows mid-rise (6 to 8 stories) and high-rise (9 or more stories) housing on major transit and commercial streets and creates Housing Choice San Francisco, a local bonus program offered as an optional alternative to the State Density Bonus Law. HCD preliminarily found the draft package consistent with the housing element on September 9, 2025, and the Planning Commission adopted it on September 11. The Board of Supervisors amended it to exempt rent-controlled buildings with more than two units and historic buildings and to lower heights in some places while raising them in others, approved it 7-4 on December 2 and gave final approval 6-4 on December 9, 2025. Lurie signed it on December 12, and it took effect January 12, 2026. An October 2025 report by the city's chief economist estimated that the plan as proposed would produce 8,504 to 14,646 additional homes by about 2045. On January 9, 2026, Neighborhoods United SF, Small Business Forward and two residents sued in San Francisco County Superior Court (Case No. CPF26519501), arguing that the city relied on an addendum to the 2022 Housing Element EIR instead of preparing new environmental review, and asking the court to set the plan aside. On February 12, 2026, YIMBY Law, the California Housing Defense Fund and Californians for Homeownership sued from the other side, arguing that the plan does not create the capacity the housing element promised, adds limits on unit size, parking and curb cuts, and unlawfully bars projects that use the local program from using the State Density Bonus Law, SB 9 and AB 2011. The plan has stayed in effect during both cases, and by September 2026 the Planning Commission had approved the first project under it, an eight-story building with nine condominiums in Lone Mountain. The same pro-housing groups filed a third suit, reported in August 2026, over the city's SB 79 alternative plan, which they say repackages capacity from the Family Zoning Plan. A September 2, 2026 summary by the law firm Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass said the CEQA case had a case management meeting set for the end of September and that the first merits hearing in the pro-housing suit is scheduled for November 18, 2026. Unit figures above are the housing element's rezoning target.

Project facts

JurisdictionSan Francisco, San Francisco County
StatusLitigated
Project typeMixed Residential
AddressCitywide, San Francisco, CA (rezoning focused on the northern and western neighborhoods)
Units proposed36,282
Date filedJune 24, 2025
Date approvedDecember 9, 2025
Housing elementIn compliance (HCD)

Mechanism and what it did

Decision-making bodies

Board of Supervisors · Court · San Francisco Board of Supervisors · San Francisco County Superior Court

Timeline

DateEventWhat the record shows
June 24, 2025Mayor Lurie Introduces Family Zoning LegislationThe package, a Planning Code ordinance and a Zoning Map ordinance, carries out the rezoning program in the 2023-2031 housing element. SF Planning: https://sfplanning.org/sf-family-zoning-plan
September 9, 2025State Gives Preliminary OK to Rezoning PackageHCD preliminarily finds the draft package consistent with the housing element's rezoning commitments and reminds the city of the Jan. 31, 2026 deadline. HCD: https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/housing-for-all/housingelement-HCD-sf-draft-rezoning-package-09092025.pdf
September 11, 2025Planning Commission Adopts PlanThe Board of Supervisors' Land Use and Transportation Committee then amends the ordinances at hearings from Oct. 20 to Dec. 1. SF Planning: https://sfplanning.org/sf-family-zoning-plan
December 2, 2025Supervisors Give Initial Approval, 7-4Amendments adopted along the way exempt rent-controlled buildings with more than two units and historic buildings and lower heights in some places while raising them in others. San Francisco Examiner: https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/politics/sf-supervisors-pass-daniel-luries-housing-zoning-revamp/article_0f57298d-39bb-4343-a512-e089c4c5cd9e.html
December 9, 2025Board Gives Final Approval, 6-4The vote comes without discussion. Supervisor Alan Wong, who voted yes a week earlier, is absent. San Francisco Examiner: https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/urban-development/sf-family-zoning-plan-passes-upzoning-approved/article_3938b98d-df49-401f-b857-18e03c72c848.html
December 12, 2025Mayor Signs Family Zoning PlanThe ordinances are set to take effect Jan. 12, 2026, ahead of the state's Jan. 31 deadline. SF Planning: https://sfplanning.org/sf-family-zoning-plan
January 9, 2026Neighborhood and Small Business Groups Sue Under CEQANeighborhoods United SF, Small Business Forward, Romalyn Schmaltz and Paul Erickson file Case No. CPF26519501, asking the court to rescind the plan until the city prepares a supplemental EIR. Reed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/our-insights/blogs/viewpoints/102mekj/caught-in-a-pickle-a-ceqa-challenge-to-the-sf-family-zoning-plan-creates-uncer/
January 12, 2026Family Zoning Plan Takes EffectAs of Jan. 15 the petitioners had not moved for a stay, which they would need to suspend the plan during the case. Reuben, Junius & Rose: https://www.reubenlaw.com/tag/familyzoningplan/
February 12, 2026Pro-Housing Groups Sue, Saying Plan Falls ShortYIMBY Law, the California Housing Defense Fund and Californians for Homeownership argue the plan does not deliver the capacity the housing element promised and unlawfully limits use of the State Density Bonus Law. YIMBY Law: https://www.yimbylaw.org/press/yimby-law-california-housing-defense-fund-and-californians-for-homeownership-sue-san-francisco-for-violating-state-housing-law-with-family-zoning-plan

Decisions

DateBodyActionVoteStaff rec.Source
December 9, 2025Board of Supervisorsapproved
Final approval of the Family Zoning Plan ordinances. The initial vote on Dec. 2, 2025 was 7-4; Supervisor Alan Wong was absent for the final vote.
6–4UnknownSan Francisco Examiner: https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/urban-development/sf-family-zoning-plan-passes-upzoning-approved/article_3938b98d-df49-401f-b857-18e03c72c848.html
January 9, 2026Courtlawsuit filed
CEQA petition by Neighborhoods United SF, Small Business Forward, Romalyn Schmaltz and Paul Erickson, Case No. CPF26519501, San Francisco County Superior Court.
—UnknownReed Smith: https://www.reedsmith.com/our-insights/blogs/viewpoints/102mekj/caught-in-a-pickle-a-ceqa-challenge-to-the-sf-family-zoning-plan-creates-uncer/
February 12, 2026Courtlawsuit filed
Petition by YIMBY Law, the California Housing Defense Fund and Californians for Homeownership under housing element law. First merits hearing set for Nov. 18, 2026.
—UnknownYIMBY Law: https://www.yimbylaw.org/sf-family-zoning-plan

Sources

  1. San Francisco's 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Adopted Housing Element and Draft Rezoning Package, California Department of Housing and Community Development (Paul McDougall), September 9, 2025 [Planning Document]. https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/housing-for-all/housingelement-HCD-sf-draft-rezoning-package-09092025.pdf
  2. Supes approve SF mayor's zoning plan to allow much more housing, San Francisco Examiner (Patrick Hoge), December 2, 2025 [News Article]. https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/politics/sf-supervisors-pass-daniel-luries-housing-zoning-revamp/article_0f57298d-39bb-4343-a512-e089c4c5cd9e.html
  3. Lurie's Family Zoning Plan approved by majority of San Francisco supervisors, KTVU, December 2, 2025 [News Article]. https://ktvu.com/news/luries-family-zoning-plan-approved-majority-san-francisco-supervisors
  4. Lurie housing plan passes amid threats of lawsuits from different sides, San Francisco Examiner (Patrick Hoge), December 9, 2025 [News Article]. https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/urban-development/sf-family-zoning-plan-passes-upzoning-approved/article_3938b98d-df49-401f-b857-18e03c72c848.html
  5. Mayor Lurie Signs Historic Family Zoning Legislation to Make City Affordable for Generations of San Franciscans, Office of the Mayor, City and County of San Francisco, December 12, 2025 [Other]. https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-signs-historic-family-zoning-legislation-to-make-city-affordable-for-generations-of-san-franciscans
  6. Lawsuit Filed to Stop Mayor Lurie's Upzoning Plan, Because of Course, SFist (Jay Barmann), January 9, 2026 [News Article]. https://sfist.com/2026/01/09/lawsuit-filed-to-stop-mayor-luries-upzoning-plan-because-of-course/
  7. Neighborhood, Small Business Groups File Lawsuit Over San Francisco Rezoning Plan, KQED (Sydney Johnson), January 9, 2026 [News Article]. https://www.kqed.org/news/12069226/neighborhood-small-business-groups-file-lawsuit-over-san-francisco-rezoning-plan
  8. San Francisco neighborhood groups sue to halt Family Zoning plan, Courthouse News Service (Edvard Pettersson), January 9, 2026 [News Article]. https://www.courthousenews.com/san-francisco-neighborhood-groups-sue-to-halt-family-zoning-plan/
  9. Lawsuit over Rich Family Zoning Plan will test height limits, density, and CEQA, 48 Hills (Tim Redmond), January 11, 2026 [News Article]. https://48hills.org/2026/01/lawsuit-over-rich-family-zoning-plan-will-test-height-limits-density-and-ceqa/
  10. Family Zoning Plan Becomes Law: Lawsuit Filed, Reuben, Junius & Rose (Thomas Tunny), January 15, 2026 [Other]. https://www.reubenlaw.com/tag/familyzoningplan/
  11. Caught in a Pickle?: A CEQA Challenge to the SF Family Zoning Plan Creates Uncertainty for Developers and the City, Reed Smith, January 29, 2026 [Other]. https://www.reedsmith.com/our-insights/blogs/viewpoints/102mekj/caught-in-a-pickle-a-ceqa-challenge-to-the-sf-family-zoning-plan-creates-uncer/
  12. YIMBY Law, California Housing Defense Fund, and Californians for Homeownership Sue San Francisco for Violating State Housing Law with Family Zoning Plan, YIMBY Law, February 12, 2026 [Other]. https://www.yimbylaw.org/press/yimby-law-california-housing-defense-fund-and-californians-for-homeownership-sue-san-francisco-for-violating-state-housing-law-with-family-zoning-plan
  13. YIMBY Groups Sue San Francisco, Arguing Upzoning Doesn't Go Far Enough, KQED (Adhiti Bandlamudi), February 12, 2026 [News Article]. https://www.kqed.org/news/12073193/yimby-groups-sue-san-francisco-arguing-upzoning-doesnt-go-far-enough
  14. Two lawsuits challenge San Francisco's new housing plan from opposite poles, San Francisco Examiner (Patrick Hoge), February 17, 2026 [News Article]. https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/urban-development/sf-family-zoning-plan-dueling-housing-lawsuits/article_69f5f3b2-a077-4aa6-bc5b-02eaed7a2b37.html
  15. Housing advocates sue SF, saying it illegally carved SoMa out of state density law, The San Francisco Standard (Max Harrison-Caldwell and Gabriel Lorenzo Greschler), August 13, 2026 [News Article]. https://sfstandard.com/2026/08/13/lawsuit-san-francisco-yimby-nimby-housing/
  16. Family Zoning and SB 79 in Court: What's Next for San Francisco Housing?, Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass (Daniel Gershwin, Megan A. Jennings and Alyssa Netto), September 2, 2026 [Other]. https://www.coblentzlaw.com/unfamiliar-terrain/family-zoning-and-sb-79-in-court-whats-next-for-san-francisco-housing/
  17. Dueling lawsuits contest new San Francisco Family Zoning rules, HousingWire (The Builder's Daily) (Richard Lawson), September 10, 2026 [News Article]. https://www.housingwire.com/articles/sf-family-zoning-lawsuits/
  18. San Francisco Family Zoning Plan, San Francisco Planning [Planning Document]. https://sfplanning.org/sf-family-zoning-plan
  19. San Francisco Family Zoning Plan, YIMBY Law [Other]. https://www.yimbylaw.org/sf-family-zoning-plan

Data quality

Rating 4 of 5. Primary records for the key facts; minor details may rest on reporting. Corrections: https://whokilledthebuilding.com/corrections.