Height Restrictions

Building Heights and Step-Backs

What Are Height Limits?

Height limits are a critical component of almost every zoning code in the United States.

June 3, 2021 - James Brasuell

The Embarcadero

Trial Over San Francisco Waterfront Development Height Limits Begins

The State Lands Commission filed suit shortly after San Francisco voters approved Prop. B in June 2014, requiring waterfront developments exceeding height limits to obtain voter approval rather than go through the Planning Commission process.

January 15, 2018 - San Francisco Examiner

San Francisco Waterfront Heights Lawsuit Moves Forward

The lawsuit would not restrict heights—just the opposite. Back in June, San Francisco voters overwhelmingly backed Proposition B to restrict building heights along the waterfront. The State Lands Commission sued.

March 27, 2015 - San Francisco Chroncile

San Francisco Approves Prop B Height Restrictions

The eventuality predicted since San Francisco's Prop. B qualified for the ballot has come to pass, with more than 59 percent of San Francisco voters approving the ordinance that will require votes on developments exceeding existing height limits.

June 4, 2014 - SFGate

Ferry Building San Francisco

With Ballot Box Zoning Likely to Pass—What Next for San Francisco?

C.W. Nevius examines the consequences of Proposition B—on the ballot in San Francisco in June.

May 12, 2014 - SFGate

Golden State Warriors Drop Pier 30-32 Arena Plans

In what is surely a victory for opponents of waterfront development along the Embarcadero corridor in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors have purchased a new site farther south, near AT&T Park and the UCSF Mission Bay campus, for a new arena.

April 22, 2014 - SF Weekly

harbor and Bay Bridge

Dirty Politics in San Francisco’s Height Restrictions Initiative

The city of San Francisco will vote on Prop. B, an ordinance that would limit the height of developments along the waterfront, in June. The ballot will list the campaign manager for the Yes on B campaign as the official opponent of the measure.

March 14, 2014 - SFGate

Congress Inching Toward Small Changes to D.C. Height Restrictions

A strange scene this week: members of Congress discussing height restrictions in one of the country's largest urban centers. In the end, a House committee approved a bill that would loosen D.C.’s century-old Height of Buildings Act.

March 13, 2014 - Washington Business Journal

Ballot Box Zoning Initiative Possible for San Francisco

Proponents of a ballot initiative that would require a vote for any development on the San Francisco waterfront that exceeds existing height limits have gathered enough signatures to put the issue to a vote.

February 5, 2014 - SF Gate

Push to Loosen D.C. Height Limits Gains Momentum

Tim Craig reports on a new push by federal and city officials to relax Washington D.C.'s building height restrictions, reopening decades-old debates about the look, feel and character of the city.

April 13, 2012 - The Washington Post

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