Planning Commission Approves Family Zoning Plan

The Facts

San Francisco's Planning Commission approved Mayor Daniel Lurie's Family Zoning Plan on September 11, 2025, advancing the comprehensive zoning reform to the Board of Supervisors. The 4-3 vote came after eight hours of public comment.

All four of the Mayor-nominated commissioners voted in favor. All three of the Board-appointed commissioners voted against, opting for the city to violate state law and inviting the state to take over local land use decisions.

The modest and popular plan creates capacity for approximately 36,000 new homes to help San Francisco meet its state mandate of permitting 82,069 homes by 2031.

The Context

The approval is a major milestone, coming just two days after the plan received preliminary validation from the state. California's housing department confirmed the plan substantially complies with state law, providing legal protection against potential challenges.

Despite opposition from a very small but loud minority, July 2025 polling found 74% of San Francisco voters support the Family Zoning Plan. Prior to the hearing, pro-growth and pro-housing supporters appeared alongside Mayor Lurie to rally support, while former Supervisor Aaron Peskin donned a NIMBY anti-housing costume.

Under current zoning, apartments are illegal across over 70% of San Francisco. The Family Zoning Plan would reduce that to near zero.

The GrowSF Take

NIMBY no more - San Francisco is finally embracing sensible zoning reform. A new generation of advocates and political leaders are showing that the old way of doing things is over.

The support of 74% of voters shows San Franciscans want more homes, not more bureaucratic delays. The Board of Supervisors now faces a clear choice: embrace evidence-based housing policy or obstruct solutions that thousands of families desperately need, violating state law and risking state intervention along the way.

There's really only one choice left: say Yes to more homes.