Design Guidelines

Since 1988, the San Francisco City Planning Department has used residential design guidelines in its review of building permit applications in order to preserve and enhance the quality of its residential neighborhoods.

The purpose of the Cow Hollow Neighborhood Design Guidelines is to assist residents, neighbors, community groups and city planners in determining whether the renovation or expansion of an existing building, or the construction of a new building, is visually and physically compatible with the neighborhood character of Cow Hollow.

The key issues for the neighborhood are preservation and enhancement of its unique and historic character as perceived from the block face and the rear facades of buildings, which form a backdrop for lower neighboring districts and the Presidio National Park.