OFFICE-TO-DWELLING CONVERSION.
Fresno Municipal Code § 15-2742.5
in effectSEC. 15-2742.5. - OFFICE-TO-DWELLING CONVERSION.
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow for the conversion of an existing office building(s) from an office use to a multi-unit residential use which will provide housing to residents and facilitate compliance of said structures into safe and habitable condition as required by State and local law.
B. Applicability. Office-to-Dwelling Conversions shall be permitted in locations where an Eligible Office may exist.
C. Permit Required. An application for an Office-to-Dwelling Conversion shall require a Zone Clearance per § 15-5102.
D. Definitions.
1. "Eligible Office" shall be defined as an existing office building(s) located in the O District.
E. Compliance with Existing Regulations. The following requirements shall apply to all Office-to-Dwelling Conversions:
1. An Eligible Office shall bring the subject office building(s) into full compliance with the most recently adopted California Building Code(s), as may be amended and any local amendments thereto.
2. An Eligible Office shall be subject to the occupancy classifications and change of occupancy requirements in the California Building Code(s) based upon the classification most similar to the primary use of the facility, as determined by the Building Official.
3. An Eligible Office shall not operate if the building(s) or any portion of the building(s) exists with any of the conditions necessary to be declared a substandard building within the meaning of California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3, as may be amended.
4. In the event an Eligible Office is declared a substandard building(s) or otherwise exists with any of the conditions necessary to be declared a substandard building(s), the Eligible Office shall be subject to the provisions of Fresno Municipal Code Sections 11-324 et seq.
F. Maximum Density. There is no maximum density, rather, the number of allowable units shall be determined by compliance with the California Building Code(s) for minimum dwelling unit square footage requirements.
G. Other Capacity Inspections. Office-to-Dwelling Conversions shall complete plumbing, structural, and mechanical, and any other improvements sufficient to accommodating residents, and as deemed necessary by the Building Official to preserve the public health and safety. These improvements are subject to review, inspection, and approval of the Building Official.
H. Legal Non-Conforming Uses, Structures, and Site Features. The provisions of Sections 15-404 and 15-405 shall apply to any legal non-conforming uses, structures, and site features of an Eligible Office that are not subject or related to an Office-to-Dwelling Conversion. Should an Eligible Office choose to additionally alter any use, structure, or site feature not associated with an Office-to-Dwelling Conversion, such alterations shall be done in compliance with all applicable State and local codes.
1. The construction of ancillary structures required for the conversion of office to residential uses is permitted. Construction of these structures must comply with the RM-3 District standards for new development, as identified in Section 15-1003.1
(Added Ord. 2025-023, § 2, eff. 12-26-25).
Source: City of Fresno, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/fresno/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCOCHFRCA_CH15CIDECOINRE_PTIIIREAPSOALDI_ART27STSPUSAC_S15-2742.5OF-DCOFetched: 11/1/2026