Planning Code - Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units
Ord. No. 0162-17
in effectFILE NO. 170434
AMENDED IN BOARD
7/11/2017
ORDINANCE NO. 162-17
[Planning Code - Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units]
Ordinance amending the Planning Code to bFi-Rg modify the requirements and
procedures for authorizing the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 1Q
include ADUs in RH-1lDl zoning districts in the Citvwide program. apply the cap on
number of ADUs to lots rather than buildings and remove the cap on buildings
undergoing seismic retrofitting. allow the construction of ADUs expanding into the
buildable or habitable area under certain conditions. modify the definition of existing
"built envelope" to inslude spase that was added under permit as "rooms down," 4)
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allow sonversion of vasant sommersial spase under spesified sirsumstanses, 5) make
an exception to the prohibition against constructing an ADU where there has been a
no-fault eviction in those cases where the tenant has been temporarily evicted in order
for the owner to perform capital improvements. rehabilitation work. or lead remediation
or abatement work. require modification of the project if construction of the ADU would
have adverse impacts on any known historic resource. and require the Planning
Department to apply all enacted design guidelines to ensure architectural compatibility
of the ADU with existing buildings on the subject lot in single family homes into
sonformity 'Nith the new mandates of state law; affirming the Planning Department's
determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of
consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code,
Section 101.1, and findings of public convenience, necessity, and welfare under
Planning Code, Section 302; and directing the Clerk to send a copy of this Ordinance to
the California Department of Housing and Community Development after adoption
pursuant to state law requirements.
Supervisor Peskin
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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NOTE:
Unchanged Code text and uncodified text are in plain Arial font.
Additions to Codes are in single-underline italics Times New Roman font.
Deletions to Codes are in strikethrough italics Times }kw Romt1n font.
Board amendment additions are in double-underlined Arial font.
Board amendment deletions are in strikethrough /\rial font.
Asterisks(* * * *) indicate the omission of unchanged Code
subsections or parts of tables.
Be it ordained by the People of the City and County of San Francisco:
Section 1 . General Findings.
(a)
The Planning Department has determined that the actions contemplated in this
ordinance comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources
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Code Sections 21000 et seq.). Said determination is on file with the Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors in File No. 170125 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Board affirms
this determination.
(b)
On January 24, 2017, the Planning Commission, in Resolution No. 19859,
adopted findings that the actions contemplated in this ordinance are consistent, on balance,
with the City's General Plan and eight priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1. The
Board adopts these findings as its own. A copy of said Resolution is on file with the Clerk of
the Board of Supervisors in File No. 170125, and is incorporated herein by reference.
(c)
Pursuant to Planning Code Section 302, the Board of Supervisors finds that
these Planning Code amendments will serve the public necessity, convenience, and welfare
for the reasons set forth in Planning Commission Resolution No. 19859 and incorporates such
reasons herein by reference.
Section 2. Specific Findings.
(a)
In 1982, the Legislature originally enacted the state's second unit law in
response to a serious statewide housing shortage. In California Government Code Section
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65852.150, the Legislature found and declared that "second units are a valuable form of
housing in California" and Section 65852.2 encouraged local governments to enact legislation
that allowed and regulated second units within the jurisdiction. The California second unit law
has been amended several times since 1982, each time imposing additional limitations on the
local regulation of second units.
(b)
On January 1, 2017, new amendments to California's second unit law (in which
second units were renamed accessory dwelling units) went into effect. California Government
Code Section 65852.150 was amended to declare that California's housing crisis is now
severe. The amendments mandate local governments, including those with a charter, to
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approve ministerially one accessory dwelling unit in an existing single-family home located in
a single-family zoning district, or in a detached structure on the same lot, if the accessory
dwelling unit meets the standards enacted by the Legislature.
(c)
A local government may adopt less restrictive requirements for accessory
dwelling units than the mandated state standards. However, a local ordinance that does not
include all the provisions required by state law, or that does not otherwise fully comply with
the new requirements, is unenforceable unless and until it is amended to comply.
(d)
On May 12. 2017. Ordinance 95-17 was enacted to bring This ordinance
amends San Francisco's requirements and procedures for the review and approval of
accessory dwelling units in order to bring them into full compliance with the recent state
mandates. Ordinance 95-17 became effective on June 11, 2017. This ordinance enacts
additional policy changes.
Section 3. The Planning Code is hereby amended by revising Sections 102 and 207,
to read as follows:
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SEC. 207. DWELLING UNIT DENSITY LIMITS.
* * * *
(c)
Exceptions to Dwelling Unit Density Limits. An exception to the calculations
under this Section 207 shall be made in the following circumstances:
* * * *
(4)
Accessory Dwelling Units in Multifamily Buildings; Accessory
Dwelling Units in Single-Family Homes That Do Not Strictly Meet the Requirements in
Subsection (c)(6).
(A)
Definition. An "Accessory Dwelling Unit" (ADU) is defined in
Section 102.
(B)
Applicability. This subsection (c)(4) shall apply to the construction
of Accessory Dwelling Units on all lots located within the City and County of San Francisco in
areas that allow residential use, except that construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit is
regulated by subsection (c)(6), and not this subsection (c)(4), if all of the following
circumstances exist:
only one ADU will be constructed;
(i)
(ii)
the ADU will be located on a lot that is zoned for single-
family or multifamily use and contains an existing single-family dwelling~
(iii)
· the ADU will be constructed entirely within the "living area"
(as defined in subsection (c)(6)(B G)(iii) or the buildable area of an existing single-family home
or within the built envelope of an existing and authorized auxiliary structure on the same lot;
(iv)
the ADU will strictly meet the requirements set forth in
subsection (c)(6) without requiring a waiver of Code requirements pursuant to subsection
(c)(4 )(G); and
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(v)
the permit application does not include seismic upgrade
work pursuant to subsection (c)(4 )(F);
provided, however, that the Department shall not approve an application for construction of
an Accessory Dwelling Unit in any building regulated by this subsection (c)(4) where a tenant
has been evicted pursuant to Administrative Code Sections 37.9(a)(9) through 37.9(a)(14)
under a notice of eviction served within 10 years prior to filing the application for a building
permit to construct the ADU or where a tenant has been evicted pursuant to Administrative
Code Section 37.9(a)(8) under a notice of eviction served within five years prior to filing the
application for a building permit to construct the ADU. This provision shall not apply if the
tenant was evicted under Section 37.9(a)(11) or 37.9(a)(14) and the applicant(s) either (A)
have certified that the original tenant reoccupied the unit after the temporarv eviction or (8)
have submitted to the Department and to the Rent Board a declaration from the property
owner or the tenant certifying that the property owner or the Rent Board notified the tenant of
the tenant's right to reoccupy the unit after the temporary evietion and the tenant chose not to
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reoccupy it.
(C)
Controls on Construction. An Accessory Dwelling Unit is
permitted to be constructed under the following conditions:
(i)
For buildings lots that have four existing Dwelling Units or
fewer, one ADU is permitted; for buildings lots that have more than four existing Dwelling
Units or are undergoing seismic retrofitting under subsection (F) below, there is no limit on the
number of ADUs permitted.
(ii)
An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be constructed entirely
within the built envelope of an existing building or within the built envelope of an existing and
authorized auxiliary structure on the same lot, as the built envelope in either case existed
three years prior to the time the application was filed for a building permit to construct the
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ADU. For purposes of this provision, the "built envelope" shall include all spaces included in
Zoning Administrator Bulletin 4, as amended from time to time, as \Voll as any infilling
underneath rear extensions the open area under a cantilevered room or room built on
columns; decks, except for decks that encroach into the required rear yard, or decks that are
supported by columns or walls other than the building 'Nall to 1Nhich it is attached and are
multi level or more than 10 feet above grade; and lightwell infills provided that the infill •..viii be
against a blank neighboring wall at the property line and not visible from any off site location;
as these spaces exist as of July 11, 2016 and except for any of these spaces that encroach
on the required rear yard. In the event that an ADU is built in any of these additional spaces,
such construction shall require notice pursuant to Planning Code Section 311 or 312. the
open area under a cantilevered room or room built on columns: decks. except for decks that
encroach into the required rear yard. or decks that are supported by columns or walls other
than the building wall to which it is attached and are multi-level or more than 10 feet above
grade: and lightwell infills provided that the infill will be against a blank neighboring wall at the
property line and not visible from any off-site location; as these spaces exist as of July 11.
2016 and except for any of these spaces that encroach on the required rear yard.
(iii)
An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not be constructed using
space from an existing Dwelling Unit except that an ADU may (a) e><pand into the buildable
area on the ground floor or (b) expand into habitable space on the ground or basement floors
provided that it does not exceed 25% of the gross square footage of such space. The Zoning
Administrator may waive this 25% limitation if (a) the resulting space would not be usable or
would be impractical to use for other reasonable uses included but not limited to storage or
bicycle parking or (b) waiving the limitation would help relieve any negative layout issues for
the proposed ADU. the allmvable area may include any residential space added under permit
as "rooms down."
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* * * *
(vi)
An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall not be permitted in any
building in a Neighborhood Commercial District or in the Chinatown Community Business or
Visitor Retail Districts if it would eliminate or reduce a ground-story retail or commercial space.
However, in ~Jeighborhood Commercial Districts, conversion of vacant commercial space to
an ADU is permitted so long as that commercial space is not street facing or does not
constitute more than a 25% reduction of the total commercial space on that lot.
(F)
Buildings Undergoing Seismic Retrofitting. For Accessory
Dwelling Units on lots with a building undergoing mandatory seismic retrofitting in compliance
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with Chapter 4D of the Existing Building Code or voluntary seismic retrofitting in compliance
with the Department of Building Inspection's Administrative Bulletin 094, the following
additional provision applies: If allowed by the Building Code, a building in which an Accessory
Dwelling Unit is constructed may be raised up to three feet to create ground floor ceiling
heights suitable for residential use. Such a raise in height
(i)
shall be exempt from the notification requirements of
Sections 311 and 312 of this Code; and
(ii)
may expand a noncomplying structure, as defined in
Section 180(a)(2) of this Code and further regulated in Sections 172, 180, and 188, without
obtaining a variance for increasing the discrepancy between existing conditions on the lot and
the required standards of this Code.
(iii)
on lots where an ADU is added in coordination with a
building undergoing mandatory seismic retrofitting in compliance with Chapter 4D of the
Existing Building Code or voluntary seismic retrofitting in compliance with the Department of
Building Inspection's Administrative Bulletin 094, the building and the new ADU shall maintain
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any eligibility to enter the condo-conversion lottery and may only be subdivided if the entire
property is selected on the condo-conversion lottery.
(iv)
pursuant to subsection (4 )(C)(i). there is no limit on the
number of ADUs that are permitted to be added in connection with a seismic retrofit.
* * * *
(J)
Permit Application Revie•.v and Approval. The Department shall
approve an application for a permit to construct an Accessory Di..velling Unit within 120 days
from receipt of the application, without modification or disapproval, if the proposed
construction fully complies •.vith the requirements set forth in subsection (c)(4 ).
(6)
Accessory Dwelling Units in Existing Single-Family Homes.
(A)
Applicability. This subsection (c)(6) shall apply to the construction
of Accessory Dwelling Units (as defined in Section 102) in existing single-family homes that
meet the requirements of this subsection. An ADU constructed pursuant to this subsection is
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considered a residential use that is consistent with the General Plan and the zoning
designation for the lot. Adding one ADU to an existing single-family home shall not exceed the
allowable density for the lot. If construction of the ADU will not meet the requirements of this
subsection and the ADU cannot be constructed without a waiver of Code requirements
pursuant to subsection (c)(4)(G), the ADU is regulated pursuant to subsection (c)(4) and not
this subsection (c)(6).
(B)
RH 1 (D); Controls on Construction. An Accessory 0\Nelling Unit
in an RH 1 (D) zoning district shall be allmved only as mandated by Section 65852.2 of the
California Government Code and only in strict compliance '.vith the requirements of that
section as it is amended from time to time.
(BG) Lots Zoned for Single-Family or Multifamily Use and
Containing an Existing Single-Family Home; Controls on Construction. An Accessory
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Dwelling Unit located in a residential zoning district other than RH 1 (D) and constructed
pursuant to this subsection (c)(6) shall meet all of the following:
(i)
The ADU will strictly meet the requirements set forth in this
subsection (c)(6)(C) without requiring a waiver of Code requirements pursuant to subsection
(c)(4)(G)* T
(ii)
The permit application does not include seismic upgrade
work pursuant to subsection (c)(4)(F).
(iii)
Only one ADU will be constructed that is entirely within
either the "living area" or the buildable area of an existing single-family home, or within the
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built envelope of an existing and authorized auxiliary structure on the same lot "=except that
an ADU may (a) expand into tho buildablo area on tho ground floor or (b) expand into
habitable space on tho ground or basement floors provided that it does not exceed 25% of tho
gross square footage of such space, and tho Zoning Administrator may 'Naive this 25%
limitation if (a) tho resulting space •..vould not be usable or would be impractical to use for other
reasonable uses included but not limited to storage or bicycle parking or (b) \Naiving the
limitation •..vould help relieve any negative layout issues for tho proposed ADU. ; tho allov;able
area shall include any residential space added under permit as "rooms down." Living area"
means (as defined in Section 65852.2(i)(1) of tho California Government Code) "the interior
habitable area of a dwelling unit including basements and attics, but does not include a
garage or any accessory structure."
(iv)
If contained within the existing space of a single-family
residence or accessory structure, the ADU must have independent exterior access from the
existing residence or accessory structure, and side and rear setbacks sufficient for fire safety.
(v)
If construction of the ADU will, in the opinion of the
Department, have adverse impacts on a property listed in the California Register of Historic
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Places or any other known historical resource, the Department shall may require modification
of the proposed project to the extent necessary to prevent or mitigate such impacts.
(vi)
The Department shall may apply any Residential Qgesign
Gguidelineg in the Code to the proposed project and review the design of the proposed
project to ensure architectural compatibility with existing buildings on the subject lot that is
generally applicable in San Francisco to the proposed construction of an ADU.
(vii)
No setback is required for an existing garage that is
converted to an ADU.
(viii)
All applicable requirements of San Francisco's health and
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safety codes shall apply, including but not limited to the Building and Fire Codes.
(ix)
No parking is required for the ADU. If existing parking is
demolished in order to construct the ADU, only the parking space required by this Code for
the existing single-family home must be replaced. If replacement parking is required, it may be
located in any configuration on the lot including but not limited to covered, uncovered, or
tandem space or by the use of mechanical automobile parking lifts.
(C Q) Permit Application Review and Approval. Except as authorized
by subsections (c)(6)(B G)(v) and (vi), the Department shall approve an application for a
permit to construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit within 120 days from receipt of the complete
application, without modification or disapproval, if the proposed construction fully complies
with the requirements set forth in subsection (c)(6)(C).
(De) Prohibition of Short-Term Rentals. An Accessory Dwelling Unit
authorized under this subsection (c)(6) shall not be used for Short-Term Residential Rentals
under Chapter 41A of the Administrative Code. This restriction shall be recorded as a Notice
of Special Restriction on the subject lot.
(E .i;:) Rental; Restrictions on Subdivisions.
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(i)
An ADU constructed pursuant to this subsection (c)(6) may
be rented and is subject to all applicable provisions of the Residential Rent Stabilization and
Arbitration Ordinance (Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code).
(ii)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 9 of the
Subdivision Code, a lot with an Accessory Dwelling Unit authorized under this subsection
(c)(6) shall not be subdivided in a manner that would allow for the ADU to be sold or
separately financed pursuant to any condominium plan, housing cooperative, or similar form
of separate ownership; provided, however, that this prohibition on separate sale or finance of
the ADU shall not apply to a building that within three years prior to July 11, 2016, was an
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existing condominium with no Rental Unit as defined in Section 37.2(r) of the Administrative
Code, and also within 10 years prior to July 11, 2016 had no evictions pursuant to Sections
37 .9(a) through 37 .9(a)(14) of the Administrative Code.
(f G) Department Report. In the report required by subsection
(c)(4)(1)(iii), the Department shall include a description and evaluation of the number and
types of units being developed pursuant to this subsection (c)(6), their affordability rates, and
such other information as the Director or the Board of Supervisors determines would inform
decision makers and the public.
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after
enactment. Enactment occurs when the Mayor signs the ordinance, the Mayor returns the
ordinance unsigned or does not sign the ordinance within ten days of receiving it, or the Board
of Supervisors overrides the Mayor's veto of the ordinance.
Section 5. Scope of Ordinance. In enacting this ordinance, the Board of Supervisors
intends to amend only those words, phrases, paragraphs, subsections, sections, articles,
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numbers, punctuation marks, charts, diagrams, or any other constituent parts of the Municipal
Code that are explicitly shown in this ordinance as additions, deletions, Board amendment
additions, and Board amendment deletions in accordance with the "Note" that appears under
the official title of the ordinance.
Section 6. Directions to Clerk. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors is hereby directed
to submit a copy of this ordinance to the California Department of Housing and Community
Development within 60 days after adoption pursuant to Section 65852.2(h) of the California
Government Code.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DENNIS J. ~ERRERA, City Attorney
By:
n:\legana\as2017\1700389\01204709.docx
Supervisor Peskin
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page
City and County of San Francisco
Tails
Ordinance
City Hall
I Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689
File Number:
170434
Date Passed: July 18, 2017
Ordinance amending the Planning Code to modify the requirements and procedures for authorizing
the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to include ADUs in RH-1 (D) zoning districts in
the Citywide program, apply the cap on number of ADUs to lots rather than buildings and remove the
cap on buildings undergoing seismic retrofitting, allow the construction of ADUs expanding into the
habitable area under certain conditions, make an exception to the prohibition against constructing an
ADU where there has been a no-fault eviction in those cases where the tenant has been temporarily
evicted in order for the owner to perform capital improvements, rehabilitation work, or lead
remediation or abatement work, require modification of the project if construction of the ADU would
have adverse impacts on any known historic resource, and require the Planning Department to
apply all enacted design guidelines to ensure architectural compatibility of the ADU with existing
buildings on the subject lot; affirming the Planning Department's determination under the California
Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight
priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1, and findings of public convenience, necessity, and
welfare under Planning Code, Section 302; and directing the Clerk to send a copy of this Ordinance
to the California Department of Housing and Community Development after adoption pursuant to
state law requirements.
April 17, 2017 Land Use and Transportation Committee -AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT
OF THE WHOLE BEARING SAME TITLE
April 17, 2017 Land Use and Transportation Committee - CONTINUED TO CALL OF THE
CHAIR AS AMENDED
June 12, 2017 Land Use and Transportation Committee - CONTINUED
June 26, 2017 Land Use and Transportation Committee -AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT
OF THE WHOLE BEARING NEW TITLE
June 26, 2017 Land Use and Transportation Committee - RECOMMENDED AS
AMENDED
July 11, 2017 Board of Supervisors - AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT OF THE WHOLE
BEARING NEW TITLE
Ayes: 11 - Breed, Cohen, Farrell, Fewer, Kim, Peskin, Ronen, Safai, Sheehy,
Tang and Yee
July 11, 2017 Board of Supervisors - PASSED ON FIRST READING AS AMENDED
Ayes: 11 - Breed, Cohen, Farrell, Fewer, Kim, Peskin, Ronen, Safai, Sheehy,
Tang and Yee
July 18, 2017 Board of Supervisors - FINALLY PASSED
City and County of Sa11 Francisco
Ayes: 11 - Breed, Cohen, Farrell, Fewer, Kim, Peskin, Ronen, Safai, Sheehy,
Tang and Yee
Page9
Printed at 3:04 pm 011 7119117
File No. 170434
City mu/ Co1111ly of Sau Fra11cisco
Page JO
I hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance was Fl NALLY PASSED on
7/18/2017 by the Board of Supervisors of
the City and County of San Francisco.
11~1(1f
Date Approved
Pri11ted at 3:04 pm 011 7119117
References
amendsSec. 207
Source: sf_ordinance_pdfURL: http://sfbos.archive.sf.gov/sites/default/files/o0162-17.pdfFetched: 7/4/2026