Department of Building Inspection Annual Report Fiscal Year 2016-2017 | Page 14

Additional
Dwelling Units Legalization of
In-Law Units
Established in May 2015, building owners participating
in the City’s Mandatory Soft Story Program or voluntary
seismic retrofitting programs may now add additional
accessory dwelling units in spaces that were not
previously residential, so long as those units do not
extend beyond the existing building envelope. Established in May 2014, this ordinance allows
unauthorized dwelling units or, “in-law” units, to be
legalized. This is a voluntary program that allows
property owners to formally register and rent their
in-law units in San Francisco, assuming all life-safety
conditions are met.
This ordinance will potentially add new affordable units
to the housing stock. It is applicable citywide and not
limited to specific zoning districts, except for the Castro
Street Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD). An in-law unit is an additional dwelling inside a property
that was intended to be a single unit. Homeowners
often convert and rent unused space in their homes.
Although it is common, this has been illegal. With this
ordinance, one of these existing units may legally join the
housing market should the owner follow the stipulated
process. This program ensures that these existing
in-law units will be safe and habitable for renters.
In Review In Review
285 permits submitted
17 permits issued
1 permit completed
14
Department of Building Inspection, Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Annual Report
200 permits submitted
131 permits issued
84 permits completed