San Francisco Building Inspection Commission Codes Ch. 1 Adm

Chapter 1 ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 101 – GENERAL

101.1 Revise this section as follows: 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. San Francisco Green Building [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. Code, and may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code”. [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. The [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. San Francisco Green Building [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. Code is Part 11 of thirteen parts of the official compilation and publication of the adoption, amendment and repeal of building regulations to the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. and Chapter 13C of San Francisco Building Inspection Commission Amendments to the California Building Standards Code.

101.2 Revise this section as follows: 101.2 Purpose. The purpose of this [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. chapter is to [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. promote the health, safety and general welfare [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. of San Francisco residents, workers, and visitors by [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code.

minimizing waste of energy, water, and other resources in the construction and operation of buildings in the City and County of San Francisco and by providing a healthy indoor environment. The green building practices required by this

chapter will also further the goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in the City and County of San Francisco to 61 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2030, as stated in San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 9. 101.3 Revise this section as follows:

101.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure, unless otherwise indicated in this code, as well as alterations to existing buildings throughout [ ← ]

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the City and County of San Francisco.

While [ ← ]

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this code [ ← ]

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references green building programs, the City and County of San Francisco does not confer certification [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code.

under any green building program. 101.3.1 Revise this section as follows: 101.3.1 [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code.

Regulated buildings, structures and applications. Provisions of this code shall apply to the following buildings, structures, and applications regulated by state agencies as specified in Sections 103 through 106 [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code.

of California Green Building Standards Code Title 24 Part 11, modified by local ordinance with supplemental requirements applicable to occupancy types A, B, I, M, E and R as defined by California Building Code Title 24 Section 302 (2025) as amended pursuant to Section 101.7. When adopted by a state agency, the provisions of this code shall be enforced by the appropriate enforcing agency, but only to the extent of authority granted to such agency by statute.

101.4 Revise this section as follows: 101.4 Appendices. [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code.

[Reserved] 101.6 Revise this section as follows: 101.6.1 Differences. In the event of any differences between these building standards and the standard reference documents, the text of [ ← ]

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this Chapter shall govern. 101.6.3 Revise this section as follows:

101.6.3 Conflicts. When the requirements of this code conflict with the requirements of any other part of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, any provision contained elsewhere in the San Francisco Municipal Code, or any regulation or requirement adopted by the Public Utilities Commission or other City agency under its Charter authority, the most restrictive requirement shall prevail.

101.7 Revise this section as follows:

101.7 City [ ← ]

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and county amendments, additions [ ← ]

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and deletions. [ ← ]

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This code includes the amendments, deletions, and additions to California green building requirements which maintain stricter local green building standards.

101.10 Revise this section as follows:

101.10 [ ← ]

The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code. Equivalency. Wherever reference is made to the LEED® or GreenPoint Rated systems, a comparable equivalent rating system may be used if approved by the Director. The applicable LEED®, GreenPoint Rated or equivalent versions of performance standards for applications subject to this chapter are:

LEED v4 for Interior Design and Construction (LEED v4 ID+C)

LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction (LEED v4 BD+C)

LEED v4 for Homes Design and Construction

GreenPoint Rated (GPR) New Home Construction – 10.0 or current

GreenPoint Rated (GPR) Existing Multifamily –v2.0 or current

Wherever specific LEED prerequisites or credits are cited, such references are to LEED v4 BD+C. More recent

LEED and GreenPoint Rated versions may be used, provided the credits and points achieved are as or at least as stringent as LEED v4 BD+C or GPR v10.0.

Wherever the LEED or GreenPoint Rated systems include a minimum energy or other performance requirement, the permit applicant may choose to meet the minimum performance requirements with an alternative equivalent method approved by the Director.

Compliance with any of these requirements may be verified and/or certified by any means, including third-party review or equivalent requirements verified via other rating systems, as approved by the Director. 101.11 Revise this section as follows:

101.11 Effective use of this code. The following steps shall be used to establish which provisions of this code are applicable to a specific occupancy:

Establish the type of occupancy.

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Find the section which covers the established occupancy.
Identify the minimum requirements of this code for the [ ← ]

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established occupancy in Sections 4 and 5.

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Administrative Bulletin 93, provided by the Department of Building Inspection, summarizes how the requirements of San Francisco Green Building Code and relevant local requirements may be met. Appendices to Administrative Bulletin 93 include tabular summaries of required measures, and provide submittal forms.

Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS

SECTION 202 – DEFINITIONS

202 Add and amend the following definitions:

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SPACE (EV Space). A space intended for future installation of EV charging equipment and charging of electric vehicles. The EV Space need not be reserved exclusively for electric vehicle charging.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION (EVCS). One or more electric vehicle charging spaces served by [ ← ] The arrow represents the location of language that has been deleted by San Francisco from the applicable California Code.

electric vehicle charger(s) or other charging equipment allowing charging of electric vehicles. For purposes of determining compliance with accessibility requirements, when the permitted length of time a vehicle may occupy an electric vehicle charging station differs from the permitted duration of stay in publicly accessible parking spaces in the same parking area, electric vehicle charging stations are not considered parking spaces. When the permitted duration of stay in a space served by electric vehicle charger(s) is the same as other publicly accessible parking spaces in the same parking area, EVCS may be considered parking spaces. The EVCS need not be reserved exclusively for electric vehicle charging.

GREENPOINT RATED, GREENPOINTS and GREENPOINTS CHECKLIST. The residential green building rating system and checklist and certification methodology of the non-profit organization Build It Green.

HISTORICAL RESOURCE. A property that meets the terms of the definitions in Section 21084.1 of the CEQA Statute (The California Environmental Quality Act [Public Resources Code Section 21084.1]) and Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines, as determined by the San Francisco Planning Department.

LARGE COMMERCIAL BUILDING. A commercial building or addition of Group B, M, A, I, or E, occupancy that is 25,000 gross square feet or more.

LEED® and LEED® CHECKLIST. The Leadership in Energy and Environment Design rating system, certification methodology, and checklist of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

MAJOR ALTERATIONS. Alterations and additions where interior finishes are removed and significant upgrades to structural and mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing systems are proposed where areas of such construction are 25,000 gross square feet or more in Group B, M, or R occupancies of existing buildings.

MIXED-FUEL BUILDING. A building that uses natural gas or propane as fuel for space heating, water heating (including pools and spas), cooking appliances or clothes drying appliances, or is plumbed for such equipment.

NEW LARGE COMMERCIAL INTERIORS. First-time tenant improvements where areas of such construction are over 25,000 gross square feet or more in Group B or M occupancy areas of existing buildings.

NEWLY CONSTRUCTED (or NEW CONSTRUCTION). A newly constructed building (or new construction) is a building that has never before been used or occupied for any purpose and does not include additions, alterations or repairs.

RESIDENTIAL LONG-TERM BICYCLE PARKING. [HCD] A secure locker, weather protected enclosure, or storage room that provides bicycle parking for more than twelve hours that allows individual locking of bicycles to a permanently anchored parking device or rack.

RESIDENTIAL SHORT-TERM BICYCLE PARKING. [HCD] A permanently anchored bicycle parking device, rack or lockers, in an unsheltered, open area, that provides bicycle parking for twelve hours or less that allows individual locking of bicycles to the parking device or rack.

TOTAL ENERGY DESIGN RATING. A metric required by the California Energy Commission to be applied to low-rise residential construction in order to comply with California Title 24 Part 6 Energy Standards. The Total Energy Design Rating has two components: (a) the Energy Efficiency Design Rating; and (b) the Solar Electric Generation and Demand Flexibility Design Rating. The Solar Electric Generation and Demand Flexibility Design Rating is subtracted from the Energy Efficiency Design Rating to determine the Total Energy Design Rating. California Energy Standards require that each building must separately comply with the Energy Efficiency Design Rating and the Total Energy Design Rating.