San Francisco — Tenant & Housing Programs

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the San Francisco Administrative Code sets for tenant protections and housing programs that preserve, rehabilitate, or allocate housing. It focuses on Residential Hotel (SRO) protections, relocation assistance during code-driven work, affordable housing allocation preferences, and preservation of assisted housing—programs administered alongside the San Francisco Administrative Code. Where obligations instead live in the Planning Code (like inclusionary housing), we point you to the San Francisco Planning Code.

Most critical rule: you cannot lawfully convert or demolish a protected residential hotel unit without replacing the housing and protecting permanent residents through notice and relocation assistance. See the one-for-one replacement requirement and tenant rights in § 41.13 and § 41.17.

What the Administrative Code Establishes

Residential Hotel Unit Conversion and Demolition (Chapter 41)

San Francisco’s Residential Hotel Unit Conversion and Demolition Ordinance governs conversion, demolition, and status reporting for residential hotel units (“SROs”). Key elements:

• Permits and tenant rights. Hotel owners must follow permit procedures (including notice) and protect “permanent residents,” who get defined rights before and during conversion. Owners must, among other steps, notify residents before applying, allow up to 60 days’ continued occupancy after a permit to convert is issued, offer comparable units, and provide relocation assistance.
• One-for-one replacement. Before a conversion permit issues, owners must provide replacement housing. Options include constructing comparable units; “bringing back” comparable units to the market; providing specified affordable or transitional housing subject to recorded restrictions and Planning Commission review; or paying 80% of construction and site costs into the Residential Hotel Preservation Fund.
• Demolition. Demolition tied to abatement orders or major damage requires tenant notice, relocation rights, and conditioning the future building permit on one-for-one replacement.
• Nonprofits. Nonprofit hotel operators must comply with initial and annual status reporting and the same one-for-one replacement if units are removed.
• Partially completed conversions (historic). If claiming an old, partially completed conversion exemption, the owner owes relocation as set out in § 41.17(b) and per-unit deposits to the City’s preservation account.

Relevant sections: § 41.1–§ 41.4 (title/purpose/findings), § 41.7 (exemptions), § 41.8 (nonprofits), § 41.13 (replacement), § 41.15–§ 41.17 (permits and tenant rights), § 41.18 (demolition).

Assisted Housing Preservation (Chapter 60)

The Assisted Housing Preservation Ordinance addresses the risk of affordable units being lost when federally assisted mortgages are prepaid or rent subsidy contracts end. It provides:

• Purpose and framework to preserve affordability, require notice to tenants and the City, and avoid unnecessary displacement.
• Processes including notice of intent to prepay/terminate, public hearings, relocation benefits for displacement due to conversion, disclosure at subsidy expiration, and civil actions/penalties. See § 60.5–§ 60.7 and § 60.9–§ 60.12.

Housing Code Enforcement Loan Program (HELP) (Chapter 40)

HELP finances rehabilitation of multifamily housing while keeping buildings in residential use and protecting tenants:

• Anti-conversion covenant. No conversion to condominiums, tourist units, or commercial use while a HELP loan is outstanding; and for five years after recording (and five years after a qualifying assumption) deed restrictions bar such conversions. City agencies cannot permit actions that would violate these limits.
• Relocation assistance and administration. Displaced tenants in HELP-assisted rehabilitations may be eligible for relocation assistance administered by the City’s Central Relocation Services.
• Private enforcement. Tenants affected by violations of a HELP loan agreement may seek injunctions and damages, with attorneys’ fees.
• Nondiscrimination and open housing/EEO clauses are mandatory in HELP agreements.

Lead Hazard Relocation Assistance (Chapter 72)

When DPH or DBI identifies a lead hazard or issues an order to vacate, Chapter 72 controls:

• Definitions, authorities, and triggers for “Lead Hazard Relocation.”
• Notice and relocation. The tenant must receive a notice to vacate that attaches the order to abate and states eligibility for relocation assistance; relocation payments are tied to the period of displacement, with special timing for emergencies. Not found in retrieved materials (specific § for these payment schedules).
• No rent hikes during work on vacated units, and violations can trigger misdemeanor penalties and cost reimbursement to the City.

Mandatory Seismic Safety Work — Tenant Protections (Chapter 65)

For mandated seismic strengthening in residential buildings, owners must provide one of the following to any tenant who must vacate during the work: a comparable unit in the same building; a reasonably proximate comparable licensed unit; or cash payments of $33 per tenant per day (advance payments, with monthly cadence if over 21 days). Moving assistance must be offered (mover or $400 per room at least 10 days before the move), and total relocation liability is capped at $1,500 per dwelling unit per month. A 30‑day notice must state the assistance form and expected displacement length.

Affordable Housing Preferences — Allocation of City-Administered Affordable Units (Chapter 47)

MOHCD applies preferences, in this order, when it allocates City-administered affordable units or assistance:

• First: Residential Certificate of Preference holders — applied to 100% of units at initial sale/lease and subsequent sales/leases.
• Second: Displaced Tenants — the preference applies to 20% of units in a new City affordable development and persists into re-sale/subsequent leases until 20% of all units are occupied by Displaced Tenants; the preference has time limits keyed to the displacement event category.
• Third: Neighborhood Residents — for units located in the same Neighborhood, up to 40% of units in the new development at initial occupancy.
• Fourth: Any person who lives or works in San Francisco (applies to new developments and to re-sales/subsequent leases).

MOHCD must monitor and report on these allocations and preferences.

Relocation for Rehabilitation Areas — Central Relocation Services (Chapter 32)

The City’s Central Relocation Services administers relocation benefits citywide, including RAP (Rehabilitation Assistance Program) activities. The code authorizes a $50 finder’s fee for eligible households who locate their own code-compliant replacement unit, and assigns CRS the administrative duties for relocation benefits.

Rent Ordinance Relocation Payments (Chapter 37)

For most “no-fault” evictions under the Rent Ordinance, landlords owe base relocation payments to “Eligible Tenants,” plus additional sums for seniors, disabled tenants, or households with minor children; base amounts are indexed yearly by CPI. Chapter 37 also bars post‑foreclosure evictions except for just cause. See § 37.9C (relocation) and § 37.9D (foreclosure).

Affordable Housing Bonds and Use of Proceeds (Article V, Chapter 43, Article III)

General obligation bonds may fund affordable rental development and downpayment assistance; MOHCD allocates proceeds (historically 85% rental, 15% downpayment) and must apply Chapter 47 preferences in funded projects.

Inclusionary Housing — Where It Lives

San Francisco’s inclusionary requirements are in the Planning Code, particularly § 415. Fees are deposited into the Citywide Affordable Housing Fund designated in Administrative Code § 10.100‑49, and administered by MOHCD. For inclusionary standards, see the San Francisco Planning Code and its Density & Dwelling Units and Special Use Districts pages; Planning Code § 415.5(f) references the Fund in Administrative Code § 10.100‑49.

Other displacement/relocation contexts

• California’s statewide just-cause law provides at least one month’s rent in relocation assistance or a rent waiver for many no-fault terminations; it credits against local obligations. Use this only as a floor; local Chapter 37 payments are typically higher.
• For work requiring permits and inspections during code enforcement or rehabilitation, coordinate early with DBI; see San Francisco Permits & Inspections and the San Francisco Housing Code for habitability standards that may trigger tenant protections.

Key Tenant & Housing Programs at a Glance

Practical guidance and cross‑references

• If your project proposes removing or repurposing SRO units, plan for replacement housing and early tenant outreach; approvals also involve San Francisco Permits & Inspections and may intersect with San Francisco Planning Code requirements.
• For affordable units created via inclusionary or bond programs, expect [MOHCD] preferences to apply; coordinate with program staff on marketing and lottery plans.
• When code enforcement or hazard abatements displace tenants, layer Chapter 72 or Chapter 65 obligations with any Rent Ordinance obligations; if multiple programs apply, the greater relocation benefit governs.

Checklist

• If involving residential hotel units, confirm the building’s “residential hotel” status and “permanent resident” occupancy and map out § 41.13 replacement and § 41.17 tenant rights.
• For assisted/subsidized projects, calendar § 60.5 notice and § 60.6 hearing steps; identify if § 60.7 relocation and § 60.8 qualified-entity rights will apply.
• If using a HELP loan, record deed restrictions; confirm § 40.29 anti‑conversion; set up relocation administration per § 40.30; include tenant enforcement provisions.
• For lead hazard abatements, issue a compliant notice to vacate attaching the order; budget relocation payments; do not raise rent during work (§ 72.5).
• For mandatory seismic work, choose comparable-housing or cash path and pay/notice on the schedule in § 65.6–§ 65.9.
• If marketing City‑administered affordable units, apply § 47.3 preferences and retain documentation for § 47.4 monitoring.
• For no‑fault evictions, calculate Rent Ordinance relocation amounts with current CPI and verify any overlapping state assistance crediting.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

San Francisco’s Administrative Code sets strong tenant protections when housing is converted, repaired, or threatened by subsidy loss. If you touch SRO hotel units, you’ll need one‑for‑one replacement and to protect permanent residents; if you do code‑driven work, be ready to pay relocation and follow strict notice rules. For City‑administered affordable units, expect priority to Certificate of Preference holders, displaced tenants, and neighborhood residents. When in doubt, the program with the greater tenant benefit typically controls—plan and budget early.

Source References

• Residential Hotel Unit Conversion and Demolition: § 41.1–§ 41.4; § 41.7(c); § 41.8; § 41.13; § 41.15–§ 41.19.
• Assisted Housing Preservation: § 60.1–§ 60.3; § 60.5–§ 60.8; § 60.11–§ 60.12.
• HELP (Housing Code Enforcement Loan Program): § 40.26–§ 40.31; § 40.29.
• Lead Hazard Relocation: § 72.2; § 72.5–§ 72.6.
• Seismic Work Tenant Protections: § 65.6–§ 65.10.
• Affordable Housing Preferences: § 47.3–§ 47.6.
• Central Relocation Services & RAP: § 32.91; § 32.91‑1.
• Rent Ordinance Relocation and Foreclosure Protections: § 37.9C; § 37.9D.
• Affordable Housing Bond Program: § 43.3.1–§ 43.3.4.
• Inclusionary reference (Planning Code; fees to Admin Code fund): § 415.5(f).

Retrieved passages

• CBC § 37.2 (Section 37.2) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (Section as) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (Chapter 60) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (Chapter for) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (Section has) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 581 (Chapter and) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (Chapter 47) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (Chapter 47) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (CHAPTER 40) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco Zoning Code (Chapter 12H) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Residential Hotel Unit Conversion and Demolition: § 41.1–§ 41.4; § 41.7(c); § 41.8; § 41.13; § 41.15–§ 41.19. (§ 41.1)
• Assisted Housing Preservation: § 60.1–§ 60.3; § 60.5–§ 60.8; § 60.11–§ 60.12. (§ 60.1)
• HELP (Housing Code Enforcement Loan Program): § 40.26–§ 40.31; § 40.29. (§ 40.26)
• Lead Hazard Relocation: § 72.2; § 72.5–§ 72.6. (§ 72.2)
• Seismic Work Tenant Protections: § 65.6–§ 65.10. (§ 65.6)
• Affordable Housing Preferences: § 47.3–§ 47.6. (§ 47.3)
• Central Relocation Services & RAP: § 32.91; § 32.91‑1. (§ 32.91)
• Rent Ordinance Relocation and Foreclosure Protections: § 37.9C; § 37.9D. (§ 37.9C)
• Affordable Housing Bond Program: § 43.3.1–§ 43.3.4. (§ 43.3.1)
• Inclusionary reference (Planning Code; fees to Admin Code fund): § 415.5(f). (§ 415.5)
• SF Admin Code.md
• SF Planning Code.md
• CA Rent 20230SB567_88.md