San Francisco — Local Amendments

Overview

San Francisco adopts and enforces local amendments to the state’s California Building Standards Code through the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission Code. The local Building Code is expressly titled the “2022 San Francisco Building Code” and it amends the 2022 California Building Code and 2022 California Residential Code (§ 101A.1; § 101A.3). Where San Francisco’s amendments are more restrictive than state code, the City’s rules prevail (§ 101A.7.2).

The most important rule: only the standards and San Francisco amendments in effect when your permit application is accepted for plan review apply to your project (§ 101A.4.1), and if local rules conflict with other codes, the most restrictive requirement governs (§ 101A.7.2).

How San Francisco structures local amendments

• The City’s administration of local amendments appears in Chapter 1A (San Francisco Administration) of the Building Code (§ 101A.1–§ 101A.3).
• San Francisco confirms state-law adoption mechanics: state standards apply unless modified by local ordinance, and appendices apply only if specifically adopted (§ 101A.3.1; § 101A.4.2).
• The City recognizes the state framework for local modifications in CBC § 1.1.8 (findings/filings) and CEBC § 1.8.6.2 (local findings and filings for existing building standards).

Citywide applicability (not zoning-based)

Local amendments apply citywide to building activity (construction, alteration, change of occupancy, etc.). Land-use controls such as use districts, height, bulk, and yards are addressed in the San Francisco Planning Code and its companion topics like San Francisco Height & Bulk and San Francisco Setbacks & Yards.

Local amendments that routinely affect projects

Additions and alterations thresholds

• Smoke alarm installation for small residential work: when the valuation of work in a Group R occupancy exceeds $1,000, or when adding a sleeping room, install alarms per SFBC § 907 (§ 501.6).
• Fire alarm audibility upgrade: for buildings required to have a fire alarm, upgrade to the NFPA 72 sleeping-area sound level upon the earlier of (a) completion of permitted work costing $99,000 or more, or (b) July 1, 2023; with exceptions for Chapter 5E seismic work and transient R‑1 hotels (§ 501.8).
• Open-attic fire blocking in larger multifamily: in Group R-3 occupancies of six units or more, if permitted work costs $50,000 or more and there are open, accessible attics ≥30 inches high, install fire blocks/draftstops/fire-safing (§ 501.9; exception for Chapter 5E).
• Homeless shelters by qualified nonprofits: only the requirements the Building Official determines necessary to prevent life hazards or substandard conditions apply; waived provisions are reinstated when shelter use ceases (§ 501.7).

Additions that change building classification or structural demands

• High-rise triggers: any addition that causes an existing building to fall under SFBC § 403 (high-rise) must meet that section (§ 502.10).
• Horizontal additions: when the cumulative area of horizontal additions (above grade) exceeds 30% of the “original building,” and the additions are structurally interconnected or not separated per ASCE 7-16 § 12.12.3, the entire structure must meet Existing Building Code § 304.4 (§ 502.11).

Alterations and seismic scope

• Substantial structural alteration: if an alteration constitutes a “substantial structural alteration,” the lateral-force-resisting system of the altered building must comply with SFBC Chapter 16 seismic and wind provisions; reduced seismic forces are permitted (§ 503.11).

Mandatory earthquake retrofit program (local Chapter 5E)

• Chapter 5E requires retrofit of certain Type V (wood-frame) buildings with 3+ stories or 2 stories over a basement/underfloor extending above grade, containing 5 or more dwelling units, originally built before January 1, 1978 (§ 501E purpose; § 502E scope and exceptions).
• Related hazard abatement for parapets and appendages: owners must submit a compliance plan and obtain permits within 1 year of notice, and complete work within 1 year after permit issuance; variance appeals proceed to the Board of Examiners (§ 502D actions; § 503D–§ 504D).

Administrative Bulletins (local equivalencies and implementation)

• AB‑010 (Local Equivalency—communicating openings at property lines): case-by-case approval may allow openings between buildings on separate properties with recorded Declaration of Use Limitation and, where applicable, City Lot Line Window Agreements; permit plans must detail the approved construction (AB‑010).
• AB‑094 (Voluntary soft-story retrofit incentives): defines qualifying soft-story Type V buildings (pre‑1973; specific ground-floor uses or analytical deficiency) and accepts CEBC Appendix A‑Chapter A4 or ASCE 41 Partial Rehab as standards; buildings subject to SFEBC Chapter 5E are not eligible (AB‑094—definitions, retrofit standards).
• AB‑098 (Post-earthquake repair triggers): for wood-frame multifamily (3+ units), retrofit triggered by earthquake damage may use seismic loads at 75% of new-building levels under SFEBC § 405.2.3; scope and evaluation rules are specified (AB‑098).
• AB‑105 (Voluntary sprinklers in legacy high-rises): establishes how DBI documents voluntary sprinkler protection in certain pre-1974 high-rises excluded from earlier mandates (AB‑105).
• AB‑088 (Trash/recycling/compost space): local implementation of state solid-waste access standards; plans must show adequate space for recyclables/compostables per SFBC information requirements (AB‑088).

Coordination with other local codes

• Where another City code imposes fire/life-safety requirements (for example, alarm/sprinkler scope in the San Francisco Fire Code or residential standards in the San Francisco Housing Code), the most restrictive requirement applies (§ 101A.7.2).
• Permitting, fees, and milestone timing for these amendments are administered through DBI—see San Francisco Permits & Inspections. Land-use decisions (uses, density, height) remain under the Planning Code—see San Francisco zoning & planning overview.

Key local standards at a glance

Checklist

• Confirm which San Francisco code edition and local amendments are in effect on the date DBI accepts your permit for plan review (§ 101A.4.1).
• Identify whether your scope crosses local thresholds: $1,000 (Group R smoke alarms), $50,000 (attic fire-blocking), $99,000 (alarm audibility), or “substantial structural alteration” (§ 501.6; § 501.9; § 501.8; § 503.11).
• For additions: check if you trigger high-rise standards (§ 502.10) or the 30% horizontal-addition rule (§ 502.11).
• Screen for Chapter 5E applicability (Type V, 3+ stories or 2 over basement, 5+ units, pre-1978), or URM parapet/appendage hazards (§ 501E; § 502E; § 502D–§ 504D).
• If proposing non-prescriptive “workarounds” (e.g., openings at a property line), prepare a local equivalency package consistent with AB‑010.
• Coordinate with San Francisco Fire Code for alarm/sprinkler scope and with San Francisco Permits & Inspections for submittal and phasing requirements (§ 101A.7.2).
• For projects involving dwelling units or tenant spaces, verify overlapping rules in the San Francisco Housing Code and any San Francisco ADUs components.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

San Francisco layers city rules on top of state building codes. If your remodel passes certain dollar thresholds, you may have to add smoke alarms or upgrade fire alarms. Large additions and major structural changes can trigger seismic upgrades, and some older wood-frame apartments must be retrofitted under a mandatory local program. When in doubt, the stricter rule wins, and the rules in effect the day DBI accepts your plans control the project.

Source References

• SFBC Chapter 1A — Title, Scope, Effective Date, Conflicts: § 101A.1–§ 101A.7.3 (San Francisco Building Inspection Commission Code)
• SFBC § 501.6, § 501.7, § 501.8, § 501.9 (Additions/Alterations thresholds)
• SFBC § 502.10, § 502.11 (High-rise additions; 30% horizontal addition rule)
• SFBC § 503.11 (Substantial structural alteration; Ch. 16 compliance)
• SFBC Chapter 5E — Mandatory Earthquake Retrofit of Wood-Frame Buildings: § 501E–§ 503E; URM parapets/appendages procedures § 502D–§ 504D
• Administrative Bulletins: AB‑010 (Local Equivalency—Communicating Openings); AB‑094 (Voluntary Soft-Story Retrofit); AB‑098 (Post-Earthquake Repair Triggers); AB‑105 (Voluntary Sprinklers in High‑Rises); AB‑088 (Trash/Recycling/Compost Space)
• State framework for local amendments: CBC § 1.1.8 (local findings/filings); CEBC § 1.8.6.2 (local findings/filings—existing buildings)
• Recent adopting ordinances noted by the City: Ord. 225‑22 (adopted 11/10/2022) and Ord. 196‑25 (effective 11/24/2025) [PDFs linked within source materials]

Source passages

• CBC § 2002 (Article VI) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 1.4.3 (Chapter 5E) High relevance show source text
• CGBSC § 196 (section or) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 501.6 (Section 501.6) High relevance show source text
• CRC § 1.1.8 (Title 24) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 106A (Section 106A.) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 18.4.5.1 (Section 18.4.5.1) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 101 (section or) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• SFBC Chapter 1A — Title, Scope, Effective Date, Conflicts: § 101A.1–§ 101A.7.3 (San Francisco Building Inspection Commission Code) (Chapter 1A)
• SFBC § 501.6, § 501.7, § 501.8, § 501.9 (Additions/Alterations thresholds) (§ 501.6)
• SFBC § 502.10, § 502.11 (High-rise additions; 30% horizontal addition rule) (§ 502.10)
• SFBC § 503.11 (Substantial structural alteration; Ch. 16 compliance) (§ 503.11)
• SFBC Chapter 5E — Mandatory Earthquake Retrofit of Wood-Frame Buildings: § 501E–§ 503E; URM parapets/appendages procedures § 502D–§ 504D (Chapter 5E)
• Administrative Bulletins: AB‑010 (Local Equivalency—Communicating Openings); AB‑094 (Voluntary Soft-Story Retrofit); AB‑098 (Post-Earthquake Repair Triggers); AB‑105 (Voluntary Sprinklers in High‑Rises); AB‑088 (Trash/Recycling/Compost Space)
• State framework for local amendments: CBC § 1.1.8 (local findings/filings); CEBC § 1.8.6.2 (local findings/filings—existing buildings) (§ 1.1.8)
• Recent adopting ordinances noted by the City: Ord. 225‑22 (adopted 11/10/2022) and Ord. 196‑25 (effective 11/24/2025) [PDFs linked within source materials]
• SF Building Inspection Commissions Code.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md
• 2025 California Existing Buildindg Code.md