Ordinance repealing the 2022 Building Code in its entirety and enacting a 2025 Building Code consisting of the 2025 California Building Code and the 2025 California Residential Code, as amended by San Francisco; adopting environmental findings and findings of local conditions under the California Health and Safety Code; providing for an operative date of January 1, 2026; and directing the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to forward the legislation to the California Building Standards Commission as required by State law.

This ordinance repeals the existing 2022 San Francisco Building Code and enacts the 2025 San Francisco Building Code, effective January 1, 2026. This is part of a triennial cycle where the State of California updates its Building Standards Code. San Francisco's new code will consist of the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code, along with San Francisco's specific local amendments. These local amendments are re-enacted and justified by findings of unique local conditions such as climate, geology, and topography, as required by State law (California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.7 and 18941.5). The Building Inspection Commission held a public hearing on October 16, 2025, and unanimously recommended approval. The Planning Department determined the ordinance complies with CEQA, as it does not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment. The ordinance also details various administrative procedures, permit requirements, fee schedules, and enforcement mechanisms, including civil penalties ranging from $200 to $1,000 per day for violations and a $10,000 civil penalty for unlawful demolition by contractors, as well as specific regulations for areas like the Edgehill Mountain Slope Protection Area and Hunters Point Shipyard.

Residents and property owners in San Francisco will be subject to updated building and residential construction standards, effective January 1, 2026. This means that any new construction, major alterations, or renovations will need to comply with these new codes, which incorporate state-mandated changes and San Francisco's unique local amendments related to seismic safety, fire protection, accessibility, and environmental sustainability. Property owners should be aware of new requirements for permits, inspections, and potential fees, as well as specific regulations for properties in geologically sensitive areas or those with vacant commercial storefronts. Past amnesty programs for awnings, signs, and gates, and ADU fee waivers, are referenced but have expired dates in the provided documents.

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