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

The City and County of San Francisco is enacting the 2025 San Francisco Green Building Code (File No. 250958), repealing the previous 2022 code. This update incorporates the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), effective statewide on January 1, 2026, along with San Francisco's more restrictive local amendments. These local amendments apply to newly constructed residential (Group R) buildings, new commercial buildings (Group B, M, A, I, E) 25,000 gross square feet or more, new first-time commercial interior build-outs (25,000 gross square feet or more), and major alterations (25,000 gross square feet or more) involving significant system upgrades.

Key requirements include achieving 75 GreenPoints (GreenPoint Rated) or LEED Silver for new residential, and LEED Gold for new large commercial projects and major alterations. Projects must achieve a minimum 75% construction and demolition debris diversion and a minimum 30% reduction in indoor potable water use for commercial buildings. New construction also mandates Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with specific requirements like a 40-Amp 208/240-volt branch circuit per parking space for one-and-two-family dwellings, and a tiered system for other occupancies (e.g., 30% EV Capable and 75% of those as EVCS for 201+ parking spaces), with exceptions for utility feasibility if costs exceed $400 per parking space. Additionally, new buildings must install photovoltaic (PV) systems, allowing for living roof exclusions under certain stormwater management conditions.

Crucially, the amended ordinance explicitly states that the 2025 San Francisco Green Building Code does not contain local energy standards that would require a separate cost-effectiveness study or approval by the California Energy Commission. The ordinance was amended on October 27, 2025, and is set to become operative on January 1, 2026, or 30 days after its enactment, whichever is later. The Building Inspection Commission unanimously recommended approval on October 16, 2025.

Residents will benefit from more sustainable buildings with improved energy and water efficiency, better indoor air quality, and expanded EV charging infrastructure in new construction and major renovations. While developers and homeowners undertaking large projects may face higher initial construction costs to meet these enhanced green building and EV requirements, the city anticipates long-term operational savings and a contribution to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 61% below 1990 levels by 2030.

high