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How to legalize unwarranted residential units in San Francisco
Worried your extra unit in San Francisco might not be legal? You’re not alone, and the risks can be costly. In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to bring your space up to code, avoid hefty fines, and protect your investment, ensuring your property stays compliant with city regulations.
Do you have an unwarranted unit on your property, and you want to legalize it? This is what you need to know and do to legalize your residential unit.
Before starting the process of legalizing unwarranted units, you need to know a few important conditions:
The maximum number of Unwarranted Dwelling Units (UDU) allowed to be legalized.
One unwarranted dwelling unit will be permitted to be legalized on each lot.
How to convert or remove a unit in an existing building
The unwarranted unit is permitted to expand Within the existing built envelope. However, the Planning Code limits the amount of floor area an existing dwelling can reduce and add to another dwelling unit. Generally, the floor area of an existing dwelling unit cannot be reduced by more than 25%.
Legalizing the unit and subdividing it or TIC
Legalized units are ineligible for subdivision, which means they cannot be sold individually.
The legalization program cannot be used to legalize dwelling units that have had owner move-in evictions filed after March 13, 2014, if the notice was served within five years before the permit application was filed for legalization; or other no-fault evictions filed after March 13, 2014, if the notice was served within ten years before the permit application being filed for legalization.
Rent control for the newly legalized unit
A dwelling unit subject to the Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance before legalization remains subject to that Ordinance after legalization.
How to merge the legalized unit with another existing unit
You may request to merge the legalized unit with an original unit through the Conditional Use Authorization process, which requires action by the Planning Commission at a public hearing.
In addition to the legal conditions, the new unit has to follow the Planning and Building Code requirements. Here is what you need to know.
Planning Code requirements for unwarranted units
The Zoning Administrator may waive the rear yard, parking, open space, density, and the light and air requirements for exposure for the unwarranted dwelling unit proposed to be legalized.
Legalizing the unwarranted dwelling unit cannot create or intensify nonconformity for the existing, legal dwelling unit(s) on the property. For example, although the specific square footage for the open space is waived under this program, the addition of a dwelling unit should not remove any existing unit(s) access to shared open space, such as a rear yard. In this scenario, ensure that your plans retain access to the shared rear yard, such as through a common corridor or rear stairs.
All other Planning Code requirements must be met. The most common requirements that must be met for adding dwelling units include bicycle parking, permeability and landscaping in your front setback area, and street trees (under the regulations of Public Works).
Building Code requirements for unwarranted units
All Building Code requirements must be met, including ceiling height, proper ventilation, light, fire safety, and egress.
A pre-application meeting with the Department of Building Inspection and the Fire Department (for three or more dwelling units with Fire) can determine if there are applicable equivalencies for meeting the Building Code. Additional sprinkler requirements on the ground floor.
The process to legalize unwarranted units
1. Get confirmation from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI)
Property owners must start the legalization process with the Department of Building Inspection (DBI). DBI confirms eligibility for enrollment in the legalization program. Review the G-17 Information Sheet, one of DBI’s informational bulletins, for full details on the Unit Legalization program.
2. Complete the Screening Form
Owners may receive an estimation of the costs to legalize their units by undergoing an initial screening process. This screening is an informal consultation with DBI staff, non-binding and free of charge.
(A) Hire a professional representative (engineer, architect, or contractor) who will be responsible for providing the owner with a professional assessment of what legalization may entail.
(B) The homeowner must provide documentation that the dwelling unit to be legalized existed before January 1, 2013, next,
(C) The homeowner submits the screening form to DBI, via email to [email protected] or mail to 49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA, 94103
3. Two sets of plans are required
Following the screening process, when the owner has the essential information needed for a decision, the homeowner may then formally apply for a building permit for legalization with the Planning Department and DBI.
Fees to legalize unwarranted units
Legalization permits issued between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024, are eligible for a partial waiver of some plan review fees. Check SF Planning dept. fees for current rates. If other scopes of work are required, these should be on a separate building permit to obtain the fee waiver for legalization.
Timeline
Legalization permits CANNOT be issued over the counter. Currently, the permit review process can take 2 - 4 months. Applications that require variances, or a conditional use permit, will likely take six months or more. There is no neighborhood notification requirement for legalizing a unit under this program.
Check your address to see if you can convert your unwarranted unit into a by-right unit.
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