David Leung, P.E., LEED AP, GPR-NH

Marshall & Swift Certified Appraiser/ Manager, Permit

Submittal and IssuanceRichard J. Halloran, CASp,

Manager, Technical Services Division

Betty Lee, Permit Technician

June 11, 2015 – DBI’s Office – 1660 Mission St, Room

2001

BROWN-BAG:

UNIT

ADDITION

1. UNIT ADDITION OVERVIEW

• Requirements

• Screening Form

• Workflow

• Permits

2. RE-ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY

3. COMMON QUESTIONS

4. RESOURCES

AGENDA

Q: What is the “Unit Addition” Program?

A: It is a program under Ordinance No. 30-15 that allows

applicant to add dwelling units within the existing building

envelope based upon permits for Mandatory Seismic Retrofitting

under SFBC Chapter 34B, or voluntary seismic retrofitting per

AB-094, or located in districts specified by Ordinance No. 30-15.

Applicable citywide with seismic retrofit permits.

NEW PROGRAM: UNIT ADDITION

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The added dwelling unit

shall not extend beyond the

building envelope, except as

follows:

– Building may be raised up to

three (3) feet to create

ground-floor ceiling heights

suitable for residential use,

which will trigger full seismic

retrofit requirements, height

limits, and historic review.

ORDINANCE DETAILS

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BUILDING CODE

• The addition of dwelling units needs to meet SF Building Code And Fire

Code requirements.

ENERGY CODE

• The addition of dwelling units under Ordinance No. 30-15 needs to meet

Title 24 California Energy Code.

• Please note that legalization of dwelling units per Ordinance 43-14 does not

need to meet Title 24 California Energy Code. (See Information Sheet No.

G-17 Attachment B, Item 38)

Note: Planning and other city departments have applicable code requirements

as well. Please refer to Information Sheet G-23 for a listing.

REQUIREMENTS

Q: Does DBI Provide a

Screening Service?

A: YES. DBI will help

owners understand their

eligibility for adding the

dwelling units before filing

an official permit

application.

SCREENING FORM

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The Screening Form establishes the applicant’s eligibility for the Unit Addition Program.

Review on the spot on First Floor, Counter 8

SCREENING FORM PROCESS

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Q: Can applicant submit a permit

application to add the dwelling unit

under this ordinance without

submitting the screening form?

A: NO. An applicant cannot submit

a permit application to add the

dwelling unit under Ordinance No.

30-15 without filing the Screening

Form at DBI’s Unit Addition

Counter #8.

Q: PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS

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ELIGIBILITY

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• Participation in Mandatory Soft Story Retrofitting per

SFBC Chapter 34B, or

• Participation in Voluntary Soft Story Retrofitting per

AB-094, or

• Located in districts specified by Ordinance 30-15

WORKFLOW

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

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• One (1) permit for the

soft story work and

one (1) permit to add

a dwelling unit are

required.

• Both permits may

refer to the same set

of plans.

PERMIT SEQUENCING

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• The permit for adding

dwelling units shall make

reference to the permit for

Soft Story Retrofit.

• The permit for adding

dwelling units shall not be

issued prior to issuance of

permit for Soft Story Retrofit.

The CFC for permit to add

dwelling units shall not be

issued prior to issuance of

CFC for permit for Soft Story

Retrofit.

Q: Will the Tax Assessor reassess

my building under this Unit Addition

Program?

A: YES. Contact them for more

information.

Tax Assessor’s Office, (415) 554-

5596

Note: Since the assessed value

increases, your property taxes may

be raised.

RE-ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY

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Q: How does DBI and Fire

determine code equivalencies?

A: Through pre-application

meeting (see AB-028 or AB-005),

DBI and Fire shall determine

whether building code

equivalencies are applicable to

any code issues related to unit

addition

Q: DBI & Fire Code Equivalences

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Q: How much will it cost to add

dwelling units meet San Francisco

Building Code requirements?

A: Depending upon the scope of adding

the dwelling units, the cost will vary.

Please consult a licensed civil or

structural engineer, architect or a

licensed contractor, to obtain accurate

estimates and multiple bids.

Q: Cost of Adding Units

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Q: Time Needed to Complete Work

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Q: How much time will be needed

to complete unit addition work?

A: This depends upon the overall

scope of work. After Planning

approval, small scopes of work

may qualify to be reviewed and

potentially approved over-the-

counter and while you wait.

Larger scopes of work may be

reviewed within four weeks after

Planning Department approval.

Q: I want to separate the

water/electrical/gas meters for the unit.

This may require adding a separate

address for the unit. Can I apply to add a

new address for the unit?

A: YES. Assigning new street addresses

is by appointment only.

After permit for additional dwelling unit is

issued, please request the appointment

via email with all relevant information to:

Wai-Fong.Cheung@sfgov.org.

Q: Separate Meters & New Unit Address

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Q: I have a 4-unit building. I had

completed work for voluntary soft story

retrofit per AB-094. Now I want a

permit to add one dwelling unit per

Ordinance 30-15. Will that trigger

Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit per

SFBC Chapter 34B?

A: YES. To handle this situation, go to

the Soft Story Counter at DBI when

you file for building permit. You would

need to complete a screening form

under Mandatory Soft Story Program

for exemption based on completed

work per AB-094.

Q: Voluntary Soft Story Retrofit per AB-094

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Q: If I want to do full seismic

retrofit, can I add a unit per

Ordinance 30-15?

A: YES. You have to split the work

into two separate permits: one for the

soft story retrofit, and another one for

the remaining seismic work.

Q: Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit

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Ordinance No. 30-15

- Applicable citywide for seismic retrofits as of April 27, 2015

- Allows the construction of additional dwelling units within the confines of

building envelope undergoing seismic retrofit

- Qualifies under voluntary or mandatory seismic retrofit in addition to

Castro Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD)

- Requires two separate permits (soft story/ADU) to be filed/issued

- Screening Form required

PROGRAM RECAPADDITIONAL DWELLING UNITS (ADU)

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Where may I find additional

information regarding unit

addition?

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HELPFUL DOCUMENTS:

Additional Unit - Information Sheet No. G-23

Screening Form

Frequently Asked Questions

ONLINE:

• www.sfdbi.org/unitaddition

• www.sfdbi.org/softstory

VISIT: 1660 Mission Street, 1st Floor – Counter 8

CALL: (415)-558-6117

EMAIL: softstory@sfgov.org

NEW ADDRESS REQUEST: Wai-Fong.Cheung@sfgov.org

RESOURCES

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QUESTIONS?

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