San Francisco Subdivision Code
ARTICLE 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 1301. AUTHORITY AND MANDATE.
(a) This Code is adopted pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act of California, Title 7, Division 2 of the Government Code, commencing with Section 66410 (hereinafter referred to as “SMA”).
(b) Any amendments to SMA, adopted subsequent to the effective date of this Code, shall not invalidate any provisions of this Code. Any amendments to SMA that may be inconsistent with this Code shall govern.
(c) This Code shall govern in relation to all other ordinances of the City and County of San Francisco and rules and regulations pursuant thereto. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Code and other provisions of the Municipal Code, the most restrictive shall prevail.
SEC. 1302. PURPOSES
(a) This Code is enacted to establish procedures and requirements for the control and approval of subdivision development within the City and County of San Francisco in accordance with SMA.
(b) This Code is enacted to encourage and ensure the development of subdivisions consistent with the objectives of the San Francisco Master Plan.
(c) Recognizing that, by their unique character and impact on the City’s population and housing stock, condominium conversion subdivisions differ from other subdivisions, implementation of Subsections (a) and (b) of this Section requires the adoption of special requirements for conversions, the purposes of which are:
(1) To preserve a reasonable balance of ownership and rental housing within the City and County of San Francisco by providing for an annual limitation on the number of units which may be converted to condominiums in any year.
(2) To promote the meaningful expansion of homeownership opportunities for existing tenants and to prevent the displacement of existing tenants by requiring a high degree of tenant intent to purchase their rental units as a condition of approval.
(3) To reduce the impact of conversions on nonpurchasing tenants who may be required to relocate, by providing for procedures for notification and adequate time and assistance for relocation, and providing for the reimbursement of costs resulting from such relocation.
(4) To prevent the displacement of elderly and disabled tenants by assuring them of extended leases to remain in their units subsequent to conversion.
(5) To assure that purchasers of converted housing have been properly informed as to the physical condition of the structure which is offered for purchase.
(6) To prevent the effective loss of the City’s low or moderate income housing stock by requiring sales price limitations on those units proposed for conversion which are found to be part of the low or moderate income housing stock.
(7) To expand the supply of the City’s low or moderate income housing stock by provision of a minimum of 10 percent low or moderate income housing units in any condominium subdivision, or by construction of an equivalent number of such units elsewhere, or by in-lieu payments into a City housing development fund.
(Amended by Ord. 337-79, App. 7/6/79; Ord. 161-01, File No. 010891, App. 7/9/2001; Ord. 281-04, File No. 041353, App. 12/1/2004)
SEC. 1302A. FAIR HOUSING REQUIREMENTS.
When making any decision regarding the control or approval of subdivision development within the City and County of San Francisco which includes “dwellings” as defined in Chapter 87 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, the applicable City department or official shall comply with that Chapter which requires, among other things, that the applicable City department or official not base any decision regarding the development of “dwellings” in which “protected class” members are likely to reside on information which may be discriminatory to any member of a “protected class” (as all such terms are defined in Chapter 87 of the San Francisco Administrative Code).
(Added by Ord. 308-99, File No. 990499, App. 12/3/99)
SEC. 1303. SCOPE.
(a) This Code supplements SMA, prescribing rules, regulations and procedures authorized therein.
(b) The necessity for Tentative Maps, Final Maps and Parcel Maps shall be governed by this Section and SMA.
(c) For subdivisions creating five or more parcels or units, a Tentative Map and a Final Map or Parcel Map shall be required pursuant to this Code and SMA.
(1) A Tentative Map and a Final Map shall be required for all such subdivisions except those coming within the exceptions set forth in Section 66426 of SMA.
(2) A Tentative Map and a Parcel Map shall be required for all such subdivisions coming within the exceptions set forth in Section 66426 of SMA.
(d) For subdivisions creating fewer than five parcels or units, no Tentative Map shall be required except as provided in Section 1333.1(a) with respect to vesting tentative maps. In all subdivisions creating fewer than five parcels or units where the subdivider does not choose to file a vesting other Tentative Map, a Parcel Map containing the information specified by Section 1359 of this Code and SMA shall be required. Said Parcel Map shall be filed with the City Engineer and recorded according to the procedure set forth in Sections 1360 through 1364 of this Code.
(e) No Tentative Map, Final Map or Parcel Map shall be required for those specific types of subdivision exempted by Sections 66412 and 66428 of SMA; provided, however, that with respect to subdivisions described in Subsection (h) of Section 66412 of the SMA, certification pursuant to the provisions of Section 1397 must be obtained.
(f) The Director of Public Works shall waive the requirement of a Parcel Map for any improved or unimproved land shown on the latest equalized County assessment roll as contiguous units or parcels where the units or parcels have been subdivided legally and comply with the requirements as to lot width and area, improvement and design, floodwater drainage control, appropriate improved public roads, sanitary disposal facilities, water supply availability and environmental protection.
(Amended by Ord. 576-85, App. 12/27/85)
SEC. 1304. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association to offer to sell or lease, contract to sell or lease, or sell or lease any subdivision or any part thereof until a Final Map or a Parcel Map thereof, in full compliance with the provisions of this Code and SMA, has been duly recorded in the office of the Recorder.
(b) All departments, officials and public employees of the City, vested with the duty or authority to approve or issue permits, shall conform to the provisions of this Code and shall neither approve nor issue any permit or license for use, construction, or purpose in conflict with the provisions of this Code. Any such permit or license issued in conflict with the provisions of this Code shall be null and void.
(c) Any subdivider, agent of a subdivider, successor in interest of a subdivider, tenant, purchaser, builder, contractor or other person who violates any of the provisions of this Code or any conditions imposed pursuant to this Code, or who knowingly submits incorrect information to endeavor to mislead or misdirect efforts by agencies of the City and County of San Francisco in the administration of this Code, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $2,000 or be imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months or be both so fined and imprisoned. Each day such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.
(d) The Director of Public Works shall have the authority to enforce this Code against violations thereof by any of the following actions:
(1) The Director may serve notice requiring the cessation or correction of any action in violation of this Code upon the subdivider, agent of the subdivider, successor in interest of the subdivider, tenant, purchaser, builder, contractor or other person who commits or assists in such violation;
(2) The Director may call upon the City Attorney to maintain an action for injunction to restrain or abatement to cause the correction of any such violation; and
(3) The Director may call upon the District Attorney to institute criminal proceedings in enforcement of this Code against any such violation.
(e) The current or former tenant or tenants of the property proposed for conversion may institute a civil proceeding for injunctive relief, money damages of not less than three times actual damages, and whatever other relief the Court deems appropriate. The prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to order of the Court. The remedy available under this subsection shall be in addition to any other existing remedies which may be available to the tenant or tenants.
(Amended by Ord. 86-81, App. 2/20/81)
SEC. 1305. SEVERABILITY.
(a) If any Article, Section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Code, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, or other competent agency, such decisions shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Code or any part thereof. The Board of Supervisors hereby declares that it would have passed each Article, Section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more Articles, Sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective.
(b) If the application of any provisions or provisions of this Code to any person, property or circumstances is found to be unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective in whole or in part by any court of competent jurisdiction, or other competent agency, the effect of such decision shall be limited to the person, property or circumstances immediately involved in the controversy and the application of any such provisions to other persons, properties and circumstances shall not be affected.
(c) This Section shall apply to this Code as it now exists and as it may exist in the future, including all modifications thereof and additions and amendments thereto.
(Amended by Ord. 163-75, App. 4/28/75)
ARTICLE 2: DEFINITIONS
SEC. 1306. GENERAL.
Officials and agencies referred to in this Code and in SMA are officials and agencies of the City and County of San Francisco, unless the contrary is either stated or implied.
SEC. 1307. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
(a) “Advisory Agency” and “Director” mean the Director of Public Works.
(b) “Bureau of Building Inspection” and “BBI” mean the Bureau of Building Inspection of the Department of Public Works.
(c) “Bureau of Engineering” means the Bureau of Engineering of the Department of Public Works.
(d) “City Engineer” and “County Engineer” mean the City Engineer and his staff.
(e) “City Planning” means the Department of City Planning.
(f) “Clerk” means the Clerk of the Board.
(g) “County,” “City,” “City and County,” “Municipality” and “Local Agency” mean the City and County of San Francisco.
(h) “County Surveyor” means the County Surveyor and his staff.
(i) “Governing Body,” “Legislative Body” and “Board” mean the Board of Supervisors.
(Amended by Ord. 284-04, File No. 041335, App. 12/14/2004)
SEC. 1308. SUBDIVISIONS.
(a) “Common areas” shall mean an entire project excepting all units therein granted or reserved.
(b) “Community Apartments” shall mean an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a parcel of real property and the improvements thereon coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of any apartment located therein.
(c) “Condominium” shall mean an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a portion of a parcel of real property together with a separate interest in space in a residential, industrial, or commercial building on such real property, such as an apartment, office, or store. A Condominium may include in addition a separate interest in other portions of such real property. Such estate may, with respect to the duration of its enjoyment, be either (1) an estate of inheritance or perpetual estate, (2) an estate for life, or (3) and estate for years, such as a leasehold or subleasehold. This definition is intended to conform to Section 783 of the California Civil Code and any other section of California law.
(d) “Conversion” shall mean a subdivision which changes the type of ownership of real property to that defined as a Condominium project, Community Apartment project or Stock Cooperative and in which two or more condominiums, community apartments or units in a stock cooperative are newly created wholly or in substantial part within an existing residential structure or structures, regardless of the present or prior use of such structures and of whether substantial improvements have been made to such structures. A conversion also shall include a subdivision that: (1) is created wholly or in substantial part within an existing residential structure or structures, regardless of the present or prior use of such structures and of whether substantial improvements have been made to such structures and (2) divides one or more of the existing residential dwelling units into separate lots, parcels, or units.
(e) “Project” shall mean the entire parcel or real property divided or to be divided in any of the methods defined as a subdivision.
(f) “Stock Cooperative” shall mean a corporation formed or availed of primarily for the purpose of holding title to, either in fee simple or for a term of years, improved real property, if all or substantially all of the shareholders of such corporation receive a right of exclusive occupancy in a portion of the real property, title to which is held by the corporation, which right of occupancy is transferable only concurrently with the transfer of the share or shares of stock in the corporation held by the person having such right of occupancy.
(g) “Subdivider” shall mean a person, firm, corporation, partnership or association who proposes to divide, divides or causes to be divided real property into a subdivision for himself or for others. City agencies, including the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, are exempted from this definition.
(h) “Subdivision” shall mean the division of any improved or unimproved land, shown on the latest equalized County assessment roll as a unit or as contiguous units, for the purpose of sale, lease or financing, whether immediate or future. Property shall be considered as contiguous units even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements or railroad rights-of-way. This definition shall specifically but not exclusively include Condominiums, Community Apartments, Stock Cooperatives and Conversions.
(i) “Unit” shall mean the elements of a project which are to be owned individually and not in common with the owners of other elements of the project.
(j) “Tenant” shall mean a person or persons entitled under a lease, rental agreement or other agreement with the owner of record of the property or his or her agent to occupy a dwelling unit. A “tenant” can be an owner or a shareholder of the owner of record who resides in the property. For purposes of this definition, “Tenant” shall mean “Subtenant” as defined in Section 1308(k) where the subtenant occupies and resides in the unit in agreement with and to the exclusion of the tenant and with the consent of the owner.
(k) “Subtenant” shall mean a person or persons whose rights to occupy a dwelling are derived from the tenant rather than from the property owner or his or her agent.
(l) “Low-Income Housing Stock” shall mean those rental dwelling units in buildings being proposed for conversion for which the rent, at the time the application for conversion is filed, does not exceed 25 percent of the gross monthly income of a low-income household as defined in Section 1309(e). For purposes of applying this Section and Section 1309(e), a studio apartment shall be deemed to be a one-person household, a one-bedroom apartment shall be deemed to be a two-person household, a two-bedroom apartment shall be deemed to be a three-person household, and a three-bedroom apartment shall be deemed to be a four-person household.
(m) “Moderate-Income Housing Stock” shall mean those rental dwelling units in buildings being proposed for condominium conversion, the rental for which at the time of filing the application for conversion exceeds the amount which would cause the unit to be defined as low-income housing stock pursuant to Section 1308(l), but does not exceed 25 percent of the gross monthly income of a moderate-income household as defined in Section 1309(f). In relating the size of the unit to household size, the same relationships set forth for low-income housing shall apply.
(n) “Gross Income” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1344.
(o) “Household” shall mean any person or persons who reside or intend to reside in the same housing unit.
(p) “Household of median income” and “Household of low income” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1344.
(Amended by Ord. 337-79, App. 7/6/79; Ord. 426-89, App. 11/22/89; Ord. 161-01, File No. 010891, App. 7/9/2001; Ord. 203-02, File No. 021503, App. 10/11/2002; Ord. 281-04, File No. 041353, App. 12/1/2004; Ord. 185-08, File No. 080407, App. 8/5/2008; Ord. 320-08, File No. 080520, App. 12/19/2008)
SEC. 1309. TERMINOLOGY.
(a) “Affirmative Action in Housing” shall mean informational and promotional activity for the purpose of eliminating discrimination in housing accommodations because of race, religion, national origin, sex, or any other basis prohibited by law.
(b) “Application Packet” shall mean the Tentative Map together with all documents, statements and other matters that are required as attachments thereto.
(c) “Final Map” shall mean a map prepared in accordance with Chapter 2, Article 2 of SMA and this Code, which map is designed to be placed on record in the office of the Recorder.
(d) “Improvement Plan” shall mean an engineering plan or a set of engineering plans showing the location and construction details of improvements.
(e) Intentionally left blank.
(f) Intentionally left blank.
(g) “Parcel Map” shall mean a map prepared in accordance with Chapter 2, Article 3 of SMA and this Code, which map is designed to be placed on record in the office of the Recorder.
(h) “Soil Engineer” shall mean a registered civil engineer, experienced in engineering geology, responsible for the soil engineering work outlined in this Code, including supervision, analysis and interpretation of field investigation and laboratory tests for a specific project; preparation of geological and soil engineering recommendations and specifications; and supervision of grading construction work.
(i) “Standard Specifications” shall mean the Standard Specifications of the Bureau of Engineering.
(j) “Subdivision Regulations” shall mean the detailed technical and administrative requirements adopted by the Advisory Agency to supplement this Code, including amendments thereto.
(k) “Tentative Map” shall mean a map made for the purpose of showing the design of a proposed subdivision and the existing conditions in and around it; such a map need not be based upon an accurate or detailed final survey of the property.
(l) “Vesting tentative map” shall mean a tentative map which shall have at the time of filing printed conspicuously on its face the words “Vesting Tentative Map.”
(Amended by Ord. 576-85, App. 12/27/85; Ord. 38-88, App. 2/8/88; Ord. 320-08, File No. 080520, App. 12/19/2008)
ARTICLE 4: TENTATIVE MAPS
SEC. 1325. REFERRAL TO OTHER AGENCIES.
Within three working days after the Application Packet has been filed with the County Surveyor, the County Surveyor shall forward copies to City Planning, the Bureau of Engineering, the Bureau of Building Inspection, the Human Rights Commission and other appropriate government agencies for their review.
(Amended by Ord. 284-04, File No. 041355, App. 12/14/2004)
SEC. 1326. TIME LIMIT FOR AGENCY REVIEW.
(a) The time limit for agency review shall 30 days from the date of receipt by said agency of a copy of the Application Packet.
(b) The time limit for agency review may be extended by mutual consent of the subdivider and the County Surveyor.
(Amended by Ord. 284-04, File No. 041355, App. 12/14/2004)
SEC. 1327. AGENCY REPORT.
Each reviewing agency shall report, in writing, to the County Surveyor, with a copy to the subdivider, its findings on and recommendation for approval, conditional approval or denial of an Application Packet. City Planning’s report shall include a finding on consistency with the Master Plan. The Bureau of Building Inspection’s report shall include a finding on the necessity of a Preliminary Report.
(Amended by Ord. 284-04, File No. 041355, App. 12/14/2004)
SEC. 1332. HEARINGS ON CONVERSIONS; MASTER PLAN.
(a) The City Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing in the case of Conversions of five or more units which include one or more residential units. The City Planning Department shall give notice of such hearings as provided in Section 1313(b).
(b) Whenever a property is to be subdivided, the Department of City Planning shall report on the question of consistency of the subdivision with the Master Plan.
(c) The Director shall disapprove the proposed subdivision when the Department of City Planning finds that the proposed subdivision is not consistent with the Master Plan, subject to any decision on appeal by the Board of Supervisors.
(d) When the Department of City Planning finds, subject to any decision on appeal by the Board of Supervisors, or when the Board of Supervisors finds, that a proposed subdivision will be consistent with the Master Plan only upon compliance with certain conditions, the Director shall incorporate said conditions in his or her conditional approval of the proposed subdivision.
(Amended by Ord. 427-85, App. 9/12/85)
ARTICLE 7: FINAL MAPS AND PARCEL MAPS
SEC. 1359. PARCEL MAP.
(a) The requirements of Subsection (c) of Section 1356 of this Code shall apply to Parcel Maps.
(b) The Parcel Map shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 2, Article 3 of SMA and to the Subdivision Regulations regarding detailed format and contents.
(c) In the case of Conversions where a Tentative Map is not required, the requirements of Section 1314 and the requirements of Article 9 on Conversions shall apply, provided that hearings as provided in Sections 1313 and 1332 shall not be required, and provided further that Article 9 shall not be applied to two-unit buildings where both units are owner-occupied for one year prior to the application for Conversion.
(d) In addition to the requirements of Subsection (c), the owners of record of a two-unit building conversion that qualify for the exemption from Article 9 must certify under penalty of perjury and the Department must verify with the Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board, and with the Human Rights Commission as applicable, that since November 16, 2004, no eviction as defined in San Francisco Administrative Code Section 37.9(a)(8) – (14) of a senior, disabled person, or catastrophically ill tenant as defined below has occurred, or if an eviction has taken place under Administrative Code Section 37.9(a)(11) or (14), that the original tenant reoccupied the unit after a temporary eviction. For purposes of this Subsection a “senior” shall be a person who is 60 years or older and has been residing in the unit for 10 years or more at the time of the lottery; a “disabled” tenant is defined for purposes of this Subsection as a person who is disabled within the meaning of Title 42 U.S.C. Section 12102(2)(A); and a “catastrophically ill” tenant is defined for purposes of this Subsection as a person who is disabled as defined above, and who is suffering from a life threatening illness as certified by his or her primary care physician.
(e) If the owners of record cannot satisfy the requirements of Subsection (d), then the owners of record shall comply with Article 9, including its Section 1396.1(g)(3), prior to submitting an application for Conversion.
(f) If the Department determines that an applicant has knowingly provided false material information under Subsection (d) above, the Department shall immediately deny the application, or if the applicant has submitted an application for conversion, shall immediately deny the application for conversion. Moreover, the Department, the Director, or other authorized person or entity may also enforce the provisions of this Subsection under Section 1304 or any other applicable provision of law as warranted.
(Amended by Ord. 427-85, App. 9/12/85; Ord. 426-89, App. 11/22/89; Ord. 161-01, File No. 010891, App. 7/9/2001; Ord. 281-04, File No. 041353, App. 12/1/2004; Ord. 283-08, File No. 081235, App. 12/5/2008; Ord. 320-08, File No. 080520, App. 12/19/2008)
ARTICLE 8: BONDS
SEC. 1372. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND LIENS.
Prior to recordation of a Final Map or Parcel Map, the subdivider shall comply with all applicable provisions governing taxes and assessments as set forth in Sections 66492, 66493 and 66494 of the SMA and any amendments thereto.
(Added by Ord. 427-85, App. 9/12/85)
ARTICLE 9: CONVERSIONS
SEC. 1380. GENERAL.
The Sections of this Article 9 modify the applicable provisions of Article 3 through 8, inclusive, of this Code in the case of Conversions.
SEC. 1381. ADDITIONS TO APPLICATION PACKET.
(a) Application Packets for Conversions shall contain the following information in addition to that required by previous provisions of this Code:
(1) A building history detailing the date of construction, major uses since construction, major repairs since construction, current ownership of buildings and underlying land, and the proposed ownership upon conversion;
(2) A report of residential record (“3-R Report”), obtained from the Bureau of Building Inspection;
(3) A rental history detailing for each unit the size in square feet, the number of bedrooms, the current or last rental rate, the monthly rental rate for the preceding five years, the monthly vacancy over the preceding three years, and the names of the current tenant or tenants for each unit, including the names of all tenants aged 62 or older or permanently disabled who have resided in the building over the past three years to the extent that such information is known or can be made known to the subdivider;
(4) A building condition and sales program report including:
(A) A building inspector’s report made by either the Bureau of Building Inspection or a certified engineer or architect acceptable to the Bureau of Building Inspection; with said report to contain any Housing Code violations and incipient or potential deficiencies including electrical, plumbing and boiler and energy conservation requirements; where a building to be converted to condominiums is two years old or less, a Certificate of Completion issued by the Bureau of Building Inspection may be accepted in lieu of a building inspector’s report;
(B) A statement of repairs and improvements and projected cost of same the subdivider plans to make before conveyance of the units by the subdivider;
(C) A list of the proposed sales prices for each unit including an indication as to whether the unit will be sold in fee simple or a leasehold interest, the estimated condominium association dues, the rentals if a leasehold interest is proposed, and a statement of the proposed sales program, particularly plans to promote affirmative action in housing; this information to be used to assure compliance with the requirements of this Code and SMA. The sales prices listed for each unit shall remain in effect and shall not be increased by the subdivider until the unit is sold to the tenant or until the tenant has waived his or her right of first refusal and the unit is made available to the general public, provided that the sales price may be increased by the following amounts: (1) The percentage increase in the Housing Component of the “Bay Area Consumer Price Index, U.S. Dept. of Labor,” above the price index in existence as of the date the application is filed; and (2) the pro rata actual cost of any repairs or improvements made by the applicant in addition to those set forth in the application, pursuant to Section 1381(a)(4)(B). During this period of time, any reduction in price of any one unit from the price level indicated on the statement shall not be made without comparable reductions to the prices of all other units;
(D) A summary of tenant contacts including all meetings held with tenants and all information provided to them about the project and their own options; a list of all tenants who have expressed a desire to buy their own units; proposed methods of dealing with those tenants who do not plan to buy, especially those aged 62 or older, the permanently disabled and families with children; and any proposed program for relocation services;
(5) The survey information obtained pursuant to Section 1388 of this Code and as further required in the Subdivision Regulations;
(6) Notice to tenants:
(A) Within five days of filing an application with the Department of Public Works for condominium conversion subdivision, the subdivider shall give written notice concerning the proposed conversion to all lessees and tenants. If five or more units are involved, said notice shall advise all lessees and tenants that a public hearing concerning the application for conversion will be held and that notice of said hearing will be given to all lessees and tenants by the City Planning Commission. Said notice shall contain all the information as required in Subsections 4 and 8 of this Section. Said notice shall contain a description of the rights of tenants as herein provided, including the right of first refusal to purchase the unit, the right to attend and be heard at the public hearing, the right to receive relocation assistance and benefits, the right of all tenants to extend occupancy for a period of from one to three years depending upon length of prior occupancy, the right of elderly and disabled tenants to a lifetime lease, and the prohibition against rent increases during the process of conversion;
(B) Notice of the proposed conversion must be given to all persons or parties who lease or reside in any units which are proposed for conversion subsequent to approval of the application for conversion;
(C) The application packet for conversion shall include a statement that such notice has been given, and will continue to be given to any lessees or tenants subsequent to the submission of the application packet for conversion;
(7) A copy of the purchase agreement to be used for the project;
(8) Copies of all management documents submitted to the California State Department of Real Estate.
(b) When neither new buildings nor major additions to existing facilities are indicated in the Tentative Map, a Statement of Known Soil and Geologic Conditions may be substituted for the required Soil and Geologic Reconnaissance Report. Said Statement shall be prepared by the engineer or surveyor who prepares the Tentative Map and shall contain the following information as taken from the latest U.S. Geologic Maps:
(1) Soil deposits;
(2) Rock formations;
(3) Faults;
(4) Groundwater; and
(5) Landslides.
(Amended by Ord. 72-82, App. 2/19/82)
SEC. 1382. EXCEPTIONS FROM APPLICATION PACKET.
(a) Application Packets for Conversions shall have deleted the following information required by provisions of this Code:
(1) Except as otherwise required by other Sections of this Article 9, the statements required by Sections 1323(a), paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 shall be deleted.
(2) Except in the case of a vesting tentative map, the environmental evaluation data required by Section 1323(b) shall be deleted.
(Amended by Ord. 576-85, App. 12/27/85)
SEC. 1383. CONFORMITY OF HOUSING, BUILDING AND PLANNING CODES.
As a condition of Final Map approval, the subdivider must demonstrate that all applicable provisions of the City’s Housing, Building and City Planning Codes have been met and that all violations of such codes have been satisfactorily corrected or, upon the approval of the Director, and prior to recordation of the Final Map or Parcel Map, funds have been adequately escrowed or bonded to assure completion of such corrective work prior to the closing of escrow of any unit in the project.
SEC. 1385. PRESERVATION OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING.
The provisions of this Section and its application to certain properties may be affected by amendments creating Section 1344. Please consult Section 1344 in addition to this Section for Units subject to the Below Market Rate Condominium Conversion Program.
The Department of City Planning shall determine whether any units to be converted are part of the City’s low and moderate income housing stocks. If the Department of City Planning determines that any unit to be converted is part of the City’s low or moderate income housing stocks, then the price of the unit upon conversion shall not be such as to remove if effectively from said low or moderate income housing stocks and shall be no greater than 2.5 times the highest income level for low and moderate income households as defined in Section 1309(e) and (f), and as adjusted for household size according to the size of the dwelling, as set forth in Sections 1309(1) and (m). The resulting sales prices established pursuant to this formula may be increased consistent with any increases in the housing component of the “Bay Area Cost of Living Index, U.S. Dept. of Labor,” during the period between the most recent establishment of the above highest income levels and the date of commencement of sales. If the tenant does not exercise the contract right to purchase the unit which has been determined to be part of the low or moderate income housing stock, then the unit shall be made available exclusively for purchase by qualified households of low or moderate income on first-come, first-served basis for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of the decision by the tenant not to exercise the contract right to purchase or, if there is no tenant, from the date of issuance of the State Department of Real Estate Final Subdivision Public Report, at a price no greater than that allowed under the low and moderate income price guidelines set forth above. Priority, however, shall be given to low or moderate income households who can demonstrate that they had previously relocated from a dwelling in a building which has been approved for condominium conversion. The alternatives for low and moderate income occupancy set forth in Section 1341 shall not apply, except for those additional number of units which may be required pursuant to Section 1341(a) to be made available for rental or for purchase by households of low or moderate income. In cases where no low or moderate income household has purchased or contracted to purchase such unit within this 12-month period, after good-faith efforts by the subdivider, the subdivider may offer the unit to the general public with no price limitation.
(Amended by Ord. 45-82, App. 2/11/82; Ord. 257-88, App. 6/22/88; Ord. 320-08, File No. 080520, App. 12/19/2008)
SEC. 1385A. SUSPENSION OF PROVISIONS OF SECTION 1385.
(1) The provisions of Section 1385 shall not apply to applications for initial conversion of residential units filed on or after June 1, 1988. For purposes of this Section initial conversion shall mean the first time the parcel containing the subject units is converted to condominiums.
(2) The suspension of Section 1385 shall continue so long as the 200 unit annual conversion limit set forth in Section 1396 remains in effect.
(Added by Ord. 257-88, App. 6/22/88)
SEC. 1386. DENIAL OF TENTATIVE MAP.
When the City Planning Commission determines that vacancies in the project have been increased, or elderly or permanently disabled tenants displaced or discriminated against in leasing units, or evictions have occurred for the purpose of preparing the building for conversion, or if rents in the project over the previous 18 months preceding the date of filing the application have been increased substantially greater than any increase in the residential rent component of the “Bay Area Cost of Living Index, U.S. Dept. of Labor,” (except for increases reasonably related to construction of Code-required capital improvements directly related to Code enforcement, or to recoup the costs thereof), or when the City Planning Commission determines that the subdivider has knowingly submitted incorrect information (to mislead or misdirect efforts by agencies of the City and County of San Francisco in the administration of this Code), the Tentative Map shall be disapproved and the subdivider may not reapply for 18 months from the date of denial. In evaluation of the current vacancy level under this Section, the increase in rental rates for each unit over the preceding five years and the average monthly vacancy rate for the project over the preceding three years shall be considered. In the evaluation of displacement of elderly tenants any such displacements over the preceding three years, and the reasons therefor, shall be considered.
(Amended by Ord. 86-81, App. 2/20/81)
SEC. 1387. RIGHT OF TENANTS TO CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF UNIT.
(a) The present tenant or tenants at the date of filing of the application for a Tentative Map of any unit to be converted or, in the event of a voluntary vacation, or eviction for cause, the tenant or tenants in occupancy at the date of issuance of the State Department of Real Estate’s Final Subdivision Public Report shall be given a nontransferable contract right to purchase the unit occupied at a price no greater than the price offered to the general public.
(b) The right of contract for purchase of the unit shall extend for 60 days from the date the unit is initially offered to the tenant in writing by the subdivider. The period of acceptance of the offer may be extended if such an agreement is executed in writing by the subdivider and tenant, provided that the tenant may cancel the purchase agreement if the unit is not conveyed to that tenant within six months of the agreement to purchase.
(c) The offer of sale may not be extended by the subdivider to the tenant until the recordation of the Final Map or Parcel Map, and until the issuance of the State Department of Real Estate’s Final Subdivision Public Report.
SEC. 1388. TENANT INTENT TO PURCHASE.
No application for conversion shall be approved unless there are substantial numbers of tenants who have indicated their intent to purchase their rental unit. This intent shall be evidenced by the submittal in writing by no less than 40 percent of the tenants of intent to purchase forms, as provided by the Department of Public Works. In obtaining or soliciting intent to purchase forms from tenants, subdividers shall comply with any restrictions set forth in the California Business and Professions Code and Regulations of the Real Estate Commissioner. In calculating the total number of units necessary to satisfy this provision, there shall be included in the 40 percent requirement any units in which the occupant qualified for and has expressed an intent to obtain a renewable lifetime lease pursuant to Section 1391(c).
Any tenant intent to purchase forms obtained by way of an inducement of the subdivider to provide benefits to that tenant beyond those established by the Code shall be so identified and the specific representations of the subdivider shall be set forth in detail. All such intent to purchase forms shall become a matter of public record and the subdivider shall be required to comply with his or her representations as conditions of approval.
The intent to purchase forms, once signed by a tenant, shall be irrevocable by said tenant, for purposes of compliance with this Section, provided, however, that the Director shall invalidate any such form upon a determination that the subdivider has used coercion, fraud, duress, misrepresentation or threat in connection with obtaining or soliciting such form.
(Amended by Ord. 161-01, File No. 010891, App. 7/9/2001; Ord. 281-04, File No. 041353, App. 12/1/2004)
SEC. 1389. TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF TENANTS.
If temporary relocation of any tenant is necessary for renovation of a unit between the date of submission of the Tentative Map and the date established for permanent relocation, then the subdivider shall find equivalent substitute housing for that tenant for the period of renovation, and shall pay to that tenant any additional cost of the substitute housing. Any tenant temporarily relocated shall have the right to return to his or her former unit until the expiration of all rights granted to such tenant as provided in this Code.
SEC. 1390. RENT INCREASE LIMITATION.
The rent to tenants at the time of filing the application for conversion shall not be increased for the period between the filing of the application until relocation takes place or until the subdivision is denied or withdrawn, except that such period shall not exceed two years. At the end of such period, and for one-year period thereafter, any increase in rent shall not exceed the proportionate increase in the residential rent component of the “Bay Area Cost of Living Index, U.S. Dept. of Labor,” over that period of time, provided, that the rental increase provisions of this section shall be operative only in the absence of other rent increase or arbitration laws. In cases of hardship due to unusual circumstances to the subdivider, or in cases where a rent increase authorized herein is considered by the tenant to be not consistent with increases in the residential rent component of the “Bay Area Cost of Living Index, U.S. Dept. of Labor,” either a subdivider or a tenant may request relief under this Section from the Director of Public Works or his or her designee. In considering the reasonableness of a rent increase, the Director shall consider the current rent paid for comparable units in comparable areas.
SEC. 1391. VACATION OF UNITS: STATUTORY NOTICE OF EVICTION REQUIRED; EXTENSION OF LEASES FOR ELDERLY TENANTS.
(a) Except for tenants availing themselves of the lease option set forth below, each nonpurchasing tenant shall be given 120 days from the date of receipt of notification from the subdivider of the intent to convert (as required in California Government Code Section 60427.1) to find substitute housing and to relocate. The subdivider shall not transmit such notice, however, prior to recordation of the Final Map or Parcel Map. If any tenant has a lease to occupy a unit in which the term of said lease extends longer than the 120-day period provided herein, such tenant shall not be evicted except for cause until the expiration of such lease.
Each nonpurchasing tenant shall be given the option of entering into or renewing a lease agreement to occupy said tenant’s dwelling unit for period of up to one year following the date of approval of the Final Map; the rental charge and rights and obligations of the parties during said period shall be in accordance with Subsection (c) of this Section.
(b) Upon expiration of all such time requirements and upon satisfaction of any conditions required for conformity with the Master Plan, including the recordation of the Final Map or Parcel Map, the tenant shall also be entitled to the statutory period for notice of eviction as provided in California Civil Code Section 1946.
This provision shall not affect the requirement that a tenant receive relocation services and reimbursements for moving expenses provided that the tenant request and be eligible for said services as provided in Section 1392 and Section 1393, and provided that the time for relocation assistance not extend beyond the 120-day period of the notice of intent to convert or any lease extension as required in Subsection (a) of this Section.
(c) No subdivider or subsequent condominium unit owner shall refuse to renew a lease or extend a rental agreement to any nonpurchasing tenant aged 62 or older at the time of recordation; of the Final Map or Parcel Map, or any tenant permanently disabled. Any extended leases or rental agreements made pursuant hereto shall expire only upon the death or demise of such tenant or the last surviving member of the tenant’s household, provided such surviving member is related to the tenant by blood or marriage and is aged 62 or older at the time of death or demise of such tenant, or at such time as the tenant voluntarily vacates the unit after giving due notice of such intent to vacate. Each lease shall contain a provision allowing the tenant to terminate the lease and vacate the unit upon 30 days’ notice. Rent charged during the term of any extended lease or rental agreement pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall not exceed the rent charged at the time of filing of the application for conversion, plus any increases proportionate to the increases in the residential rent component of the “Bay Area Cost of Living Index, U.S. Dept. of Labor,” provided that the rental increase provisions of this Section shall be operative only in the absence of other applicable rent increase or arbitration laws. This Section shall not alter or abridge the rights or obligations of the parties in performance of their covenants, including but not limited to the provision of services, payment of rent or the obligations imposed by Sections 1941, 1941.1 and 1941.2 of the California Civil Code. There shall be no decrease in dwelling unit maintenance or other services historically provided to such units and such tenants.
SEC. 1392. SUBDIVIDER TO PROVIDE MOVING EXPENSES.
(a) The subdivider shall bear the cost of moving expenses of any tenant who relocates from the building to be converted. The tenant, at his or her option, shall be reimbursed either for the actual moving expenses up to a maximum of $1,000, or for the fixed amount allowed by the moving expense schedule of the Central Relocation Services agency. In the event the unit is occupied by a subtenant under an agreement with the tenant, the moving expense reimbursement herein provided shall be shared proportionately by both parties in relation to the actual costs of moving the property of each party.
(b) Availability for such assistance shall be limited to the 120-day period or the period of any lease extension as provided in Section 1391(a) unless a contrary agreement is reached by the subdivider and tenant; provided that tenants aged 62 years or older, or permanently disabled whose tenancy is extended pursuant to Section 1391(c), would be eligible for such assistance at such time that such tenant elects to voluntarily vacate the unit and gives due notice therefor.
(c) Those parties who lease a unit subsequent to the date of filing the application for conversion shall not be eligible to receive assistance provided in this Section unless such an agreement is made between the subdivider and prospective tenant.
SEC. 1393. SUBDIVIDER TO PROVIDE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) Any tenant who requests assistance in finding relocation housing shall be referred to the Central Relocations Services Agency of the City and County of San Francisco, or, with the mutual consent of the tenant and subdivider, such assistance may be provided by the subdivider or a real estate brokerage firm selected by the subdivider. The subdivider shall bear any costs to the tenant of such assistance in finding relocation housing.
(b) Availability for such assistance shall be limited to the expiration of the 120-day period or the period of any lease as provided in Section 1391(a) and (c), unless a contrary agreement is reached by the subdivider and tenant.
(c) Those parties who lease a unit subsequent to the date of filing the application for conversion shall not be eligible to receive assistance provided in this Section unless such an agreement is made between the subdivider and prospective tenant.
SEC. 1394. TIME LIMITS FOR REAPPLICATION.
(a) In the event an application for condominium conversion subdivision is withdrawn by the applicant, said application may not be resubmitted for six months from the date of withdrawal.
(b) In the event an application for condominium conversion subdivision is denied, or a Tentative Map is disapproved, the applicant therefor may not submit a new application for the same building for one year from the date of such denial, except that this period may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 1386.
SEC. 1395. TIME LIMITS FOR SALE.
All units approved for conversion shall be offered for sale to the tenants within one year of the issuance of the State Department of Real Estate’s Final Subdivision Public Report.
SEC. 1396. ANNUAL CONVERSION LIMITATION.
(a) This Section governing annual limitation shall apply only to conversation of residential units. This Section also is subject to the limitations established by Section 1396.5’s suspension of the lottery.
(b) Applications for conversion of residential units, whether vacant or occupied, shall not be accepted by the Department of Public Works, except that a maximum of 200 units as selected yearly by lottery by the Department of Public Works from all eligible applicants, may be approved for conversion per year for the following categories of buildings:
(1) Buildings consisting of four units in which at least three of the units have been occupied continuously by the applicant owners of record as their principle place of residence for three years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director;
(2) Buildings consisting of three units in which at least two of the units have been occupied continuously by the applicant owners of record as their principle place of residence for three years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director;
(3) Buildings consisting of two units in which at least one unit has been occupied continuously by the applicant owner of record as his or her principle place of residence for three years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director;
(4) Buildings consisting of five or six units that were subject to the requirements of Section 1396.2(f) on or before April 15, 2013 where (A) no further evictions as set forth in Section 1396.2 have occurred in the building after April 15, 2013, (B) the building and all applicants first satisfied all the requirements for conversion under Section 1396.2(f) after January 24, 2020 and before resumption of the lottery under in accordance with the terms of Section 1396.5; and (C) 50 percent or more of the units have been occupied continuously by owners of record as their principle place of residence for ten years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director. Applicants for such buildings must apply for the lottery within five years of the resumption of the lottery under Section 1396.5(c) and remain eligible until selected;
(5) If the Expedited Conversion program under Section 1396.4 has been suspended until 2024 as a result of a successful lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco challenging Section 1396.4(g) or 1396.5: (A) buildings consisting of five or six units that participated in but were not selected for the 2012 or 2013 condominium conversion lottery in which 50 percent or more of the units have been occupied continuously by the applicant owners of record for no less than six years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director or (B) buildings consisting of five or six units in which: (i) 50 percent or more of the units have been occupied continuously by the applicant owners of record for no less than six years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director and (ii) the eligible applicant owners of record have a fully executed written agreement as of April 15, 2013 in which the owners each have an exclusive right of occupancy to individual units in the building to the exclusion of the owners of the other units. Applicants for buildings identified in this Subsection must first apply for the lottery within five years of the resumption of the lottery under Section 1396.5(c) and remain eligible until selected; or
(6) Community apartments as defined in Section 1308 of this Code, which, on or before December 31, 1982, met the criteria for community apartments in Section 1308 of this Code and which were approved as a subdivision by the Department of Public Works on or before December 31, 1982, and where 75 percent of the units have been occupied continuously by the applicant owners of record for three years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director.
(c) The conversion of a stock cooperative as defined in Section 1308 of this Code to condominiums shall be exempt from the annual limitation imposed on the number of conversions in this Section and from the requirement to be selected by lottery where 75 percent of the units have been occupied for the lottery as selected by the Director.
(d) No application for conversion of a residential building submitted by a registrant shall be approved by the Department of Public Works to fill the unused portion of the 200-unit annual limitation for the previous year.
(e) (1) Any application for a condominium conversion submitted after being selected in the lottery must meet the following requirements applicable to Subdivision Code Article 9, Conversions: Sections 1381, 1382, 1383, 1386, 1387, 1388, 1389, 1390, 1391(a) and (b), 1392, 1393, 1394, and 1395.
(2) Any building subject to Section 1396.2 shall have all applicant(s) satisfy all the requirements for conversion under Section 1396.2(f) in order be eligible to convert pursuant to this Section 1396; provided, however, that any building subject to the prohibition on conversion under Section 1396.2, in particular a property with the eviction(s) set forth in Section 1396.2(b), is ineligible for conversion.
(3) (A) In addition, the applicant(s) shall certify that to the extent any tenant vacated his or her unit within the seven years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director and before recordation of the final parcel or subdivision map, such tenant did so voluntarily or if an eviction or eviction notice occurred it was not pursuant to Administrative Code Sections 37.9(a)(8)-(14) unless such eviction or eviction notice complied with the requirements of Subsections (B)-(D) below.
(B) If the evicting owner(s) recovered possession of the unit under Administrative Code Sections 37.9(a)(11) or 37.9(a)(14), then the applicant(s) shall certify that the original tenant reoccupied or was given an opportunity to reoccupy the unit after the temporary eviction.
(C) If the evicting owner(s) recovered possession of the unit under Administrative Code Section 37.9(a)(10), then the applicant(s) shall certify that the Department of Building Inspection required the unit be demolished or permanently removed from housing use pursuant to a Notice of Violation or Emergency Order or similar notice, order, or act; all the necessary permits for demolition or removal were obtained; that the evicting owner(s) complied in full with Administrative Code Section 37.9(a)(10) and (c); and that an additional unit or replacement unit was not constructed in the building after the demolition or removal of the unit previously occupied by the evicted tenant.
(D) If the evicting owner(s) recovered possession of a unit under Administrative Code Section 37.9(a)(8), then the applicants shall certify that: (i) only one unit in the building was the subject of such eviction during the seven year period, (ii) any surviving owner or relative named as the intended resident of the unit in the Section 37.9(a)(8) eviction notice also is presently an owner applying for the conversion of the same unit, and (iii) the subject applicant owner has occupied the unit continuously as his or her principle residence for three years prior to the date of registration for the lottery as selected by the Director.
(f) The Department shall review all available records, including eviction notices and records maintained by the Rent Board for compliance with Subsection (e). If the Department finds that a violation of Subsection (e) occurred prior to recordation of the final map or final parcel map, the Department shall disapprove the application or subject map. If the Department finds that a violation of Subsection (e) occurred after recordation of the final map or parcel map, the Department shall take such actions as are available and within its authority to address the violation.
