BROWN-BAG:
UNIT
ADDITION
David Leung, P.E., LEED AP,
GPR-NH
Marshall & Swift Certified
Appraiser/ Manager, Permit
Submittal and Issuance
Richard J. Halloran, CASp,
Manager, Technical Services
Division
Betty Lee, Permit Technician
June 11, 2015 – DBI’s Office
– 1660 Mission St, Room
2001
AGENDA
1. UNIT ADDITION OVERVIEW
• Requirements
• Screening Form
• Workflow
• Permits
2. RE-ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY
3. COMMON QUESTIONS
4. RESOURCES
NEW PROGRAM: UNIT ADDITION
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.
3
ORDINANCE DETAILS
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.
4
REQUIREMENTS
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.
SCREENING FORM
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.
6
SCREENING FORM PROCESS
The Screening Form
establishes the
applicant’s eligibility for
the Unit Addition
Program.
Review on the spot on
First Floor, Counter 8
7
Q: PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS
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.
8
ELIGIBILITY
•
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
9
WORKFLOW
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
• 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.
11
PERMIT SEQUENCING
• 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.
12
RE-ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY
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) 5545596
Note: Since the assessed value
increases, your property taxes may
be raised.
13
Q: DBI & Fire Code Equivalences
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
14
Q: Cost of Adding Units
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.
15
Q: Time Needed to Complete Work
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-thecounter and while you wait.
Larger scopes of work may be
reviewed within four weeks after
Planning Department approval.
16
Q: Separate Meters & New Unit Address
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.
17
Q: Voluntary Soft Story Retrofit per AB-094
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.
18
Q: Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit
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.
19
PROGRAM RECAP
ADDITIONAL DWELLING UNITS (ADU)
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
20
Where may I find additional
information regarding unit
addition?
21
RESOURCES
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
22
QUESTIONS?
23