Zoning Page

San Francisco Amends Building Codes to Streamline Disability Access Compliance for Existing Public Accommodations

  • When: 2025/02/10
  • Address: Citywide, San Francisco, CA
  • City: San Francisco
  • State: CA
  • Category: Zoning Code Modification
  • Subcategory: Process updates
  • Asset Class: Commercial
  • Property Type: Retail
  • Planning Department: True

This ordinance amends San Francisco's Building, Administrative, and Public Works Codes. It removes the local mandate that existing public accommodation buildings must have all primary entries and paths of travel accessible to persons with disabilities or obtain a City determination of equivalent facilitation, technical infeasibility, or unreasonable hardship. The change aims to align local requirements with state and federal accessibility laws, such as the California Building Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead of local enforcement, the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) will now focus on providing information and developing outreach tools to help business owners comply with existing accessibility standards. The ordinance acknowledges that over 82% of businesses are already compliant or in the process of becoming so under Chapter 11D. Additionally, it eliminates public right-of-way occupancy assessment fees for encroachments constructed solely for accessibility compliance. This shift is intended to redirect DBI resources towards support and education rather than enforcement, preventing potential business closures.

Source

Applicant - Rafael Mandelman