The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amending Chapter 41 of the Administrative Code related to the Hotel Conversion Ordinance (HCO). The amendment clarifies and redefines key terms to strengthen protections for residential hotel units, a critical source of affordable housing for seniors and low-income residents. It defines 'Tourist or Transient Use' as a tenancy of fewer than seven days for a two-year period after enactment, after which the minimum term increases to 30 days. The ordinance also changes the definition of 'Permanent Resident' to those staying 30 days or more, previously 32. Affected hotel operators will have an amortization period and can request case-by-case extensions. The measure responds to the conversion of residential hotel rooms into tourist accommodations, particularly at locations like 447 Bush Street, which have exacerbated the city's affordable housing crisis. The Planning Department issued a Final Negative Declaration under CEQA, stating the amendments would not significantly impact the environment.
This ordinance helps preserve affordable housing stock by restricting short-term tourist use in residential hotels. It supports long-term tenancy for vulnerable populations and aligns with broader efforts to address San Francisco’s housing crisis.