What You Should Know About San Francisco’s Residential Energy and Water Conservation Requirements:
File the Residential Energy Conservation Inspection Form and/or the Residential Water Conservation Form with DBI:
After the inspection by one of the above, the owner or the owner’s representative shall then file the Residential Energy Conservation Inspection Form and/or the Residential Water Conservation Form indicating the results of the inspection with Housing Inspection Services within 15 days of completing the inspection. A filing fee per Section 110, Table 1-N of the San Francisco Building Code is required.
NOTE: If you are converting your building to a condominium, DBI will perform the energy and water inspection as part of the total conversion inspection review.
Compliance:
COMPLY WITH THE REQUIRED STANDARDS as specified by the inspector in the report. You may choose to perform the work yourself and greatly reduce the costs of compliance, or you may hire someone to perform the work.
OBTAIN FINAL COMPLIANCE by having the Residential Energy Conservation Inspection Form and/or the Residential Water Conservation Inspection Form completed by one of the inspectors designated below certifying that all the required measures have been fully complied with.
• The same inspector who did the initial inspection;
• A DBI certified private energy inspector;
• An authorized DBI inspector.
• State licensed contractors for 1 and 2 family dwellings. Work on a project valued at $500.00 or more in labor and material shall be pursuant to the regulations of the Contractor’s State Licensing Board.
After the Residential Energy Conservation Form and/or Residential Water Conservation Form are properly signed by the certifying inspector, it must be filed with the Housing Inspection Services Division at 1660 Mission St., 6th Floor, as proof of compliance. A filing fee per Section 110, Table 1-N is required.
Record the final document:
After filing and approval of the Residential Energy Conservation Inspection Form and/or the Residential Water Conservation Form, a certificate of compliance is issued and must be recorded by the building owner or the owner’s representative, with the San Francisco County Recorder’s office. This recordation must occur prior to or concurrent with transfer of title.
Special Appeals
A person may appeal the results of an energy and/or water inspection, if:
• There is disagreement regarding the requirements as determined by the inspector;
• The application of an ENERGY ordinance measure is not cost effective.
• The owner wishes to apply for an exemption from installing an efficient toilet based on impacts to the historical integrity of the building.
There is a fee per Sec. 110, Table 1-N San Francisco Building Code required for the appeal. Appeals must be made to the Department of Building Inspection, within 10 working days from the date the completed inspection form was filed with DBI. The determination of the Director shall be final.
Escrow Accounts
(Energy and Water Conservation Escrow Account) The seller or the seller’s authorized agent may transfer responsibility for compliance to the buyer PROVIDED the following conditions are met prior to sale:
• A valid energy and water inspection has been performed and filed with Housing Inspection Services along with a Notice of Escrow Account (Form C).
• A written agreement signed by the buyer and seller which is placed into the escrow account and states the following:
• Buyer agrees to comply within 180 days of transfer of title;
• Seller agrees that funds equal to 1% of the purchase price indicated on the accepted purchase offer shall be placed in the escrow account and disbursed according to the terms of the ordinance.
NOTE: Not all title companies have agreed to hold these funds according to the terms of the ordinance. Consult with your title company first if you choose to transfer responsibility.
What Are The Costs?
The amount you will have to spend in order to comply with the energy and water requirements depends upon when you choose to comply and the number of units in your building.
There is no statutory limit on the cost of complying with the WATER conservation requirements.
In the case of 1 or 2 family dwellings and individual condominiums and co-op units when complying with the ENERGY requirements as an entire building, the maximum expenditure will be $1,300.
In the case of buildings containing 3 units or more (including condominiums), if you comply with the ENERGY requirements before you sell your property, your maximum expenditure will be 1% of the assessed value of the building. If you comply with the ENERGY requirements as a result of a pending sale, the maximum expenditure will be 1% of the purchase price as stated in the real estate sales contract.
Questions
Should you wish further information regarding the energy and water conservation requirements, call the Housing Inspection Services, at (415) 558- 6220 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. You may also visit the office at 1660 Mission St., 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103.
For more information on efficient toilet rebates and free water-efficient devices which can help achieve compliance with the water conservation ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission at (415) 551-4730 or visit http://conserve.sfwater.org’>http://conserve.sfwater.org.
Department of Building Inspection
1660 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-2414
Want a DBI Pro to brief your community / organization on permits and inspection issues? Please contact us at 415-558-6089 or DBICommunityOutreach@sfgov.org and we will make it happen.
San Francisco’s Residential Energy and Water Conservation Requirements
Department of Building Inspection
1660 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
General Information (415) 558-6088
Code Questions (415) 558-6205
Fax (415) 558-6401
www.sfgov.org/dbi
Original File: Conservation_ordinance_Program_Brochure.pdf (895 KB)