To revitalize downtown San Francisco, the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) has released new building code guidelines to make it easier for developers to convert office spaces into residential units. As reported by SF.GOV, the streamlined rules provide a clearer pathway for the adaptive reuse of downtown's underutilized office buildings, part of the broader 30x30 Plan, which targets converting 5 million square feet of office space into approximately 5,000 housing units by 2030.
Under the new regulations, detailed in Information Sheet G-29, the city has to negotiate less red tape regarding the building envelope, exterior walls, openings, means of egress, and other key structural aspects. Patrick O’Riordan, Director of the Department of Building Inspection, highlighted the balance struck by the guidelines, saying, "The important thing is that we find ways to help developers convert these older office buildings without sacrificing residential safety requirements," in a statement obtained by SF.GOV.
Collaborative efforts by various city departments and community partners were instrumental in shaping the guidelines. The Office-to-Residential Task Force, comprising experts from diverse fields, including architecture and engineering, played a significant role. Task force leader and architect at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Lisa Follman, told SF.GOV, "By working together, we hope to unlock the ability to create more housing and re-energize San Francisco's downtown."
The guideline changes include provisions that allow for more flexibility with exterior wall openings and provide alternative options for natural light in habitable rooms, which previously were strict impediments to development. Moreover, the code recognizes the impracticality of updating all existing elevators to comply with current code requirements, which is an acknowledgment that should drastically reduce the cost burden on developers. Marc Babsin, President of Emerald Fund, noted the impact of these clarifications by stating, "These new building code guidelines for conversions will be an invaluable tool for developers and will help to expedite the process of creating housing and activation downtown," according to an interview with SF.GOV.
With these new rules in place, San Francisco is expected to see a wave of office-to-residential conversions that could potentially reshape the city's housing market. The DBI's initiative reflects a concrete step forward in response to the housing crisis, utilizing a practical approach to overhaul underused commercial buildings and cater to the rising need for residential space in the city's heart.
