San Francisco Residential Energy and Water Conservation Ordinance
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection / SFPUC · Energy · Before close
Triggered by: Prior to close of escrow on sale of residential property
Certify that required energy-efficiency and water-conservation measures are in place — low-flow shower heads, efficient faucets and aerators, efficient toilets, and repair of leaks.
Certificate
Certificate of compliance (energy compliance is noted on the 3R report)
Issued by
San Francisco DBI — (415) 558-6220
Cost
Confirm current fee with DBI; fixture replacement costs vary
Turnaround
Confirm with DBI — must be satisfied before close of escrow
San Francisco stationary tank — operational fire permit (due-diligence item)
San Francisco Fire Department · Other · Before close
Triggered by: Not a transfer trigger. The obligation is to hold a current SFFD operational permit for a stationary tank; it surfaces during a sale because escrow checks for it.
Determine whether the property contains a stationary tank — the usual tells are a cap on the sidewalk, or a generator served by an above-ground or portable tank. A tank is a vessel containing more than 60 gallons. An approved SFFD Operational Fire Permit is required to conduct the regulated activity, and must be obtained before the activity is conducted.
Certificate
SFFD Operational Fire Permit
Issued by
San Francisco Fire Department, Bureau of Fire Prevention — (415) 558-3300
Cost
Permit and annual fees per the SFFD schedule — an escrow chart quotes $330 plus $344/year; confirm with SFFD
Triggered by: Sale of any real property containing a water heater
The seller must certify to the prospective purchaser that the water heater is braced, anchored or strapped to resist falling or horizontal displacement from earthquake motion.
Certificate
Seller certification (commonly satisfied on the C.A.R. Water Heater and Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance, form WHSD)
Issued by
Seller certifies; no agency sign-off required
Cost
No government fee; bracing kit and labor typically $30-$300
Triggered by: Every single-family dwelling which is sold
The dwelling must have an operable smoke alarm, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal, installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Seller certifies compliance.
Triggered by: Standing obligation on single-family homes built on or before January 1, 1994, plus disclosure on sale or transfer
All non-compliant plumbing fixtures had to be replaced with water-conserving fixtures by January 1, 2017 — this deadline applies whether or not the property is being sold or altered. On sale or transfer, the seller must disclose to the buyer the requirement and whether the property complies.
Certificate
Written disclosure to the buyer; some jurisdictions use a Certificate of Compliance form
Issued by
Seller discloses; no state agency sign-off
Cost
No state fee; fixture replacement typically $50-$600
State of California / local fire authority · Defensible space · Can defer past close
Triggered by: Sale of a property located in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
The seller must provide the buyer with documentation that the property is in compliance with defensible space requirements under Public Resources Code § 4291. If the seller does not have that documentation, the seller and buyer must enter into a written agreement under which the BUYER obtains compliance documentation within one year of close of escrow.
Certificate
Defensible space compliance documentation / inspection report from the local fire authority
Issued by
Local fire department or CAL FIRE
Cost
Varies by fire authority. Santa Rosa Fire Department charges $183 for a requested inspection.
Turnaround
Varies; request inspections early — fire departments are not obligated to inspect