Every town writes its own rules, and San Francisco, California's live in its municipal code — 193 chapters covering day-to-day questions like fences, parking, pets, permits and property upkeep. Below is the full map of what the code covers.
Ask San Francisco, California's code a questionWhat's in the San Francisco, California code
- 1. Comprehensive Ordinance List
- 2. 2011 Ordinances
- 3. 2012 Ordinances
- 4. 2013 Ordinances
- 5. 2014 Ordinances
- 6. 2015 Ordinances
- 7. 2016 Ordinances
- 8. 2017 Ordinances
- 9. 2018 Ordinances
- 10. 2019 Ordinances
- 11. 2020 Ordinances
- 12. 2021 Ordinances
- 13. 2022 Ordinances
- 14. 2023 Ordinances
- 15. 2024 Ordinances
- 16. 2025 Ordinances
- 17. 2026 Ordinances
- 18. SAN FRANCISCO BUILDING INSPECTION COMMISSION CODES
- 19. BUILDING CODE 2025 Edition
- 20. Chapter 1 SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
- 21. Chapter 1A SAN FRANCISCO ADMINISTRATION
- 22. Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS
- 23. Chapter 3 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
- 24. Chapter 4 SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON USE AND OCCUPANCY
- 25. Chapter 5 GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
- 26. Chapter 6 TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
- 27. Chapter 7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
- 28. Chapter 8 INTERIOR FINISHES
- 29. Chapter 9 FIRE PROTECTION \[¬\] SYSTEMS
- 30. Chapter 10 MEANS OF EGRESS
- 31. Chapter 10A SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
- 32. Chapter 11 RESERVED
- 33. Chapter 11A HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
- 34. Chapter 11B ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND \[¬\] PUBLICLY 1 HOUSING
- 35. Chapter 11C RESERVED
- 36. Chapter 11D MANDATORY ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR BUILDINGS WITH A PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION
- 37. Chapter 12 INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
- 38. Chapter 13 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- 39. Chapter 13A COMMERCIAL WATER CONSERVATION
- 40. Chapter 13B CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS RECOVERY PROGRAM
- 41. Chapter 13C \[RESERVED\]
- 42. Chapter 13D \[RESERVED\]
- 43. Chapter 14 EXTERIOR WALLS
- 44. Chapter 15 ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
- 45. Chapter 16 STRUCTURAL DESIGN
- 46. Chapter 16A STRUCTURAL DESIGN
- 47. Chapter 17 SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
- 48. Chapter 17A SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
- 49. Chapter 18 SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
- 50. Chapter 18A SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
- 51. Chapter 19 CONCRETE
- 52. Chapter 19A CONCRETE
- 53. Chapter 20 ALUMINUM
- 54. Chapter 21 MASONRY
- 55. Chapter 21A MASONRY
- 56. Chapter 22 STEEL
- 57. Chapter 22A STEEL
- 58. Chapter 23 WOOD
- 59. Chapter 24 GLASS AND GLAZING
- 60. Chapter 25 GYPSUM BOARD, GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
- 61. Chapter 26 PLASTIC
- 62. Chapter 27 ELECTRICAL
- 63. Chapter 28 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
- 64. Chapter 29 PLUMBING SYSTEMS
- 65. Chapter 30 ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
- 66. Chapter 31 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
- 67. Chapter 31A SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE
- 68. Chapter 31B \[DPH\] PUBLIC POOLS
- 69. Chapter 31C \[DPH\] RADIATION
- 70. Chapter 31D \[DPH\] FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
- 71. Chapter 31E RESERVED
- 72. Chapter 31F \[SLC\] MARINE OIL TERMINALS
- 73. Chapter 32 ENCROACHMENTS INTO PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
- 74. Chapter 33 SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
- 75. Chapter 34 RESERVED
- 76. Chapter 35 REFERENCED STANDARDS
- 77. Chapter 36 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE (CRC)
- 78. CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE (CBC) APPENDICES
- 79. ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETINS
- 80. ELECTRICAL CODE 2025 Edition
- 81. Chapter 1. General
- 82. Chapter 2. Wiring and Protection
- 83. Chapter 3. Wiring Methods and Materials
- 84. Chapter 4. Equipment for General Use
- 85. Chapter 5. Special Occupancies
- 86. Chapter 6. Special Equipment
- 87. Chapter 7. Special Conditions
- 88. Chapter 8. Communications Systems
- 89. Chapter 9. Tables
- 90. EXISTING BUILDING CODE 2025 Edition
- 91. Chapter 1 SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
- 92. Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS
- 93. Chapter 3 PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
- 94. Chapter 4 REPAIRS
- 95. Chapter 5 PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE METHOD
- 96. Chapter 5B EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN UNREINFORCED MASONRY BEARING WALL BUILDINGS
- 97. Chapter 5C SEISMIC STRENGTHENING PROVISIONS FOR UNREINFORCED MASONRY BEARING WALL BUILDINGS
- 98. Chapter 5D PARAPETS AND APPENDAGES - RETROACTIVE PROVISIONS
- 99. Chapter 5E MANDATORY EARTHQUAKE RETROFIT OF WOOD-FRAME BUILDINGS
- 100. Chapter 5F BUILDING FACADE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE - RETROACTIVE PROVISIONS
- 101. Chapter 5G BUILDING INVENTORY ASSESSMENT OF RIGID-WALL-FLEXIBLE-DIAPHRAGM AND CERTAIN CONCRETE BUILDINGS
- 102. Chapter 6 CLASSIFICATION OF WORK
- 103. Chapter 7 ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 1
- 104. Chapter 8 ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 2
- 105. Chapter 9 ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 3
- 106. Chapter 10 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY
- 107. Chapter 11 ADDITIONS
- 108. Chapters 12 to Chapter 15
- 109. Chapter 16 REFERENCED STANDARDS
- 110. CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE (CEBC) APPENDICES
- 111. (CEBC) APPENDIX A CHAPTER A1 SEISMIC STRENGTHENING PROVISIONS FOR UNREINFORCED MASONRY BEARING WALL BUILDINGS
- 112. (CEBC) APPENDIX A CHAPTER A2 EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING REINFORCED CONCRETE AND REINFORCED MASONRY WALL BUILDINGS WITH FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAMS1
- 113. (CEBC) APPENDIX A CHAPTER A3 PRESCRIPTIVE PROVISIONS FOR SEISMIC STRENGTHENING OF CRIPPLE WALLS AND SILL PLATE ANCHORAGE OF LIGHT, WOOD-FRAME RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
- 114. (CEBC) APPENDIX A CHAPTER A4 EARTHQUAKE RISK REDUCTION IN WOOD-FRAME RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH SOFT, WEAK OR OPEN FRONT WALLS
- 115. (CEBC) APPENDIX A CHAPTER A5 REFERENCED STANDARDS
- 116. \[APPENDIX A CHAPTER A6 SEISMIC RETROFIT PROVISIONS FOR CONCRETE BUILDINGS\]1
- 117. GREEN BUILDING CODE 2025 Edition
- 118. Chapter 1 ADMINISTRATION
- 119. Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS
- 120. Chapter 3 GREEN BUILDING
- 121. Chapter 4 RESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
- 122. Chapter 5 NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
- 123. Chapter 7 INSTALLER AND SPECIAL INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
- 124. HOUSING CODE 2025 Edition
- 125. Chapter 1 TITLE AND SCOPE
- 126. Chapter 2 ENFORCEMENT
- 127. Chapter 3 PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS
- 128. Chapter 3.5 REPORT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RECORD
- 129. Chapter 4 DEFINITIONS
- 130. Chapter 5 SPACE AND OCCUPANCY STANDARDS
- 131. Chapter 6 STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS
- 132. Chapter 7 MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS
- 133. Chapter 8 EXITS
- 134. Chapter 9 FIRE PROTECTION
- 135. Chapter 10 SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS
- 136. Chapter 11 FINAL COMPLETION AND OCCUPANCY
- 137. Chapter 12 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSERVATION
- 138. Chapter 12A RESIDENTIAL WATER CONSERVATION
- 139. Chapter 13 MAINTENANCE, SANITATION AND REPAIR
- 140. MECHANICAL CODE 2025 Edition
- 141. Chapter 1 ADMINISTRATION
- 142. Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS
- 143. Chapter 3 GENERAL REGULATIONS
- 144. Chapter 4 VENTILATION AIR
- 145. Chapter 5 EXHAUST SYSTEMS
- 146. Chapter 6 DUCT SYSTEMS
- 147. Chapter 7 COMBUSTION AIR
- 148. Chapter 8 CHIMNEYS AND VENTS
- 149. Chapter 9 INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC APPLIANCES
- 150. Chapter 10 BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
- 151. Chapter 11 REFRIGERATION
- 152. Chapter 12 HYDRONICS
- 153. Chapter 13 FUEL GAS PIPING
- 154. Chapter 14 PROCESS PIPING
- 155. Chapter 15 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- 156. Chapter 16 STATIONARY POWER PLANTS
- 157. Chapter 17 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE LOOPS
- 158. Chapter 18 REFERENCED STANDARDS
- 159. Appendix B PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED TO PLACE GAS EQUIPMENT IN OPERATION
- 160. Appendix C INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF OIL (LIQUID) FUEL-FIRED EQUIPMENT
- 161. PLUMBING CODE 2025 Edition
- 162. Chapter 1 ADMINISTRATION
- 163. Chapter 2 DEFINITIONS
- 164. Chapter 3 GENERAL REGULATIONS
- 165. Chapter 4 PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
- 166. Chapter 5 WATER HEATERS
- 167. Chapter 6 WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
- 168. Chapter 7 SANITARY DRAINAGE
- 169. Chapter 8 INDIRECT WASTES
- 170. Chapter 9 VENTS
- 171. Chapter 10 TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
- 172. Chapter 11 STORM DRAINAGE
- 173. Chapter 12 FUEL GAS PIPING
- 174. Chapter 13 HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND VACUUM SYSTEMS
- 175. Chapter 14 FIRESTOP PROTECTION
- 176. Chapter 15 ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
- 177. Chapter 16 NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- 178. Chapter 17 REFERENCED STANDARDS
- 179. Appendix A RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
- 180. Appendix B EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEMS
- 181. Appendix C ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
- 182. Appendix D SIZING STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
- 183. Appendix E MANUFACTURED MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
- 184. Appendix F FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
- 185. Appendix G SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
- 186. Appendix H PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
- 187. Appendix I INSTALLATION STANDARD
- 188. Appendix J COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION OPENING DESIGN
- 189. Appendix K POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- 190. Appendix L SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- 191. Appendix M PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
- 192. Appendix N IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR SCALDING AND LEGIONELLA GROWTH
- 193. Table of Amendments