The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved New In-Law construction for Districts 3 and 8. District 3 includes the North Waterfront, North Beach, Telegraph Hill, Financial District, Downtown, Nob Hill and parts of Russian Hill and Civic Center. Corona Heights, Duboce Triangle, Mission Dolores, Twin Peaks, Glen Park, Noe Valley and parts of Bernal Heights and Buena Vista Park make up District 8. You can find maps of District 3 and 8 here. The legislation joins a similar ordinance for the Castro neighborhood, which was put into effect in 2013.
While residents have long feared over-crowding of their neighborhoods, San Francisco’s housing shortage made in-law unit an attractive as a sustainable, low-impact way to add housing stock.
New in-laws much be constructed within a building’s current envelope. Any space not currently in residential use may be converted. In-laws must have their own kitchens and bathrooms. If the new in-law is constructed within a Rent Controlled building, it will fall under Rent Control.
The new laws could add thousands of units to San Francisco’s housing stock.
As a property owner, adding a legal in-law unit can significantly contribute to your monthly income and your property value. With rents at an all-time high, it would be wise to take advantage of this opportunity soon. The cost of building out the in-law unit will be easily recovered in no time.