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Committee approves health-code update to align local enhanced-ventilation rules with state standards
Summary
The committee adopted amendments and forwarded to the full board an ordinance that clarifies enhanced ventilation and positive-pressure requirements for sensitive uses and aligns multiunit residential ventilation requirements with the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted Sept. 8 to forward an ordinance amending Article 38 of the Health Code to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation after the committee adopted technical amendments presented by the Department of Public Health.
Jen Callewert, Acting Director of Environmental Health at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said Article 38 — created in 2014 — requires enhanced ventilation for new development and major renovations in air pollution exposure zones when sensitive uses (housing, schools, childcare and health facilities) are involved. The amendment clarifies the city’s long-standing positive-pressure requirement and removes multiunit residential dwellings from the local “sensitive use” definition to avoid conflict with the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which take effect Jan. 1, 2026 and require MERV‑13 filtration and balanced pressure for multiunit residential buildings statewide.
Callewert told the committee the local code has always required positive pressure in units; the proposed change defines balanced pressure and positive pressure more precisely and aligns local review with the state energy code so the city does not create inconsistent requirements. The amendment also eliminates a 10‑day plan‑check hold previously required by the health department as part of the permit process.
Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen asked about equity and environmental justice concerns for residents living adjacent to major roadways; Callewert said the state standard extends enhanced ventilation and balanced pressure citywide for multiunit residential buildings, while the city will continue to require positive pressure for schools, childcare, congregate care and single‑family homes (the latter effective Jan. 1, 2026 to align with state limits). Committee members discussed maintenance and enforcement; staff said building owners are responsible for filter maintenance and DBI enforces building code and maintenance requirements through its inspection and complaint processes.
No members of the public registered for comment on the item. Supervisor Bridal Mahmood moved amendments as presented and then moved to send the ordinance, as amended, to the full board; the committee voted 3-0 on both motions.
