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Committee advances ADU condominium-conversion option with amendments and safeguards; forwards item as committee report
Summary
The committee approved amendments and forwarded a proposal that would allow separate conveyance of certain accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and associated primary residences as condominiums, adding language to ensure conversions are subject to existing Article 9 tenant protections and minor non-substantive edits.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted 3-0 to amend and forward as a committee report an ordinance that would allow separate conveyance of certain accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and associated primary residences as condominiums.
Sponsor Supervisor Joel Engardio said he worked with stakeholders to avoid undermining tenant protections while creating a pathway for homeowners to recoup investment and for neighborhoods that are "house rich, cash poor" to gain more housing options. Planning staff said the Planning Commission recommended several amendments earlier in the year to limit the program’s scope and to ensure ADUs and primary units meet the same planning-code standards applied to other condominium conversions.
During public comment advocates urged tenant protections and recommended owner-occupancy or look-back requirements; Mitchell Omerberg of the Affordable Housing Alliance asked that the owner-applicant have three continuous years of ownership to protect tenants, and urged careful review of newly added draft language that could be read broadly.
Committee members and city attorneys worked on a non-substantive on-the-floor amendment clarifying that any ADU subject to conversion under the ordinance shall be subject to Article 9 of the San Francisco Subdivision Code (the article that governs condo conversions and tenant protections). The committee also agreed to sponsor-requested non-substantive edits. Chair Mirna Melgar moved to amend the ordinance as discussed and forward it as a committee report to the Board of Supervisors for possible consideration on 07/01/2025; the motion passed with Chen, Mahmood and Melgar voting aye.
Supporters said the measure could allow homeowners to subdivide ADUs in single-family neighborhoods or new condominium developments, creating more entry-level ownership options and providing a pathway for family wealth transfer; advocates asked staff and the sponsor to return with further safeguards and clarifications as the Board considers the ordinance.
