President Mandelmann introduces legislation to expand all‑electric construction rules to major renovations

President Rafael Mandelmann on June 24 said he will introduce legislation to expand San Francisco's existing all‑electric new construction ordinance to apply not only to new buildings but also to major renovations — defined by the sponsor as alterations and additions that include substantial upgrades to mechanical systems and structures.

Mandelmann said the change builds on the board's November action that broadly prohibited gas piping and appliances in most new construction and that the proposed expansion would capture larger retrofits that effectively replace mechanical systems. He thanked staff from SF Environment and the city attorney's office for assistance and named planning and technical staff consulted for the draft request.

Why it matters: Expanding all‑electric requirements to major renovations would widen the scope of projects required to omit gas infrastructure, with implications for developers, building owners, and contractors undertaking significant retrofits. The legislative proposal will require ordinance drafting, technical specifications, exceptions, and interagency coordination.

Next steps: The item as described is an introduction; staff will draft the ordinance language and technical standards and the matter will return to committee for hearings prior to any final board vote.