Mahmoud introduces Shared Housing Reform Act to modernize 'family' definition in planning code

Supervisor Mahmoud introduced the Shared Housing Reform Act on July 1, an ordinance intended to modernize the city’s planning code definition of family and expand access to shared housing.

Key provisions described by Mahmoud include replacing the term “family” with “household” throughout the planning code, removing numeric limits on unrelated residents living together, establishing a nine-lease threshold to distinguish shared households from institutional group housing, recognizing shared financial responsibility (rent and utilities) as the defining feature of a household, and aligning local rules with state mandates that treat community care and recovery facilities serving six or fewer individuals as dwelling units.

Mahmoud said the existing numeric limits date to a 1978 citywide downzoning process and that the planning department has taken 14 enforcement actions since 2020 relating to the current definition. The sponsor framed the ordinance as a measure to support renters and make San Francisco more affordable and inclusive for households of unrelated roommates.

Why it matters: The ordinance would change zoning enforcement and the legal classification of shared living arrangements, potentially affecting renters, landlords, enforcement practices and housing availability. The measure was introduced; no committee referral or vote was recorded at the July 1 meeting.

Speakers on record: Supervisor Mahmoud introduced the ordinance and listed staff and community contributors; planning staff and the city attorney’s office were referenced by name but did not speak on the record during this introduction.