Committee forwards ordinance banning utility shutoffs during construction to full Board with recommendation

The Transportation Committee voted unanimously to forward to the full Board an emergency ordinance that would temporarily prohibit construction projects in buildings with residential rental units from suspending water or essential utility service to tenants without providing acceptable alternatives.

Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin said he declined to add an exemption for buildings undergoing required seismic retrofits because a separate ordinance under consideration would address retrofit deadlines. Supervisor Asha Safae voiced concern about fire-system upgrades that require unit access and potential disruption for tenants sheltering in place, but Peskin said the provision in the current ordinance is narrowly tailored to require alternate water or power if service is interrupted for more than two hours.

Members of the public who called in raised economic concerns about pausing construction and the effect on contractors and jobs. Peskin responded that the ordinance applies to apartment buildings in a rent-controlled city and is intended to protect vulnerable tenants from loss of essential services.

The committee moved the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation as a committee report; the roll call vote was Preston Aye, Safae Aye, Peskin Aye (3-0).

Next steps: the ordinance will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors as a committee report.