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DBI, Planning report low take-up for unit‑legalization program; barriers include cost and reassessment fears
Summary
Departments reported approximately 3,000 inquiries about the voluntary Unit Legalization Program but only 239 permit applications and nine fully legalized units to date; staff cited construction costs (avg. $50,000), reassessment fears, condo-lottery restrictions and tenant issues as barriers and noted fee waivers and process improvements underway.
Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and Planning staff told the Land Use and Transportation Committee that a voluntary program to legalize certain unpermitted dwelling units (Ordinance 43-14) has produced modest participation since adoption. DBI reported roughly 3,000 inquiries and 239 permit applications submitted over about 16 months; of those, 62 permits were under review or issued and staff said nine units have completed legalization.
DBI’s Bill Straub and Planning’s Kate Connor described the program as voluntary and explained eligibility…
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