San Francisco, CA Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadlatch throw
- 1/2 inch minimum
- Deadbolt throw
- 1 inch minimum
- Applies to
- Apartments, condos (3+ units)
- Citation
- SF Building Code § 1005A.4.1
Summary
San Francisco requires apartment and condo entry doors to have a combination deadlatch and deadbolt lock meeting specific throw dimensions under the Building Code's Chapter 10A security requirements.
Locks shall be combination 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) throw deadlatch with a minimum 1-inch (25.4 mm) throw deadbolt, and so constructed that both the deadlatch and deadbolt retract simultaneously by knob or lever. The deadbolt shall have the ability to be thrown from the exterior. 1005A.5 Exit doors. All exit doors from corridors to exit stairways and from interior stairwells and interior fire escapes shall meet the requirements of Grade 20 of ANSI/ ASTM F476 and be continuously locked from the outside. Locking devices shall be self-latching or self-locking and shall be openable from the interior with no special effort or knowledge or key. [See Section 1010.2] 1005A.6 Glazed openings. Glazed openings accessible from the ground level, by stairs, ramps, parking lots or garage areas, shall be with approved safety glass or burglar-resistant glazing as defined in Section 1002A. Protective iron grill work may only be installed where it does not interfere with the required means of egress. 1005A.7 Roof openings. All skylights leading directly to interior corridors, stairwells, dwelling units and utility rooms shall be provided with burglary- resistant glazing as defined in Section 1002A. 1005A.8 Garage doors. All doors of the sectional overhead, one-piece overhead, swing or sliding types used on the exterior of a building shall conform to the following standards: 1005A.8.1 Panels of wood doors shall be at least 5/16-inch (7.94 mm) thick,
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
San Francisco Building Code Section 1005A.4.1, part of the Chapter 10A security requirements for apartment houses and condominiums, mandates that entry doors use a combination 1/2-inch throw deadlatch and a minimum 1-inch throw deadbolt. Both must retract simultaneously by turning a single knob or lever, and the deadbolt must be able to be thrown from the exterior. Chapter 10A applies to Group R Division 1 and 2 occupancies, including apartment houses and buildings with more than two residential condominium units.
Violations & Fines
Installing entry doors that don't meet the deadlatch/deadbolt specifications is a Building Code violation; DBI can require the owner to retrofit compliant hardware before signing off on final inspection or certificate of occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lock is required on San Francisco apartment entry doors?
Does this rule apply to single-family homes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.