San Francisco Building Code Chapter 9 and Fire Code Chapter 9 require automatic fire sprinkler systems in nearly all new buildings, major renovations, and multi-unit residential structures, exceeding California state baseline rules.
SF Building Code Section 903 requires NFPA 13 or 13R sprinkler systems in all new construction over 5,000 square feet, all R-2 multi-family dwellings of three or more units, all high-rises, hotels, and assembly spaces. SF amends California Building Code with stricter local triggers based on dense urban risk. Existing buildings undergoing major alterations exceeding 50 percent valuation must add sprinklers retroactively. SFFD inspects systems annually under Title 19 California Code of Regulations. DBI permits installation. Even small ADUs over 500 square feet attached to homes may require sprinkler add-ons under recent code amendments.
Building or renovating without required sprinkler systems, disabling heads, missing annual inspections, or failing to maintain water supply triggers DBI red-tagging and SFFD enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Francisco, CA
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