San Francisco, CA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum frequency
- once every 5 years
- Covers
- apartment houses and hotels
- Funded by
- annual license fee
- Administered by
- Dept. of Building Inspection
- Areas inspected
- common areas, not units by default
Summary
San Francisco requires the Department of Building Inspection to inspect every apartment house and hotel for health and safety at least once every five years, funded by an annual license fee billed on the property tax roll.
The license fee will be used to defray the cost of health and safety inspection and regulation of the apartment houses by the Department of Building Inspection. This inspection will be made by the Department of Building Inspection on a periodic basis as determined by the Director of the Department of Building Inspection. However an inspection shall be made not less than once every five years. Additional inspections within any year may be required, including responding to occupant complaints. See Building Code, Chapter 1A, Schedule 1A-P. (Residential and Code Enforcement and License Fees) for the applicable fees.
(c) Hotel License Fees. Every individual entity which owns or operates a hotel, shall pay an annual license fee. The Tax Collector shall bill the annual Hotel License Fee as a special assessment lien on the property tax bill mailed to all owners and operators of hotels, as defined by this Code. All laws pertaining to the collection and enforcement of ad valorem property taxes, including the date such fees are due and payable, shall apply to the collection and enforcement of the Hotel License Fee. The license fee will be used to defray the cost of health and safety inspection and regulation of the hotels by the Department of Building Inspection. This inspection will be made by the Department of Building Inspection on a periodic basis as determined by the Director of the Department
Full Breakdown
Housing Code Sec. 302(b)-(c) requires owners of apartment houses (including residential condominiums) and hotels to pay an annual license fee, billed by the Tax Collector as a property-tax special assessment lien, that funds a Department of Building Inspection health and safety inspection occurring on a periodic basis the Director sets, but not less than once every five years. Sec. 303 adds that routine inspections cover common areas, lobbies, corridors, stairs, courtyards, garages, boiler and laundry rooms, and roofs, while individual units are entered only on occupant complaint or the Director's discretion.
Violations & Fines
Owners who don't pay the required license fee face a special assessment lien for the amount owed plus accrued interest against the property, enforced under Administrative Code Chapter 10, Article XX, per Housing Code Sec. 302(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does San Francisco inspect apartment buildings?
Do inspectors enter individual apartment units?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California rental inspections overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.