San Francisco, CA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- SF Building Code Ch. 13A
- Applies to
- Commercial buildings, hotels, motels
- Meter test
- No movement in 10 minutes
- Toilet leak test
- Leak detector tablets or dye
Summary
San Francisco requires owners of commercial buildings to locate and repair all water leaks under the Commercial Water Conservation Ordinance's fixture-compliance rules.
1313A.5 Leak repair. All water leaks shall be located and repaired. To determine the existence of leaks, the following is required. 1. Visual inspection or water meter registration. If water meter registration is used, compliance is achieved if there is no meter movement for ten minutes while all fixtures are shut off.
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
Under San Francisco Building Code Section 1313A.5, commercial building owners must locate and repair all water leaks as part of the Commercial Water Conservation Ordinance (Chapter 13A). Compliance is checked either by visual inspection or by water meter registration: if the meter test is used, there must be no meter movement for ten minutes with all fixtures shut off. Tank-type water closets must be tested with leak detector tablets or dye for slow valve leaks, and flushometer-type fixtures must be visually checked for proper timing and leaks. This duty applies alongside the chapter's fixture-replacement requirements (showerheads, faucet aerators, water closets, urinals) for commercial buildings, including tourist hotels and motels.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance is documented on the qualified inspector's official inspection form and can block issuance of the certificate of compliance required under Section 1311A before permits or approvals tied to the building proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this leak-repair rule apply to homes?
How is a leak confirmed under SF's rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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