Naturally there is a green-eco aspect to any property sale in San Francisco. And let’s be honest, in a Mediterranean climate, the steps mandated by law do make sense, so it’s no surprise that properties here are subject to energy and water conservation inspection and compliance requirements the Board of Supervisors first enacted in the 1970s applicable to most residential unit sales in the City.
- All toilets must have a maximum rated water consumption of 1.6 gallons per flush or less.
- Attics should be insulated to R-11 if not R-19
- Shower head flows can be no more than 2.5 gallons per minute
- Sink aerators only with a flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute or less are allowed
- Door sweeps are installed, openings caulked and leaks fixed
- Water heaters need to be wrapped with R-9 insulation (usually under a foil layer) and double-strapped
The inspection is usually pretty routine and while it looks like the applicable regulations say that once a compliance certificate is filed and recorded with the City, most agents and sellers will recheck compliance with each sale because it’s a good ritualized check of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors too. And yes, there are some cases where escrow can’t close the sale without seeing the recorded inspection compliance certificate having been filed or an exemption being provided.
In San Francisco, most of these inspections and any required work are handled by a trusted, family-owned business with years of experience ensuring properties meet these standards. Once the property passes inspection—sometimes requiring updates like swapping out toilets, adding insulation, or installing detectors—the inspection service files a certification with the Assessor’s Office, confirming compliance with current regulations.
The cost for this inspection has increased to $375, and it’s usually considered a seller’s cost, except in situations like probate or estate sales, or when the property is being sold as a fixer.
