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Chapter 37 — RESIDENTIAL RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION ORDINANCE

SEC. 37.12. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.

San Francisco Administrative Code · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Francisco

This Section is enacted in order to assure the smooth transition to coverage under this Chapter of owner-occupied buildings containing four units or less, as a result of the repeal of the exemption for owner-occupied units. The provisions of this Section apply only to such units. The units are referred to as "newly covered units" in this Section. The term "effective date of coverage" as used herein means the effective date of the repeal of the owner occupancy exemption.

(a) The initial base rent for all newly covered units shall be the rent that was in effect for the rental unit on May 1, 1994. If no rent was in effect for the newly covered unit on May 1, 1994, the initial base rent shall be the first rent in effect after that date.

(b) All rents paid after May 1, 1994, in excess of the initial base rent under Section 37.12(a), shall be refunded to the tenant no later than December 15, 1994. If the landlord fails to refund the excess rent by December 15, 1994, the tenant may deduct the amount of the refund from future rent payments, or bring a civil action under Section 37.11A, or exercise any other existing remedies. All tenants residing in newly covered units are entitled to this refund, even if the tenant vacated before the effective date of coverage of the newly covered units.

(c) As soon as practical after the effective date of coverage, the Board shall mail to the landlords of record of newly covered units a notice advising of the repeal of the exemption for owner-occupied buildings containing four units or less. The notice shall include information deemed appropriate by the Board to explain the requirements and effects of the change in the law. It shall be the responsibility of landlords to distribute a copy of said notice to all newly covered units within 15 days of the date the Board mails such notice to landlords. Distribution shall be by mail properly addressed to a tenant of the newly covered unit, or by personal delivery to a tenant of the newly covered unit, or by placing said notice under the door of the primary entrance to the newly covered unit.

(Added by Proposition I, 11/8/94; amended by Ord. 88-95, App. 4/7/95)

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▸ Contents — San Francisco Administrative Code
San Francisco Administrative Code
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
  3. Chapter 2A — EXECUTIVE BRANCH
  4. Chapter 2B
  5. Chapter 3 — BUDGET PROCEDURES
  6. Chapter 4 — CITY BUILDINGS E UIPMENT AND VEHICLES , Q,
  7. Chapter 5 — COMMITTEES
  8. Chapter 6 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
  9. Chapter 7 — DISASTER COUNCIL
  10. Chapter 8 — DOCUMENTS RECORDS AND PUBLICATIONS ,
  11. Chapter 9A — FARMERS' MARKET
  12. Chapter 9B — FLEA MARKET
  13. Chapter 10 — FINANCE TAXATION AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS ,,
  14. Chapter 10A — [REQUEST FOR SHERIFF’S SERVICES]
  15. Chapter 10B — SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
  16. Chapter 10C — REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES
  17. Chapter 10D — [RESERVED] CHAPTER 10E: PLANNING MONITORING
  18. Chapter 10F
  19. Chapter 10G
  20. Chapter 10H — RECOVERY OF COSTS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE
  21. Chapter 11 — FRANCHISES
  22. Chapter 12 — HOUSING AUTHORITY
  23. Chapter 12A
  24. Chapter 12B — [REDESIGNATED]
  25. Chapter 12C — [REDESIGNATED]
  26. Chapter 12D — MINORITY/WOMEN/LOCAL BUSINESS UTILIZATION
  27. Chapter 12E — BAN ON CITY USE OF GAS-POWERED LANDSCAPING EQUIP…
  28. Chapter 12F — IMPLEMENTING THE MACBRIDE PRINCIPLES – NORTHERN …
  29. Chapter 12G — PROHIBITION ON USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR POLITICAL…
  30. Chapter 12H — IMMIGRATION STATUS
  31. Chapter 12I — CIVIL IMMIGRATION DETAINERS
  32. Chapter 12J — CITY BUSINESS WITH BURMA PROHIBITED
  33. Chapter 12K — [REDESIGNATED]
  34. Chapter 12L
  35. Chapter 12M
  36. Chapter 12N — LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, AND …
  37. Chapter 12O — [REDESIGNATED]
  38. Chapter 12P — [REDESIGNATED]
  39. Chapter 12Q — [REDESIGNATED]
  40. Chapter 12R — [REDESIGNATED]
  41. Chapter 12S — WORKING FAMILIES CREDIT PROGRAM
  42. Chapter 12T — [REDESIGNATED]
  43. Chapter 12U
  44. Chapter 12V — [REDESIGNATED]
  45. Chapter 12W — [REDESIGNATED] 1
  46. Chapter 12X — [REPEALED]
  47. Chapter 12Y
  48. Chapter 12Z — [REDESIGNATED]
  49. Chapter 13 — JAILS AND PRISONERS
  50. Chapter 14 — [REDESIGNATED]
  51. Chapter 14A — DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
  52. Chapter 14B — LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE UTILIZATION AND NON-DI…
  53. Chapter 14C — [EXPIRED]
  54. Chapter 15 — MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
  55. Chapter 16 — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES GENERALLY
  56. Chapter 17 — PUBLIC OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
  57. Chapter 18 — PAYROLL PROCEDURE
  58. Chapter 19 — PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA ORDINANCE
  59. Chapter 19A — PUBLIC HEALTH
  60. Chapter 19B — ACQUISITION OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY
  61. Chapter 20 — SOCIAL SERVICES
  62. Chapter 21 — ACQUISITION OF COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  63. Chapter 21A — HEALTH-RELATED COMMODITIES AND SERVICES
  64. Chapter 21B — CORE INITIATIVES ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, DRUG O…
  65. Chapter 21C — [REDESIGNATED]
  66. Chapter 21D — FOOD PURCHASES AT HOSPITALS OPERATED BY THE DEPA…
  67. Chapter 21E — GOODS OR SERVICES CONTRACTS FOR INCARCERATED PER…
  68. Chapter 21F — SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SOCIAL…
  69. Chapter 21G
  70. Chapter 21H — PROCUREMENT OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
  71. Chapter 22 — RADIO COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
  72. Chapter 22A — INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
  73. Chapter 22B — TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  74. Chapter 22C — PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS
  75. Chapter 22D — OPEN DATA POLICY
  76. Chapter 22E — CITY-OWNED FIBER-OPTIC FACILITIES
  77. Chapter 22G — OFFICE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
  78. Chapter 22H — DESIGNATION UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY A…
  79. Chapter 22I — OFFICE OF CYBER SECURITY AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF…
  80. Chapter 22J — ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
  81. Chapter 23 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
  82. Chapter 23A — SURPLUS PUBLIC LANDS ORDINANCE
  83. Chapter 24 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
  84. Chapter 24A — ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE LOCAL RENT SUPPLEMENT P…
  85. Chapter 24B — RELOCATION APPEALS BOARD
  86. Chapter 25 — STREET LIGHTING
  87. Chapter 26 — [RESERVED]
  88. Chapter 27 — HEALTHY NAIL SALON RECOGNITION PROGRAM
  89. Chapter 28 — ADMINISTRATIVE DEBARMENT PROCEDURE
  90. Chapter 29 — FINDINGS OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FEASIBILITY
  91. Chapter 29A — APPROVAL OF POWER PLANT PLANNING CODE SEC. 303 C…
  92. Chapter 29B — CHILD CARE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CITY AND CITY-F…
  93. Chapter 30 — CENTRALIZATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
  94. Chapter 31 — CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PROCEDURES A…
  95. Chapter 32 — RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
  96. Chapter 33 — COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
  97. Chapter 33A — LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVE…
  98. Chapter 34 — NOTIFICATION TO ASSESSOR CONCERNING ZONING RECLAS…
  99. Chapter 35 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL AND PDR COMPATIBILITY AND PROTE…
  100. Chapter 36 — COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS AREA PLANS AND PROGRAMS
  101. ▸ Chapter 37 — RESIDENTIAL RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION OR…
    Overview
    1. SEC. 37.1. TITLE AND FINDINGS.
    2. SEC. 37.2. DEFINITIONS.
    3. SEC. 37.3. RENT LIMITATIONS.
    4. SEC. 37.4. ESTABLISHMENT; APPOINTMENT; TERMS; EXECUTIVE DIRECT…
    5. SEC. 37.5. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD.
    6. SEC. 37.6. POWERS AND DUTIES.
    7. SEC. 37.7. CERTIFICATION OF RENT INCREASES FOR CAPITAL IMPROVE…
    8. SEC. 37.8. ARBITRATION OF RENTAL INCREASE ADJUSTMENTS.
    9. SEC. 37.9. EVICTIONS.
    10. SEC. 37.12. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.
    11. SEC. 37.13. KEYS.
    12. SEC. 37.15. REPORTING OBLIGATIONS; LICENSING.
    13. SEC. 37.16. SEVERABILITY.
  102. Chapter 37A — RENT STABILIZATION AND ARBITRATION FEE
  103. Chapter 37B — MIDTOWN PARK APARTMENTS
  104. Chapter 37C — [EXPIRED]
  105. Chapter 38 — COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS; ACCESS IMPROVEMENT OBLIGATI…
  106. Chapter 39 — [RIGHT TO RETURN TO REVITALIZED PUBLIC HOUSING]
  107. Chapter 40 — HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
  108. Chapter 41 — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  109. Chapter 41A — RESIDENTIAL UNIT CONVERSION AND DEMOLITION
  110. Chapter 41B — COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ACT
  111. Chapter 41C — TIME-SHARE CONVERSION ORDINANCE
  112. Chapter 41D — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL VISITOR POLICIES
  113. Chapter 41E — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL MAIL RECEPTACLE ORDINANCE
  114. Chapter 41F
  115. Chapter 41G — RESIDENTIAL HOTEL COVID-19 PROTECTIONS
  116. Chapter 41H — [EXPIRED]
  117. Chapter 42 — INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
  118. Chapter 43 — MUNICIPAL FINANCE LAW
  119. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.1.1. TITLE.
  120. Title 2 — FINANCING RESIDENCES SEC. 43.1.7. LOANS FOR RESIDENC…
  121. Title 3 — BONDS
  122. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS
  123. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.2.1. TITLE.
  124. Title 2 — FINANCING FACILITIES
  125. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.2.17. ISSUANCE OF BONDS.
  126. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.2.27. LIBERAL CONSTR…
  127. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.1. TITLE.
  128. Title 2 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO FORMATION OF DISTRICTS SEC. 4…
  129. Title 3 — PROVISIONS RELATING TO BONDS SEC. 43.10.18. ALTERNAT…
  130. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.10.22. LIBERAL CONST…
  131. Title 5 — CHANGE PROCEEDINGS SEC. 43.10.26. ALTERNATE PROCEDUR…
  132. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS SEC. 43.15.1. TIT…
  133. Title 2 — RESIDENCES SEC. 43.15.6. LOANS TO QUALIFIED 501(c)(3…
  134. Title 3 — BONDS SEC. 43.15.15. ISSUANCE OF BONDS; LOANS TO QUA…
  135. Title 4 — SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS SEC. 43.15.25. LIBERAL CONST…

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