An Urgent Call to Action: BOMA California Needs Your Assistance to Defeat AB 2416

UPDATE - August 29, 2014

Our BOMA California partners have been working diligently the last few days to defeat this bill and you can still help. Indeed, your help is essential to stopping this measure from passing. If you would reach out to your local elected officials in the California State Legislature and those listed below, it would be appreciated.

Recent amendments to AB 2416 have not been shared with the business community and do not address BOMA's main issue with the bill: the measure would continue to provide for pre-judgment liens, meaning that liens can still be erroneously recorded on properties belonging to homeowners or non-culpable third-parties. Erroneous or fraudulent liens can impact credit reports and property transactions.

This request is time critical. Ask them to VOTE NO on AB 2416.

California State Senators to call after you reach out to your local elected Senator:

Jim Beall - (916) 651-4015
Marty Block - (916) 651-4039
Kathleen Galgiani - (916) 651-4005
Ted Lieu - (916) 651-4028
Carol Liu - (916) 651-4025
Alex Padilla - (916) 651-4020
Fran Pavley - (916) 651-4027
Richard Roth - (916) 651-4031
Norma Torres - (916) 651-4032

--------------------

UPDATE - August 25, 2014

BOMA San Francisco Members:

If you've had a moment to contact your local legislators to voice opposition to AB 2416, thank you.  Your efforts have been effective, i.e., slowing the progress of the measure in Sacramento and forcing it to be amended two times since our last communication.  Even with your earnest feedback to your California State Legislators, the amendments do not address the concerns as detailed in our July 29, 2014 post, below.

As such, please reach out again to your local elected officials in the California State Legislature to let them know that the recent changes to the bill do not go far enough.

AMENDMENTS:  The bill was amended recently to remove property services from the third party liability section.  However, this amendment is immaterial as (1) Section 3010 (a)(2) of the bill covers any services performed by an employee for the property owner.  While the last sentence of this section states that it does not apply to services performed for a household or residence, it will cover property services performed on a commercial or industrial building.  Additionally, as with the other third party carve outs there is no way the county recorder’s office is going to be able to make the determination  as to whether the services performed were for a household or residence when the employee files the notice.

To reiterate, this bill still allows innocent property owners to get dragged into wage disputes they have nothing to do with.

---------------------

Original Post - July 29, 2014

There are currently two bills in the California State Legislature that could pull your business into disputes that do not have any association with the commercial real estate industry.  BOMA California, of which BOMA San Francisco is a member, is asking that BOMA members focus on the first of two bills, below, AB 2416,  and contact California State Legislators from your area to help deter the measure's passage.

BOMA California is also providing information on a related bill, AB 1897, also below, as a corollary; it may come up in your conversations with legislators' office staff members. 

AB 2416 (Stone; D-Scotts Valley) Unproven Wage Liens. This bill creates a precarious and unbalanced precedent in the wage and hour debate by allowing employees to file liens on an employer’s real or personal property, or property where work was performed, based upon alleged yet unproven wage claims.

AB 1897 (Hernandez; D-West Covina) Labor Contracting; Client Liability. This measure would oblige one company to essentially insure the wage and hour obligations, workers’ compensation coverage, and occupational health and safety duties of a separate employer’s employees, which will discourage the use of contractors and their employees.

Both bills will be considered when the California State Legislature returns from their recess on August 4th.  First in the California State Senate and, if both bills pass, then in the California State Assembly for concurrence.

BOMA California opposes both bills and is strongly urging all BOMA members statewide to get engaged locally on these measures.

To help you communicate with legislators, please find the following:

• A summary of AB 2416;
• An example letter;
• Lien comparison chart. 
• Proponents of this bill want to argue that this lien is just like the Mechanics Lien. It is not. This chart helps you know the differences, and explains why the pre-judgmental lien in the bill is bad for your property.

The first priority is to contact your State Senators and ask that they oppose AB 2416 on the Senate Floor. The second priority is to contact your State Assemblymembers and ask that they oppose AB 2416 if it moves back over to the State Assembly for concurrence.

BOMA SF-PAC Slate Card for the November 4, 2014 General Election

BOMA San Francisco's Political Action Committee's Slate Card

November 4, 2014 General Election

Candidates Endorsed

David Chiu for California State Assembly (San Francisco)
Marc Levine for re-election to the California State Assembly (Marin/Sonoma)
Kevin Mullin for re-election to the California State Assembly (San Mateo)

Mark Farrell for re-election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors – District 2
Katy Tang for re-election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors – District 4
Scott Wiener for re-election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors – District 8
Malia Cohen for re-election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors – District 10
Nick Josefowitz for BART Board of Directors - District 8

San Francisco Propositions on the Ballot

A - San Francisco Transportation and Road Improvement Bond - SUPPORT
B - Adjusting Transportation Funding for Population Growth – Neutral

C - Children’s Fund; Public Education Enrichment Fund Reauthorization – No Position
D - Retiree Health Benefits for Former Redevelopment Agency and Successor Agency Employees – No Position
E - Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages – No Position
F- Pier 70 Development Project at Bayview/Hunter’s Point – Neutral
G - Additional Transfer Tax on Residential Property Sold Within 5 Years of Purchase - OPPOSE
H - Requiring Certain Golden Gate Park Athletic Fields To Be Kept As Grass With No Artificial Lighting – No Position
I - Renovation of Playgrounds, Walking Trails, and Athletic Fields – No Position

J - Increase San Francisco’s Minimum Wage to $15/hour by 2018 – Neutral
K - Mayor Lee/Board of Supervisors Affordable Housing Policy Statement – SUPPORT
L - Balanced Transportation Policy Statement - SUPPORT

BOMA San Francisco Members Meet with City and County of San Francisco's Real Estate Division Director, John Updike

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Recently, the members of the Government Affairs Policy Advisory Committee (GAPAC) welcomed the City and County of San Francisco's Real Estate Division Director, John Updike.  

Please click here to review his presentation to the group.

The Real Estate Division is responsible for the acquisition of all real property required for City purposes, the sale of surplus real property owned by the City, and the leasing of property required by various City departments.  Operations at the Alemany Farmers' and Flea Markets (100 Alemany), and UN Gift Gallery (UN Plaza) are managed by the Division.

The Real Estate Division also provides custodial and engineering services for various City departments as well as full service property management services to the following City owned buildings: City Hall, 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 25 Van Ness Avenue, 30 Van Ness Avenue, 1640 - 1680 Mission Street, the Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street) and 555 7th Street.

Additionally, the Division completes market value appraisals or analysis of real property considered for City sale, development or acquisition, and acts as a real estate consultant to Departments, the Mayor, and the Board of Supervisors.

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection - Document Disabled Access for Tenant Improvments

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Mark Walls, Senior Building Inspector at the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI), advises all BOMA members who are pulling tenant improvement permits to make sure the tenant is complying with Administrative Bulletin 056 dealing with Documenting Disabled Access. Click here to review it.

Having the Disabled Access Compliance Status Documentation path of travel certificate, as issued by DBI, greatly facilitates the plan check process - especially for those over-the-counter projects. Inspector Walls further advises that having the certificate will not only save the applicant time and money (either new or existing tenant or their design professional) in reproducing or obtaining Path-of-Travel drawings from either the building manager or the base building architect, but it can eliminate the potential for contractual issues that arise when tenants are required to spent additional monies on accessibility upgrades outside of their leasable space. Having an AB-056 certificate on file and active with DBI will benefit property owners and their representatives in the ongoing process of leasing and improving their commercial real estate in San Francisco.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact Mark Walls at (415) 575-6918.

A Message from San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Many in the San Francisco Bay Area were awakened early Sunday morning by the largest earthquake in the region since the Loma Prieta earthquake nearly 25 years ago. While thankfully, San Francisco suffered no damage, this is a good opportunity to remind ourselves that we need to be prepared before the next earthquake or emergency. Being prepared today will make our City’s recovery all the more efficient and effective, allowing us all to get back to business as usual, faster.

Let’s use this as an opportunity to educate ourselves, our friends and family, and our employees and coworkers about earthquake preparedness and why it is critical to making sure that San Francisco is a resilient City. Please visit www.sf72.org to learn how to get prepared for the next earthquake and how to connect with your community. 

I also encourage everyone who lives or works in San Francisco to take the San Francisco Fire Department’s free Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) training, and register for the City’s e-mail and text-based notification system www.AlertSF.org.

It is often said that real emergencies look more like people coming together rather than cities falling apart. That is why it is important to take steps now so we are all ready for the next emergency. Let’s not wait until the next disaster; let’s be prepared today. Thank you.

Sincerely,



Edwin M. Lee
Mayor

Free Commercial Building Energy Re-Tuning Webinar - September 2

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Property professionals are invited to attend a free webinar about building re-tuning on Tuesday, September 2, at 3:00 pm Eastern. Building re-tuning is a low-cost process to identify and correct building operational problems that lead to energy waste. To expand the practice of re-tuning, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed a curriculum focused on re-tuning both large commercial buildings (those with a building automation system, or BAS) and small commercial properties (those without a BAS).

Hear from representatives of Parmenter Realty Partners and Towson University, participants of the DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge who have employed re-tuning training to improve building performance, and learn about opportunities to take the training through a new collaboration between BOMA and the Consortium for Building Energy Innovation.

Register for this webinar online. Please contact Scott Morris, BOMA International’s Director of State & Local Affairs, with any questions at smorris@boma.org.

UPDATE! A Call to Action: BOMA California Needs Your Assistance to Defeat AB 2416 - Unproven Wage Liens

UPDATE - August 25, 2014

BOMA San Francisco Members:

If you've had a moment to contact your local legislators to voice opposition to AB 2416, thank you.  Your efforts have been effective, i.e., slowing the progress of the measure in Sacramento and forcing it to be amended two times since our last communication.  Even with your earnest feedback to your California State Legislators, the amendments do not address the concerns as detailed in our July 29, 2014 post, below.

As such, please reach out again to your local elected officials in the California State Legislature to let them know that the recent changes to the bill do not go far enough.

AMENDMENTS:  The bill was amended recently to remove property services from the third party liability section.  However, this amendment is immaterial as (1) Section 3010 (a)(2) of the bill covers any services performed by an employee for the property owner.  While the last sentence of this section states that it does not apply to services performed for a household or residence, it will cover property services performed on a commercial or industrial building.  Additionally, as with the other third party carve outs there is no way the county recorder’s office is going to be able to make the determination  as to whether the services performed were for a household or residence when the employee files the notice.

To reiterate, this bill still allows innocent property owners to get dragged into wage disputes they have nothing to do with.

---------------------

Original Post - July 29, 2014

There are currently two bills in the California State Legislature that could pull your business into disputes that do not have any association with the commercial real estate industry.  BOMA California, of which BOMA San Francisco is a member, is asking that BOMA members focus on the first of two bills, below, AB 2416,  and contact California State Legislators from your area to help deter the measure's passage.

BOMA California is also providing information on a related bill, AB 1897, also below, as a corollary; it may come up in your conversations with legislators' office staff members. 

AB 2416 (Stone; D-Scotts Valley) Unproven Wage Liens. This bill creates a precarious and unbalanced precedent in the wage and hour debate by allowing employees to file liens on an employer’s real or personal property, or property where work was performed, based upon alleged yet unproven wage claims.

AB 1897 (Hernandez; D-West Covina) Labor Contracting; Client Liability. This measure would oblige one company to essentially insure the wage and hour obligations, workers’ compensation coverage, and occupational health and safety duties of a separate employer’s employees, which will discourage the use of contractors and their employees.

Both bills will be considered when the California State Legislature returns from their recess on August 4th.  First in the California State Senate and, if both bills pass, then in the California State Assembly for concurrence.

BOMA California opposes both bills and is strongly urging all BOMA members statewide to get engaged locally on these measures.

To help you communicate with legislators, please find the following:

• A summary of AB 2416;
• An example letter;
• Lien comparison chart. 
• Proponents of this bill want to argue that this lien is just like the Mechanics Lien. It is not. This chart helps you know the differences, and explains why the pre-judgmental lien in the bill is bad for your property.

The first priority is to contact your State Senators and ask that they oppose AB 2416 on the Senate Floor. The second priority is to contact your State Assemblymembers and ask that they oppose AB 2416 if it moves back over to the State Assembly for concurrence.

A Call to Action! BOMA International Advocacy Update - TRIA Alert & EPA Proposed Water Rule Affecting Commercial Real Estate

TRIA ALERT: Your Help Needed to Break House Impasse

The December 31 expiration date for the federal terrorism risk insurance program is fast approaching and the legislative calendar is quickly winding down. However, the U.S. House of Representatives remains at an impasse on how to proceed forward on legislation to renew the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA). This program was first enacted following 9/11 and has been instrumental in ensuring that terrorism insurance coverage is available at reasonable rates and terms.

In order to ensure that action is taken in Congress to reauthorize this critical program before it expires at the end of the year, the commercial real estate industry must keep the pressure on Representatives during their August recess. To that end, BOMA International has posted in the Legislative Action Center sample language for a letter to send to your Congressperson. Please take a few moments to write to your Representative and urge immediate action.

BOMA Submits Comments to EPA

Recently, BOMA International joined with other real estate organizations to submit comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding a proposed ruling that would set a new precedent for water regulations and could negatively affect commercial real estate. EPA’s proposed water rule would blur the definition of “Waters of the United States” as defined and regulated by the Clean Water Act. This ruling would impact municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and stormwater runoff regulations. The coalition’s comments urge EPA to reiterate that “Waters of the United States” do not include MS4s or its components. BOMA will begin lobbying Capitol Hill offices to gain further support for the coalition’s request in the hopes that EPA can clarify or amend the proposed ruling before it is finalized.

BOMA California Advocacy Update - Water Bond Passes & Cal OSHA Skylight Fall Protection Rules

California Water Bond Passes - BOMA California Supports

Recently, the Governor signed a measure to replace the current water bond that is on the ballot, with a $7.5 billion bond. BOMA California supports this new measure and appreciates all stakeholders for coming together to make this happen.  Click here to read an op ed about the bond to learn more about the details and strategy that went into the measure. 

California needs more water infrastructure and this measure is a great first step.

Cal/OSHA and Skylight Fall-Protection Rules

In response to a petition filed by the solar industry, the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) has convened a formal advisory committee to consider if changes are warranted to California’s existing fall-protection safety standards for work around roof-top skylights.

Specifically, the solar industry is asserting that the existing safety standards are out of date and should be amended to account for the temporary nature of solar-installation work and the significant advancements in skylight construction technology. There appears to be evidence supporting a change, however, our industry will be supporting a focused fix to this issue as opposed to a complete rewrite of the entire set of fall-protection standards for work being performed near a skylight.

The California Business Properties Association and California Building Industry Association have representatives on this Advisory Committee representing the commercial and residential real estate industries.  

Please email mhargrove@cbpa.com you want more information or want to get more involved.

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection - Temporary Reduction of All Staff Service Fees

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Effective August 30, 2014, fees for all San Francisco Department of Building Inspection staff services will be reduced by 7%.  The temporary fee reduction is effective for six-months.

Click here for details.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - Water-Wise Tips and Rebates/Incentives

BOMA San Francisco Members:

As California experiences extreme drought conditions, your renewed conservation commitments are needed now. San Francisco businesses can help reduce water use if everyone takes a few simple steps. Develop a water conservation plan for your business using the following tips:

• Determine how and where water is used on site - if you need assistance, the SFPUC provides free Water-Wise Evaluations.
• Educate you tenant's employees about water conservation practices - post signage to educate employees and visitors about water conservation practices.
• Install water-efficient fixtures such as high-efficiency toilets, urinals, and clothes washers - fixtures over 20 years old should be replaced immediately. The SFPUC provides rebates up to $500 per fixture
• Install efficient plumbing devices such as faucet aerators, showerheads, and pre-rinse spray valves - the SFPUC provides these for FREE.
• Avoid using water to clean sidewalks, driveways, and other surfaces – unless required for public health purposes.
• Assess your irrigation system to identify inefficiencies such as leaks or broken sprinkler heads.
• Limit landscape watering to no more than twice per week – adjust irrigation to avoid overspray and runoff. 
• Provide water only upon request at restaurants – signage is available from the SFPUC.
• Sign up for My Account - track your site's water consumption through daily meter reads to help measure water savings and quickly identify leaks.

Visit our drought resource center for a complete list of materials, signage and more to help make employees, tenants, and visitors aware of your business's conservation goals.

Commercial Rebates and Incentives: 

Free Plumbing Devices
Direct High-Efficiency Toilet Installation
Commercial Toilet
Commercial Urinal
Commercial Washer
Free Water-Wise Evaluations
Commercial Equipment Grant

San Francisco Commercial Water Conservation Ordinance - Requirements for Commercial Buildings

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Working with BOMA San Francisco, the City of San Francisco enacted a Commercial Water Conservation Ordinance in 2009 that requires all commercial property owners to provide certain water conservation measures for their buildings by January 1, 2017. The intent of this law is protect natural resources, address increasing demand for water, and cut greenhouse gas emissions through reduced water use. The required improvements also will reduce water and sewer costs for commercial properties.

It is advantageous for all commercial property owners to comply with the requirements now. Even though the  statutory deadline is in 2017, the savings in water and sewer costs typically pay for themselves within one to three years.  The following information is a summary of the requirements found in Chapter 13A of the San Francisco Building Code (SFBC).

Who Must Comply?

On or before January 1, 2017, all owners of:

• Commercial buildings;
• Any portion of a residential building, which is used for commercial purposes;
• Any portion of a residential building converted to a tourist hotel;
• Any portion of a residential building which is occupied as a hotel or motel unit and which has a certificate of use for tourist occupancy;
• Any building or portion thereof which is a live/work occupancy
• Mobile homes.

Owner’s compliance is also required when one of the following situations occurs:

• Building Additions
• If a building addition will increase the floor area of the building by more than 10 percent, the entire building must comply as a condition for issuance of a Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy.
• Building Alterations and Improvements
• If the cost estimated in a building permit for an alternation or improvement is greater than $150,000, compliance is required in all facilities that serve the specific area of alteration or improvement and is a condition for issuance of a Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy or final permit sign off.
• Alternations or Improvements to Rooms with Water Conservation Devices
• If an alteration or improvement of any cost is located in a room that contains a faucet, shower, water closet (toilet), or urinal, compliance is required in that room as a condition for issuance of a Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy or final permit sign off.

Please click here for more information about what the law requires.  If you have any questions, please call SFDBI's Plumbing Inspection Division at (415) 558-6570.

For more information on financing options, efficient toilet and urinal rebates, and free water-efficient device which can help achieve compliance with the water conservation ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission at (415) 551-4730 or click here.

San Francisco Fire Department Connection (FDC) Standpipe Inlet Caps

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Please note the San Francisco Fire Department information regarding standpipe inlet caps/plugs for fire department connections (FDC).  There have been many problems reported regarding the use of red plastic FDC caps. Specifically, the threads are not compatible and they break easily.  The red FDC caps are not approved for use and need to be replaced immediately.

Here is one example:

As you can see, the lug nut is broken off of this lid, making it impossible for a wrench to grab hold of the cap to open it. In addition, SFFD personnel have had experiences with this type of cover where the cap is broken off with the threaded portion still stuck inside the inlet.

Standpipe Inlet/Cap Material

ABS plastic or brass are the correct materials of the standpipe inlet caps/plugs for listed fire department connections and outlet valves for San Francisco fittings.  If the cap is made of plastic, make sure the fitting has the 3" National Standard hose threads with approved thread pitch and diameters (NFPA 1963).  The SFFD is typically is able to remove the standard 3" black schedule 40 ABS plumbing plug without a problem as the threads typically do not bind or cross thread in the FDCs. 

We Need Your Feedback! Legislation to Study/Allow San Francisco to Provide Electric Service to Private Developments

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Supervisor Scott Wiener has introduced legislation that would amend the San Francisco Administrative Code to evaluate the feasibility of the City providing electric power to private developments and projects.

Click here to read the ordinance, and here for the executive summary.

The following are a few details/concerns regarding the ordinance, in its current draft, that have been discussed with members of BOMA San Francisco's Government Affairs Policy Advisory Committee (GAPAC):

• The City is allowed to sell power (pg. 1/lines 17-19);
• The measure is attempting to study, and eventually allow San Francisco Public Utilities Commission power to be delivered to new City developments. (pg. 1/lines 23-25; pg. 2 lines 1-6);
• The measure is also attempting to study and eventually allow SFPUC power to be delivered to other private projects over 10k sq/ft - this is ambiguously defined (Existing buildings?  New developments? Tenant improvements?) and needs to be clarified.  This could be an issue for BOMA members. (pg. 2/lines 6-12);
• Why is this happening?  The SFPUC can use the additional revenue from serving electricity to new customers to address deferred maintenance of infrastructure projects.  (pg. 2/lines 21-23);
• Requirement to Study Feasibility (pg. 3).  What does 'certain other private projects seeking City approvals' mean (pg. 3/lines 5-6)?  Also, (lines 7-10) who pays for the study?   

If you have any feedback, please send it to johnb@boma.com and kenc@boma.com.  A meeting with Supervisor Wiener and our members has taken place recently; the next discussion will be with San Francisco Public Utilities Commission officials. 

UPDATE - Drought in California: State Water Resources Control Board’s New Water Waste Regulations

UPDATE - August 4, 2014

In response to the ongoing severe drought, the State Water Resources Control Board recently passed emergency regulations beginning on August 1, 2014 to ensure all Californians reduce outdoor water waste or face potential enforcement. The SFPUC is continuing its ongoing and comprehensive water conservation programs and educational efforts to ensure that citations are issued only as a last resort.

Californians can be cited for:

• Washing down driveways and sidewalks except when needed for health and safety purposes.
• Watering outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff. 
• Using a hose, without a shut-off nozzle, to wash motor vehicles; and, 
• Using drinking water in fountains or decorative water features unless the water recirculates. 

The State’s requirements are similar to water waste restrictions the SFPUC already has in place and are consistent with water saving tips and guidance we provide our customers rain or shine. 

---------------------

Image credit: Randall Benton, Sacramento Bee

Original Post - February 20, 2014

Like most businesses and households, BOMA San Francisco members are acutely aware of California's declared drought and are looking at ways to further conserve water during this unprecedented dry winter.  Indeed, BOMA members have been at the forefront of energy and water conservation for some time though our Energy and Environment Committee and the Commercial Water Conservation Ordinance.

BOMA San Francisco's Energy and Environment Committee (E&E)

BOMA's E&E Committee is one of the organization's most active member groups focused specifically on energy and environmental sustainability in commercial high-rise buildings.  At the committee's most recent meeting, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) representatives presented on water-saving tips for commercial properties:

• Determine how and where your water is used on site. If you need assistance, the SFPUC provides free Water-Wise Evaluations.
• Assign a conservation champion to develop and monitor water conservation efforts.
• Educate tenants and visitors about water conservation practices; put up signs encouraging water conservation in kitchens, restrooms, locker rooms, and other public areas.
• Inform vendors that water efficiency is a priority (cooling tower maintenance, landscape, laundry and dishwasher)
• Install water-efficient fixtures and plumbing devices, such as high efficiency toilets and urinals, faucet aerators, and pre-rinse spray valves. The SFPUC provides fixture rebates and free devices (details below).
• Identify water conservation opportunities specific to your facility or business and prioritize no or low cost options. 
• Use a broom, pressure washer, or hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle to clean sidewalks, driveways and pavement.
• Conduct preventative maintenance to ensure water-using fixtures are working properly.
• Assess your irrigation system to identify inefficiencies such as leaks, broken sprinkler heads and run off. 
• Track water consumption through meter reads or monthly water bills to measure water savings achievements and monitor for leaks.

There is not a mandatory water reduction for San Francisco at this time although there is a request from the SFPUC that businesses and households reduce their consumption voluntarily by 10%.  

Commercial Water Conservation Ordinance (2009)

Our members are fortunate to have had the foresight to work with the City and County of San Francisco on the Commercial Water Conservation Ordinance that applies to any commercial property owner.  The law requires that a building owner repair plumbing leaks and install water efficient plumbing fixtures to obtain a Certificate of Compliance either upon major improvements or by January 1, 2017.

Compliance

Inefficient plumbing fixtures manufactured and installed prior to 1994 must be replaced with efficient fixtures. The SFPUC offers financial incentives and technical assistance for the replacement of inefficient plumbing fixtures. The Ordinance established the following water efficiency guidelines for commercial properties:

• All showerheads have a maximum flow of 2.5 gallons per minute (fpm);
• All showers have no more than one showerhead per valve;
• All faucets and faucet aerators have a maximum flow rate of 2.2 fpm
• All water closets (toilets) have a maximum rated water consumption of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or the flush volume set by updates to the San Francisco Plumbing Code. Effective July 1, 2011, new toilet fixture installations may not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush, the maximum rated water consumption established in the San Francisco Plumbing Code, Chapter 4, Section 402.2;
• All urinals have a maximum flow rate of 1.0 gpf. Note: To achieve compliance with the Ordinance, new urinal fixture installations shall not exceed 0.5 gpf, the maximum rated water consumption established in the San Francisco Plumbing Code, Chapter 4, Section 402.3;
• All water leaks have been repaired.

Click here for more information on how you can help to conserve our most precious resource.