San Francisco now requires most new buildings to use electric systems instead of natural gas.
Starting July 1, 2026, some major renovation projects must also be fully electric. These rules help cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and support a healthier city.
Check if your project needs to go all-electric
San Francisco’s electrification rules apply to most new construction and, soon, to many major renovations. Review the sections below to see if your project must be fully electric before you design a project or apply for permits.
New Construction
- All permit applications filed on or after June 1, 2021 must be for fully electric buildings.
- Gas piping is not allowed for space heating, water heating, cooking, lighting or clothes drying.
- Once construction is completed, an all-electric building must remain all-electric.
Major Renovations
Starting July 1, 2026, some major renovation projects will require a building to be converted to all-electric appliances if they meet both of the following conditions:
- The project qualifies as a major renovation.
A project is considered a major renovation if it:
a. Makes a significant structural alteration to the building, or
b. Makes a significant non-structural alteration to the building, or
c. Adds new space that qualifies as a substantial improvement under San Francisco Building Code Section 202. - The project includes a major upgrade to the building's heating or hot-water system, meaning it:
a. Replaces the space- and water-heating systems for the entire building, or
b. Installs new space- and water-heating systems that serve 80% or more of the building's conditioned floor area, or
c. Adds new space conditioning or water-heating systems for a new area being added to the building.
If your project meets both of the conditions above, it must use electric systems for those functions.
Exemptions to the all-electric requirement
Projects can use gas only in these situations:
- Technical infeasibility - If an all-electric design can’t work safely or effectively, gas piping must be limited to the area that can’t be electric and still meet health, safety, and fire standards.
- Commercial kitchens - Gas may be used for cooking equipment.
- Adaptive reuse projects - If you’re converting a non-residential building to housing, you may use gas until January 1, 2031.
- 100% affordable housing - These projects are exempt until July 1, 2027. A cost-based exception may be requested until January 1, 2031.
- Federal appliance standards - Appliances regulated under the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act, including refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioners, water heaters and clothes dryers, may continue operating as gas appliances.
Technical Feasibility Review
There are all-electric buildings of all sizes and uses in San Francisco today. If your project team has concerns about technical feasibility, review Administrative Bulletin 112 to understand when a third party all-electric feasibility reviewer can help. Email us at dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org for a list of approved third party reviewers.
If you would like to apply to be a feasibility reviewer, submit a statement of qualifications following our open call instructions.
Resources
- San Francisco Building Code Section 106A.1.17.1 - All-electric new construction requirements.
- Administrative Bulletin 112 - Exceptions and technical feasibility review.
- Ordinance No. 174-25 - All-electric requirements for major renovations. This ordinance will be effective July 2026.
Questions?
We're here to help. Email us at dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org.