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All-Electric Buildings in San Francisco

San Francisco now requires 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 improve safety and air quality, support a healthier City and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

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 if they meet both of the following conditions:

  1. 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.

  2. 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 be all-electric. For details see Administrative Bulletin 112.

Exemptions to the all-electric requirement

Projects can use gas only in these situations:

  • Technical infeasibility - If a project can't be constructed all-electric, gas piping must be limited to the area that can’t be electric.
  • Federal appliance standards - Appliances regulated by US Department of Energy are allowed, including gas-fueled models. However, state energy standards and regional air quality rules apply.
  • Commercial kitchens - Gas may be used for cooking equipment.
  • Adaptive reuse projects - Projects converting a non-residential building to housing before January 1, 2031 may use gas.
  • 100% affordable housing - These projects are exempt until July 1, 2027. A cost-based exception may be requested until January 1, 2031.

Health, safety and fire standards must be met, and projects must be ready to convert to all-electric in the future.

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

Codes and Ordinances

Trainings

Incentives and Design Assistance

Questions?

We're here to help. Email us at dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org.