Affordable Housing: Developer Fees Waived In San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Creating affordable housing in San Francisco may get easier after the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved eliminating several fees for affordable housing developments.

The legislation to eliminate the fees would also apply to accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs, according to Mayor London Breed, who introduced the legislation.

"San Francisco desperately needs more housing -- especially new rent-controlled housing -- and this legislation will encourage the construction of new homes in all our neighborhoods," she said.

"With building costs already so high, we shouldn't be adding fees that get in the way of new homes in our city. We need to keep getting rid of barriers that get in the way of building affordable housing, and by waiving inspection fees for 100 percent affordable housing and for ADUs, we can do just that."

The legislation calls for the department of building inspection to waive the fees, under a one-year pilot program.

The waived fees would apply to building inspections, plan reviews, record retentions and site surcharges.

Permitting fees for affordable housing projects and ADUs can typically range from $100,000 to $150,000 per project, according to Breed's office.

— Bay City News

Also See:

• 5 California Homes Priced Under $90,000
• 194 Best Employers In California: New Forbes List
• Mama Deer, Twin Fawns: Photo Of The Day