Does San Francisco’s Better Roofs ordinance make me add solar when I replace my roof?

Homeowners sometimes hear that San Francisco “requires solar on roofs.” That rule exists, but it targets new buildings. Here is what the Planning Department’s Zoning Administrator Bulletin No. 11 says.

Who does the Better Roofs rule apply to?

The bulletin applies the requirements to buildings that meet all three of these conditions:

1. A gross floor area of 2,000 square feet or more.
2. 10 or fewer occupied floors.
3. A site permit or building permit applied for on or after January 1, 2017.

The bulletin describes these as requirements for new building construction. Replacing the roof covering on an existing house goes through the city’s reroofing permit, which is a different process.

What does it require on new buildings?

• Between 15% and 30% of the roof must have solar, a living (green) roof, or a combination.
• A living roof can replace required solar at 2 sq ft of living roof for every 1 sq ft of solar. That option is tied to the city’s Stormwater Management Ordinance.
• Solar electric (PV) in the required area must provide at least 10 W DC per sq ft of roof allocated to PV.

I want solar anyway. Should I reroof first?

If the roof has less life left than the panels, it usually makes sense to reroof first, because removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost. Plan the roof layout, penetrations and flashing with your solar installer. See solar and roofing in the Bay Area.

On permits: SF.gov’s permit checklist lists a small residential rooftop solar system on a non-landmark building as exempt from a building permit, while noting that an electrical permit or another permit may still be required. The reroof itself needs its own permit; see SF reroof permit requirements.

The Planning Department’s Better Roofs page is archived and no longer updated, so confirm current rules with SF Planning for a new building or a major addition.

Request a free inspection and written estimate or call (415) 410-7917.

Sources: SF Planning: Zoning Administrator Bulletin No. 11, Better Roofs; SF Planning: Better Roofs; SF.gov: check if your project needs a permit.