109A.1 Use and occupancy. No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the building official has issued a certificate of final completion and occupancy or an amended certificate of final completion and occupancy therefor as provided herein, or otherwise has been approved for use by the Department of Building Inspection.
Issuance of a certificate of final completion and occupancy or an amended certificate of final completion and occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Certificates presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. It shall be the duty of the Police Department, when called upon by the Building Official, to enforce this provision.
109A.2 Change in occupancy or use. Changes in the character or use of a building shall not be made except as specified in San Francisco Existing Building Code Section 407 of this code. A certificate of final completion and occupancy shall be required for changes in use or occupancy as set forth in San Francisco Existing Building Code Section 407, except for Group R-1 and R-2 Occupancies; Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies shall be subject to the requirements of Sections 109A.7 and 109A.8.
109A.3 Certificate issued. The Building Official shall issue certificates of final completion and occupancy for buildings or structures erected or enlarged; for each change in occupancy classification in any building, structure or portion thereof; and for buildings or structures seismically upgraded in accordance with the provisions of this code. An amended certificate of final completion and occupancy shall be issued for an existing building where there is an increase in the number of legal dwelling units resulting in a change of occupancy. The amended certificate of final completion and occupancy shall indicate the date the first certificate of occupancy and any subsequent certificates of occupancy for the building or structure were issued. If there is no original certificate of occupancy, the amended certificate of final completion and occupancy shall refer to the date of initial construction on file in the records of the Department. The provisions of this section shall not be available for use in RH-1 or RH-1(D) zoning districts, nor shall it apply to any residential dwelling that is inconsistent with existing law.
109A.4 Temporary certificate. Temporary certificates of occupancy may be issued if the Building Official finds that no substantial hazard will result from occupancy of any building, or portion thereof, before the same is completed and satisfactory evidence is submitted that the work could not have been completed prior to occupancy. The request for such temporary certificate shall be in writing, and no occupancy of the building shall be made until such certificate is issued. Such temporary certificate shall be valid for a period not to exceed 12 months, unless an extension of time is approved by the Building Official. See Section 110A
, Table 1A-G – Inspections, Surveys and Reports – for applicable fee.
109A.5 Posting. No requirements.
109A.6 Revocation. The building official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy or an amended certificate of occupancy issued under the provisions of this code whenever the certificate is issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or when it is determined that the building or structure or portion thereof is in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code.
109A.7 Certificate or amended certificate of final completion and occupancy, Group R-1 and R-2 occupancy. Before the Department may issue a certificate of final completion and occupancy for a newly-erected building or structure, an amended certificate of final completion and occupancy for an existing building pursuant to Section 109A.3, or Apartment House/Hotel License, a written report of compliance with applicable codes, standards and regulations and any conditions of approval to the building, structure or property shall be obtained from those agencies having jurisdiction. An amended certificate of final completion and occupancy issued for changes to an existing building shall indicate the date the first certificate of occupancy and any subsequent certificates of occupancy for the building or structure were issued. If there is no original certificate of occupancy, the amended certificate of final completion and occupancy shall refer to the date of initial construction on file in the records of the Department.
Where any permit for the building, structure or property was appealed to the Board of Appeals and the Board imposed conditions on appeal, the Department may not issue a certificate of final completion and occupancy, an amended certificate of final completion and occupancy, or apartment house/hotel license until it determines that the conditions have been met. A copy of the certificate of final completion and occupancy or amended certificate of final completion and occupancy shall be forwarded to the Board of Appeals.
109A.8 Group R-1 and R-2 occupancy, apartment house/Hotel License. A license shall be required for every Group R-1 and R-2 occupancy structure. The license shall be obtained by paying the necessary fees as set forth in Section 110A, Table 1A-P – apartment house and hotel license fees.
The apartment house/hotel license is not transferable, and a new license must be applied for by the new owner within 30 days of change of ownership.
The apartment house/hotel license shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel, alter or set aside any of the provisions or requirements of any laws or ordinances of the City and County of San Francisco, nor shall such issuance thereafter prevent requiring corrections of errors or of violations of any applicable law or ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco.