Explaining the "one inch" rule in San Francisco Real Estate
A reader asks:Was there a reason for having the "one inch" rule or "no common wall" ordinance when it comes to building homes in San Francisco?
Our reply:
Over the years the building codes for San Francisco have been modified many times as have the zoning laws which also determine what can be built on a lot. So what was able to be built even 20 years ago cannot be built today. I am not aware of the "one inch" rule and a search of the Building Department's database revealed nothing.
Several years ago we demolished a property and built a new one in San Francisco's Noe Valley. In this case we were able to build to the lot line. But practically speaking we had to deal with other properties that were built to their lot lines (and they were also leaning onto our lot). As a result, we had to build a slightly smaller home which was only 24 feet 9 inches wide on a 25 foot wide lot!
Actually, there are existing homes in San Francisco that have "common walls". We sold one in lower Pacific Heights, and there was a common wall agreement recorded on the title. That home was built in the late 1800's.
Another common wall development we know of in San Francisco, is what is called a PUD (planned unit development) in the Twin Peaks area.
- Janis Stone
posted by SFResidence.com @ 8:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home