Accessibility requirements in San Francisco

Requirements for commercial property and business owners

When accessibility is required

If you're planning alterations on a commercial property or business, accessibility upgrades will be required as part of the permitted work, unless the property is already fully compliant with approved accessibility requirements. Property owners must ensure the remodeled area, and in some cases, other parts of the building, meet state and federal accessibility standards.

Permit approval does not guarantee compliance with the ADA. Property owners are responsible for meeting all applicable requirements according to the California Building Code.

How to meet accessibility requirements

1. Review your lease agreement
Read and negotiate your lease carefully. Some property owners require tenants to pay for accessibility work, which can be expensive.

Contact the Office of Small Business for leasing review and help

2. Understand construction requirements
If you're planning renovations:

• Ensure the remodeled area complies with accessibility standards.
• Upgrade entrances, restrooms, or signage if they serve the remodeled space.
• Limit additional improvements to 20% of the project cost if below the state valuation threshold.

Even with DBI permit approval, you're responsible for meeting all accessibility requirements under state and federal law.

3. Schedule a Certified Access Specialist inspection
Consider hiring a third-party Certified Access Specialist (CASp) to assess your property's accessibility. The inspector may provide a CASp report, which can:

• Identify necessary accessibility improvements.
• Potentially qualify your business for grants.
• Offer legal benefits if accessibility-related claims arise.

Locate a CASp inspector using the following resources:
City & County of San Francisco: Certified Access Specialists
California Division of the State Architect: List of Certified Access Specialists

Apply for a grant to make your small business accessible

Get reimbursed for CASp inspections and accessibility improvements with an Accessible Barrier Removal Grant from the Office of Small Business. It offers up to $10,000 to eligible small businesses to improve access to their business.

Apply for a grant to make your business accessible

Requirements for residential property owners

If you’re planning a renovation or addition that requires a building permit, you may be required to make parts of your residential property accessible. This applies most often in multifamily buildings or properties with shared spaces.

When accessibility is required

Accessibility upgrades may be required if your project:

• Affects shared areas like hallways, entrances, or restrooms in common areas.
• Involves a route that leads to the area being remodeled.
• Exceeds the state’s annual valuation threshold.

In these cases, you may need to improve the “path of travel” to the area of work—such as widening a hallway or upgrading signage.

Note that even if DBI approves your permit, you are still responsible for meeting accessibility requirements under state and federal law.

How to meet accessibility requirements

• Plan ahead during design to include accessibility features where required.
• Talk to your architect or contractor to understand what parts of your project may need to be upgraded.
• Ask about the state valuation threshold to see if path of travel upgrades apply.

If you’re unsure whether accessibility rules apply to your project, contact DBI Technical Services Division at techq@sfgov.org before starting work.

Refund eligibility and process

The Accessible Business Entrance (ABE) program has been reformed following recent updates to Ordinance No. 22-25, enacted on April 7, 2025. However, businesses and property owners are still required to comply with disability access requirements under the California Building Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you applied for an ABE permit and did not start work or schedule an inspection, you may be eligible for a refund. Refund eligibility is based on San Francisco Building Code Sections 107A.6 and 107A.6.1.

Eligible for a refund

You may qualify for a partial or full refund if:

• No work has been done.
• No inspection has occurred.
• The permit was withdrawn, expired, or abandoned.
• A written refund request is submitted:
  • Within 6 months of permit's expiration, or
  • Within 30 days of withdrawal, depending on the fee type.

Not eligible for a refund

You may not qualify for a refund if:

• Work has started.
• An inspection has already taken place.
• Plan review or other permit processing has begun.
• The refund request was submitted after the deadline.

How to request a refund

1. Download the refund and/or permit cancellation form.
2. Include a copy of the permit and the job card.
3. Submit your form via:
   1. Email at dbi.refund@sfgov.org or
   2. Mail to:
      DBI Finance Services – Refund Unit
      49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 500
      San Francisco, CA 94103

Questions?

Contact DBI's Finance Services division at dbi.refund@sfgov.org.

More accessibility resources

File an ADA complaint
Follow the steps to file a complaint about access to City facilities and services.

Request a curb ramp for sidewalk access
If you have a disability, you can request a curb ramp for sidewalk access in San Francisco.

Pacific ADA
The Pacific ADA is a non-profit that provides guidance, trainings, and consultation on accessibility-related needs.

ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business
The United States Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division created this guide to help Small Businesses understand and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A Guide to Disabled Accessibility Compliance (English)
This guide helps small businesses understand and meet ADA requirements, and serves as the Access Information Notice required by Administrative Code Chapter 38, where landlords must provide this information to tenants at the time of lease execution or amendment for spaces 7,500 sq. ft. or less.

ADA Tax Incentives for Small Business
Businesses can take advantage of two Federal tax incentives available to help cover costs of making access improvements for customers with disabilities.