San Francisco · Independent guide with official links

San Francisco 3R, RECO energy, and water conservation at home sale

Selling residential property in San Francisco can involve a DBI Report of Residential Building Record, a Chapter 12 RECO energy path, and a legally separate Chapter 12A water-conservation path with a coordinated inspection. This guide keeps 3R records separate from both conservation paths and does not decide building or transaction status.

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Bay Sale Ready is not affiliated with or endorsed by any city, utility, regulator, or professional appearing in a linked external resource.

Site-wide source review checkpoint: July 27, 2026. 62 registered sources were in that completed cycle; individual source records may be newer. Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

A practical order of operations

Check the record before ordering work.

01
Identify what to ask
Use the property-type matrix only as a question prompt.
02
Check existing records
Open City-issued records and review the dates shown there.
03
Confirm the official next action
Use the responsible agency before hiring or relying on a deadline.

Start here

Build a general question list

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City

Vacant land, no-structure parcels, unusual ownership, or mixed use: confirm the path directly with the responsible agency.

Property typeTiming context

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San Francisco question list

Review this selected source-linked question set

San Francisco · Single-family home · Preparing to list

Planning context: Check existing certificates and agency records before scheduling assessments or work.

2 programs to verify

The selection changes which source-linked questions are shown. It does not determine whether a program applies to a property or transaction.

Questions in this selected source-linked set

Open the record before ordering work.

Have these ready before opening an official portalProperty typeExisting certificates or permit recordsHOA or CC&Rs, if applicableCurrent transaction timing

Question to verifySan Francisco Department of Building Inspection
3R Report of Residential Building Record
Ask the responsible agency: Ask DBI to confirm 3R scope and process
Open DBI's online 3R application, then verify the current form, request count, amount, and delivery instructions before submitting.
Document to look for
DBI Report of Residential Building Record (3R)
General responsibility context — confirm for this transaction
Ask DBI and transaction professionals to confirm the owner or agent role, delivery process, and report record
Verify at the official source Verify in official instructions
Question to verifySan Francisco Department of Building Inspection, Environment Department, and Public Utilities Commission
Residential Energy (RECO) and Water Conservation
Ask the responsible agency: Ask DBI to confirm the coordinated energy and water paths
Review San Francisco Environment's RECO overview, then use Housing Code Chapters 12 and 12A and the DBI path to confirm the separate energy and water form and certificate processes.
Document to look for
Energy and water inspection form(s) and certificate(s) of compliance
General responsibility context — confirm for this transaction
Ask DBI to confirm the building, transfer, qualified-inspector, measure, filing, and recording path
Verify at the official source Verify in official instructions

Supporting detail

Details, exceptions, and source trail

Question to verifySan Francisco Department of Building Inspection

3R Report of Residential Building Record

Ask the responsible agency: Ask DBI to confirm 3R scope and process

Read details, exceptions, and sources

Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked official sources: San Francisco Housing Code Section 351 states an owner-or-agent 3R request and buyer-delivery process for a covered residential sale or exchange. Ask DBI to confirm the building and transaction scope.

Verify at official source: San Francisco Housing Code Section 351 · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026 Verify at official source: Application for Report of Residential Building Record · July 12, 2026 · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready August 1, 2026

Source-linked summary: The stated exception is limited to the first sale or exchange when it occurs within one year after the Certificate of Final Completion for the building. Do not treat all new construction as automatically outside the rule.Verify at official source: San Francisco Housing Code Section 351 · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Source-linked summary: The 3R reports information ascertainable from City records. It is not a physical property inspection, a certificate of full code compliance, or a complete plumbing and electrical permit history.Verify at official source: San Francisco Housing Code Section 351 · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Source-linked summary: A 3R is effective for one year from its issuance date. Confirm the dates shown on the actual report before relying on it.Verify at official source: San Francisco Housing Code Section 352 · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Official sources · Individual Bay Sale Ready review dates shown below

Question to verifySan Francisco Department of Building Inspection, Environment Department, and Public Utilities Commission

Residential Energy (RECO) and Water Conservation

Ask the responsible agency: Ask DBI to confirm the coordinated energy and water paths

Read details, exceptions, and sources

Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked official sources: San Francisco's Environment Department describes seller preparation through a valid inspection and applicable energy and water conservation measures. Housing Code Chapter 12 governs Residential Energy Conservation, while Chapter 12A separately governs Residential Water Conservation and coordinates its inspection with Chapter 12; ask DBI to confirm the building and transaction paths.

Verify at official source: Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026 Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12 · Residential Energy Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026 Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026 Verify at official source: Residential Water Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 25, 2026

Source-linked summary: SFPUC publishes current maximum flow rates of 1.28 gallons per flush for toilets and 1.8 gallons per minute for showerheads, faucets, and faucet aerators, and says plumbing leaks must be repaired.Verify at official source: Residential Water Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 25, 2026 Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026
Source-linked summary: SFPUC directs Housing Code compliance through DBI Housing Inspection Services. Chapter 12A states that the water conservation inspection occurs concurrently with the Chapter 12 energy inspection and is performed by a qualified inspector.Verify at official source: Residential Water Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 25, 2026 Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026
Source-linked summary: The Environment Department lists examples of energy measures such as accessible-attic insulation, door weatherstripping, water-heater insulation, exterior caulking and sealing, and accessible-duct insulation. Chapter 12 supplies the detailed building categories, measures, exceptions, and limits.Verify at official source: Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026 Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12 · Residential Energy Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026
Source-linked summary: Housing Code Sections 1207 and 12A06 separately describe energy and water inspection forms and certificates of compliance submitted to DBI. For a covered title transfer, each section says a copy of the applicable completed certificate is recorded with the County Recorder before or concurrently with transfer.Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12 · Residential Energy Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026 Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water Conservation · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026

Official sources · Individual Bay Sale Ready review dates shown below

Focused official-source guides

Open one official-source topic at a time.

These pages explain the records and questions to verify. They do not decide what applies to a particular property or transaction.

3R fee and process

Current DBI application, fee, and request questions

Separate the application, each report request, condo or co-op unit instructions, and the issued 3R.

Open focused guide

What a 3R shows

City-record contents and report limits

See what Section 351 describes and why a 3R is not a physical inspection or complete permit history.

Open focused guide

RECO + water conservation

Coordinated energy and water inspections with separate records

Review the Chapter 12 RECO energy path and legally separate Chapter 12A water path while keeping both separate from the 3R.

Open focused guide

Property-type matrix

One city, different starting questions.

Shared rows are grouped so the table shows only source-supported property-type differences. It publishes the same source-linked questions used by the browser-only question tool, not an official determination.

San Francisco home-sale questions by property type
Property type	3R Report of Residential Building Record	Residential Energy (RECO) and Water Conservation
Property types sharing this source-linked question set: Single-family home, Duplex, 3–4 unit property	Ask DBI to confirm 3R scope and delivery process Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026	Verify energy and water inspection, measure, certificate, and record questions Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026
Property types sharing this source-linked question set: Condominium or townhome	Verify the unit-specific request and report process with DBI Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready August 1, 2026	Verify energy and water inspection, measure, certificate, and record questions Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026
Property types sharing this source-linked question set: 5+ unit or commercial building	Ask DBI to confirm building type and stated exclusions Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026	Ask DBI to confirm mixed-use or special-building scope Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 25, 2026

Official source register

Every published statement traces to a source.

Last completed registered-source review cycle: July 27, 2026 (62 sources in that cycle). Each source card shows its own review date, including newer additions. The responsible agency and its official materials control if anything differs from this summary.

Show all 13 reviewed official sources

City and County of San Francisco

San Francisco Housing Code Section 351

Official code library; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 18, 2026. If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection

Application for Report of Residential Building Record · July 12, 2026

DBI form revised July 12, 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready August 1, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed August 1, 2026. If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection

DBI 3R online service

Agency online service · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Verify at the official source

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection

DBI online 3R application

Agency online application · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready August 1, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed August 1, 2026.

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection

Request a Report of Residential Building Record

City service page; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 27, 2026.

City and County of San Francisco

San Francisco Housing Code Section 352

Official code library; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 18, 2026. If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection

Legacy SF.gov URL for the 3R application

Legacy City URL path dated 2025-01; content revision is tracked by review date · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready August 1, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed August 1, 2026.

City and County of San Francisco

Ordinance 112-26 · Building permit fees adjustment

Effective July 12, 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026

Verify at the official source

City and County of San Francisco

San Francisco Building Code table of amendments

Table lists Ordinance 112-26 effective July 12, 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 26, 2026.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Residential Water Conservation

Program page noting a January 2026 fixture-rate update · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 25, 2026

Verify at the official source

San Francisco Environment Department

Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance

Department program page; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 26, 2026.

City and County of San Francisco

Housing Code Chapter 12 · Residential Energy Conservation

Official online Housing Code; Chapter 12 reviewed July 26, 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 26, 2026.

City and County of San Francisco

Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water Conservation

Official online Housing Code; Chapter 12A reviewed July 26, 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026

Verify at the official source

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 26, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Seller questions to verify with official sources

Which official source explains the San Francisco 3R sale process?

Housing Code Section 351 describes an owner-or-agent request and buyer-delivery process for covered residential sales or exchanges, with a narrow stated exception. Ask DBI to confirm the building and transaction scope. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 18, 2026. If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .

Where should a seller verify the current San Francisco 3R fee?

San Francisco Ordinance 112-26 changes the 3R report fee from $286 to $379. Use the signed ordinance for the enacted fee and check DBI's current ordering path before submitting a request. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco

What happened to San Francisco's prior $286 3R fee?

Ordinance 112-26 shows $286 as the struck prior amount and $379 as the enacted amount. The current City form and live request page both publish $379. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco

Which date controls the published San Francisco 3R period?

Housing Code Section 352 states that a 3R is effective for one year from issuance. Read the issue date on the actual report and ask DBI which record controls. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 18, 2026. If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .

Does a San Francisco 3R include a physical inspection?

Section 351 describes information assembled from City records and says the report is not a physical examination or a representation of full legal compliance. Plumbing and electrical permit history is also outside the report's stated scope. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 18, 2026. If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .

How do San Francisco RECO energy rules and separate water-conservation rules work together when selling a house?

Housing Code Chapter 12 is the Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance, while Chapter 12A separately governs Residential Water Conservation. Chapter 12A says its water inspection occurs concurrently with the Chapter 12 energy inspection, but each chapter separately describes forms and certificates. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco

This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed July 26, 2026.

What water fixture rates does San Francisco currently publish?

SFPUC currently publishes maximum rates of 1.28 gallons per flush for toilets and 1.8 gallons per minute for showerheads, faucets, and faucet aerators, together with a leak-repair requirement. Verify the current page before relying on those figures. Verify at the official source: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission