San Francisco · Residential water conservation
San Francisco residential water conservation when selling a house
SFPUC publishes a sale-or-remodel water-efficiency requirement and directs Housing Code compliance through DBI Housing Inspection Services. This guide organizes the current fixture rates and agency path without inspecting fixtures, scheduling service, or deciding compliance.
Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready: . Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.
Quick official-source answer
What the official sources publish
- Separate this path from the 3R: The residential water-conservation inspection and record path is separate from the DBI 3R City-record report. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
- Review the current published fixture rates: SFPUC currently lists toilets at 1.28 gallons per flush or lower and showerheads, faucets, and faucet aerators at 1.8 gallons per minute or lower, together with leak repair. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
- Confirm the inspection and record with DBI: SFPUC directs compliance through DBI Housing Inspection Services and says to contact DBI to schedule a compliance inspection. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Start with the official source
Review SFPUC's current residential water-conservation page, then contact DBI Housing Inspection Services about the current inspection and record process.
Opening a record or portal does not mean that Bay Sale Ready has determined coverage, validity, responsibility, or whether a transaction may close.
General order of questions
- Separate this path from the 3R
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked San Francisco Public Utilities Commission source: The residential water-conservation inspection and record path is separate from the DBI 3R City-record report.
Verify at official source: Residential Water Conservation - Review the current published fixture rates
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked San Francisco Public Utilities Commission source: SFPUC currently lists toilets at 1.28 gallons per flush or lower and showerheads, faucets, and faucet aerators at 1.8 gallons per minute or lower, together with leak repair.
Verify at official source: Residential Water Conservation - Confirm the inspection and record with DBI
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked San Francisco Public Utilities Commission source: SFPUC directs compliance through DBI Housing Inspection Services and says to contact DBI to schedule a compliance inspection.
Verify at official source: Residential Water Conservation
Important limits to keep in view
Source-linked caution from San Francisco Public Utilities Commission: A fixture label, seller statement, or informal check is not presented here as a DBI compliance record.
Verify at the official source: Residential Water ConservationSource-linked caution from San Francisco Public Utilities Commission: The January 2026 rates can change; verify the current SFPUC page and DBI instructions before relying on them.
Verify at the official source: Residential Water Conservation
Official instructions and records
These links come from the same reviewed source register used by the guide. The dataset was last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready on July 25, 2026; each card shows its own review date.
Show all 1 reviewed official sources
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 sourceFrequently asked questions
Questions to verify, not legal conclusions
Does San Francisco require water-saving fixtures when selling a house?
SFPUC says state law and Housing Code Chapter 12A require residential properties to meet water-efficiency requirements when they sell or remodel. Ask DBI to confirm the building and transfer path. Verify at the official source: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
What toilet flow rate does San Francisco require at home sale?
SFPUC currently publishes 1.28 gallons per flush or lower for toilets. Verify the current rate and inspection instructions before relying on it. Verify at the official source: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
What showerhead and faucet rates does San Francisco publish?
SFPUC currently publishes 1.8 gallons per minute or lower for showerheads, faucets, and faucet aerators. The page also says plumbing leaks must be repaired. Verify at the official source: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Who handles the San Francisco water-conservation inspection?
SFPUC directs Housing Code compliance through DBI Housing Inspection Services and tells owners to contact DBI to schedule a compliance inspection. Confirm the current appointment and record process with DBI. Verify at the official source: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission