San Francisco · RECO energy + separate water conservation
San Francisco RECO energy and separate water conservation at home sale
San Francisco Housing Code Chapter 12 is the Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance, while Chapter 12A separately governs Residential Water Conservation and coordinates its inspection with the Chapter 12 inspection. This guide keeps those legal paths, their forms and certificates, current fixture rates, and DBI records separate from the 3R; it does not decide scope or compliance for a building.
Site-wide source review checkpoint: . 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.
Quick official-source answer
What the official sources publish
- Start with the coordinated energy-and-water sequence: The Environment Department tells a seller preparing for RECO to begin with a valid inspection and install applicable energy and water conservation devices or materials. The linked Housing Code supplies the controlling details. San Francisco Environment Department
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
- Keep the energy and water rules connected but distinct: Housing Code Chapter 12A says the water conservation inspection occurs concurrently with the Chapter 12 energy inspection. Each chapter supplies its own scope, measures, exceptions, and proof-of-compliance provisions. City and County of San Francisco
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
- Review energy measures by building type: The Environment Department lists examples including accessible-attic insulation, door weatherstripping, water-heater insulation, exterior caulking and sealing, and accessible-duct insulation. Chapter 12 controls the detailed measure and building-category questions. San Francisco Environment Department
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
Start with the official source
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.
Opening a record or portal does not mean that Bay Sale Ready has determined coverage, validity, responsibility, or whether a transaction may close.
Agency-published timing
Dates and periods to verify
These are periods stated by the linked agencies, not a deadline calculation or completion forecast for a particular transaction.
- Energy inspection-form submission: Housing Code Section 1207 states that the completed energy inspection form is submitted to DBI within 15 days after the inspection is completed. Verify at the official source
- Water inspection-form submission: Housing Code Section 12A06 separately states that the completed water inspection form is submitted to DBI within 15 days after the inspection is completed. Verify at the official source
- Energy certificate record: For a covered title transfer, Section 1207 describes recording a copy of the applicable completed energy certificate before or concurrently with transfer. Verify at the official source
- Water certificate record: For a covered title transfer, Section 12A06 separately describes recording a copy of the applicable completed water certificate before or concurrently with transfer. Verify at the official source
General order of questions
- Start with the coordinated energy-and-water sequence
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked San Francisco Environment Department source: The Environment Department tells a seller preparing for RECO to begin with a valid inspection and install applicable energy and water conservation devices or materials. The linked Housing Code supplies the controlling details.
Verify at official source: Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance - Keep the energy and water rules connected but distinct
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked City and County of San Francisco source: Housing Code Chapter 12A says the water conservation inspection occurs concurrently with the Chapter 12 energy inspection. Each chapter supplies its own scope, measures, exceptions, and proof-of-compliance provisions.
Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water Conservation - Review energy measures by building type
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked San Francisco Environment Department source: The Environment Department lists examples including accessible-attic insulation, door weatherstripping, water-heater insulation, exterior caulking and sealing, and accessible-duct insulation. Chapter 12 controls the detailed measure and building-category questions.
Verify at official source: Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance - Review the current water 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 - Follow the Chapter 12 energy records
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked City and County of San Francisco source: Section 1207 separately describes the energy inspection form, DBI filing, certificate of compliance, and recording of an applicable completed certificate for a covered title transfer.
Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12 · Residential Energy Conservation - Follow the Chapter 12A water records
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked City and County of San Francisco source: Section 12A06 separately describes the water inspection form, DBI filing, certificate of compliance, and recording of an applicable completed certificate. It also allows the water inspection form to be combined with the Chapter 12 inspection form.
Verify at official source: Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water Conservation - Use DBI for the water-inspection path
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked San Francisco Public Utilities Commission source: SFPUC directs the Housing Code water-conservation process through DBI Housing Inspection Services and tells owners to contact DBI to schedule the compliance inspection.
Verify at official source: Residential Water Conservation - Separate RECO from the 3R
Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked City and County of San Francisco source: The Chapter 12 energy and Chapter 12A water paths concern inspections, conservation measures, and certificate records. A San Francisco 3R is a separate DBI report assembled from City records and is not either conservation inspection or certificate.
Verify at official source: San Francisco Housing Code Section 351
Important limits to keep in view
Source-linked caution from City and County of San Francisco: The code contains building definitions, exemptions, postponements, appeals, and property-type distinctions. This guide does not determine whether one of those provisions changes the path for a building or transaction.
Verify at the official source: Housing Code Chapter 12 · Residential Energy ConservationSource-linked caution from City and County of San Francisco: A fixture label, seller statement, informal walkthrough, or 3R report is not presented here as an applicable DBI inspection form or recorded energy or water certificate.
Verify at the official source: Housing Code Chapter 12A · Residential Water ConservationSource-linked caution from San Francisco Public Utilities Commission: The January 2026 water rates and the current agency process can change; review SFPUC and DBI instructions together with the live Housing Code 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 last completed registered-source review cycle ended on July 27, 2026 and covered 62 sources; each card shows its own review date, including newer additions.
Show all 5 reviewed official sources
Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance
Department program page; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 26, 2026
Verify at the official sourceThis agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
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 sourceThis agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
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 sourceThis agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
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 sourceSan 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 sourceThis agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed . If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .
Frequently asked questions
Questions to verify, not legal conclusions
Are San Francisco RECO energy and water-conservation requirements the same process?
They are coordinated but legally distinct. Housing Code Chapter 12 is the Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance; Chapter 12A is the Residential Water Conservation Ordinance and requires its inspection to occur concurrently with the Chapter 12 energy inspection. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
What energy measures does San Francisco RECO list?
The Environment Department lists examples including accessible-attic insulation, door weatherstripping, water-heater insulation, exterior caulking and sealing, and accessible-duct insulation. The applicable list and exceptions depend on the Housing Code and DBI process, which this site does not determine. Verify at the official source: San Francisco Environment Department
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
What water fixture rates does San Francisco publish for residential water conservation?
SFPUC currently publishes 1.28 gallons per flush or lower for toilets and 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 residential water-conservation inspection?
SFPUC directs Housing Code water-conservation compliance through DBI Housing Inspection Services and tells owners to contact DBI to schedule a compliance inspection. The SFPUC page publishes the DBI contact path. Verify at the official source: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
When is a San Francisco RECO energy certificate recorded?
Housing Code Section 1207 separately describes the energy inspection form and certificate of compliance. For a covered title transfer, it says a copy of the applicable completed energy certificate is recorded before or concurrently with transfer. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
When is a San Francisco water-conservation certificate recorded?
Housing Code Section 12A06 separately describes the water inspection form and certificate of compliance. For a covered title transfer, it says a copy of the applicable completed water certificate is recorded before or concurrently with transfer. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed .
Is a San Francisco 3R Report the same as an energy or water-conservation inspection?
No. The 3R is a separate report assembled from City records and is not a physical inspection or a conservation certificate. Bay Sale Ready keeps the 3R and conservation source paths on separate pages. Verify at the official source: City and County of San Francisco
This agency page may restrict direct access. Last manually reviewed . If blocked, start at the San Francisco DBI homepage .