San Francisco Board approves ordinance to protect residential care facilities

In a recent San Francisco County government meeting, officials discussed a significant ordinance aimed at amending the planning code to better protect residential care facilities, which are vital for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The proposed changes seek to eliminate the conditional use authorization requirement for residential care facilities accommodating seven or more residents, while also instituting conditional use authorization for any change of use or demolition of these facilities.

The ordinance, sponsored by Supervisor Mandelmann and co-sponsored by Supervisor Ronan, is a response to the alarming decline in residential care facilities in San Francisco. A 2019 report highlighted a 30% decrease in such facilities since 2012, with 43 facilities lost by 2018. The trend has continued, with an additional 11 facilities closing in early 2025, resulting in a loss of approximately 226 beds. This decline poses a significant challenge to the city’s efforts to combat homelessness among seniors and disabled residents.

During the meeting, Jacob Bittliff, representing Supervisor Mandelmann, emphasized the importance of these facilities in providing stable housing and essential care. He noted that the interim zoning controls enacted in 2019 had been effective in preserving some facilities, citing a successful negotiation that extended the lease of a 33-bed facility at risk of closure.

The proposed ordinance aims to codify these interim controls, providing clearer guidelines for the Planning Commission when considering the conversion or demolition of residential care facilities. Key changes include requiring consultation with relevant organizations, assessing the availability of beds in the area, and ensuring that potential operators are contacted before a facility is converted.

Additionally, the ordinance seeks to facilitate the establishment and expansion of new residential care facilities by removing the conditional use requirement for facilities with more than seven beds in all residential zoning districts. This change builds on previous efforts to streamline the process for new facilities, which have been shown to support the growing demand for assisted living options.

The Planning Commission has already expressed support for the ordinance, with modifications aimed at ensuring that the conditional use requirement sunsets after three years and encouraging non-land use solutions to alleviate financial burdens on existing facilities.

As San Francisco grapples with a growing need for affordable assisted living options, this ordinance represents a proactive step towards preserving and expanding the city’s residential care capacity. The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration among city agencies to address the broader challenges facing these essential facilities.