Commission moves to stop removal of community kitchens in group housing

The Building Inspection Commission on April 21 voted unanimously to support an amendment to Section 507 of the San Francisco Housing Code that would bar removal of existing community kitchens that serve occupants of guest rooms in group housing and SROs, while allowing replacement or remodel.

John Murray of DBI’s legislative affairs team said the change closes a longstanding loophole: the existing code set minimum sizes for community kitchens if they remain, but did not prevent their removal during remodels. Sunny Angulo from Supervisor Peskin’s office said the amendment aligns the housing code with other protections in the administrative and building codes.

A representative from Chinatown CDC testified the protections are important during the pandemic, when residents in SROs already face limited communal resources. The commission had no objections and moved to adopt the change; the roll‑call vote was unanimous.

Next steps: The item will proceed through the Board of Supervisors; DBI staff and sponsor offices indicated outreach to impacted stakeholders will continue.