PermitSF Update: How SF’s New Driveway Legislation Protects Property Parking
For years, San Francisco property owners could actually face city violations for parking in their own driveways—often triggered by neighbor complaints. Thanks to recent legislation passed under Mayor Lurie's PermitSF initiative, those punitive citations are officially a thing of the past.
More importantly for property owners and developers, the new ordinance addresses driveway rights during garage-to-ADU conversions:
Driveway Preservation: Property owners converting a garage into an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) are no longer forced to abandon their driveway curb cut. As long as there is sufficient space between the sidewalk and the front building line to park a vehicle without blocking the public right-of-way, driveway parking remains fully permitted.
Current Scope: This exception currently applies strictly to new ADU construction. It does not yet extend to legalizing existing unpermitted units or standard as-of-right additions.
While this is a major win for housing flexibility and property value, the work isn't done. Property Atlas leadership is actively advocating for the city to expand these driveway protections across all residential unit additions.
Stay tuned for further legislative updates—we’ll keep your portfolio ahead of the curve.
Brought to you by Property Atlas.
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