Here’s the run down as provided by Save Energy:

San Francisco’s new water ordinance now requires all homes being sold or remodeled to upgrade their water devices to more efficient ones, no exceptions!*  In the past, if a fixture couldn’t be easily modified to use less water it could be exempted from the ordinance but not anymore.

The four areas of focus are:

Showerheads: All showerheads must be rated not to exceed 2.5 gallons per minute, and there can only be one showerhead per valve.

Aerators: All faucets must have an aerator installed whether they can be adapted to the existing faucet or not.  This means that if there is no way to screw on a new aerator (for instance, it’s so old there are no threads) the whole tap would need to be replaced.  Aerators must be rated at 2.2 gallons per minute or less.
Water Closets or Toilets:  Each toilet must be rated 1.6 gallons per flush or better.  In the past we were able to use water dams to comply with the ordinance but not any longer.  So even if you have a pink bathroom and a custom pink commode, you’ll now need to replace it.
Leak Repair: One must “locate and repair all water leaks through visual or water meter test.”   Please make sure that water meters are accessible at time of inspection.
*Exemptions on original Energy still apply, ie: buildings that were built after 1978 do not need energy but will need water inspections every time they’re sold

Inspection and Filing Fees

On August 15th, 2009 the city and county of San Francisco enacted a new water conservation ordinance that not only provided tougher guidelines from the previous one, but added new measures like leak detection and toilet replacement.  They also raised their filing fees to near five times the previous fees.  In lieu of these changes, Save Energy Company is now offering the following rates for their inspections:

Energy and/or Water inspection, filing and recording fees for a Single Family and up to 5 unit buildings:     $300.00*
•    Inspection and filing fees were billed separately in the past but are now combined

Energy and/or Water inspection, filing and recording fees for building with 6 units or more, add $25/unit in addition to the $300.00 base fee.

Re-inspections, if needed.  $150.00

The new ordinance requires the seller to hold back 1% of the selling or assessed price (whichever is higher) in escrow if the property is not in compliance. In most cases it would not be prudent for the seller to do so, so we imagine that most sellers will be having the work done before the close of escrow on every sale.

For more info please go to: SF Water Department

Save Energy Company
315 Petaluma Blvd South
Petaluma, CA  94952
Phone:  415.824.6010 x201
Phone:  707.763.3172
Fax:  707.347.1910
www.SaveEnergyCo.com