S.F. Admin. Code ch. 37 § 37.14
Hearings and Remedies for Violation of Residential Hotel Visitor Policy (San Francisco Rent Ordinance)
Operative Text
and Mailbox Ordinance.
[Added by Ord. No. 62-02, effective June 2, 2002, numbered as Section 37.13;
re-numbered as Section 37.14 by Ord. No. 34-04, effective April 19, 2004;
amended by Ord. No. 73-06, effective May 20, 2006, by re-numbering Section
37.14 as 37.14A and adding 37.14B]
Section 37.14A.
(a) Upon receipt of a petition from a current or former occupant of a residential hotel
alleging violation of the provisions of Administrative Code Chapter 41D, including allegation of
violation of the Uniform Visitor Policy or any Supplemental Visitor Policy, the Board through its
Administrative Law Judges shall conduct a hearing in order to decide the petition. This decision
may require a determination as to whether a residential hotel's policies and procedures are
consistent with the Uniform Visitor Policy and any approved Supplemental Policies, and in
compliance with Administrative Code Chapter 41D.
(b) Upon an Administrative Law Judge's findings of fact and decision that the operator,
employee or agent of a residential hotel has violated the Uniform Visitor Policy or any approved
Supplemental Visitor Policy or any other provision of Chapter 41D, the Administrative Law Judge
may conclude that the occupant has suffered a diminution in housing services and order a
corresponding reduction in rent.
(c) The decision of the Administrative Law Judge shall be final unless the Board vacates
the decision on appeal.
(d) Either party may file an appeal of the Administrative Law Judge's decision with the
Board. Such appeals are governed by Section 37.8(f).
Section. 37.14B.
(a) Upon receipt of a petition from a current or former permanent resident of a residential
hotel alleging violation of the provisions of Administrative Code Chapter 41E, the Board through
its Administrative Law Judges shall conduct a hearing in order to decide the petition. This
decision may require a determination as to whether the petitioner is a permanent resident.
(b) Upon an Administrative Law Judge's findings of fact and decision that the operator of
a residential hotel has violated the requirement to install a United States Postal Service-
approved mail receptacle for receipt of mail delivered by the United States Postal Service, the
Administrative Law Judge may conclude that the resident has suffered a diminution in housing
services and order a corresponding reduction in rent.
(c) The decision of the Administrative Law Judge shall be final unless the Board vacates
the decision on appeal.
(d) Either party may file an appeal of the Administrative Law Judge's decision with the
Board. Such appeals are governed by Section 37.8(f).San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 37, §§ 37.14A and 37.14B establish a formal hearing process at the Rent Board for residential hotel occupants and permanent residents who believe their rights under the city's visitor policy rules (Chapter 41D) or mailbox requirements (Chapter 41E) have been violated. An Administrative Law Judge hears the petition and, if a violation is found, may determine that the occupant experienced a reduction in housing services and order a corresponding rent decrease. Either party can appeal the judge's decision to the full Rent Board, with that appeal process governed by Section 37.8(f), and the judge's decision stands as final unless the Board overturns it on appeal.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential hotels in San Francisco should be aware that under §§ 37.14A and 37.14B, both current and former occupants may file petitions with the Rent Board alleging violations of the Uniform Visitor Policy, any approved Supplemental Visitor Policy, or the USPS-approved mailbox installation requirement. A compliant operator generally maintains visitor policies that align with Chapter 41D, ensures that USPS-approved mail receptacles are properly installed for permanent residents as required by Chapter 41E, and keeps documentation of these practices. If a hearing results in an adverse finding, the Administrative Law Judge has authority to order a rent reduction, and operators retain the right to appeal under Section 37.8(f).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residential hotel occupants and permanent residents in San Francisco have the right under §§ 37.14A and 37.14B to petition the Rent Board if they believe a hotel operator has violated the visitor policy rules under Chapter 41D or failed to provide a proper USPS-approved mailbox under Chapter 41E. If an Administrative Law Judge finds a violation, the judge may recognize this as a diminution in housing services and order a rent reduction as a remedy. Tenants who believe their rights under these provisions have been affected may consider contacting the San Francisco Rent Board directly, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a housing attorney to understand the petition and appeal process outlined in Section 37.8(f).
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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