Building ADUs in Castro: Tenant Service Rules

Thinking about adding an ADU to your Castro property while tenants are in place? You are not alone. Many owners want the extra income and long-term value, but worry about storage, parking, laundry, and the relationship with current renters. In this guide, you will learn how to preserve tenant services, stage construction to reduce disruption, and follow notification best practices so your project stays on schedule and on good terms. Let’s dive in.

Why tenant services matter in Castro ADU projects

When you build an ADU in an occupied building, storage rooms, garage areas, and laundry spaces often sit right where work needs to happen. If those services are part of a tenancy, reducing or removing them can create legal, financial, and reputational risk. Clear planning and fair mitigation help you avoid rent reductions, delays, and complaints.

In San Francisco, local rules and the Rent Ordinance can apply when services change or when a tenant needs to relocate temporarily. Early coordination protects your schedule and budget. A thoughtful plan also builds goodwill, which makes the entire construction period easier for everyone in the building.

Check local rules early

Before you finalize designs or sign a contractor, confirm how state and local rules apply to your property and scope.

• California ADU law makes many approvals ministerial, but you still must meet building, fire, plumbing, and accessibility codes.
• San Francisco Planning and the Department of Building Inspection review ADU eligibility, building permits, inspections, and any needed historic or special-district checks.
• San Francisco Rent Board policies address tenant protections, rent adjustments for loss of services, and relocation assistance when needed.
• If you need the sidewalk or parking lane for pods or materials, permits from Public Works or SFMTA are usually required.

Early calls to these agencies help you confirm whether service changes are temporary or permanent, and what obligations follow. It also helps you sequence work to avoid costly last-minute redesigns.

Services at risk during ADU construction

Plan around these common pressure points and set up alternatives in advance.

Storage: keep access and security

Storage rooms and cages in garages are frequent conflict zones during ADU builds. If storage is included in a lease or is a customary service, removing or blocking access can be treated as a service reduction.

• Phase demolition so each tenant’s storage remains available until their area is scheduled.
• Offer secure, temporary storage on site or off site with insurance and receipts.
• Put agreements in writing for any relocation of items and offer one-time moving or storage payments.

Parking: maintain options or compensate

Garage conversions and staging can reduce assigned stalls for weeks. If a lease promises a spot, you need a plan.

• Keep some stalls open by working in zones and sequencing the conversion.
• Rent nearby parking spaces and provide access cards or reimbursements.
• Coordinate permitted curb use for contractor vehicles so tenant parking is the last to be impacted.

Laundry: preserve at least partial access

Shared laundry often lives in the exact room you need to rewire or reconfigure.

• Stagger removal and installation so one machine stays live when possible.
• Set up a temporary machine or provide prepaid laundromat credits.
• If circuits must be down, schedule short, announced windows and offer pickup and drop-off service for those periods.

Utilities, access, and common areas

Expect short outages during rough-in for water, gas, or power. Always maintain safe egress, mail delivery, and trash routes.

• Post clear outage schedules with at least 24 hours notice where entry is needed and more lead time for planned interruptions.
• Provide backup basics when needed, such as bottled water or portable restrooms.
• Keep construction areas secured and well lit, with clean paths for tenants.

Noise, dust, and work hours

San Francisco enforces limits on construction hours and nuisance conditions. Build vibration, dust control, and clean-up standards into your contractor’s scope. Schedule the loudest work during allowed hours that create the least hardship for tenants.

Stage work to reduce disruption

Good staging keeps at least one instance of every essential service available most of the time. It also shortens the worst pain points.

Core staging principles

• Phase by area so other parts of the building stay functional.
• Maintain one functioning version of key services, such as laundry or a portion of parking.
• Schedule disruptive tasks during lower-impact times within local rules.
• Pre-approve mitigation options with tenants in writing.

Sample ADU timeline in an occupied building

• Pre-construction, 6 to 8 weeks before work:
  • Submit permits and confirm any historic or special-district checks.
  • Inventory storage, assigned parking, and laundry and photograph conditions.
  • Draft your tenant communications plan and discuss mitigation options.
  • Apply for any right-of-way or parking lane permits you may need.
• Mobilization, 1 to 2 weeks before work:
  • Place any permitted storage pods and set up secure fencing.
  • Hand out written schedules, emergency contacts, and alternative service details.
• Phase A, demolition and rough-in, 1 to 4 weeks:
  • Work in one zone at a time so you keep partial services online.
  • Move storage items to secure locations and issue receipts and insurance details.
• Phase B, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, 1 to 3 weeks:
  • Schedule short utility outage windows and notify well in advance.
  • Provide simple contingencies, such as water or charging access.
• Phase C, finishes and restoration, 2 to 6 weeks:
  • Restore services progressively and confirm access with each tenant.
  • Complete final inspections and clean common areas.
• Post-construction:
  • Walk the building with tenants, close punch items, and finalize any agreed compensation.

Mitigation tactics that work

• Storage: Offer on-site locked rooms or off-site units with proof of insurance and item logs.
• Parking: Rent nearby spaces, prepay, and provide clear access instructions.
• Laundry: Use temporary machines, vouchers, or pickup and drop-off services.
• Safety: Keep clean separation between construction and occupied areas and provide a 24 by 7 emergency contact.

Budget for goodwill

Set aside a realistic allowance for tenant support. Common options include one-time storage or moving payments, temporary rent offsets during service reductions, prepaid parking, and laundry credits. Written agreements keep expectations clear.

Tenant notice and communication best practices

California law requires reasonable notice for non-emergency entry, commonly at least 24 hours for repairs. Local rules and lease terms can add obligations, especially for service changes or any relocation. Layered communication prevents surprises and reduces complaints.

A practical notice timeline

• Early notice, 30 to 60 days before work:
  • Share the project intent, schedule window, expected impacts, and options.
  • Offer a written summary and a building meeting for questions.
• Pre-construction notice, 14 days before each tenant’s phase:
  • Provide dates, times, and details of service impacts and alternatives.
  • Confirm any storage moves or temporary parking assignments.
• Final pre-entry notice, 24 to 72 hours before daily work:
  • Deliver day-specific entry notices and short outage windows.
• Ongoing updates:
  • Send weekly progress notes and post changes immediately in common areas.
• Post-work confirmation:
  • Issue a written notice that services are restored and provide any promised receipts or reimbursements.

What to include in every notice

• Project description, purpose, and contact information for the manager and contractor.
• Start and completion dates for the building and for each unit’s affected services.
• Exact services affected and times, including outages and access routes.
• Mitigation measures, what the tenant needs to do, and how to request accommodations.
• Any financial support and the timeline for payment.
• Language access. Provide notices in English and Spanish at minimum and add other languages common in your building when needed.

Documentation keeps projects on track

Maintain copies of all notices, signed acknowledgments, storage inventories with photos, permits, insurance certificates, and a log of outages, complaints, and resolutions. Good records help resolve issues quickly and support compliance if questions arise.

Permits and who to contact

Check with the following agencies before you begin and whenever your scope changes:

• San Francisco Department of Building Inspection for building permits and inspections in occupied buildings.
• San Francisco Planning Department for ADU eligibility, design, and any historic reviews.
• San Francisco Rent Board for tenant protections, service reductions, and relocation questions.
• San Francisco Public Works and SFMTA for sidewalk, curb, and parking lane permits.
• San Francisco Fire Department for egress, sprinklers, or alarm upgrades triggered by new units.
• Department of Public Health for guidance when lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials are present.

Owner checklist before you start

Use this quick list to organize your ADU project in an occupied Castro building.

• Confirm ADU feasibility with Planning and DBI and review any historic overlays.
• Inventory leases and document who has storage, parking, and laundry rights.
• Decide if any tenant must vacate temporarily and discuss obligations with the Rent Board and DBI.
• Create a mitigation plan for storage, parking, and laundry with a realistic budget for compensation.
• Apply for right-of-way permits if you will use pods, scaffolding, or curb space.
• Set a multilingual communication plan with a notice timeline and a single point of contact.
• Execute a contractor agreement that sets hours, dust and vibration controls, security, and tenant interaction rules.
• Keep organized records of notices, permits, receipts, insurance, and tenant acknowledgments.

Protect goodwill and your ROI

A tenant-focused plan helps you move from demolition to lease-up without unnecessary detours. By preserving services where possible, providing clear alternatives when you cannot, and documenting each step, you reduce risk and keep your timeline intact. That means you deliver a safe ADU, keep your current renters satisfied, and position the new unit for a fast lease at market.

If you want help crafting tenant communications, sequencing plans that fit an occupied building, or a marketing strategy to lease your new ADU quickly once complete, you can get practical, local support. Get a fast leasing plan — schedule a free consultation with Unknown Company.

FAQs

What tenant services are most affected during Castro ADU projects?

• Storage, on-site parking, and shared laundry are most often impacted. Short utility outages, access routes, and trash or mail service can also be affected during specific phases.

How much notice should I give tenants before ADU construction begins?

• Provide layered notice. Aim for 30 to 60 days early notice, 14 days before the tenant’s specific phase, and 24 to 72 hours before daily entry or short outages, consistent with state entry rules.

Do I need to compensate tenants if I reduce storage or parking during construction?

• If storage or parking is a lease term or customary service, reducing it can trigger rent adjustments or compensation. Plan for temporary alternatives or payments and confirm obligations with the Rent Board.

Can I use the sidewalk or parking lane for storage pods during my ADU build?

• Yes, but you typically need permits from Public Works or SFMTA. Secure approvals before placing pods, scaffolding, or reserving curb space to avoid fines and delays.

What if my Castro property is in a historic district?

• Historic overlays can add review steps. Check with the Planning Department early so you can incorporate any design or preservation requirements into your permit set and schedule.

How can I reduce tenant complaints during noisy or dusty work?

• Set clear work hours, use dust and vibration controls, clean daily, and give advance notice for loud tasks. Offer small gestures when impacts are heavier, such as extra cleaning or vouchers during extended outages.