Can you legally rent out an ADU in San Francisco?

Yes. San Francisco permits ADUs citywide under both the California state ministerial program (Gov. Code § 66314) and its own local program (Planning Code § 207(c)(4)). A permitted, finaled ADU can be rented as long-term housing. Note that ADUs approved under San Francisco’s local program are typically subject to the SF Rent Ordinance as a condition of approval, so check your unit’s status with the SF Rent Board.

Does the San Francisco Rent Ordinance apply to my ADU?

It depends on how the ADU was approved. Newly constructed ADUs are generally exempt from rent-increase limits under state law (Costa-Hawkins), but ADUs approved through San Francisco’s local waiver program are commonly made subject to the Rent Ordinance, including its just-cause eviction rules, as a condition of approval. The San Francisco Rent Board (415-252-4600) can confirm a specific unit’s status.

What are the best tools for renting an ADU in San Francisco?

San Francisco is one of the most regulated rental markets in the country, so compliance matters as much as reach. Listing portals and free classifieds get your unit seen but leave verification, screening, the lease, and Rent Ordinance awareness entirely to you. A-du provides a verified workflow: required identity verification for both sides, FCRA-compliant screening where the landlord pays (so the AB 2493 applicant cap is never triggered), a California lease, and rent collection where you keep 100% of the listed rent.

Does A-du help build an ADU in San Francisco?

Yes. A-du’s build tools cover San Francisco: a free SF permit-fee calculator estimates Department of Building Inspection fees, the GIS test-fit tool checks whether an ADU fits your lot, and the Build Marketplace connects you with designs and vendors.

Best ADU Rental Tools in San Francisco (2026)

The best ADU rental tools in San Francisco are the ones that keep a small landlord compliant (identity verification, fair screening, a California lease, and Rent Ordinance awareness), not just a place to post a vacancy.

San Francisco layers the Rent Ordinance, deposit-interest rules, and a Fair Chance Ordinance on top of California state law, so compliance is the differentiator.

San Francisco is an ADU market with rules

San Francisco permits ADUs citywide through the state ministerial program and its own local program, and thousands of units have been added in garages, basements, and rear yards. But renting one out means navigating the SF Rent Ordinance (Administrative Code Chapter 37), interest on security deposits (Chapter 49), and the Fair Chance Ordinance (Police Code Article 49), all on top of state rules like AB 12’s deposit limits and AB 2493’s screening-fee cap.

A San Francisco Victorian with a garage-level ADU and a cottage in the rear yard — San Francisco ADUs usually live at garage level or in the rear yard of a Victorian lot.

Reach vs. protection

Listing portals (Zillow, Apartments.com) and free classifieds (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace) are good at getting a unit seen, but they leave identity checks, screening, the lease, and local compliance entirely to you. A-du provides a verified, SF-aware workflow instead: required identity verification for both sides, FCRA-compliant screening the landlord pays for, a California lease, and rent collection where the landlord keeps 100% of the listed rent.

Comparison for a San Francisco ADU

ADU rental tools for San Francisco owners (2026)
Feature	A-du	Listing portals	Free classifieds
Identity verificationWho are you renting to?	RequiredStripe Identity for both sides	VariesUsually optional	None
CA-compliant tenant screening	YesFCRA pass/fail; landlord pays so the AB 2493 applicant fee cap is not triggered	SometimesApplicant-paid	None built in
SF Fair Chance Ordinance awarePolice Code Article 49.	YesWorkflow built around SF and California fair-housing rules	No	No
California lease & e-signature	YesCA deposit and late-fee rules reflected in the lease	SometimesGeneric templates	None
Rent collection	YesLandlord keeps 100% of listed rent	SometimesFees vary	None
Build & permitting help	YesFree SF permit-fee calculator, GIS test-fit, and the A-du Build marketplace	No	No
Bottom line	A verified, SF-aware rental workflow for ADU landlords: identity checks, fair screening, California leases, and rent collection, all built for the Rent Ordinance era.	Wide reach for a vacancy (e.g. Zillow, Apartments.com), but no verification, screening, or lease workflow built in.	Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace cost nothing and reach many, but offer no protection for a small landlord.

Planning an SF ADU? estimate San Francisco permit fees with our free calculator, or learn what counts as an ADU.

Frequently asked questions

Can you legally rent out an ADU in San Francisco?: Yes. San Francisco permits ADUs citywide under both the California state ministerial program (Gov. Code § 66314) and its own local program (Planning Code § 207(c)(4)). A permitted, finaled ADU can be rented as long-term housing. Note that ADUs approved under San Francisco’s local program are typically subject to the SF Rent Ordinance as a condition of approval, so check your unit’s status with the SF Rent Board.
Does the San Francisco Rent Ordinance apply to my ADU?: It depends on how the ADU was approved. Newly constructed ADUs are generally exempt from rent-increase limits under state law (Costa-Hawkins), but ADUs approved through San Francisco’s local waiver program are commonly made subject to the Rent Ordinance, including its just-cause eviction rules, as a condition of approval. The San Francisco Rent Board (415-252-4600) can confirm a specific unit’s status.
What are the best tools for renting an ADU in San Francisco?: San Francisco is one of the most regulated rental markets in the country, so compliance matters as much as reach. Listing portals and free classifieds get your unit seen but leave verification, screening, the lease, and Rent Ordinance awareness entirely to you. A-du provides a verified workflow: required identity verification for both sides, FCRA-compliant screening where the landlord pays (so the AB 2493 applicant cap is never triggered), a California lease, and rent collection where you keep 100% of the listed rent.
Does A-du help build an ADU in San Francisco?: Yes. A-du’s build tools cover San Francisco: a free SF permit-fee calculator estimates Department of Building Inspection fees, the GIS test-fit tool checks whether an ADU fits your lot, and the Build Marketplace connects you with designs and vendors.

General information for San Francisco, not legal advice. Rent Ordinance applicability varies by unit and approval path; confirm with the San Francisco Rent Board and the Department of Building Inspection. Competitor capabilities and pricing change; confirm current details with each provider.