The San Francisco call., 1909-09-17
SEEK TO ALTER
BUILDING LAWS
FOR T[N[M[NTS
Changes Recommended by COM
mittee of Architects, Builders
and Insurancemen Filed
Effort Made to Secure Better
Class of Structures for
City's Poorer Class

Proposed new building laws, COM
piled by commiuee of builders. in
surancemen and architects and others
ts take the place OF the building laws
now in existence, were filed with the
clerk OF the board OF supervisors yes
terday, and if the latter adopt the
work of the committee. San Francisco ;
tenement house laws VIII go out of eX-
istence Otherwise the proposed new
laws are. much the same as the build
ing laws now in force.
The tenement house laws were
on the part OF interested men and
women who wanted to safeguard the
health OF the poor who are compelled
TO take such apartments as their Inn
lied earnings provide, regardless of
sa anitary conditions. The elimination
Of city tenement house laws, accord
ing 10 the opinion of City Attorney
Pervy V. Long, would make the en-
forcement Of similar state laws an un-
certainty The city charter makes the
board OF public works responsible for
the enforcement of city building laws,
but whether the board would be re-
QHired TO guard against the violation
OF the state tenement house law is
something that the courts would be
compelled TO determine, Long says.
The building committee of the board
OF supervisors has been verbally ad-
vised,T said Long yesterday, that the
state law should be re-enacted by the
city 10 insure proper enforcement, and
] Will suggest TO the board of super
vfsors that the state tenement house
law De made a part of the new build
- ..r-rif "a =
Zee which prepared the new ordinance
filed il without first getting the ap-
proval of my office"
OPPOSITION TO MEASURE
Since the first enactment OF the city
tenement house law, there has been
strong opposition to the measure on
the part OF many property owners. The
requirement Of q yard y feet wide in
The rear Of a tenement house was con-
sidered as a hardship. This pro-
vision was placed in the law to afford
light and air for >tenements.
Members of the California club and
the Telegraph Hill Settlement associa =
tiOn have taken the most active inter
est in the enforcement of the city tene-
ment house ordinance.
For almost a year the special COM
mittee has been at work on the new
building laws. The purpose of the new
ordinance is to simplify and to make
more comprehensive the legislation on
this complex subject. But few ma
terisl changes in the present laws are
contained in the proposed new ordi-
nance.
Among the more important features
of the new ordinance is new limita-
lions for class G and frame buildings.
The present laws allow class Q build.
inEs to be constructed 50 feet in
height, and il is proposed to change
this TO IS feet. Frame buildings, which
have no classification, are to be lin
tied TO 30 feet in height, instead of IS
feet, as at present.
Some changes in cIassifica ton have
also been suggested. One is to transfer
ireproof buildings with brick bearing
walls from class B to class A, to which
tx is said they have a closer relation.
WILL MODIFY ORDINANCE
II the proposed ordinance is adopted.
provisions for the construction of re-
enforced concrete buildings will be
modified TO the extent of requiring a
less proportion of steel than at pres
ent.
Special stress is placed on the o,,al-
ity Of materials, by the proposed new
law. 1t will differ from the present
ordinance by making the quality gov
erp the quantity required.
The special or advisory committee.
selected by the building committee of
the board of supervisors to prepare
The new building laws, consists of the
Following:
William +. Wilson, member of the
board of health. Chairman: p H
Shaughnessy, chief of the fire depart
ment; !. H Porter. chief inspector of
The underwriters inspection bureau: I
=. Horgan. chief inspector of the boa nd
OF public works: J. d. Galloway. civil
engineer: II. II. Mathewson, builder:
Nathaniel Blaisdell, architect Morris
Bruce, architect, served as secretary
The new ordinance will be formally
presented to the board of supervisors
at their regular meeting next MONDAY