united-states california workplace
What building code regulations may in-office beds violate in San Francisco?
<p>I read on <a href="https://fortune.com/2022/12/07/elon-musk-twitter-beds-facing-san-francisco-building-code-inspection/" rel="noreferrer">https://fortune.com/2022/12/07/elon-musk-twitter-beds-facing-san-francisco-building-code-inspection/</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>San Francisco does not appear convinced that adding in-office beds isn’t a violation of building code regulations.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>What building code regulations may in-office beds violate in San Francisco?</p>

<p><a href="https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/f34d8cdf-0811-4e2d-8768-67a15f4b6738/sf_building/0-0-0-494" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Chapter 7</a> of the San Francisco building code sets forth a number of mechanical requirements on hotels, motels, dwelling units and so on (e.g. heating, security...). §709(b) in particular states that</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It shall be unlawful for any person to use or permit another person to
use any of the following portions of a building for sleeping purposes:</p>
<p>(1)   A hallway, water closet or bath or shower compartment, slop sink
room, or any room containing a gas appliance used or intended to be
used for cooking purposes or containing an improperly vented gas
appliance;</p>
<p>(2)   Any other room or place which does not comply with the
provisions of this Code for a sleeping room, or in which sleeping is
dangerous, or prejudicial to life or health by reason of an
overcrowded condition; a lack of light, windows, ventilation or
drainage; fire hazard, dampness or offensive, obnoxious or poisonous
odors in the room or place.</p>
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<p>This is sufficient grounds, given a complaint of purported violation, to mandate an inspection to determine if there has been a violation.</p>

<h2>The office isn’t in a residential zone</h2>
<p>San Francisco, like most modern cities has zoning laws and grants specific conditions on building use as well. The Twitter headquarters is in a commercial zone and no doubt has permission to be used as an office.</p>
<p>It isn’t in a residential zone nor approved as a residence so <em>people can’t live there</em>. Putting in beds doesn’t mean people <em>are</em> living there … but it might.</p>
