Supervisor Alan Wong Commends Winners of San Francisco’s “Dumb Laws” Contest, Advances Housing Reform Proposal

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, Supervisor Alan Wong recognized Mike Nohr, a District 4 resident, and Katherine Roberts during the San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting as the winners of the City’s “Dumb Laws” Contest. The pair were commended for identifying a practical opportunity to modernize San Francisco’s housing code and help more homeowners legalize existing living spaces.

Launched in March, the contest invited residents to identify local laws and regulations that no longer make sense or create unnecessary challenges in everyday life. The initiative received more than 200 submissions from residents across San Francisco.

The winning submission highlighted San Francisco’s ceiling height requirement for habitable rooms, which differs from California state standards. Under current local rules, habitable rooms generally must have a ceiling height of 7 feet 6 inches, while state law requires 7 feet. While the difference is only six inches, it can create significant challenges for homeowners seeking to legalize existing units.

 

The submission brought attention to an outdated local regulation that can make it more difficult for homeowners to legalize existing living spaces. Aligning San Francisco’s requirement with state standards would help bring more existing living spaces into the City’s legal housing stock, create a pathway for unauthorized dwelling units (UDUs) to become legal units, and make better use of existing homes throughout San Francisco.

 

“Mike and Katherine’s submission demonstrates the value of community-driven problem-solving,” said Supervisor Alan Wong. “We received more than 200 submissions from residents across San Francisco, and this winning idea shows how engaged community members can help identify practical solutions to real challenges. By listening to residents and working together, we can make our city more responsive and create more opportunities for families throughout San Francisco.”

Supervisor Alan Wong is advancing legislation to align San Francisco’s ceiling height standards with state law while maintaining important safety requirements. The proposal would create a more practical pathway for homeowners to legalize existing housing without requiring neighborhood rezoning or new development.

During the Board meeting, Supervisor Alan Wong highlighted the importance of collaboration between residents and local government.

“I entered this contest because I saw a rule that was creating unnecessary challenges for homeowners and limiting opportunities for people who could benefit from existing housing,” said Katherine Roberts, contest winner. “Not everyone feels comfortable speaking up, especially when they worry there could be consequences. I hope this effort shows that residents can make a difference and that raising concerns about outdated rules can lead to positive change for our communities. If this helps make it easier for others to speak up and be heard, then it will have been well worth it.”

“San Francisco has made increasing housing a priority, and there are already many existing living spaces that could become part of our legal housing stock with reasonable updates,” said Mike Nohr, District 4 resident and contest winner. “This change would help create more opportunities for homeowners and make better use of housing that already exists. I’m grateful that the City is willing to listen to residents and consider practical solutions that can benefit people across San Francisco.”

In addition to recognizing the contest winners, Supervisor Alan Wong thanked all participants who submitted ideas and suggestions.

“The success of this contest reflects the creativity, thoughtfulness, and civic engagement of San Franciscans,” Supervisor Alan Wong said. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside residents, neighborhood groups, and community stakeholders to identify practical ways to strengthen our neighborhoods and improve quality of life throughout our city.”