A mayoral push

Past mayors have pledged to speed up housing approvals, turning such promises into an empty refrain. Now it’s Mayor London Breed’s turn to deliver results, with her directive to cut the delays on permitting about 900 small in-law apartments that are lingering in bureaucratic limbo.

The units are a tantalizing but complex resource that have left willing builders bewildered. In a city suffering from sky-high rents and crushing demand, city departments offer confusing and contradictory guidance. The result: months leading to years of inaction and extra costs.

The granny units often are fitted into older buildings, putting them at odds with conventional building rules. Proponents who’ve pressed for permits to get on with the small projects can end up bouncing between city departments. In the past four years, only 377 of the accessory dwelling units were approved.

Breed’s directive indicates she’s heard enough. She’s ordering departments to take action on the backlog of waiting projects within six months. New applications would need to be handled within four months. Along with the stricter timetables, she wants city departments to spell out construction requirements more plainly to avoid time-eating confusion. New units added to rent-controlled buildings will also follow rent guidelines, adding a measure of affordability.

Results matter. Breed, who upbraided Muni leaders for snarled service, isn’t shying away from laying down the law on another topic. The first signs of progress could be evident early next year if city officials succeed in hitting the new deadlines. As the dwellings hit the market, other building owners may be encouraged to propose more units. The mayor is impatient, and so is the rest of San Francisco.