S.F. Admin. Code ch. 37 § 37.16
Severability (San Francisco Rent Ordinance)
Operative Text
If any provision or clause of this Chapter 37 or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional or to be otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other Chapter provisions, and clauses of this Chapter are declared to be severable.
Section 37.16 of San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 37 establishes a severability rule, meaning that if any single part of Chapter 37 is found unconstitutional or legally invalid by a court, that finding does not bring down the rest of the chapter. Each provision and clause is treated as legally independent, so the remainder of the chapter continues in full force. This is a standard structural safeguard built into many local ordinances to preserve as much of the law as possible in the event of a legal challenge.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 37.16 of S.F. Admin. Code Chapter 37, the rent regulations that govern landlord obligations remain in effect even if a court invalidates one specific clause or application of the chapter. Compliant operators generally continue to follow all other Chapter 37 requirements—such as allowable rent increases, just-cause eviction rules, and notice obligations—regardless of any isolated legal ruling. Staying current with guidance from the San Francisco Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board helps property managers understand which provisions remain operative at any given time.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 37.16 of S.F. Admin. Code Chapter 37 means that tenant protections built into the chapter are not automatically eliminated if one part of the law is struck down by a court. Tenants can generally continue to rely on the remaining provisions—such as rent increase limits or eviction protections—as enforceable rights. The San Francisco Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board is the primary body that administers Chapter 37, and tenant-rights organizations can help clarify which protections remain in place following any court decision affecting the chapter.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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