[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546857,"mediaKeyId","3440085-2c1fb64e1e036ec802782ca4ebe100f3","parentId",3440085,"title","Tenants and advocates urge DBI to enforce inspections, restore code-enforcement outreach funding","audioSeconds",1017,"startMs",1981000,"endMs",2998000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440085-2c1fb64e1e036ec802782ca4ebe100f3&start=1981&end=2998","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440085-2c1fb64e1e036ec802782ca4ebe100f3/thumbnail_1981000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546857/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Tenants-and-advocates-urge-DBI-to-enforce-inspections-restore-code-enforcement-outreach-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546857-ebc579dabb7dced5e7161fca0f254c83/orig.mp4?Expires=1776279348&Signature=BWybkjoDylNOrVBtzayTSbnHOTm-Qhij~fgerfAsvgNcZ9n2b0GFXdJiXA0rkUQw1v9IJro8lA8S1Cz9TX3zvuFtF0JIgRlT9gInhUEvNI3LetD~e--sNeOMr7cIIr261DPAT80Zz9IhmuM3vm-1SxsabG3i-3xpwjMbKiVpq0hpi4ru5RGVBSlykFMtofzhnWm3o3B1I8LUVzicfLsOnWgWw1jyxEhBpJO0R~ZJCJZtz0BKGMmEk1URmDJzRbX8iDbONWxNQXb0Sj3Oa1bZLyPKg-~bgUannPBD5J6MI76S9ccjbD25Y~GBBSkTQdtDKzRz7Ba9L56TLFmEiC5GGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple public commenters at the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission meeting on May 21 raised concerns about potential gaps in Department of Building Inspection (DBI) inspections, alleged past permit-review failures, and a proposed 15% cut to community-based organization (CBO) grants that fund the Code Enforcement Outreach Program (CEOP).

Jerry Drattler (public commenter) displayed materials and alleged that a 2006 $35 million Golden Gate Park garage permit had only eight DBI inspections and said required inspections appeared missing for other projects. \"Is DBI approving building permits today that lack the required DBI inspections?\" Drattler asked, and urged DBI to direct the compliance manager to audit permits and present findings to the commission within 90 days.

Representatives of the Housing Rights Committee and the Southeast Tenant Association addressed the commission together. Anai (tenant organizer) said tenants in Districts 9, 10 and 11 are experiencing habitability issues and urged the commission to \"act with urgency to fully fund tenant protections and support safe, stable housing with livable conditions.\" Melissa Morales, a tenant association member, said tenants call for help with habitability problems and rely on outreach staff for guidance.

Aileen Mejia, lead organizer at the Housing Rights Committee, reported the CEOP had lost funding earlier this year when an organization in the Excelsior closed and said a new 15% proposed reduction to CBO grants would worsen tenant access to help. \"We ask that the Department of Building Inspection directly fund the code enforcement outreach program rather than relying on the limited general fund,\" Mejia said. Advocates requested DBI reinvest in and expand CEOP services to ensure tenants can safely report violations without fear of retaliation.

DBI staff provided performance metrics in the meeting's director and inspections reports. Chief Building Inspector Kevin Birmingham reported that in April 2025 DBI's building, electrical and plumbing divisions conducted 10,776 inspections, and 94% of those were completed within two business days of the requested date (DBI target 90%). Housing inspection services conducted 845 inspections in April and responded to 92% of non-life-threatening complaints within three business days; life-hazard heating complaints were responded to within one business day 71% of the time. DBI's administrative update (Deputy Director Alex Koskinen) said department revenue was projected to slightly exceed budget and that projected fund balance at fiscal year end was around $6,000,000.

Commissioners acknowledged public comment and explained the budget process: DBI had been instructed in February to submit a 15% reduction to CBO grants as part of the mayor's budget process. Assistant Director Christine Gisberg said the mayor's office will review departmental requests and then issue the mayor's proposed budget (expected June 2), after which the Board of Supervisors will make final adjustments in July. Commissioner Michelle Chavez noted historical context that the CEOP moved from DBI revenue to general-fund support in recent years; commissioners said they had submitted a letter to the Board of Supervisors with options to close the funding gap.

Public commenters asked for an audit of permit inspections and for DBI to protect funding that supports tenant outreach. DBI said it will provide the standard budget and program updates through the mayoral and Board of Supervisors budget process; no final funding decision was made at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 21 Building Inspection Commission meeting tenants and advocates pressed DBI for stronger enforcement of required inspections and urged restoration of funding for the Code Enforcement Outreach Program following a proposed 15% cut to community-based organization grants.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546862,"Building Inspection Commission backs ordinance to align accessory-structure permit rules with state code",297,3093000,3390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440085-2c1fb64e1e036ec802782ca4ebe100f3&start=3093&end=3390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440085-2c1fb64e1e036ec802782ca4ebe100f3/thumbnail_3093000.jpg","/articles/6546862/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Building-Inspection-Commission-backs-ordinance-to-align-accessory-structure-permit-rules-with-state-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546862-90000daf95e1b60c3239fabb9a3ac3f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776279348&Signature=TD7mk7nn4OjgkhGGd5jpgNYB3MF8SExl5exGVUpxCKzguJloTOQUfYJc09VrVPdEE1tOOIVFw3AEMaO~LvnfM0lHU8li8dc5TuJUHUEYk3SSA6wv5CfmxiHwR-dI5bcpEYH-XLhKR5BIwW6xDuNsdeWlq6jpYAIP0w7Ggjsr7OVpHpfK~tJbQPXIBmYauOWdBRjQlsonxR-JJhO-jM4pvAOgj82sSi~a62UXK2v5rSimwRQcUcoMqODlqucA6aQp0A~F5GP-oTSJKBKl84tmjW42edg6HFpagaLcbXxHeOnWkGSVzjxgBFP8LOoTxuPFytG8ZImv7O2F8KCj1sEMlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission on May 21 voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve File No. 250,284, an ordinance to align local rules with the California Building Code for small accessory structures.

Legislative affairs manager Tate Hanna told the commission the California Building Code exempts 1-story accessory structures with floor area of 120 square feet or less from permit requirements. San Francisco's local amendment currently reduces that allowance to 100 square feet of projected roof area, which, Hanna said, prohibits some prefabricated storage sheds that comply with state rules. File No. 250,284 would revert the local amendment to the state standard (120 square feet by floor area) and make related planning-code adjustments for nonconforming accessory structures constructed before Feb. 2003. The Code Advisory Committee reviewed the ordinance on May 14 and recommended approval; DBI staff recommended approval as well.

Commissioners asked about the timing of San Francisco's local amendment; staff said the state provision allowing 120 square feet has been in place for several code cycles (at least since the 2019 code) and the local amendment had been in place \"for a number of years.\" Commissioner Newman moved the commission's recommendation; Commissioner Calamucci seconded. The motion to recommend File No. 250,284 to the Board of Supervisors passed on a unanimous roll-call vote (Chavez, Calamucci, Ming, Newman, Williams \"yes\").

The ordinance, as described by staff, would also (1) revert San Francisco's use of projected roof area back to floor area for the exemption, and (2) amend related planning-code provisions to allow repair and replacement of nonconforming accessory structures constructed before Feb. 2003 and allow limited accessory structures within required setbacks and unusable open space. Staff said the change intends to create consistency with state rules and reduce permitting friction for small, prefabricated storage structures that meet state code.

No public comment was recorded on the motion. The commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for further legislative consideration.","The commission voted unanimously to recommend Board of Supervisors File No. 250,284, which would align San Francisco's permit exemption for small accessory structures with the California Building Code by allowing accessory structures up to 120 square feet without a building permit.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546867,"Building Inspection Commission appoints new examiners, reappoints multiple advisory panels",260,750000,1010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3440085-2c1fb64e1e036ec802782ca4ebe100f3&start=750&end=1010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3440085-2c1fb64e1e036ec802782ca4ebe100f3/thumbnail_750000.jpg","/articles/6546867/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Building-Inspection-Commission-appoints-new-examiners-reappoints-multiple-advisory-panels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546867-91564287dec65b5f1989ec7b4b17ebfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776279348&Signature=fal1Yp3Yop-xc3jIOGvcZuIt5GTA9jABiVoh9v1F32miJjgknpHZI7FJ5uqVwyJ7DvEeua6~d7rjtvwCfHx3i6Yv9Ddnv89-wVAOf8Kw7yJMj17k7ED389qGFUKHH73mOjrB7n4C6T7-wBL6MDRnd~0wE381PSJIQPCm8dWMHIOLqyNOdvF7-lbi-KDAU06f47aKdHyWNwqq~byzZ64gmdCf8g-AgkuRIoXnPSf8mYImvQStPmP62ZC5bfrGMvuxJFGPcWF6RSWHGf1tKXb7g6MR80Btuata7yUaRXqYiLX-gm0d~O4eStDC-lyhz0aZbb7hADgAl2dnaiBvrPEcXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission on May 21 appointed Paul McGrath and Nancy Madinski to licensed seats on the Board of Examiners and unanimously reappointed multiple existing members to the Board of Examiners, the Access Appeals Commission and the Code Advisory Committee.

The appointments were made by motion and roll-call votes during the commission's regular meeting at City Hall and online. Commissioners recorded unanimous \"yes\" votes on each motion: Commissioner Michelle Chavez, Commissioner Calamucci, Commissioner Ming, Commissioner Newman and Commissioner Williams.

Paul McGrath was nominated for the vacant licensed mechanical engineer seat (term to expire Sept. 15, 2028). After a motion and second, the commission voted unanimously to appoint him. Following the vote the commission administered the oath of office to McGrath. \"I'm pleased to be appointed, and I'm looking forward to serving the Board of Examiners with my expertise as a mechanical engineer,\" McGrath told the commission after the oath.

The commission also voted to appoint Nancy Madinski to the licensed general contractor seat (term to expire Sept. 15, 2028). Commissioners noted Madinski's more-than-30-year construction-industry background in San Francisco, including work on retail and residential projects. The motion to appoint Madinski passed unanimously.

In a single motion, the commission reappointed current members of the Board of Examiners to terms expiring Sept. 15, 2028. Those reappointments were approved unanimously and the commission administered oaths to the returning members during the meeting.

The commission likewise unanimously reappointed members of the Access Appeals Commission (terms to expire Nov. 1, 2029) and members of the Code Advisory Committee (terms to expire Aug. 10, 2028). The newly reappointed members stood, took the oath of office, and were thanked for their service.

The commission also appointed Commissioner Calamucci to serve on the commission's nominations subcommittee (the group that reviews candidates for the Board of Examiners, Code Advisory Committee and Access Appeals Commission). That motion carried unanimously.

Procedural details: public comment on these appointments was called for and none was offered for the named motions; each formal vote was taken by roll call and recorded as unanimous. Commissioners thanked departing and incoming members on the record and requested that required paperwork be submitted to staff for processing.

The actions fill licensed and specialized seats that the commission and its advisory panels use to review technical qualifications, administer examinations and advise the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) on code and permitting matters.","At its May 21 meeting the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission appointed two new members to the Board of Examiners, administered oaths, and unanimously reappointed members to the Board of Examiners, Access Appeals Commission and Code Advisory Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tenants and advocates urge DBI to enforce inspections, restore code-enforcement outreach funding

Building Inspection Commission backs ordinance to align accessory-structure permit rules with state code

Building Inspection Commission appoints new examiners, reappoints multiple advisory panels