The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) held a meeting on July 4, 2025, to discuss a proposed ordinance aimed at addressing the challenges posed by vacant or abandoned commercial storefronts in the city. The ordinance seeks to temporarily suspend certain registration requirements and fees associated with these properties for one calendar year, from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

The current building code mandates that owners of vacant commercial storefronts register their properties with DBI within 30 days of becoming vacant, renew that registration annually, pay a registration fee, and submit an annual report confirming property maintenance. The proposed ordinance would suspend the registration fee, the requirement to submit annual reports, and the addition of properties to DBI's vacant storefront registry during the suspension period. However, key obligations such as maintaining the property, securing it from unauthorized entry, and maintaining fire and liability insurance would remain in effect.

The ordinance is a response to the changing economic conditions in San Francisco since the original code was established in 2019. The anticipated fiscal impact of the ordinance is a decrease in vacant building registration fees, estimated at up to $300,000 over the year. DBI staff emphasized that the suspension would allow for improvements in data collection and reporting systems regarding vacant storefronts, which have faced challenges in tracking longitudinal data.

During the meeting, commissioners raised concerns about the coordination between DBI and the Treasurer's office regarding the assessment of taxes on vacant storefronts. It was noted that the tax collector does not currently rely on DBI's registry for tax assessments, leading to potential inefficiencies. The need for better collaboration between departments was acknowledged, with plans to improve data sharing during the suspension period.

The Code Advisory Committee had previously voted unanimously to recommend approval of the ordinance, while also suggesting the rescission of notices of violation issued for failure to register in prior years. DBI staff disagreed with this recommendation, citing fairness to property owners who complied with the previous regulations.

As the meeting concluded, commissioners expressed the importance of developing a clear plan for re-implementing the registration process after the suspension period, ensuring that property owners are adequately informed and supported in meeting their obligations. A follow-up report is expected to outline the strategy for rolling out the program again in 2025, addressing concerns about potential confusion among property owners when the requirements resume.