Building Inspection Commission backs ordinance to standardize permit timelines, recommends amendments

The Building Inspection Commission unanimously recommended the Board of Supervisors adopt Ordinance file 250811, which would replace San Francisco’s valuation‑based permit timeline with a flat two‑year expiration for permit applications and a one‑year rolling deadline to commence work on issued permits. The commission also approved sending recommendations and amendments to the Board.

Rainelle Cooper, legislative aide to District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmud, who sponsored the ordinance, told commissioners the changes are intended to “streamline this process” and reduce confusion caused by San Francisco’s current valuation‑based timelines. Cooper said the proposal would give applications a two‑year lifespan and allow issued building permits 365 days to show commencement of…