Commission recommends expanding awning amnesty to certain signs and gates with added safety requirements for roll‑down gates

The Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously to recommend Board of Supervisors Ordinance File 250539, which would extend the city’s existing awning amnesty pathway to certain existing signs and ground‑mounted gates while setting stricter submittal requirements for roll‑down (top‑attached) gates.

Tate Hanna, DBI legislative affairs manager, told commissioners the current awning amnesty program (in effect since 2023) allows unpermitted awnings installed on or before Aug. 20, 2023, to seek a streamlined permit and reduced submittal requirements. "The program allowed for unpermitted but existing awnings installed on or before 08/20/2023 to pursue a permit and come into code compliance with the building code," Hanna said.

The proposed ordinance would: - Expand the amnesty pathway to include certain existing signs (non‑illuminated, under 250 pounds and 25 square feet or less). - Include specific gate types: horizontal/sliding/accordion‑style gates would use the streamlined pathway; roll‑down gates would remain eligible but require manufacturer cut sheets and additional documentation showing secure attachment to the building. - Maintain the program’s limit to existing installations installed on or before Aug. 20, 2023, and continue to exclude vehicular gates.

Hanna said the department intends to publish a memorandum with specific submittal checklists for roll‑down gates if the ordinance advances. Commissioners asked about life‑safety risks; Hanna cited incidents outside California in which fall‑related gate failures caused fatalities and said additional documentation for roll‑down gates is intended to ensure secure attachments.

Commissioner exchange and motion: Commissioner Williams and others pressed staff on how the department would treat insufficient applications (applicants can be kept in the program but must provide additional documents) and on whether the policy would create incentives to install after the cutoff date (DBI said no). President Alexander Toot moved to recommend File 250539 with department amendments; Commissioner Newman seconded. The motion carried unanimously on roll call.

Next steps: The recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors. If the ordinance is adopted, DBI plans to publish the memo and adjusted submittal checklist and to implement the expanded amnesty pathway for eligible signs and gates.