Commission supports expanding DBI's compliance control program to cover fraud and misrepresentation

The Building Inspection Commission unanimously recommended approval of an ordinance (File No. 240803‑2) that expands the Department of Building Inspection's Expanded Compliance Control (ECC) program to include non‑building‑code misconduct such as fraud, willful misrepresentation in permit applications and offenses involving bribery or unlawful influence of a city employee.

DBI legislative staff told the commission the ECC program, established in 2021, currently allows the department to subject applicants with repeated building‑code violations to enhanced review, mandatory in‑house checks and pre‑application site visits. To be added previously, applicants generally needed three or more building‑code violations within 18 months or one egregious violation. The proposed ordinance would expand the list of eligible conduct and permit the Planning Department to notify DBI where applicants have failed to disclose unauthorized dwelling units (UDUs) on applications.

DBI staff said the change responds to cases where evidence of fraud or bribery exists but could not previously be grounds for ECC listing because the existing rules referred specifically to building‑code violations. The substitute ordinance adopted on June 24 incorporated DBI recommendations. The Code Advisory Committee and its AGD/DA subcommittee both recommended unanimous approval before the commission.

The commission asked procedural questions about appeals and due process; DBI staff said cases would go through established compliance processes and document gathering before an appeal reaches the commission. After questions, the commission voted to recommend the ordinance; the roll call showed all commissioners voting yes.

Ending: The commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.