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DBI reports Permit SF progress, inspection metrics and positive fiscal projections
Summary
Department of Building Inspection staff described recent digital permit changes under the Permit SF initiative, reported inspection response rates that met targets in April, and said revenues are projected to slightly exceed budget as the fiscal year closes.
Department of Building Inspection staff briefed the Building Inspection Commission on May 21 about recent Permit SF initiatives, inspection performance for April 2025 and the department’s fiscal outlook as the fiscal year approaches June 30.
Christine Gisberg, Assistant Director of DBI, summarized Permit SF changes and process improvements that DBI said will speed permit intake and issuance. Key changes described by DBI staff include an “enhanced routing” system that automatically assigns in‑house plan reviews to appropriate city departments based on completeness checks, and a digital‑stamps project that replaces a physical approval stamp for in‑house reviews; approved in‑house permits will be issued electronically by email. DBI staff said over‑the‑counter permits remain on paper for now but that the changes are a step toward a more fully digital permit review.
Kevin Birmingham, Chief Building Inspector, reported inspection metrics for April 2025: the Building, Electrical and Plumbing divisions conducted 10,776 inspections and met the performance target with 94% of inspections occurring within two business days of the requested date (target was 90%). Housing inspection services conducted 845 inspections in April; 82% were routine multifamily inspections. For life‑hazard heating complaints, housing responded to 71% within one business day. Code enforcement referred 146 cases to the director’s hearing, and housing abated 374 cases with notices of violation and sent 24 cases to the director’s hearing.
Alex Koskinen, Deputy Director for Administration, presented DBI’s finance update and said the department projects to end the fiscal year with revenue slightly exceeding budget and expenditures slightly below budget. Year‑to‑date permit counts were about 1% higher than the same period last year, and permit valuation was roughly 7% higher year‑to‑date. Koskinen said the department expects year‑end fund balance improvements and noted hiring constraints related to a mayoral hiring freeze that affected staffing and salary savings.
DBI also highlighted several high‑value projects filed and finaled in April, including a proposed new six‑story residential building with 159 affordable units (estimated construction value $97 million) and two finaled Sunnydale Hope SF affordable housing buildings (collective valuation about $115 million).
Commissioners did not take formal action on the director’s report; staff said additional budget materials and fee proposals will come before the commission in the next month.
