Tenants and advocates urge DBI to enforce inspections, restore code-enforcement outreach funding

Multiple public commenters at the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission meeting on May 21 raised concerns about potential gaps in Department of Building Inspection (DBI) inspections, alleged past permit-review failures, and a proposed 15% cut to community-based organization (CBO) grants that fund the Code Enforcement Outreach Program (CEOP).

Jerry Drattler (public commenter) displayed materials and alleged that a 2006 $35 million Golden Gate Park garage permit had only eight DBI inspections and said required inspections appeared missing for other projects. "Is DBI approving building permits today that lack the required DBI inspections?" Drattler asked, and urged DBI to direct the compliance manager to audit permits and present findings to the commission within 90 days.

Representatives of the Housing Rights Committee and the Southeast Tenant Association addressed the commission together. Anai (tenant organizer) said tenants in Districts 9, 10 and 11 are experiencing habitability issues and urged the commission to "act with urgency to fully fund tenant protections and support safe, stable housing with livable conditions." Melissa Morales, a tenant association member, said tenants call for help with habitability problems and rely on outreach staff for guidance.

Aileen Mejia, lead organizer at the Housing Rights Committee, reported the CEOP had lost funding earlier this year when an organization in the Excelsior closed and said a new 15% proposed reduction to CBO grants would worsen tenant access to help. "We ask that the Department of Building Inspection directly fund the code enforcement outreach program rather than relying on the limited general fund," Mejia said. Advocates requested DBI reinvest in and expand CEOP services to ensure tenants can safely report violations without fear of retaliation.

DBI staff provided performance metrics in the meeting's director and inspections reports. Chief Building Inspector Kevin Birmingham reported that in April 2025 DBI's building, electrical and plumbing divisions conducted 10,776 inspections, and 94% of those were completed within two business days of the requested date (DBI target 90%). Housing inspection services conducted 845 inspections in April and responded to 92% of non-life-threatening complaints within three business days; life-hazard heating complaints were responded to within one business day 71% of the time. DBI's administrative update (Deputy Director Alex Koskinen) said department revenue was projected to slightly exceed budget and that projected fund balance at fiscal year end was around $6,000,000.

Commissioners acknowledged public comment and explained the budget process: DBI had been instructed in February to submit a 15% reduction to CBO grants as part of the mayor's budget process. Assistant Director Christine Gisberg said the mayor's office will review departmental requests and then issue the mayor's proposed budget (expected June 2), after which the Board of Supervisors will make final adjustments in July. Commissioner Michelle Chavez noted historical context that the CEOP moved from DBI revenue to general-fund support in recent years; commissioners said they had submitted a letter to the Board of Supervisors with options to close the funding gap.

Public commenters asked for an audit of permit inspections and for DBI to protect funding that supports tenant outreach. DBI said it will provide the standard budget and program updates through the mayoral and Board of Supervisors budget process; no final funding decision was made at the meeting.