Board approves building‑code changes to track repeat permit violators and heighten inspections

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance on March 9 that amends the building code to require the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) to track parties with repeated significant violations and to subject repeat offenders to heightened scrutiny.

Supervisor Hillary Ronan, the ordinance sponsor, told the board the change targets serial offenders who repeatedly violate permit requirements. The ordinance requires DBI to maintain internal tracking of parties associated with specified significant violations and to consider expanded compliance control for parties that accrue three violations in an 18‑month period.

Ronan described procedural protections for parties before placement on an expanded compliance list. She said DBI must give parties an opportunity to present exculpatory evidence and provide for appeals to the Building Inspection Commission. If added to the expanded compliance control list, the legislation requires DBI to report licensed professionals to state licensing boards and to impose additional review and inspection requirements on new applications linked to listed parties. The legislation also directs DBI to post the list online and provide regular reports to the Building Inspection Commission.

Supervisor Peskin, a co‑sponsor, argued the measure increases transparency and accountability for a “handful of bad actors.” During discussion, supervisors emphasized due process protections to avoid unfairly penalizing parties who can demonstrate legitimate explanations for citations.

The ordinance passed on first reading in an earlier stage of the agenda and received final adoption in the roll call later in the meeting — approved unanimously (11–0).

Why it matters: City officials said the ordinance is a “good government” step to protect property owners, contractors and the public from serial, knowingly noncompliant actors who repeatedly skirt building rules. Supporters said it would not automatically ban parties from doing work but would trigger heightened inspections, owner notification and reporting to state licensing boards where appropriate.

Next steps: DBI will implement internal tracking procedures and publish the expanded compliance control list. The board directed DBI to develop training and guidance for staff and to report regularly to oversight bodies.