Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appeals Procedures topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Francisco Building Inspection Commission requires written appeals material 14 days before hearings
Summary
The Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously March 3 to amend hearing rules so appellants must submit pre-hearing statements and supporting documents at least 14 days before a scheduled hearing to be considered, clarifying application to extension requests under section 41.23.
On March 3, 2025, the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission voted 4-0 to amend its rules and hearing procedures to clarify how appeals for extension requests under section 41.23 are handled, requiring appellants to submit pre-hearing statements and any supporting documents at least 14 days before a scheduled hearing to be considered.
Commissioners said the change is intended to prevent appellants from submitting materials at the hearing that the commission cannot reasonably review given heavy caseloads. Deputy City Attorney Rob Capla recommended adding language that the revised deadline be treated as the last opportunity to submit supporting information and noted earlier filings — such as the notice of appeal or notice of application — would remain part of the record.
The discussion focused on edits to Section 7, “Written submittals,” subsection A (page 5 of the draft rules), which currently uses permissive language allowing appellants to submit a pre-hearing statement “may” submit no later than 14 days before the hearing. A commissioner suggested changing “may” to “must” and adding clarifying language that materials submitted after the deadline will not be considered at the hearing. After the proposal, a motion to approve the rules with the suggested amendment was made and seconded; no members of the public commented.
A roll-call vote followed. Commissioner Chavez, Commissioner Newman, Commissioner Ming and Commissioner Williams each voted yes; President Alexander Tude was excused. The motion carried unanimously among those present, and the commission moved to adjourn.
The commission did not specify further procedural details in the meeting about how late filings would be handled administratively (for example, whether late materials would be accepted into the record but not considered at the hearing). The amended language approved at the meeting directs staff to update the rules to reflect the 14-day deadline and the intent that submissions after that deadline are not for consideration at the hearing.
Following the vote the commission adjourned. No formal timeline was provided at the meeting for when the revised rules will be posted or take effect.
