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DBI issues adaptive-reuse guidance and launches ADU permit roundtables to speed reviews
Summary
DBI Director Patrick O'Rearton announced new adaptive-reuse code guidance (information sheet G29) to clarify office-to-housing conversions and introduced an ADU permit-review roundtable service intended to consolidate plan-review comments in a single live session starting Oct. 21, with participation by multiple city departments and no additional fee.
Department of Building Inspection Director Patrick O'Rearton used the commission's Oct. 16 meeting to announce two initiatives aimed at accelerating housing production and improving plan-review clarity.
O'Rearton said DBI released new guidance (information sheet G29) clarifying adaptive-reuse code provisions and exceptions for converting downtown office buildings into apartments. "Our goal is to find ways to help developers convert older downtown office buildings into housing without sacrificing residential safety requirements," O'Rearton said, adding that the guidance resulted from months of coordination with the fire department, planning, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and a task force of private-sector design professionals.
He also described a new permit-review roundtable service for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that DBI, planning, fire, public works and the Public Utilities Commission will staff in a live virtual meeting. After submitting a completeness letter and initial fees, eligible ADU projects can be scheduled for a 45-minute roundtable (no additional fee) intended to present consolidated plan-review comments and reduce the number of revision cycles; DBI said the first meetings would be held beginning Oct. 21.
DBI also presented high-value permit activity for September 2024, noting a tenant-improvement application at 88 Spear Street and several issued high-value permits, including a new six-story housing and community development at 80 Julian Avenue, a 70-unit affordable housing project at 180 Jones and a 44-unit mixed-use development at 2238 Market Street.
Legislative affairs manager Tate Hanna briefed the commission on city and state legislation affecting DBI, noting a department-sponsored ordinance to adopt certain chapters of the California existing building code, Board of Supervisors actions on all-electric ordinance amendments (awaiting mayoral signature), and state bills AB 2533 (extending ADU amnesty to certain unpermitted units) and SB 1465 (allowing structures used for habitation to be declared substandard), both set to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Commissioners asked technical questions about SB 1465 and its purpose; Hanna said that bill was prompted in part by enforcement complications exposed after the Half Moon Bay shooting and will allow greater authority to declare a structure substandard when a structure is used for habitation but not zoned for housing.
DBI staff said they are available to answer questions and will publish the guidance and resource materials on the department website.
