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DBI reports new payment policy, high‑value projects and positive inspection response times
Summary
DBI Director Patrick O'Riordan announced a policy allowing anyone to pay for permits, introduced a new legislative affairs manager, listed several high‑value projects, and staff reported high inspection volumes and favorable response-time metrics for May 2024.
Patrick O'Riordan, director of the Department of Building Inspection, told commissioners June 12 that DBI updated policy to allow any member of the public to pay for a permit even if they are not officially associated with the project, while permits may still be issued only to property owners, licensed California contractors or authorized representatives. “Though an infrequent issue, this change removes an obstacle for some applicants and will save them some time and frustration,” O'Riordan said.
O'Riordan introduced DBI’s new legislative affairs manager, Tate Hanna, who recently joined from Senator Scott Wiener’s office. He also reported that DBI staff represented the department at a Chinese Real Estate Association expo attended by more than 400 real estate professionals and property owners.
On major projects, O'Riordan said three permit applications with construction valuations of $5 million or more were filed in May, including a $99,000,000 renovation of the Southeast Health Center at 2401 Keith Street and a $5,000,000 office tenant improvement at 50 California Street. DBI issued five high-value permits last month, including an 85-unit affordable housing building at 160 Freelon Street ($59,000,000), a $19,000,000 renovation of the Chinatown Public Library (1335 Powell Street), a 299-room hotel at 100 Channel Street ($64,000,000), and a $15,000,000 HUD senior housing renovation at 1240 Fillmore Street.
Deputy Director Matthew Green reported inspection performance for May: building, electrical and plumbing divisions conducted 10,691 inspections with 94% completed within two business days (exceeding the 90% target); housing inspection services conducted 8,197 inspections, and the building/electrical/plumbing divisions received 417 complaints and responded to 99% within three business days. Code enforcement referred 52 cases to director's hearings.
Finance manager Junko Laxmana told the commission that with 92% of the fiscal year elapsed DBI projects collecting $58,800,000 by year-end (about $4.4 million below budget) and spending $87,000,000 (about $5 million below budget), which would leave DBI using about $600,000 less of its fund balance than planned.
Commissioners had no substantive questions on the finance update and there were no public comments on the director’s report items.
