DBI reports strong awning-amnesty uptake and multiple high-value permit filings

Department of Building Inspection Director Patrick O'Rearton told the commission July 17 that DBI's awning amnesty program has generated substantial participation and that the department proposes to extend the program.

O'Rearton said that between last September and June DBI completed 106 awning permits and issued 130 additional permits pending inspection, for a total of 236 permits issued or completed in the past 10 months. He said the work included many properties that were not part of the original complaints and thanked staff across DBI and partner offices for their collaboration.

DBI also reported several high-value permit filings and issuances. In June DBI received three permit applications with estimated valuations of $5 million or more, including tenant improvements at 101 California Street (valued at $8.8 million) and 50 California Street (valued at $5.0 million). The previous month DBI issued four high-value permits, among them a 168-unit affordable housing building valued at $60.7 million at 1515 South Van S, an 89-unit building in the Hope SF Sunnydale development valued at $45 million, and other large affordable-housing projects.

The director invited commissioners and the public to DBI’s next quarterly public advisory forum on July 24, where the department will update attendees on permit-processing improvements, a new SFPUC review station and other program items.

What happens next: DBI will extend the awning-amnesty program as discussed and report further implementation metrics at subsequent commission meetings.