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San Francisco BIC endorses permanent awning permitting process, extends fee waiver to July 1, 2025
Summary
The Building Inspection Commission unanimously recommended approval of an ordinance to make DBI’s streamlined awning permit process permanent and extend a fee waiver through July 1, 2025, with small-business officials and DBI staff urging continued outreach and simplification.
The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously June 12 to recommend approval of an ordinance that would make permanent the department’s streamlined awning permit process and extend the associated fee waiver through July 1, 2025.
DBI legislative affairs manager Tate Hanna told commissioners the ordinance (Board of Supervisors file 240474) would formalize a permit amnesty the department has run since 2023 and extend the waiver of application and inspection fees for one fiscal year. “The department believes the value of legalizing these awnings far outweighs the potential revenue generated by the fees,” Hanna said.
Katie Tang, director of the Office of Small Business, joined DBI staff in urging support. Tang said the simplified application and fee waiver have helped businesses that otherwise struggle with permitting and described door-to-door outreach conducted with DBI and partner departments. “We will continue to do outreach to the businesses,” Tang said.
Vice President Shattuck, who moved the motion, said he was “very familiar with this program” and expressed support, noting it helps small businesses during difficult economic conditions. The motion to recommend approval passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes.
What this does and why it matters: the change would make an expedited, lower‑barrier path to legalize existing awnings permanent, which city staff said encourages compliance and brings structures up to code without the deterrent of enforcement fees. The fee waiver extension is intended to give additional time for businesses to apply and complete inspections under the simplified process.
Next steps: the ordinance would proceed through the Board of Supervisors for final action; the commission’s vote is a recommendation recorded in the department’s review process.
