DBI confirms Patrick O'Riordan as permanent director after 4–3 vote; commissioners seek transparency on recruitment timeline

The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission on Feb. 16 recorded the appointment of Patrick O'Riordan as director of the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), noting that the prior appointment vote on Jan. 21 passed 4–3.

Staff read background on the recruitment and selection process: the commission retained a recruiter, conducted four rounds of interviews, and voted to appoint O'Riordan. Commissioners offered brief remarks: several thanked O'Riordan for his willingness to serve, praised his experience leading DBI through the pandemic, and urged continued focus on reforms, ethics, transparency and improving permit turnaround times.

Commissioner questions included whether the commission could publish a timeline of the recruitment process for public clarity. Deputy City Attorney Rob Kaplan said a brief description of the process could be posted on the DBI website, subject to review. Commissioners emphasized that a public timeline should not disclose information legally exempt from disclosure but argued for as much transparency as possible.

O'Riordan thanked commissioners for their support and outlined a short agenda commitment: to improve customer service, transparency and operational efficiency through accountability, staff training, website improvements and clearer procedures. He said reforms would take time and pledged to report progress to the commission.

Next steps recorded on the agenda include continued monthly director updates and staff follow-up on publishing a summary of the recruitment process.