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DBI asks for online filing to simplify SRO annual unit usage reports
Summary
DBI housing inspectors requested an online filing system for the annual unit usage reports required under Administrative Code Chapter 41, saying digitization would save months of manual data entry for hundreds of residential hotels.
Chief Housing Inspector James Habomatsu told the commission that the residential hotel conversion ordinance (San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 41) requires annual unit usage reports from roughly 500 residential hotels and that maintaining and enforcing those paper records consumes substantial staff time. "The annual unit usage report is, it's a labor intensive endeavor for not only housing inspection... but also for the residential hotel filers," Habomatsu said.
Housing staff and Chief Inspector Matt Luton asked the commission to support development of a simple online filing platform that would let hotel operators submit required data digitally, allow automatic aggregation of results and reduce months of manual entry and follow up. Matt Luton said the current process relies on paper filings and an Access database and that about two months of staff time are required to input and reconcile submissions after the November 1 deadline.
Commissioners proposed low‑cost options such as Microsoft Forms or other city‑standard tools and asked DBI to coordinate with MIS/Digital Services to set a timeline. A public commenter from Dolores Street Community Services said better data collection is an "anti‑speculation tool" that helps preserve affordable housing and asked the commission to ensure DBI has the capacity to do the work.
DBI staff said the matter had been routed to MIS but that MIS has competing priorities; inspectors asked the commission to request a timeline and assistance from the director to expedite the work.
