DBI expands curbside permitting and plans move to 49 South Van Ness amid backlog
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Summary
DBI said curbside over‑the‑counter services launched June 24 and boosted daily permit issuance, but a backlog of over‑the‑counter with plans remains and staff expect progress after the July/August move to 49 South Van Ness.
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection reported on a new curbside permitting program intended to address a COVID‑era backlog and to keep permitting and inspections functioning while staff move offices.
Assistant Director Christine Gasparek said curbside services began on June 24 and operate in two parts: an early window (07:30–09:30) for over‑the‑counter permits without plans and a broader daytime window (09:30–15:30) for over‑the‑counter submittals with plans. Appointments are managed via Eventbrite and limited to about 30 daily slots to support social‑distancing protocols. For OTC without plans, applicants can receive permits the same day; OTC with plans are typically issued the next day or within a couple of days.
Gasparek said the curbside rollout increased DBI’s daily permit throughput: the department averaged about 108 permits per day before curbside and about 142 permits per day after launch, combining curbside issuance and electronic plan review. The department is not issuing trades or street‑space permits through curbside, which remain online only.
DBI staff warned the commission the department is managing a multi‑thousand‑permit backlog that originated when in‑person services paused during shelter‑in‑place and the city accelerated an electronic plan review system that had been planned as a multi‑year pilot. Interim Director Patrick O’Reardon said a backlog of roughly 2,000 over‑the‑counter with plans permits remains; he projected the backlog would likely persist into September unless health conditions allow expanded in‑person service.
DBI also outlined a scheduled move from 1660 Mission to 49 South Van Ness that begins the weekend of July 23 and spans two weekends; curbside operations will pause for the move and resume after staff set up in the new building. Deputy Director Tarrus/Tires Madison said DBI will operate on multiple floors at the new site and expects to replicate curbside service there once the Department of Public Health approves a safety plan.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about safety‑plan enforcement, one‑way circulation, how complaints will be handled in real time, whether inspectors will continue to report directly to job sites (they will), and whether the move will create further delays. DBI said it has a liaison role between customers and plan checkers to speed revisions and that deputy directors are present at curbside to enforce mask and distancing rules.
The department plans a public Q&A with Director O’Reardon on July 17 to update customers, and staff invited commissioners to a socially‑distanced site tour of the new building before operations expand.
