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DBI limits online permit intake to shrink backlog; curbside paper intake and automation expanded
Summary
DBI reported a backlog of roughly 3,000 permits and temporarily limited online submissions to 100% affordable housing, development‑agreement projects and revisions; the department reinstated curbside paper intake, QLESS appointments, and plans to expand automated trade/no‑review permits while retooling its electronic plan review integration.
The Department of Building Inspection told the Building Inspection Commission on Aug. 12 that it is temporarily limiting types of permits that may be submitted online while it fixes a data integration problem between the city Permit Center and DBI’s permit‑tracking system.
Assistant Director Christine Gasparek said the department has about 3,000 permit applications in backlog after accelerating online intake during shelter‑in‑place and completing a move to new offices at 49 South Van Ness. She described a technical mismatch in how intake data is collected on sfgov.org and how DBI stores permit records, which created substantial manual re‑entry work for permit technicians and left customers without application numbers or clear status updates.
To address the backlog and restore transparency, DBI is temporarily accepting new online applications only for: 100% affordable‑housing projects, new permits for approved development‑agreement projects, and addenda/revisions to permits already in electronic review. All other over‑the‑counter and in‑house review projects are being accepted as paper submissions via a curbside drop‑off and appointment system; the agency is sending e‑mails to customers with links to QLESS appointments to schedule drop‑offs.
DBI also said it will expand automated no‑review trade permits (such as certain electrical, mechanical and plumbing renewals and a planned automated reroofing permit) to free permit staff for backlog clearance. The department is hiring additional permit technicians, offering overtime, and reassigning staff from other divisions to accelerate intake and issuance. A Director’s webinar for customers and a progress report are scheduled ahead of the September commission meeting.
Public commenters raised two recurring concerns: (1) residents of Bayside Village urged DBI to suspend permits for alleged noncompliant nonessential renovations until Appendix B2 COVID‑safety requirements were met, and (2) contractors and architects said the abrupt move away from online intake caused them unexpected costs and confusion; DBI replied that previously submitted online applications will remain in electronic plan review and that EPR will be fixed and reinstated once the integration and workflow issues are resolved.
What happens next: DBI will retool the EPR intake/permit‑tracking integration, expand automation on no‑review permits, continue curbside intake for paper plans and report back to the commission in September with progress.
