Building Inspection Commission backs tighter vacant‑storefront rules with payment carve‑out for self‑reporting owners

The Building Inspection Commission voted Jan. 16 to recommend approval of a proposed ordinance that would tighten San Francisco’s vacant storefront registry by removing an exemption that let owners avoid registration if a space was merely offered for lease, require registration within 30 days of vacancy and payment of a $711 registration fee at the time of registration, and mandate annual inspections at the owner’s expense.

The measure, introduced to the commission by Ian Fragosi, legislative aide to Supervisor Sandra Lee Feuer, also would add a provision allowing licensed third‑party professionals to perform the annual inspections and require owners to provide inspection reports. Fragosi said the changes are aimed at producing a more accurate, enforceable inventory of long‑term vacancies so DBI can target cases that present safety hazards or chronic blight. “Our intention is to improve the reporting and tracking of vacant storefronts,” Fragosi said, summarizing the ordinance’s goals.

Why it matters: DBI and the Office of…