Building Inspection Commission approves ordinance letting DBI recover third‑party peer‑review costs from applicants

The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously Aug. 16 to approve a change to the building code allowing the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) to select third‑party experts for plan review and recover the costs from applicants.

The ordinance adds an item to the permit fee table authorizing DBI to front costs for third‑party consultants and then charge the project sponsor at the time of permit issuance. Deputy City Attorney Rob Capla told the commission the new code text will direct DBI to provide applicants with an upfront cost estimate and reconcile any over‑ or under‑charges at the end of the project.

Supporters said the change improves transparency and consistency. A commissioner who backed the measure said putting DBI in the position to select and pay reviewers reduces the appearance of conflicts and creates a central invoicing process. Staff said RFQs issued this summer will inform reasonable hourly‑rate parameters and that the city will cap or vet costs to prevent excessive charges.

The motion to adopt the amendment passed on a roll‑call vote with President McCarthy, Vice President Walker, Commissioners Gilman, Constand/Constance, Lee, Clinch and Warshall recorded as voting "Yes."

The ordinance directs staff to return with procedures for estimating costs and administering refunds or recoupments where actual fees differ from estimates. It also formalizes a practice DBI said it has already begun in some cases: choosing panel members rather than relying solely on developer‑selected reviewers.

Next steps: DBI will finalize RFQ responses and provide sample cost estimates to applicants, and legal staff will prepare ordinance language for submission to the Board of Supervisors if required.