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DBI, fire and planning urge coordinated response to illegal warehouse housing; tenants urge outreach, not fear
Summary
DBI, fire and planning officials told the commission they have inspected 15 warehouses, issued three orders to vacate and are prioritizing safety while exploring ways to legalize living spaces. Tenant advocates urged the city to expand outreach to avoid driving residents underground.
City building, fire and planning officials told the Building Inspection Commission on Jan. 18 that they are stepping up inspections of artist warehouse spaces while trying to limit displacement and prioritize safety in the wake of the Ghost Ship tragedy.
"Any illegal change of use ... the building shall be deemed unsafe," Fire Marshal Dan DeCocio told commissioners, citing the California fire code and explaining the department's legal threshold for issuing orders to vacate. DeCocio said the department has inspected 15 warehouses and issued three orders to vacate; all three have since been abated with work to bring them into compliance.
DBI Deputy Director Dan Lowry said the department has been conducting outreach and coordinating with partners including planning, fire and community outreach contractors; he identified recent educational workshops and recommended that owners consult third‑party contractors to address life‑safety issues. Planning's Dan Sider said the department's default approach has shifted toward retaining and legalizing units where possible and minimizing displacement, and that staff are exploring temporary‑use provisions and legislative adjustments.
Tenant advocates said current enforcement has created fear among people living in these spaces and urged DBI and partner departments to bring trusted community‑based organizations into inspections so residents will cooperate. "People are afraid they're going to get displaced," said Tommy Avakoli Mecha of the Housing Rights Committee, urging the city to involve tenant advocates during inspections.
Commissioners and staff discussed creating a task force to coordinate building, fire, planning, city attorney and outreach partners; Rosemary Bosque (housing inspector) recommended documenting imminent hazards separately from other violations to give owners a clearer remediation roadmap and to reduce needless displacement.
What happens next: Commissioners asked staff to return with a formal plan and options for a cross‑departmental task force and to explore expanding the code enforcement outreach program and grant funding to support tenant outreach and legalization efforts.
Ending: The commission directed staff to pursue a proactive, coordinated approach that emphasizes both safety and minimizing displacement and to return with recommendations.
