DBI reports nearly 7,000 complaints Jan–Aug 2014 and broad enforcement activity

Chief Building Inspector Patrick O’Riordan briefed the commission on Building Inspection Division (BID) enforcement activity, presenting data for January–August 2014 and updates through October.

Key figures in the presentation: nearly 7,000 complaints were filed citywide in the January–August period, with roughly 2,000 routed to BID; BID performed 38,209 permit inspections during that same interval. BID’s complaint‑investigation team has recently closed many older cases and is continuing efforts to reduce the backlog. O’Riordan said the average monthly complaint volume at BID is about 248 and that most complaints are closed within the department’s 72‑hour target when feasible.

The presentation described common complaint categories (work without permit, unsafe buildings, work beyond scope, expired permits), and noted that seasonal and project cycles create volatility in daily complaint volumes. O’Riordan explained the division’s practice of assigning complaints that tie to active permits to district inspectors most familiar with the property while the complaint investigation team handles parcels without permits.

Commissioners asked about resource allocation for complaints tied to work beyond scope and about causes of prolonged open notices of violation; staff said long‑running NOVs often require referrals to code‑enforcement or litigation committees when administrative remedies are exhausted. DBI said it will continue to coordinate with other departments and the City Attorney when escalation is needed.