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Commission backs ordinance requiring phone jacks and grab bars in SROs, urges time‑limited permit fee relief
Summary
The Building Inspection Commission unanimously recommended a Board ordinance to require working telephone jacks in SRO rooms and grab bars in common bathrooms, and asked the Board to consider a limited fee waiver or reduced permit fee window to encourage rapid compliance; staff will withhold notices of violation for six months after adoption.
The Building Inspection Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance amending the San Francisco Housing Code to require working telephone jacks in SRO tenant rooms and grab bars in common bathrooms.
On behalf of Supervisor Eric Mar, Nick Pagalatos summarized the proposed ordinance and stakeholders' involvement: "It's 2 recommendations. 1 that there be working phone jacks in SRO tenants rooms...The second issue is to put grab bars in common bathrooms." Pagalatos said the ordinance is designed to codify an existing state requirement for phone jacks and to add grab bars to reduce slips and falls among seniors and people with disabilities.
Rosemary Boskey (SRO Collaborative) and Carla Johnson (Mayor's Office on Disability) described an outreach and technical assistance package that will accompany the ordinance. Boskey said the city will mail informational packets and a technical manual to owners and task‑force partners, and Johnson explained that the manual will include diagrams and retrofit options that work in small, older bathrooms.
Public commenters from the Mission and Central City SRO collaboratives told commissioners the safety and access measures were overdue. Josh Feining cited a 2011 survey of 151 senior/disabled SRO tenants that found fewer than 40% had grab bars; other speakers described falls and the difficulty for low‑income tenants to buy or maintain phones.
Commissioners discussed costs and permitting. Staff estimated a simple grab bar permit might approximate $250 but noted permit costs depend on the job and could be reduced by standardizing fees. Commissioners asked the Board to consider a time‑limited fee waiver or reduced fee to encourage early compliance.
Motion and vote: Commissioner Walker moved that the commission recommend the Board adopt the legislation and ask that a fee‑waiver/reduction program be developed; Commissioner McCarthy seconded. Deputy City Attorney John Malamud restated the motion. A roll call vote followed: President McCarthy (Aye), Vice President Moore (Yes), Commissioner Clinch (Yes), Commissioner Lee (Yes), Commissioner McCray (Yes), Commissioner Melgar (Yes), Commissioner Walker (Yes). The motion carried unanimously.
Implementation details provided in the hearing: the ordinance would become effective 30 days after passage, notices of violation would not be issued for the first six months to allow outreach and installation, and staff will assemble a technical assistance manual and outreach plan for property owners. The commission asked staff and proponents to return with implementation updates after adoption.
