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Building Inspection Commission advances voluntary seismic‑retrofit incentives ordinance to supervisors; CAPS update sets technical workplan
Summary
BIC received a CAPS update on damage/loss estimates and draft seismic-repair standards, and unanimously forwarded ordinance 91,113 to the Board of Supervisors to expedite voluntary seismic-retrofit permits and waive related fees as an incentive for early adopters.
The Building Inspection Commission on Jan. 20 heard an extended briefing on the Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety (CAPS) and unanimously voted to forward ordinance 91,113 — a mayoral proposal to expedite voluntary seismic-retrofit permit review and waive permit-processing fees for retrofit work — to the Board of Supervisors.
Laura Camont, a CAPS project manager, told the commission the team has completed updated damage and loss estimates for four earthquake scenarios and revised socioeconomic analyses covering housing, vulnerable populations and historic buildings. The CAPS team is finishing a draft report for the project officer and advisory committee, with an anticipated public draft after committee review and an April 15 target for broader public review; mitigation recommendations and a fuller cost‑benefit analysis are expected through the spring and into summer.
Commissioners pressed staff on two central policy questions: when owners should be allowed to repair only to pre‑damage condition versus when they should be required to make seismic improvements, and how to set a practicable performance standard that balances life safety with post‑quake occupiability. Camont said the technical team is running prototype analyses for three building types (single‑family wood‑frame, multi‑family wood‑frame, and older concrete) to inform a standard for repair versus required upgrade.
Members emphasized outreach to small property owners and tenants and asked the CAPS team to expand invitations to the Feb. 10 advisory workshop; Camont said staff will do targeted outreach and has requested a no‑cost time extension for portions of the work. Public commenters, including structural engineer Rodrigo Santos and Coalition for Responsible Growth representative Luke O'Brien, urged tangible incentives such as permit‑fee waivers, faster planning review, property‑tax offsets or steps that allow upgrades to yield direct owner benefits (e.g., legalized in‑law units or garage allowances in exchange for upgrades).
On ordinance 91,113, the mayor's office presenters (Jason Elliott and Star Terrell) framed the measure as a voluntary, incentive‑based first step that creates a framework for a future mandatory program. The commission voted in favor of forwarding the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors by roll call; the motion carried unanimously.
