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Building Inspection Commission advances permit-tracking procurement and graywater guidance amid public complaints about enforcement
Summary
The Building Inspection Commission received updates May 18 on DBI operations, announced an intent to award a permit-tracking contract to Accela/21Tech, advanced graywater guidance with the PUC, and approved administrative bulletins while residents urged faster response to unpermitted work and blight.
The Building Inspection Commission on May 18 heard multiple operational updates from the Department of Building Inspection and approved administrative guidance while members of the public pressed DBI to act faster on unpermitted work.
Deputy Director Pamela Levin told commissioners the department had issued a notice of intent to award a contract to Accela, in partnership with 21Tech, for a permit-tracking system; the announcement begins a five-day protest period before the city negotiates a contract. “We have now sent out a notice of intent to award a contract to, Acela government software and 21 tech,” Levin said.
Commissioners and members of DBI staff discussed the need to finalize vendor negotiations and noted that implementing the department’s internal QMatic queuing system has been delayed by configuration issues and staffing shortages. DBI said the QMatic system’s final tuning and clerical hires are required before full rollout; staff expected to continue monthly updates on progress.
On policy and technical guidance, Chief Plumbing Inspector Steve Panelli reported ongoing work with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on a graywater manual and plan-check guidance for homeowners and contractors. The draft manual is intended to reduce costs and clarify where plan checks, geotechnical reports, and inspections are required to prevent graywater from affecting downhill neighbors.
The commission also approved two administrative bulletins: AB 47, clarifying submittal criteria for smoke-control system reports and testing, and AB 84, providing guidance on structural review of continuous tie-down systems. Fire Marshal Barb Schulteis said the fire department and the code advisory committee vetted the smoke-control bulletin and that such systems involve multiple disciplines.
Public commenters used the meeting to press DBI on enforcement. Resident Spencer Gosh alleged improper deputy-director appointments under Proposition G and requested city attorney review; Nancy Werfel described an unpermitted, six-foot excavation that prompted a Cal/OSHA visit and asked how citizens can get faster responses; Joseph Butler and Robert Witt provided examples of repeat unpermitted work and long-standing blight complaints in their neighborhoods.
Levin and other DBI staff said they would provide information to the public, pursue investigations where appropriate and provide updates to the commission. Commissioners asked staff to place charter and appointment questions on a future agenda and to consider a coordinated approach to vacant-property registration and blight enforcement.
The commission approved the director’s participation in outside code committees (motion passed 4–1) and approved the administrative bulletins by roll call. The meeting concluded with standard items, including an update on finances and minutes approval.
