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Commission adopts voluntary soft‑story retrofit bulletin; vote unanimous
Summary
The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission unanimously approved Administrative Bulletin AB‑94, establishing voluntary design and eligibility criteria for seismic retrofits of soft‑story Type V wood‑frame buildings and aligning the voluntary program with an upcoming mandatory retrofit plan.
The Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously April 21 to adopt Administrative Bulletin AB‑94, a staff‑drafted guidance that defines which soft‑story, Type V (wood‑frame) buildings qualify for the department’s voluntary seismic retrofit program and which retrofit methods are acceptable.
Hanson Tom, plan‑check manager in the Department of Building Inspection, told commissioners the bulletin — originally published in May 2009 and recently revised — aims to simplify owner qualification and retrofit options. "One of the criteria is that 50% of your ground floor [is] used for business," Tom said, adding the bulletin treats buildings built before 05/21/1973 as presumptive soft‑story because later code changes addressed seismic risk. Tom outlined three compliance methods: the International Building Code Appendix 4 procedure, ASCE 41 engineering guidance and strengthened shear‑wall or bracing schemes.
Henry Khandelowitz, who said he serves on the co‑adviser committee, told the commission the committee unanimously recommended approval but raised concerns about Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. "I'm concerned about some of these corner storefronts that have steps up to go in, and the ADA is going to be required to comply with. ... we'd be losing some of these storefronts," Khandelowitz said.
Commissioner Walker moved to approve the bulletin and said a forthcoming mandatory retrofit program and financing package (including potential bond‑backed low and deferred loans) will follow. Commissioner Lee seconded. Staff confirmed owners who complete voluntary retrofits would not be required to meet less‑stringent standards if the later mandatory rules are stricter; the voluntary rules were drafted to ‘‘more closely coincide with what the mandated program will be,’’ staff said.
The commission took a roll‑call vote and approved AB‑94 unanimously. Commissioners instructed staff to forward the bulletin with recommended changes to the Board of Supervisors.
What happens next: DBI staff said the voluntary bulletin becomes effective as soon as it is signed and the Board of Supervisors approves associated administrative steps; a mandatory retrofit program with additional enforcement mechanisms and financing options is planned for a future hearing.
