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DBI ramps up outreach after wooden-ladder ban; 41 violations issued so far
Summary
DBI staff told the Building Inspection Commission Dec. 17 that outreach and inspections to implement a new residential wooden-ladder ban have begun citywide; inspectors have identified hundreds of buildings and issued 41 notices of violation, with concentrated activity in SoMa, the Mission and Bayview.
The Building Inspection Commission on Dec. 17 heard a progress report from Rosemarie Bosque, the department's chief housing inspector, on implementation of a recently adopted ordinance banning unsafe wooden exterior ladders on residential buildings.
Bosque told commissioners the department mounted coordinated outreach and inspections before and after the ordinance took effect Dec. 8, sending a detailed mailer to property owners and professional managers through the SF Apartment Association and publishing a shorter flyer for the general public. "We mailed information to approximately 800 members and will include the material in a 3,000-circulation magazine issue," Bosque said. She added that inspectors have been specifically checking areas where the ladders appear concentrated: South of Market, the Mission District and the Bayview.
On enforcement, Bosque said DBI staff have inspected hundreds of buildings and issued 41 notices of violation to properties with prohibited ladders. Owners are being given 30 days to correct the conditions; Bosque said DBI will "work with" property owners who pull permits and show they are making an effort to comply.
Commissioners and members of the public pressed staff on the scale of the problem and monitoring plans. A public commenter cited an estimate of up to 60,000 potential ladders citywide and asked DBI to report progress quarterly until the ladders are removed. Bosque said outreach was just beginning and welcomed referrals from other inspection disciplines and neighborhood groups.
The commission also clarified the ordinance's scope: it applies to residential buildings and does not, as written, cover commercial structures, though staff said inspectors who see similar hazards on commercial properties can pursue enforcement through other code sections.
The commission asked DBI to return with an update in March 2009 so members can monitor outreach and compliance activity. That report will include counts of notices issued and progress on abatements.
