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Commission backs ordinance to remove wooden fixed utility ladders after fatality
Summary
The Building Inspection Commission unanimously voted to move forward with a McGoldrick‑authored amendment to the San Francisco housing code to prohibit fixed wooden utility ladders in R‑1, R‑2 and R‑3 occupancies and directed staff to return with an implementation plan within 30 days.
The Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously to advance legislation that would add section 605 to the San Francisco housing code to prohibit fixed wooden utility ladders attached to residential buildings.
The ordinance, introduced at the request of Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, follows the death of Alex Bertay after a wooden roof ladder failed. "All we wanna do is just make sure nobody gets hurt," McGoldrick said, urging the panel to move the change forward. Lawrence Kornfield, DBI staff, said the code advisory committee recommended the measure after reviewing public safety concerns.
Commissioners and staff discussed who would implement and enforce the rule. Deputy Director Ed Sweeney told the commission most wooden ladders predate 1972 and are unregulated: "Most of these ladders on existing buildings have been there before 1972," he said, arguing removal or replacement would be the most straightforward remedy. DBI staff said enforcement would be folded into routine inspections and complaint follow‑up, with inspectors able to issue notices and escalate to code enforcement if owners do not comply.
Family members of the victim urged swift action during public comment. "My son was killed when one of these wooden roof ladders broke as he was climbing it to watch the sunset," said Jane Bertay, who provided photos she said documented dozens of wooden ladders citywide and urged a timetable for removal rather than folding the work into DBI's five‑year inspection cycle.
Commissioner Walker moved the measure, a fellow commissioner seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The commission asked staff to develop a public‑outreach and enforcement timetable and to report back in 30 days with implementation details, including how housing inspectors and other field personnel will identify and track affected ladders.
DBI said complaint response for reported wooden ladders would target a 48‑hour field inspection response, a notice of violation when warranted, and escalation to code enforcement and the city attorney if property owners fail to comply. The ordinance language requires removal of wooden ladders or replacement with metal ladders that meet applicable building, fire and housing code requirements.
The commission’s action sends the draft legislation to the Board of Supervisors for the next steps in the legislative process.
