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Committee backs sending building‑code extension for accessible entries to full Board after DBI proposes Sept. 1 deadline
Summary
The committee voted 3-0 to send an ordinance to the full Board that would extend time for places of public accommodation to meet primary-entry accessibility requirements; DBI reported about 60% noncompliance and proposed extending deadlines to Sept. 1 or to 90–120 days after shelter‑in‑place ends; a non‑general‑fund grant is available for small businesses.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted 3-0 on March 30 to send to the full San Francisco Board of Supervisors with recommendation a building‑code ordinance that would extend the time for existing buildings that are places of public accommodation to comply with primary‑entry accessibility requirements.
Bill Strong of the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) told the committee DBI's weekly monitoring shows the compliance/noncompliance category remains "about 60%" noncompliant. Strong recommended extending the compliance deadline at least to Sept. 1, 2020, and said the committee could consider tying the deadline to the end of the shelter‑in‑place order with an additional 90 to 120 days to allow commercial property owners more time to make changes amid the public‑health emergency.
DBI's Thomas Fessler clarified that, under the mayor's emergency order, most commercial building work is deemed nonessential and the department is not issuing permits for nonessential construction; he said issued permits that have not started should suspend work, while permits already in progress may continue until completion.
A representative from the Office of Small Business (named in the transcript as Ms. Dickendreze) said the Small Business Commission recommended the extension and that the office is coordinating with DBI and the Council of District Merchants. She said a grant program (not general fund) is available to help businesses achieve compliance and provided a contact phone listed in the packet as (415) 554-6134 and an email address in the committee materials for small-business inquiries.
Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin opened public comment; the operations desk reported no callers and public comment was closed. The committee then voted to send the ordinance to the full Board with recommendation; Supervisors Dean Preston, Asha Safaii and Chair Peskin voted aye on the roll call.
The ordinance as described would appear on the Board agenda for April 7, 2020, unless otherwise noted in committee transmittals. The committee did not take final action to adopt the code change; it recommended forwarding the ordinance to the full Board for further consideration.
