Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Illegal Unit Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board puts Gilman Avenue abatement order in abeyance for six months to allow permits
Summary
The Abatement Appeals Board agreed unanimously on Dec. 17, 2025, to hold in abeyance the order for 1252 Gilman Avenue, giving the owner six months to pursue permits and legalize an alleged unpermitted unit; DBI flagged possible uninspected electrical work as an unsafe condition.
The San Francisco Abatement Appeals Board unanimously voted Dec. 17 to place the director’s order for 1252 Gilman Avenue in abeyance for six months so the property owner can pursue necessary permits and, if possible, legalize work the department identified as unpermitted.
DBI said the case (Complaint No. 202422568) began with a telephone complaint on April 23, 2024, reporting construction of an unpermitted unit in a garage, including framing and electrical work. Inspectors found openings for recessed lighting and wiring that were not inspected and no final electrical or plumbing permits on record; staff said a permit application was filed but remained at intake with no further routing.
Owner Chris Wiseman told the board he inherited the unfinished work after his father’s death, that a handyman completed some work and an architect has been engaged to try to legalize the space, and that he was unaware of the notice until a tenant alerted him. “I’m not trying not to comply — I just didn’t know about permits,” Wiseman said, asking the board for time to resolve tenant and permitting issues.
DBI staff said the observed work without inspections creates an unsafe condition under code because the department cannot verify electrical work performed without a licensed electrician or inspection. Staff advised that, in similar cases, permits can be issued in roughly 60 days once routing and corrections are complete, though construction time depends on contractors and scope.
Commissioners discussed timelines and possible ADU amnesty rules for older units; staff observed that eligibility for amnesty depends on whether the unit predates Jan. 1, 2020, and that photographic evidence makes the unit appear longstanding. After discussion, Commissioner Williams moved to hold the order in abeyance for six months; Vice President Newman seconded. The board voted unanimously to grant the abeyance and instructed the owner to pursue permit routing with DBI and return with progress updates.
The abeyance postpones enforcement action while the owner pursues the permitting path, but DBI retained discretion to require immediate action if inspectors identify an imminent life‑safety threat during the period.
