Building Inspection Commission upholds emergency order for 146 Vernon St., grants owner time to secure permits and complete repairs

The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission on Feb. 18 unanimously upheld Emergency Order 111234E for 146 Vernon Street but modified the order to give the property owner a path to compliance.

The commission voted to maintain the emergency determination and associated notices of violation, while suspending city‑initiated construction work provided the owner meets specific milestones: a licensed contractor must pull the required permits within 45 days and all repairs must be completed within six months, with the Department of Building Inspection authorized to grant a discretionary three‑month extension if needed. The motion was moved by President Alexander Toot and seconded by Commissioner Williams; the roll‑call vote was unanimous.

The Department of Building Inspection argued the order was necessary after multiple inspections documented “extensive structure deterioration, unsafe building conditions, and violation of the San Francisco building code and housing code,” including ceiling collapse, water intrusion, obstructed egress, excessive combustible storage, rodent harborage and lack of functional utilities. “Based on these documented hazardous conditions, the emergency order number 111234E was issued on 06/24/2025,” DBI enforcement staff said during the hearing.

The property owner, identified in the agenda as Karen Kwan but appearing by phone as Ms. Quan, told commissioners she is a disabled, low‑income sole owner who has lived in the city for decades and cannot afford the work or associated penalties. “I am a single 68 year old disabled elderly woman living alone on a limited income,” she said, urging the commission to nullify the order and waive penalties.

Commissioners sought to balance safety and the owner’s hardship. Commissioner Newman offered to connect the appellant with Habitat for Humanity of Greater San Francisco to explore no‑ or low‑interest options for repairs, saying she was “happy to make that connection.” DBI staff and the city attorney clarified that while the commission cannot waive code provisions, it may grant modifications in individual cases so long as public‑safety requirements and the intent of the code are preserved.

DBI staff clarified the department had secured the building (work performed by Public Works and billed at roughly $5,000) and that more extensive repairs performed by DPW would be significantly costlier and billed to the owner. Deputy Director Matthew Green said DBI had only executed securing the building so far; the full emergency order could require additional work to restore minimum habitability standards.

The commission’s modification directs that, if the owner fails to pull permits within 45 days or otherwise meet the milestones, DBI may proceed with city‑led repairs and assess the resulting costs and liens as allowed by law. Commissioners also discussed options to defer lien collection if the owner demonstrates a credible plan of action.

The commission’s decision preserves the emergency finding while creating a limited, milestone‑driven window for the owner to pursue repairs and outside assistance. The commission said staff will provide further directions to the owner on next steps and available referrals.

What happens next: DBI will administer the modified order, track the 45‑day permit milestone and the six‑month completion timeline, and report enforcement actions and any use of its discretionary extension to the commission.