[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6683389,"mediaKeyId","2118564-70f627680e48efcf1f86b1ae479c9ef3","parentId",2118564,"title","BIC upholds DBI decision to list engineer Harold Howell on expanded compliance-control list","audioSeconds",3456,"startMs",6774000,"endMs",10230000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118564-70f627680e48efcf1f86b1ae479c9ef3&start=6774&end=10230","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118564-70f627680e48efcf1f86b1ae479c9ef3/thumbnail_6774000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6683389/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/BIC-upholds-DBI-decision-to-list-engineer-Harold-Howell-on-expanded-compliance-control-list","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683389-fc1bbd0e932e077413caf6c758721b5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210328&Signature=IUOw7Gnsopo0Z7UO3r6Lh1-wFVZj4SIvXyIxg1-Q0elZ-fzQCP9rl3x3LBwj5SSwBXgHc~wjhPH7u~0l5FR290eVuVeuAWWox9QBHOsSTk4vId6OqwNjChwc9BpJDmOJBs7FpDQxi9QVZjaM6aRCBNPIgswkQ413sNenGOiIvkYgGVp40KDjpp7vHy4QccjegVwn9pClx6~Y-8YsM1Wqn7qeF9hHtQXOjaQdbRtRoDu1hU1BhOiEzZ5e~yhU1ZsGnvamyG25fpo-~ceT1m-3Kyx8RlDnu8hfAYLtjNqjLu4zUOZXV0cFmYUIuqHN5Jnd6kJrj3Mbwdp~vNK2ctXA5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-01-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Building Inspection Commission on Jan. 15 upheld the Department of Building Inspection’s decision to place structural engineer Harold Howell on the expanded compliance-control (ECC) list, finding that Howell was associated with five qualifying notices of violation during an 18-month period.

The ECC tool, established in the San Francisco Building Code, permits DBI to require additional review steps for persons or entities associated with repeated or egregious violations. DBI compliance manager Chris Vergara told the commission the department concluded Howell met the threshold because he was associated with five qualifying violations between Jan. 26, 2022 and Sept. 8, 2022. The department’s presentation cited building-code categories including misrepresentation of existing conditions and structural work beyond approved scopes.

\"We respectfully request that the commission uphold our notice of determination to place the appellant on the expanded compliance control list based on 103A.6.2,\" Vergara said, describing five properties where the department alleges work deviated from approved plans and where Howell signed special-inspection reports certifying compliance.

Appellant counsel (identified in the record as Simon) argued DBI misapplied the code and unfairly targeted Howell, saying many of the cited conditions arose after Howell’s limited role and that DBI’s application of ECC categories was inconsistent. \"DBI's interpretation and application of code section 103A.6.1 is wildly inconsistent and applied to Mr. Howell incorrectly,\" Simon said, adding that Howell’s role as an engineer did not make him responsible for later contractor or owner actions.

During public comment, tenant-rights and industry observers spoke. Architect and long-time collaborator Andre Davis urged leniency, calling Howell a \"stand-up person\" and noting Howell’s age and health. Public commenter Jerry Drentler said previous professional discipline made oversight of Howell an important public-protection matter and supported DBI’s approach.

After presentations, commissioners asked clarifying questions about timing of special-inspection letters, whether alleged deviations occurred before or after those reports, and whether any internal DBI errors (including an inspector erroneously closing a permit) affected the department’s case. DBI staff said they had reviewed records, considered mitigating evidence and removed at least one NOV from the ECC tally after further review, but that enough qualifying violations remained to meet the 18-month threshold.

President Alexander Tuke moved to uphold the director’s determination; Commissioner Newman seconded. A roll-call vote recorded unanimous support for the motion.

The commission directed its secretary to issue a written decision with findings within applicable deadlines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player - Jan 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a contested hearing on Jan. 15 the Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously to uphold the Department of Building Inspection’s determination to place structural engineer Harold Howell on the expanded compliance-control (ECC) list, finding he was associated with five qualifying notices of violation within an 18-month period.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683391,"DBI outlines multi-year fee increases and a new $3 million technology reserve; community partners warn cuts will reduce tenant services",2166,2899000,5065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118564-70f627680e48efcf1f86b1ae479c9ef3&start=2899&end=5065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118564-70f627680e48efcf1f86b1ae479c9ef3/thumbnail_2899000.jpg","/articles/6683391/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/DBI-outlines-multi-year-fee-increases-and-a-new-3-million-technology-reserve-community-partners-warn-cuts-will-reduce-tenant-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683391-1f7838a4b3b285ab4003460740d62e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210328&Signature=FJYn6q-OXxE2GmLw4NBg8e7CFObFbK2qAIADqf9AKCbS3MsGDKLrFClJT~P--k~VVzM04LCu2BeFPFbVSf~2bebmRMTRyxDPCE5xcDU841zFruKJ3bn6KcQ47ypAonza0eMJD-bz18k2lpQMiChuFM~NxKUZdiZBuF6F3J1G5tygcZcelMNVxzvITHSoKJKom610TmIwobPPRNyxjPVOrAuYG7FlOGb7m5AR8MhrKxKrBcoX6Vf464ra~nDIPlV9VWHvqFDHSCImOFcXnaUQ5EPuXBsQs2A09~FLEDfqpC2zDNkC8mJG3R1Z~5zrAlUXC~jBvuIz7CoRrG25fgIl8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Building Inspection presented its first of two budget hearings to the Building Inspection Commission on Jan. 15, detailing planned fee increases, a technology reserve, and potential cuts to community grants that support tenant outreach.

Patrick O’Riordan, the department director, described operational reforms completed in 2024 and asserted the department’s objective of improving permit review and inspection timeliness. “We are systemically improving the way we do business and rebuilding DBI one nail at a time, and one year at a time,” O’Riordan said.

Alex Koskinen, deputy director for administration, said the department is pursuing a phased fee increase to reach full cost recovery by fiscal year 2027 and to rebuild reserves. Under the department’s plan, fee revenue would rise from an estimated $60 million in the current year toward a proposed $75 million in fiscal year 2026, with a target of roughly $93 million to reach full cost recovery. Koskinen said the phase-in would reduce the immediate impact on customers; the presentation estimated a median per-fee increase of about 35% in the first fee step.

Koskinen said the budget includes a newly proposed technology reserve intended to fund a replacement of the city’s aging permit-tracking and related systems; the plan calls for a $3 million deposit in the first year and another $3 million in year two. He told the commission the reserve will likely be funded by a small surcharge on fees and that replacement of the permit tracking system (PTS) and associated division applications will require coordination and likely additional funding from other city partners.

The department’s budget assumptions also reflect a mayoral direction that departments identify a 15% reduction in general fund support for the upcoming two fiscal years; Koskinen said the incoming mayor’s office will review those reductions as the budget moves forward.

Community-based organizations that work with DBI on the Code Enforcement Outreach Program (CIOP) and the SRO Collaborative urged the commission to protect their funding, saying cuts would reduce tenant services and slow habitability enforcement. Sarah Short, director of counseling programs at the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, described the outreach partners as essential to bringing tenants into code enforcement and resolving cases without formal proceedings. Lisa (Chinatown Community Development Center) said the combined CBO appropriation — $4.8 million in the current year — faces further cuts that could reduce services by about 25% if the budget is reduced as presented. “A 25% cut would cost our program an estimated four to five staff positions,” she said.

Commissioners pressed staff on details including how overhead is allocated to fees, the timeline for the technology reserve, and the impact of the citywide hiring freeze announced by the mayor on Jan. 9. DBI staff said the fee model allocates direct, technical and general overhead costs across three hourly rates (plan check, inspections and administration) and that the department used time studies and productive full-time-equivalent calculations to set rates.

There was no vote on the budget at the Jan. 15 meeting. DBI will return to the commission for a second budget hearing on Feb. 12; final city budget decisions rest with the mayor and the Board of Supervisors later this year.","At a Jan. 15 hearing the Department of Building Inspection presented a draft two-year budget that would raise fees in two phases toward full cost recovery by FY 2027, create a technology reserve, and reflects a proposed 15% general fund reduction. Community-based organizations said proposed cuts would shrink tenant outreach and habitability work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683395,"Building Inspection Commission backs city referral to adopt parts of 2022 Existing Building Code",352,1564000,1916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2118564-70f627680e48efcf1f86b1ae479c9ef3&start=1564&end=1916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2118564-70f627680e48efcf1f86b1ae479c9ef3/thumbnail_1564000.jpg","/articles/6683395/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Building-Inspection-Commission-backs-city-referral-to-adopt-parts-of-2022-Existing-Building-Code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683395-b6d95408d8c4bdb2e4db3dd212e91c30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210328&Signature=oiZdaPygwwJHRL40ELWg-PAgO18bacYa8Qf6AyfF7siv50B1S-oMUMLmomgVHcmwALidKJbWo0EnncHFG85DGaMXNIk1KNqW39XVcchSxdv36l-jeOJwzAgxGCAuiJ8yRo9LNQxhPxXPclSkj7TCIjDYPlpRN3CFeGbOjrAmwShuVC-gUGb6m3rFuwgXBmu9bbT1LpRnI5cABvClIpff5mhv90V9ZDMLFLb7QKtDQ0vO4WgyubPC338Hu6O9Fh59NHAN3END7PY2GwZBa3roHv-YJaxtw9q0Gf41krKoJxWfMDFFYENOy6b-ujpNnJXZNSVEgoDMqFM14THwSrAnBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission on Jan. 15 voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt ordinance file 241005, which would add chapters 6 through 11 of the 2022 California Existing Building Code to the San Francisco Existing Building Code.

The ordinance would bring the state’s new work-area compliance method — which allows proportionate compliance based on the area and intensity of work — into the city code in addition to the prescriptive compliance method the city has used. Tate Hanna, legislative affairs manager for the Department of Building Inspection, told the commission the change aligns local practice with the California code and the International Code Council model that underlies it.

“The work area method requires proportionate methods of compliance, requiring standards to be met based on the intensity and area of work,” Hanna said. He told commissioners staff recommended moving several existing San Francisco code provisions from chapter 5 into chapter 3 so those requirements apply regardless of the compliance method used, and proposed three substantive local amendments to align city trigger points with the new chapters.

Hanna said the Code Advisory Committee and its subcommittees reviewed the ordinance over several months and provided unanimous support for the department’s recommended changes. President Alexander Tuke moved to forward the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors with the department’s recommended amendments; Commissioner Chavez seconded the motion. A roll-call vote recorded unanimous support from the commission.

If the Board of Supervisors adopts the ordinance, the change will alter how some existing-building projects are reviewed and may change when certain upgrades are required during repair or alteration work. The department staff said the amendment language is intended to ensure the city’s existing special standards remain effective under either compliance approach.

The commission’s action was procedural: the body recommended adoption and forwarded file 241005 to the Board of Supervisors for final action. The Board will consider the ordinance in its legislative process.","On Jan. 15 the Building Inspection Commission voted unanimously to forward an ordinance (file 241005) to the Board of Supervisors that would incorporate chapters 6–11 of the 2022 California Existing Building Code into San Francisco’s existing building code, adding the work-area compliance method and several local amendments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BIC upholds DBI decision to list engineer Harold Howell on expanded compliance-control list

DBI outlines multi-year fee increases and a new $3 million technology reserve; community partners warn cuts will reduce tenant services

Building Inspection Commission backs city referral to adopt parts of 2022 Existing Building Code