[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6493289,"mediaKeyId","5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41","parentId",5610286,"title","Building Inspection Commission backs repeal of Slope and Seismic Hazard Zone Protection Act, requests guidance for steep‑slope reviews","audioSeconds",1133,"startMs",2722000,"endMs",3855000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41&start=2722&end=3855","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41/thumbnail_2722000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493289/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Building-Inspection-Commission-backs-repeal-of-Slope-and-Seismic-Hazard-Zone-Protection-Act-requests-guidance-for-steepslope-reviews","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493289-af3c05d480d7cd06415686d5330467a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009362&Signature=UsLv8YfSbBdzbmdRf3QelSuwJdo0TfcUpEeWF5S9-HKZVSV~B0l1aBeI-t0aaaxpjiDUR6heiM~XGo4hbI9FAVUqIvmLgT6pyHcUeH62PhN~8gfM1ofggW4FpWYFyT94-p9tnrhwzMBOvXhrPMll-Ee9zYAVv-xS7X17dGNdGyN6Eg1hhv87eKfCoGWPg-zrXD3ekTwxrfG-9bzYOUweI0qobBCmFuwT1MamE2fuIInz1STI-oPMOcogGNoFgeKZpT02JuLD6XZC0g0cTLVYLCy2LyEtlI4JgR7GNJQFkNcRW0-vbJZmB4H2rxIFvqwXOOTUHmVvQ09kpbtr~0SP0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-08-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Building Inspection Commission on Aug. 20 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve ordinance file 250805, which would remove the city’s Slope and Seismic Hazard Zone Protection Act and revert several San Francisco-specific building-code amendments to the California Building Code.

The vote followed a lengthy discussion about whether the ordinance would reduce public protections on hilly lots and what procedural safeguards would remain. Commissioner Dan Kalamucci moved the motion to recommend the ordinance with an amendment calling for an information sheet explaining when DBI will require third‑party peer review or a Structural Advisory Committee; President Alexander Tute seconded. The motion passed unanimously (Tute, Kalamucci, Chavez, McCleese, Newman, Williams voted yes).

Why it matters: The Slope and Seismic Hazard Zone Protection Act currently can trigger mandatory geologic and geotechnical reports, possible third‑party peer review and applicant‑funded Structural Advisory Committees (SACs) for projects on parcels identified on state mapping or with an average slope above 25%. Those requirements can add tens of thousands of dollars and months to some projects. Proponents of repeal, including DBI staff, said the requirement is applied inconsistently and duplicates other geographically specific protections that will remain.

Public commenters and several commissioners urged safeguards. Georgia Shudish, a Noe Valley resident, told the commission she had seen deep lot excavations and asked, “Please explain how much oversight there will be in order to prevent a black swan event.” Structural engineer Stephen Moynihan submitted written public comment saying the act “is overreaching and applied too liberally” and that mandated geologist reports have rarely changed soils‑engineer recommendations but have increased costs for small projects.

DBI’s presentation noted that the ordinance would keep two geographically specific protections — the Northwest Mount Sutro and Edgehill Mountain Slope Protection Areas — and would retain the building official’s discretion to require heightened scrutiny where warranted. DBI staff said they would revise public information sheets and guidance to clarify when discretionary peer review or SACs would be used.

Commissioners pressed staff for clarity on operational practice: which plans will be required to include shoring or drainage details at intake, when peer review will be triggered, and whether the information sheet will be brought before the commission. DBI staff agreed to prepare the information sheet and indicated they would present guidance for commission input before final adoption.

Ending: The commission’s recommendation advances the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors. DBI agreed to prepare and present a guidance/info sheet on when additional geotechnical review and SACs will be required; commissioners asked that the department return with that document so the public can see how DBI will apply discretion for steep‑slope projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player","oneSentenceSummary","The Building Inspection Commission on Aug. 20 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve an ordinance removing the city’s Slope and Seismic Hazard Zone Protection Act, while voting to require DBI to publish guidance on when geotechnical peer review and Structural Advisory Committees will be used.","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":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493269,"Votes at a glance: BIC recommends several code and fee ordinances, continues permit‑expiration item to Sept. 17",0,4181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41&start=4181&end=4181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41/thumbnail_4181000.jpg","/articles/6493269/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-BIC-recommends-several-code-and-fee-ordinances-continues-permitexpiration-item-to-Sept-17","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493269-fe9f4dab7fa01e6208a399ef7438b8dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009362&Signature=EXoVUjOaTzC7JJ4kENupp~oDNrS5MXqJ~ht75-R161L1z02f2mZu4c2YVJrlyFkAqyTCYurQOAzqX6~IwZRrAmaLti8Myb95irdUWcvcuQzQRjMmLIwuEzZRR90EOJuABw~XvWPqEjWqTSWbIK4gH53LA7pEvkIdsHH-eZab6CwQyrS92lA1RONFkIgGVj39xRTfuwR6sesCTYhzuYj-KHD-Kpe-HOIFK5I1Pt7cRAT7M2cjOTOoDt9jdmBefCBnW~HpLUFDWuA4KgeZUIRCNBvi2Pje5NyxuXE6vvuzxjdhbhtl06z68puWUuXMuZdMuoSO3e3iA5VfYgaKmupitQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Building Inspection Commission on Aug. 20 took formal recommendations and procedural actions on several legislative items. Key outcomes:

- File 250806 (Health Code — enhanced ventilation): Recommendation to the Board of Supervisors as introduced (unanimous). See separate article for details.

- File 250805 (Permit SF / code streamlining; Slope and Seismic Hazard Zone Protection Act): Commission recommended the ordinance with an amendment requiring an information sheet describing triggers for peer review and Structural Advisory Committees; vote unanimous. See separate article for detailed discussion.

- File 250810 (Amending the building code to allow deferral of certain fees for affordable housing projects): The commission voted unanimously to recommend the ordinance. Under the proposed ordinance 100% affordable housing projects (subject to regulatory agreements) would be eligible for fee deferral; an upfront payment of $35,000 is required and remaining fees would be deferred until final occupancy.

- File 250811 (Amending permit and application expiration timelines): The department asked to continue this item to the next BIC meeting to allow Deputy Director David Cain to review the language. The commission voted to continue the item to the Sept. 17 meeting.

- Triennial code update (adopt 2025 California codes and repeal 2022 local codes): The commission voted unanimously to recommend introduction of ordinances that would repeal the 2022 San Francisco building, electrical, existing building, green building, mechanical and plumbing codes and adopt 2025 versions carrying forward local amendments as appropriate; per state law the new codes must be implemented by Jan. 1, 2026.

Ending: The commission’s recorded votes move the listed ordinances forward to the Board of Supervisors and to subsequent hearings as required. The permit expiration ordinance (file 250811) was continued to Sept. 17 to allow staff review and possible redrafting.","At the Aug. 20 meeting the Building Inspection Commission recommended multiple Board of Supervisors and code‑update ordinances (file numbers listed), approved a fee‑deferral ordinance for affordable housing, advanced triennial code updates, and continued an item on permit‑expiration language to the Sept. 17 meeting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493275,"DBI outlines five‑year strategic plan progress: dashboards, permit cleanup and staff investments",4295,740000,5035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41&start=740&end=5035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41/thumbnail_740000.jpg","/articles/6493275/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/DBI-outlines-fiveyear-strategic-plan-progress-dashboards-permit-cleanup-and-staff-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493275-738b24949a684cff1088f72693b624db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009362&Signature=aWf6C8r7SzMfgDuMyXZJ~QLcTAPE7k12y82MDEq19XkBlKYRPG-PPr1ffu1HBSn8leBz-CeHKSw~aThR4iFrOeATjO41JiUZ~sbppfgJrZ7RJ4xnE-t7m51X4bF8bz~qnNeKDg6osWBXWUoeP-RL9AZIF3IPUJgqag3CMy6H2~CmzwvhwCYKSB7snUWenpSiGibDXZWp5uMZBQefaCCNj9rEzW3IA4eG5Rs6FrFjVxMIxsbXsNSvdxsS7V7r7z2jFlNRIOg7ud2mMLieFqXJKkyJiKyp-ju-nvU6jg1N-WYbjx9hbKnEZ6s9z~LCOP27nMlBtcScf-svvNxCDQF3Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Building Inspection staff presented a status update on DBI’s five‑year strategic plan at the Aug. 20 Building Inspection Commission meeting, describing operational changes already implemented and outlining next steps.

Director Patrick O’Riordan told commissioners DBI will cancel more than 11,000 abandoned over‑the‑counter permits that exceeded time and extension limits and will send courtesy notices to affected property owners. He also announced the hiring of longtime structural engineer David Cain as deputy director for permit services.

Patrick Hannan, DBI communications director, summarized workgroups formed to implement six strategic goals. Achievements cited include: launch of a digital permit application and approvals process for in‑house projects; automated application routing based on completeness checks; new managerial and QA/QC dashboards to track reviews and inspections; a program to develop roughly 100 office policies and procedures; updated onboarding and recruiting practices; and field‑training and continuity plans for emergency response.

Hannan said DBI will expand its over‑the‑counter permitting process to move more routine projects through a faster two‑day path, freeing in‑house plan‑checking capacity for complex projects. He also described new managerial rules, such as bringing a supervisor into plan reviews after multiple rounds of comments to resolve persistent problems.

Commissioners asked to see the dashboards and requested follow‑up detail on how metrics are used to manage quality and consistency. Commissioner Kalamucci and Commissioner McCleese requested briefings on dashboards and the policies the department is drafting; staff agreed to return with more detailed demonstrations.

Ending: DBI characterized the work as early steps toward consistency and improved customer service; staff said they will provide dashboard demonstrations and policy drafts in future briefings.","DBI staff updated the commission on progress implementing a five‑year strategic plan, highlighting a permit‑cleanup project to cancel more than 11,000 abandoned permits, new dashboards and quality‑control tools, expanded onboarding and recruiting, and plans to expand over‑the‑counter permit options.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493280,"Commission recommends health‑code amendment on ventilation; city will defer multiunit review to state building code",845,1852000,2697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41&start=1852&end=2697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41/thumbnail_1852000.jpg","/articles/6493280/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Commission-recommends-healthcode-amendment-on-ventilation-city-will-defer-multiunit-review-to-state-building-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493280-6c0578dee71816cfa75b7ad29c943421/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009362&Signature=ADMPKv-qnsJsp780UeAQb~4hsVbZau6WDgNKyVyxAw3yKx~p4wuTmyCitc0lpaaoHf4YrkCP7BrvhFYxAxasEJ0jArJMyDwjgOdydCxKuOGRXk7b1Re8ntO3v1qH6YkY1IF0M5SH6GFFvzsMiJdKCaiJU3gc9rq9lDfX-mV39oBSi8~EayxTDWPWHYnI~dmp6A2ZhkAl4G1-r7BwRS6TxEoWrb-VZR6SkKNc087jDz4VxY7z3LWWorXzA-CPACW~cj8o3qJACWPq5-1TW0buVb68W4-yTG4HwhYTfPNbJ2-9R0pQR965H0kpFpH4X-LZv5G-I8X5ROpJNqRV2Ydwmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Building Inspection Commission on Aug. 20 voted unanimously to recommend Board of Supervisors ordinance file 250806, which amends the San Francisco Health Code (Article 38) to clarify enhanced ventilation requirements and to remove multiunit residential buildings from the local definition of “sensitive use.”

The change responds to newly adopted 2025 California building energy efficiency standards, which take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and require MERV‑13 filtration and balanced/positive pressure ventilation for multiunit residential buildings where ventilation systems are replaced or newly installed. Jen Kallerward, acting director of the Environmental Health Branch, said the state standard will be required citywide and that DBI will assume plan‑review responsibility for multiunit mechanical ventilation going forward: “The state is saying all multiunit buildings across the city…need to have that same standard,” she said.

Deputy City Attorney Rob Capela clarified how code cycles apply to permits: “We do not enforce the 2025 code on 2019 building permits,” he said, explaining that the code applicable to a project is tied to the permit filing date. Commissioners pressed staff about whether a permit pulled under an older code cycle could escape the new statewide requirements; Capela said DBI enforces the code in effect at the time the permit was filed and that the state requirement effectively shifts multiunit ventilation responsibility to DBI.

A motion to recommend file 250806 “as is” was offered and carried unanimously in roll call (yes votes by President Alexander Tute, Commissioners Kalamucci, Chavez, McCleese, Ming, Newman and Williams). The commission recorded no public comment on the item.

Ending: The commission’s recommendation advances the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors. DBI and the Department of Public Health said they will coordinate on plan‑review handoffs and standard operating procedures to ensure projects subject to the state code are properly reviewed by DBI beginning Jan. 1, 2026.","The commission unanimously recommended Board of Supervisors ordinance file 250806 to amend the health code’s enhanced ventilation standards; the change removes multiunit residential from the local \"sensitive use\" definition because the 2026 California Building Code will require MERV‑13/balanced‑pressure ventilation citywide.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493282,"Public raises safety and permit‑approval questions for 3665 Clay Street; DBI says investigation points to training issue",1388,258000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41&start=258&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610286-2b6168f246598ff76044dad49fc87e41/thumbnail_258000.jpg","/articles/6493282/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Public-raises-safety-and-permitapproval-questions-for-3665-Clay-Street-DBI-says-investigation-points-to-training-issue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493282-8057763276e27a60f29a90d7742dc676/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009362&Signature=YY8P6eUy08L9ppAX8ZekRDkOv5JHNrRhMY~kM0qNfmIpJAJkGMgt5zIDn-dizu8PBACWqqB3wb3DzM2fE4TGSKiUkrO20adys8LCz6dzN7Rh-Fc6eM7oY-FrfSW2saBbrsuq6qTCJgktEXjgy871Pw2lGay6nWqclwh6-eq7~n4249pYH7LRUslngMXUmcN0OndA8qLS2UDSZXKlAVk5GaRLlYiIjLauZEXF8gIWsOwH1CeaF37VccyQAdyScVNC91nm-Bf1ssiALbzCdDL6dqrNi-uvmZ4TDW2salRI6FLWTuuDznCyf1n9xk0AFnR0UCfjFml5NVxa6hxm8X7lmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During general public comment at the Aug. 20 Building Inspection Commission meeting, several speakers alleged that the Department of Building Inspection improperly issued or finaled permits for work at 3665 Clay Street and that adjoining buildings were compromised.

Jerry Drattler, a frequent public commenter, said DBI “should not have issued or finaled 63665 Clay Street building permits” and urged a “rigorous investigation by DBI, City Attorney Kestly Stewart and Christopher Verguerra” with a report to the commission. Drattler said a Planning Department Notice of Enforcement issued in March 2021 for three violations — work without permit, unauthorized dwelling unit, and unauthorized alterations — remained open and that one of two notices of violation (NOVs) for unsafe buildings had been closed in March 2024 while the other remained open.

Another public commenter and industry participant described permits, expired shoring permits and use of special inspections by contractors affiliated with the project. The comments named contractor John Pollard and engineer Harold Howell as being on DBI’s expanded compliance control (ECC) list and questioned why some inspections were performed by staff who should not have been assigned to ECC projects.

DBI’s deputy director for inspection services, Matthew Green, responded during the item for inspection services. Green acknowledged the department had been looking into the 3665 Clay Street case and said, “once Harold Howell lost their appeal before this commission and John Pollard lost, or withdrew his appeal, he was officially on the expanded compliance control list… Peter Wynne, who was mentioned, should not have been doing the inspections. I think this is more of a training issue rather than any, bad activity on Inspector Wynne.” Green said DBI is working to verify and ensure the correct senior inspectors perform these inspections in the future.

Separately, Director Patrick O’Riordan told commissioners earlier in his director’s report that DBI is starting a project to cancel more than 11,000 abandoned over‑the‑counter permits in the permit tracking system and that the department will send courtesy notices to property owners. He also announced the appointment of longtime structural engineer David Cain as deputy director for permit services.

Ending: The commission did not take formal action on the public comments but asked DBI for a follow‑up on training and assignment changes; DBI said it would work to verify proper inspector assignment and said it will report back to the commission at a future meeting.","Residents and advocates urged the Building Inspection Commission to investigate permits and inspections at 3665 Clay Street; DBI staff said the case is under review and indicated procedural training and assignment issues are being corrected.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Building Inspection Commission backs repeal of Slope and Seismic Hazard Zone Protection Act, requests guidance for steep‑slope reviews

Votes at a glance: BIC recommends several code and fee ordinances, continues permit‑expiration item to Sept. 17

DBI outlines five‑year strategic plan progress: dashboards, permit cleanup and staff investments

Commission recommends health‑code amendment on ventilation; city will defer multiunit review to state building code

Public raises safety and permit‑approval questions for 3665 Clay Street; DBI says investigation points to training issue