Structural Engineer Bonowitz highlights San Francisco building plan violations to DBI

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on critical discussions regarding building inspection practices and the integrity of construction projects in the city. The meeting featured testimony from structural engineer David Bonowitz, who raised concerns about discrepancies between approved plans and actual construction work.

Bonowitz, a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEANC), highlighted several instances where projects were signed off despite significant violations. He emphasized that these issues were not isolated, noting a troubling pattern of inadequate oversight from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI). He recounted a specific case where a tenant alerted him to discrepancies in a building, which were quickly confirmed by DBI inspectors during a site visit. This raised questions about the effectiveness of the existing quality control measures in place.

Throughout his testimony, Bonowitz expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and data from DBI regarding the frequency of such violations. He called for more rigorous spot checks and better documentation of inspections to reassure engineers and the public about the safety and compliance of construction projects. He noted that while he believed the overall program was sound, the absence of concrete data made it difficult to substantiate that belief.

The meeting also included discussions about the role of the Board of Examiners in the retrofit program, with Randy Collins, a member of the board, addressing the need for best practices and proactive measures to improve the culture at DBI. Collins echoed Bonowitz's concerns and emphasized the importance of collaboration and transparency among various agencies involved in the building process.

Supervisor Ronan raised questions about the potential for an online system to enhance transparency and accessibility of information related to permits and inspections. Ms. Guglielmo, another speaker, acknowledged the importance of transparency but noted that the implementation of such systems varies across municipalities.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further investigate ongoing projects and to report back in 90 days, aiming to address the concerns raised and improve the overall inspection process in San Francisco. The discussions underscored a collective desire for enhanced accountability and safety in the city's construction practices.