Chief Inspector Mac Green addresses DBI complaint resolution delays and funding impact

The City of San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection (DBI) meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on the management and resolution of complaints received by the department. Chief Building Inspector Mac Green presented key statistics, revealing that DBI receives approximately 11,000 complaints annually, with an average closure time of 40 days. Notably, 20% of these complaints remain unresolved.

Green highlighted that half of the complaints pertain to housing issues, underscoring the significance of the Building Inspection Commission's (BIC) efforts in securing $5 million for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) code compliance. He proposed a monthly reporting system to track the status of complaints, which would categorize them by closure time and provide a clearer picture of the department's performance.

Concerns were raised regarding the efficiency of complaint resolution, particularly the average closure time and the high percentage of unresolved cases. Green emphasized the need for improvement, questioning why recommendations from the 2021 controller's report to enhance the complaint tracking system and establish internal controls over data alterations have not been fully implemented after two years.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for public comments, indicating ongoing community engagement in the discussion of DBI's operations and accountability. The focus on data transparency and operational efficiency reflects the city's commitment to improving building inspection processes and addressing housing complaints effectively.