San Francisco enforces soft story retrofit program with 754 buildings noncompliant

In a recent meeting, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) provided an update on the city's mandatory soft story retrofit program, a crucial initiative aimed at enhancing the seismic safety of vulnerable buildings. This program, established by an ordinance in 2013, targets wood-frame buildings with three or more stories that were constructed before January 1978. Currently, 4,492 buildings in San Francisco fall under this mandate, with 85% already compliant.

Deputy Director Duffy highlighted that while 4,140 buildings have completed the necessary seismic work, 754 remain non-compliant. The pandemic significantly impacted compliance rates, particularly for buildings in tiers 3 and 4, where many landlords delayed work due to COVID-19 restrictions. The DBI had paused enforcement actions during 2020 but resumed them in 2021, adapting processes to include online hearings.

The meeting underscored the importance of communication with building owners. The DBI has implemented a structured enforcement process that begins with a notice of violation, escalating to potential penalties and liens if compliance is not achieved. Duffy emphasized the need for building owners to act promptly to avoid accumulating fines.

Commissioners expressed concerns about the remaining non-compliant buildings, suggesting that outreach efforts should be enhanced, particularly for owners who may face language barriers or financial difficulties. The DBI acknowledged these challenges and indicated a willingness to collaborate with community organizations to facilitate compliance.

Looking ahead, the DBI plans to provide regular updates on compliance progress, which will help maintain public confidence in the program's effectiveness. The commissioners agreed on the necessity of transparency and consistent reporting to track the status of the remaining buildings and ensure that safety standards are met.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts of the DBI to enforce the soft story retrofit program while addressing the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. As the city moves forward, continued collaboration and communication will be essential to ensure the safety of San Francisco's residents and the integrity of its buildings.