Board passes code changes; DBI to implement fee increases and amnesty window for awnings

Carl Necedah, DBI's Legislative Affairs Manager, updated the Building Inspection Commission on several recently passed and pending ordinances. He said a planning-and-building-code ordinance creating a temporary amnesty program for unpermitted awnings (with streamlined applications and fee waivers) was signed July 20 and takes effect Aug. 19; a related duplicate ordinance will take effect Aug. 28 and will be the official kickoff date for the amnesty program.

Necedah said an ordinance amending the building code to require simultaneous interdepartmental review for site permit applications passed the Board of Supervisors and was signed July 28; it becomes effective Aug. 28 and largely codifies DBI's existing process. As part of the city's FY 2023-24 budget, an ordinance increasing DBI fees by 15 percent was signed July 28 and also takes effect Aug. 28; DBI customers will see the higher rates on new applications beginning that date.

Necedah noted additional items: a business-sign fee-waiver addition to the small-business awning-waiver program had its first board vote July 25 and is scheduled for final reading Sept. 5; an ordinance changing how development-impact fees are set also had a first vote July 25 with final action expected Sept. 5; and an ordinance introduced by Supervisor Connie Chan that would add specific certification requirements for electrical work had been referred to the commission but was continued pending more feedback.

He also said DBI staff are evaluating a mayoral proposal to waive annual registration fees for vacant or abandoned commercial storefronts and will provide a fuller presentation next month. On state legislation, Necedah said the commission is tracking AB 1114 (Assemblymember Matt Haney), which would make post-entitlement housing permits ministerial and impose review-time limits; he said the bill had moved on the senate calendar at the time of the meeting.