Commission recommends annual May awning-fee waiver, adds fire-code references and simplifies review

The Building Inspection Commission on April 19 recommended approval of a substitute ordinance (file number cited in the transcript as 230,200) to codify an annual waiver of awning-replacement and awning-sign fees for applications filed during May.

Tita Bell, representing Supervisor Joel Engadio’s office, said the substitute ordinance adds references to the fire code so fee waivers cover fire-code–required installations such as pedestrian-level lighting and removes a planning-department requirement in favor of a self-certification process for small businesses. The change is intended to simplify the application and lower barriers for businesses seeking to legalize existing awnings.

Commissioners asked about how the self-certification would operate through the online portal and which small-business definition would apply; Bell said the office is relying on the definition tied to the number of full-time employees rather than a gross-receipts definition. The commission moved to recommend the substitute ordinance with the recommended clarifications and voted unanimously to approve the recommendation.

DBI staff later described a proposed temporary amnesty and streamlined permitting program to run through the end of the year, waiving fees and penalties for existing unpermitted awnings and providing community outreach, translated materials and over-the-counter permit processing to help small businesses comply.