DBI reports 182 complaints about unpermitted awnings; commission approves expanded May fee-waiver ordinance

The Department of Building Inspection told the commission on March 15 that it received 182 anonymous complaints about unpermitted awnings since Nov. 1, with 61 notices of violation issued. Patrick Hannon, DBI communications director, said complaints were concentrated in the Richmond, Tenderloin, Haight and Chinatown neighborhoods and that the number is far higher than last year (five complaints in the same period).

DBI outlined immediate and proposed steps: deprioritizing enforcement where NOVs do not identify unsafe building conditions, extending NOV compliance deadlines from the usual 60 days to 180 days, supporting legislation to waive NOV penalties, expanding the annual May fee-waiver program to cover new awning installations, developing an installer self-certification pathway, and improving translated, step-by-step online guidance. "Given the volume of complaints that we received, we also heard from the community," Hannon said, noting a March 6 community meeting in Chinatown with more than 100 attendees.

Public commenters and commissioners pressed the department on process changes, timelines and language access. Jerry Drentler urged online awning permit intake and suggested business-process reengineering to address DBI's revenue shortfalls. Commissioners asked whether the Office of Small Business and Office of Economic Development were involved; DBI said both offices have been engaged and that outreach is ongoing. Commissioners also asked who would be qualified to conduct inspections or certify prior work and how to avoid undue cost burdens for small businesses; DBI said those details are under active consideration.

Separately, the commission considered and approved Board of Supervisors file 230212 to expand the existing May fee-waiver program to include new awning installations and to tie waiver eligibility to the time of application rather than permit issuance. The proposal includes a retroactivity clause intended to make the waiver effective starting May 1. Commissioners asked about fiscal and staffing impacts; presenters said the program has historically used over-the-counter permits and should have limited resource impacts though planning and Public Works routing remains part of the process.

Next steps: DBI will continue community outreach, develop self-certification and translated guidance, and work with the Mayor's office and supervisors on possible penalty waivers and an amnesty program. The fee-waiver ordinance (file 230212) will proceed in the legislative process and was approved by the commission on a unanimous roll-call vote.