Committee amends and continues code change to streamline site‑permit review after broad industry input

San Francisco — An ordinance that would clarify and limit the scope of site‑permit review and require simultaneous, interdepartmental review moved forward in committee on June 10 — but supervisors agreed to a one‑week continuance after extensive public comment and recommended amendments.

Sponsor Supervisor Ahsha Safai said the goal is to codify a streamlined site‑permit process and curb years of scope creep that now delays permits. “Our intent is to say, in very simple terms, let’s look at what’s in the code… and say that is it,” Safai said, arguing that requirements added over time should be addressed in construction documents rather than during the site permit stage.

The Building Inspection Commission recommended several modifications, including explicit requirements for concurrent review and concurrent issuance tied to Planning Department authorizations, adding Fire Department access to site permit applications, and requiring a Slope Protection Act checklist where applicable. DBI staff briefed supervisors and requested time to coordinate with committee members on the BIC’s suggested changes.

More than a dozen architects, builders, trade union representatives and developers called in. Many supported streamlined review to reduce multi‑year waits for permits and urged third‑party review options or improved DBI staffing; some asked for guardrails to prevent conversion of alteration filings into de facto demolition approvals. The San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council and other industry groups supported the effort while noting it is not a silver bullet.

Chair Mirna Melgar circulated and the committee agreed to two amendments: limit the simultaneous‑review requirement to electronically submitted site permits (the city is transitioning to online submittals) and include the Slope Protection Act checklist where required. The committee voted to adopt those amendments and to continue the item to next week as a committee report so supervisors and departmental staff can resolve remaining drafting issues and ensure the BIC recommendations are captured. Votes recorded were Peskin, Preston and Melgar in the affirmative.

Next steps: The item will return next week as a committee report with the circulated amendments for further action.