Message From the Director
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It has been a busy summer here at DBI!
In June, we hosted the
Earthquake Safety Fair and Workshops
, teaming with colleagues across
multiple
City agencies and engaging with more than 1,000 San Francisco residents, property owners, contractors and design professionals
to educate the public on seismic safety essentials
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We've expanded our
customer online services to include
easy
scheduling of a building inspection
; and we've seen the approval of legislation that will make it easier for residents to
expedite solar and Electric Vehicle charging station permits, extend staff preparation time for the Accessible Business Entrance Program launch, and install gray water systems
that will help our city save
precious water.
We all learned from, and benefitted from, our 18 summer high school Project Pull Interns, who now have an excellent understanding about what building safety entails.
As we look ahead to the fall, we
'll be hosting
our All-Staff Meeting in October to review our
ongoing priorities this fiscal year and continue to grow as a team of 280 inspectors, permit technicians, and clerical staff.
I urge all of you to learn more about DBI's key programs, ask questions, and continue your excellent customer services.
Sincerely,
Tom C. Hui, S.E., C.B.O.
Director
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San Francisco's Top 5 Construction Projects
Based on Construction Valuation Permitted as of August 2017
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Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program
Permit applications and project plans for
Tier Three of the Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program are due
Friday, September 15, to DBI's offices. The Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program is a multiyear effort to ensure the safety and resiliency of San Francisco's older, wood-framed, multi-family buildings housing over 115,000 residents citywide and which are susceptible to strong damage in an earthquake. This year's
Tier Three permit deadline includes
3,504 buildings with three stories, five to 15 units, or two stories with a basement.
Aggressive outreach continues to bring owners in to compliance before September 15th, thereby protecting tenants and families. Learn more about the
program and
compliance as a property owner.
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DBI Earthquake Safety Fair & Workshops
More than 100 exhibitors participated in this year's Earthquake Safety Fair and Workshop, hosted by DBI on June 15 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. The event featured breakout sessions on topics ranging from remodeling improvements to fire safety, in addition to seismic retrofitting and the permitting process. The day brought together property owners, contractors, design professionals, and members of various City agencies.
Catch up with videos and handouts from the fair by clicking here.
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Going Green with New Ordinances
New ordi
nances are helping San Francisco become a greener city thr
ough amendments to
Solar Energy Incentive Program
and expansion of the city's requirements to install electric vehicle charging stations in new or significantly renovated buildings.
The Building Inspection Commission
has adopted, and the Board of Supervisors has approved, new policy
giving the Commission 90-day review for ordinances proposed by the Board.
See our Legislative Update section for more information.
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Building inspections can now be scheduled online, with results also available through DBI's website. Licensed contractors may
register
with DBI to be able to complete online scheduling, including rescheduling or cancellation of an inspection. Other inspection services available for online booking include electrical and plumbing. Have a question about building inspections?
Contact us by web, phone, and in person
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Learn More
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Shirley Wong Building Inspection Commission |
We've been working hard and hiring more staff to ensure we are providing the highest levels of effective and efficient service
s. Please give a big welcome to our newest hires.
Access our staff directory
here.
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WHO WE ARE
DBI is the regulatory building safety agency responsible for overseeing the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of building
, electrical, plumbing, disability access and housing codes for the City and County of San Francisco's more than 200,000 commercial and residential buildings.
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CODES CORNER
Read up on our most recent code updates:
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Stay up to date on the most recent proposed and passed legislation affecting DBI:
Plumbing permit exemption to install simple gray water systems. Former Supervisor Scott Wiener's proposed ordinance to waive the current requirement to obtain a plumbing permit prior to installing a simple gray water system, using recycled water for landscaping and other uses, and thus saving precious water.
Ordinance amending the Green Building Code and the Environment Code to establish requirements for installation of electric vehicle charger infrastructure in new buildings or buildings undergoing major alterations.
Ordinance amending the Building Code to establish a process
giving the Building Inspection Commission
more review
time of
often complex legislation proposed by the Board of Supervisors.
Ordinance to exempt mandatory soft story seismic retrofits from the project valuation trigger for fire alarm system upgrades, thereby facilitating issuance of CFCs for completed seismic retrofit projects.
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EVENTS
All-Staff Meeting
We're excited
to host our All-Staff Meeting on October
25. We look forward to this opportunity to gather as a team and reflect
upon our
initiatives, challenges and priorities. DBI services will open at 10:00 a.m. on this day.
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DBI IN THE COMMUNITY
Are you interested in having DBI at your street fair or public neighborhood meeting? We would be happy to come present and speak about topics relating to our services. Email [email protected] and we'll be in touch! |
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LET'S GET SOCIAL
Keep up with the latest DBI news, tips, and contests by following us on Twitter & Facebook!
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HOLIDAY HOURS
DBI will be closed on Monday, September 4 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
View our hours of operation here.
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