What to do
1. Check your deadline requirements
You must submit facade inspection reports depending on when your building was built.
- Buildings constructed before 1910: December 31, 2021
- Between 1910 and 1925: December 31, 2023
- Between 1926 and 1970: December 31, 2025
- After 1970: December 31, 2027
Buildings constructed under a permit submitted after January 1, 1998 are exempt from an initial inspection. They must start periodic inspections 30 years after issuance of the Certificate of Final Completion. A building completed in 1998 would have to submit their first facade inspection in 2028.
2. Hire a design professional
You must hire a California licensed architect or engineer to do your facade inspection.
If your building is a historic resource, you must hire someone with expertise in structural inspection and maintenance of historic resources. See additional information in the building code.
3. Follow the building code instructions
Your licensed architect or engineer will write an inspection report and report conclusions.
They must follow all the rules for our inspection report and report conclusions in Administrative Bulletin 110.
The inspection report must include a Report cover sheet.
4. Submit your facade inspection report
You may submit your completed facade inspection report by email, in person, or by mail.
Send your completed inspection report and documents.
Include “Facade Inspection Report” in the subject line.
In-person or by mail
Bring or mail print copies to:
Department of Building Inspection
Technical Services Division49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94103
Mon to Tue,
7:30 am to 11:30 am
Wed,
9:00 am to 11:30 am
Thu to Fri,
7:30 am to 11:30 am
5. Wait for our review
We will email you if we need more information or comments.
You may have to re-submit your report based on our comments.
6. Pay fees and get report approval
We will invoice you. The fee is based on our standard hourly rates for plan review.
After you pay, we will send you your acceptance letter.
Your inspection and maintenance reports are not complete until you pay.
Submit a waiver
Submit a waiver
1. Check if you qualify for a waiver
You may apply for a waiver from the initial facade inspection if your building:
- Received a comprehensive facade inspection and maintenance or replacement in 10 years before the inspection report due date for your property
- Was constructed under a permit filed after January 1, 1998 (you will have to have an inspection starting 30 years from the issuance of the Certificate of Final Completion for the building)
2. Email us your documents
You must submit:
- Facade inspection with necessary maintenance, restoration, or replacement in the 10 years before the inspection report due date for your property and
- Facade inspection and inspection report in the 10 years before the inspection report due date for your property and
- Documentation of the completed repairs through past building permits, associated plans, specifications and inspection reports
Email us your documents. Include "Facade Inspection Waiver" in the subject line.
Special cases
Historic resources
Historic resources
Facade inspections and maintenance on buildings that are a “historic resource” need to be done according to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Get help
Phone
DBI’s Technical Services Division
Resource handout
Last updated October 10, 2023