Plans to add a new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to the four-unit Noe Valley building at 1475 Church Street were drawn and approved back in mid-2018. And the completed work was then inspected and approved by a Department of Building Inspection (DBI) inspector in March of 2019.

Following the receipt of a recent tip, however, the City was unable to find any record of a permit having been secured for the installation of a sprinkler system and fire alarm in the new unit, as required, nor any record of a plumbing permit having been secured for the ADU’s new kitchen and bathroom.

In addition, an inspection has now revealed that the layout of the finished ADU doesn’t match the plans that were drawn and approved.

And yes, the former president of San Francisco’s Building Inspection Commission, Rodrigo Santos, was the sponsor and engineer of record for the addition while the 2019-era inspection and approval of the (unpermitted) work was completed by Senior Building Inspector Bernard Curran.

5 thoughts on “Approved But Not Permitted and a Couple of Familiar Names”
  1. Thanks for continuing to highlight these frauds, and for naming names. Seems clear the SFBIC is a pay-to-play criminal enterprise at this stage.

    1. “At this stage”? It’s been this way for decades. The biggest open secret in San Francisco. But good to point fingers and name names.

  2. I’ve never had problems with Building Inspectors. They’ve helped me keep contractors honest. But the code and the city’s demands for unnecessary paperwork and silly expensive steps… shameful.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *