Chapter 5F Compliance, Inspection Deadlines & Professional Reporting

San Francisco's Facade Inspection and Maintenance Program (FIMP) requires periodic inspection and maintenance of qualifying building exteriors to reduce hazards associated with deteriorating facade components.

Jonathan J. McKim, Architect (JJMA) assists building owners, commercial property managers, and homeowners associations with understanding their obligations, scheduling required inspections, and preparing professional reports for the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI).

Which Buildings Must Comply?

Under San Francisco Existing Building Code Chapter 5F, qualifying buildings generally include structures five or more stories tall and classified as Construction Type I, II, III, or IV.

The program includes exterior walls, windows, balconies, cornices, parapets, architectural ornamentation, and other facade components.

Additional supplemental inspection requirements apply to buildings of 15 or more stories.

Mandatory Inspection Deadlines

The City's initial comprehensive inspection schedule is based on the building's original construction completion date.

Building completion dateComprehensive report deadlineBefore 1910December 31, 20211910–1925December 31, 20231926–1970December 31, 20251971–1997December 31, 2027After 1997December 31 of the 30th year following the Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy

For qualifying buildings of 15 or more stories, Chapter 5F also establishes supplemental inspection requirements.

Upcoming supplemental report deadlines include:

• Pre-1910 buildings: December 31, 2026.

• Buildings completed 1910–1925: December 31, 2028.

• Buildings completed 1926–1970: December 31, 2030.

• Buildings completed 1971–1997: December 31, 2032.

Different provisions apply to buildings completed after 1997 and to subsequent inspection cycles.

Comprehensive vs. Supplemental Inspections

Comprehensive inspections evaluate the exterior facade and its components using visual and detailed inspection methods prescribed by AB-110 and ASTM E2270.

Supplemental inspections generally focus on exterior glazing systems for qualifying taller buildings, including signs of displacement, deterioration, and breakage.

Comprehensive inspections recur at ten-year intervals after the applicable initial report deadline. Supplemental inspection frequency depends on building age and the provisions of Chapter 5F.

What Happens if a Deadline Has Passed?

Owners of buildings with overdue reports should promptly determine their compliance status with DBI.

Failure to meet applicable inspection, reporting, or maintenance requirements may result in enforcement proceedings.

Where significant facade damage or failure is identified, Chapter 5F may require an inspection within 60 days. Unsafe conditions may require more immediate protective action.

JJMA's FIMP Services

JJMA assists property owners with:

• Determining building applicability and compliance deadlines.

• Reviewing previous inspection reports and DBI correspondence.

• Developing an inspection and access strategy.

• Performing professional architectural assessments.

• Coordinating qualified access contractors and specialty consultants.

• Preparing comprehensive or supplemental reports and applicable affidavits.

• Responding to DBI comments and assisting with compliance documentation.

Request a FIMP Compliance Review

If your building is approaching its inspection deadline, has an outstanding DBI notice, or requires a new inspection report, contact JJMA to discuss the property and applicable requirements.

Regulatory references: San Francisco Existing Building Code §§501F–505F; Table 503F; DBI Administrative Bulletin AB-110; ASTM E2270.