Qualifying San Francisco buildings constructed from 1971 through 1997 fall within Compliance Tier 4 of the Building Facade Inspection and Maintenance Program. Under the current San Francisco Existing Building Code, the required initial comprehensive facade inspection report is due by December 31, 2027.
For building owners, the key point is that December 31, 2027 is the report submission deadline, not simply the date by which the physical inspection should be scheduled. After submission, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) reviews the report. Under Administrative Bulletin AB-110, the property is considered compliant with that program deadline after the review process is completed and the applicable fees are paid.
What Is the San Francisco Facade Inspection 2027 Deadline?
The San Francisco facade inspection 2027 deadline is December 31, 2027, for the initial comprehensive facade inspection report required for qualifying Tier 4 buildings.
In simple terms, a Tier 4 building is a property covered by Chapter 5F whose original construction was completed from 1971 through 1997.
| Compliance Tier | Building Construction Completion Date | Comprehensive Inspection Report Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 4 | 1971 through 1997 | December 31, 2027 |
The deadline applies to the comprehensive inspection report. Building owners should therefore schedule the inspection early enough to allow time for access planning, field inspection, professional evaluation, report preparation, and submission.
Which Buildings Are Subject to the 2027 Facade Inspection Deadline?
The 1971–1997 construction period alone does not determine whether a property is subject to Chapter 5F.
Under Section 501F of the San Francisco Existing Building Code, Chapter 5F applies to facades of buildings that are:
• five or more stories; and
• Construction Type I, II, III, or IV.
For a building meeting that scope, an original construction completion date from 1971 through 1997 places it in Tier 4 for the initial comprehensive inspection schedule.
Owners unsure whether a property falls within the program should confirm the building information before treating December 31, 2027 as the required deadline. For a broader explanation of eligibility and the inspection program, see our Chapter 5F Facade Inspection Guide.
Why Does the 1971 Through 1997 Construction Period Matter?
San Francisco uses the original building construction completion date to determine the applicable compliance tier.
Table 503F defines Tier 4 as buildings constructed from 1971 through 1997.
For this purpose, the building construction date refers to the date the Department issued the Certificate of Completion for the original building or other Department documentation showing when the original construction was completed.
The code also makes clear that later additions or alterations do not change the original construction date used for this schedule.
A building originally completed in 1985, for example, does not automatically move into a newer tier because it underwent a substantial renovation years later.
Is December 31, 2027 the Inspection Date or the Report Due Date?
December 31, 2027 is the due date for the comprehensive inspection report.
The physical facade inspection must occur early enough for the qualified professional to complete the required evaluation and prepare the report for submission.
This distinction matters most for buildings that require specialized exterior access or additional coordination before inspection work can begin. Leaving the process until the final weeks of 2027 could create avoidable scheduling and reporting pressure.
Does DBI Have to Accept the Report by December 31, 2027?
Table 503F establishes December 31, 2027 as the report due date for Tier 4 comprehensive inspections.
DBI reviews the report after receipt. Administrative Bulletin AB-110 states that DBI reviews facade inspection reports within 60 days of receipt and notifies the owner and qualified professional whether the report is acceptable as submitted or whether revisions or additional information are required.
This means the December 31 date should not be confused with the completion of DBI's review process.
AB-110 further states that after DBI completes its review, an invoice is issued. Once applicable fees have been paid, the property is deemed compliant with the program compliance deadline for which the report was submitted.
What Inspection Is Required for Tier 4 Buildings in 2027?
The Tier 4 deadline concerns the initial comprehensive facade inspection report.
Under Chapter 5F, required facade inspection work is conducted by a qualified professional who is a California-licensed architect or engineer retained by the property owner.
The comprehensive inspection itself follows the applicable Chapter 5F and AB-110 inspection requirements.
Because this article focuses specifically on the 2027 deadline, the full inspection methodology is not repeated here. Building owners who need to understand the complete inspection scope can review our broader Chapter 5F guidance.
What Should Building Owners Do Before the 2027 Deadline?
Owners of potential Tier 4 properties should begin by confirming that the building falls within the applicable Chapter 5F requirements.
A practical preparation process includes the following steps:
1. Confirm the Original Building Completion Date
Check the Certificate of Completion or other Department documentation showing when the original building was completed. Do not automatically use the date of a later addition, remodel, facade replacement, or modernization project.
2. Confirm Chapter 5F Applicability
A building completed from 1971 through 1997 is not automatically subject to the program based on age alone. Confirm that the building also meets the Chapter 5F scope requirements, including the applicable construction type and five-or-more-story threshold.
3. Gather Existing Facade Records
Make relevant building information available to the qualified professional. Useful records can include previous facade inspection reports, maintenance records, repair documentation, permits, available building plans, photographs, and information about known exterior conditions.
4. Review Building Access
Facade configuration can affect how inspectors reach inspection areas. Building height, setbacks, neighboring structures, roof access, restricted areas, and exterior geometry may all affect inspection planning.
Where appropriate for the project, Great Escape Service & Inspections can use specialized access methods including swing stages and bosun's chairs to reach facade areas that cannot be adequately evaluated using conventional access.
5. Allow Time for the Report
Completing the physical inspection is not the final step. The findings must be evaluated and documented in the required professional report before submission to DBI. Owners should account for this reporting period when planning around the December 31, 2027 deadline.
Can a Tier 4 Building Qualify for an Initial Inspection Waiver?
Possibly. Chapter 5F allows an owner to apply for an initial inspection waiver when a qualifying comprehensive facade inspection and necessary maintenance, restoration, or replacement were completed during the 10 years preceding the required initial inspection report due date.
A previous facade inspection or repair project does not automatically create a waiver. AB-110 establishes documentation and review requirements for waiver requests, and DBI may also consider certain waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
Owners who believe previous facade work may qualify should review our dedicated San Francisco Facade Inspection Waiver guide instead of assuming the 2027 requirement no longer applies.
What If the Building Was Constructed After 1997?
A building constructed after 1997 falls into Tier 5, not Tier 4. Under the current Table 503F, the initial comprehensive inspection report for Tier 5 is due by December 31 of the 30th year after receiving the Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy.
Owners of newer buildings should therefore determine the applicable deadline from the building's own completion records rather than using the December 31, 2027 Tier 4 date.
Does a Later Renovation Change the 2027 Deadline?
Not by itself. Table 503F bases the construction date on completion of the original building, regardless of later additions or alterations.
For example, a qualifying building originally completed in 1980 does not automatically leave Tier 4 because it was renovated in 2010.
Later work may still matter for inspection planning or a potential waiver request, but the renovation date does not replace the original construction completion date for assigning the Table 503F compliance tier.
Do Tier 4 High-Rise Buildings Have Another Deadline?
Yes, applicable buildings that are 15 or more stories are also subject to supplemental facade inspection requirements.
For Tier 4, Table 503F lists:
| Tier 4 Requirement | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Inspection Report | December 31, 2027 |
| Supplemental Inspection Report | December 31, 2032 |
The supplemental requirement applies to the taller buildings covered by the applicable Chapter 5F provisions and should not be confused with the 2027 comprehensive inspection deadline.
For more detail about these requirements, see our High-Rise Facade Inspections in San Francisco guide.
What Happens After the 2027 Report Is Submitted?
The report enters the DBI review process. Under AB-110, DBI reviews submitted facade inspection reports within 60 days of receipt. DBI then informs the owner and qualified professional whether the report is acceptable or whether it needs revisions or additional information.
If comments are issued, the report may need to be revised and resubmitted. After DBI completes its review, the Department issues an invoice for the applicable review and administrative fees. Once the required fees are paid, the property is considered compliant with the applicable program deadline.
How Should Property Managers Build a 2027 Compliance Timeline?
Property managers can treat the 2027 deadline as a project with several separate stages.
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| Verify | Confirm original construction date and Chapter 5F applicability |
| Prepare | Gather previous reports, maintenance records, plans, and available facade information |
| Coordinate | Arrange building, roof, restricted-area, and exterior access as needed |
| Inspect | Complete the required comprehensive facade inspection |
| Report | Allow the qualified professional time to prepare and finalize the report |
| Submit | Submit the required report to DBI by the applicable deadline |
| Review | Respond to DBI comments or requests for additional information if issued |
| Complete | Address the DBI invoice and applicable fees |
Breaking the process into stages reduces the risk of treating December 31, 2027 as the date to begin the inspection.
What If Facade Damage Is Found Before 2027?
The Tier 4 schedule does not allow an owner to ignore significant facade damage until the normal 2027 deadline. Section 503F.3 separately addresses inspection in response to significant facade damage or failure.
When required facade elements exhibit significant damage or failure, the owner may be required to obtain an inspection of the affected areas and related building elements within 60 days, unless the facade poses an unsafe condition. Unsafe conditions are subject to separate immediate requirements.
This is an off-cycle inspection trigger and should not be confused with the normal Tier 4 reporting schedule.
Why Owners Should Start Planning Before the Deadline
The December 31, 2027 deadline may appear distant enough to postpone planning, but several parts of the process can require coordination.
A qualifying building may need:
• confirmation of original construction records;
• review of previous facade documentation;
• coordination with the qualified professional;
• roof or restricted-area access;
• specialized facade access;
• field inspection;
• professional evaluation;
• report preparation; and
• time to respond to any issues identified before submission.
Starting early gives the owner more control over scheduling and avoids compressing the inspection and reporting process into the final months before the deadline.
Need to Prepare for the San Francisco 2027 Facade Inspection Deadline?
Great Escape Service & Inspections provides professional facade inspection services in San Francisco for qualifying properties subject to Chapter 5F.
If your building was originally constructed from 1971 through 1997, the first step is to confirm whether it falls within the Chapter 5F scope and the Tier 4 schedule.
Our team can assist with inspection planning, exterior facade evaluation, specialized access where required, and the inspection process for qualifying San Francisco buildings.
Conclusion
The San Francisco facade inspection 2027 deadline is December 31, 2027, for the initial comprehensive facade inspection reports of qualifying Tier 4 buildings constructed from 1971 through 1997. The deadline is specifically the report due date.
For a Tier 4 property, owners should confirm the original construction completion date, verify Chapter 5F applicability, organize relevant records, coordinate inspection access, and allow sufficient time for the qualified professional to complete the inspection and report.
After submission, DBI reviews the report and may request additional information or revisions. Under AB-110, the property is deemed compliant with the applicable program deadline after DBI completes its review and the required fees are paid.
Planning before the final months of 2027 gives owners and property managers more time to complete each part of the process properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DBI Have to Accept the Facade Report by December 31, 2027?
Table 503F identifies December 31, 2027 as the comprehensive inspection report due date for Tier 4. AB-110 provides DBI up to 60 days after receipt to review a submitted report, so the report due date and DBI acceptance are separate stages.
What Happens If DBI Requests Revisions After the Report Is Submitted?
AB-110 allows DBI to request revisions or additional information. The qualified professional can submit revisions as needed, and changes from the previously submitted report should be clearly identified.
Does Changing Building Ownership Reset the Tier 4 Deadline?
No provision in Table 503F ties the deadline to the date a property changes ownership. The compliance tier is based on the building's original construction completion date and the applicable Chapter 5F scope.
What If City Records Show Different Construction Dates?
Table 503F refers to the Department-issued Certificate of Completion for the original building or other Department documentation showing the date of completion of the original construction. If available records conflict, the applicable Department records should be confirmed before assigning the building to a compliance tier.
Does a Building That Is Exactly Five Stories Fall Under Chapter 5F?
Yes, if the other applicable scope requirements are met. Section 501F applies to qualifying Construction Type I, II, III, or IV buildings that are five or more stories.
Does Property Use Change the Tier 4 Deadline?
Chapter 5F Section 501F defines its scope by building construction type and number of stories, while Table 503F establishes the schedule based on original construction completion date. Property use alone is not listed there as a separate Tier 4 scheduling factor.
What If the Inspection Is Completed but the Report Is Not Submitted by December 31, 2027?
Completing the physical inspection alone does not satisfy the Table 503F reporting requirement. Section 503F.1.1 requires the applicable inspection report to be submitted within the timeline established in Table 503F.
Can DBI Require an Inspection Before the Normal 2027 Deadline?
Yes. Chapter 5F allows an inspection outside the normal schedule when significant damage or failure is identified, and the Building Official may also require an inspection where a building may pose a health and safety hazard.
Where Is a Facade Inspection Report Submitted?
AB-110 allows the owner or owner's representative to submit the report to the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection by email, mail, or in person through the Department's Technical Services Division.
Is the Property Automatically Compliant as Soon as the Report Is Submitted?
No. Submission starts the DBI review process. Under AB-110, after DBI completes its review and you pay the applicable fees, the property is deemed compliant with the program deadline for which the report was submitted.
